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Transcript of 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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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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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
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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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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
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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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
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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
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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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
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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
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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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
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
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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
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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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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR
Tel 01635 200021
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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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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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Theresa has her own
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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
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
07875386490
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Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
network converting to broadband or any other
hardware needs
Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen
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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
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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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
12 Lamb Close Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 3UE
01635 872285 07849078204
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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
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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
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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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
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play facilities bull Animal Care
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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
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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
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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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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR
Tel 01635 200021
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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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CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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
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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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Theresa has her own
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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
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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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
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MEASURING
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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
12 Lamb Close Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 3UE
01635 872285 07849078204
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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
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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
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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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers
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Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600
bull Fun French
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bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor
play facilities bull Animal Care
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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
01635 201854
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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
Organic beef lamb and chicken home
produced on our own farm which has been
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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR
Tel 01635 200021
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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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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
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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
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Theresa has her own
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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
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
07875386490
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Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
12 Lamb Close Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 3UE
01635 872285 07849078204
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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
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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
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
-
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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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
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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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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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Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns
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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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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
NAPIT registered
Free no obligation quote
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ELECTRICIAN
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time to suit you
01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
-
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
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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
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
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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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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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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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
NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light
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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability
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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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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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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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
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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
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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers
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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
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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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
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Tel 01635 200021
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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
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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
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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
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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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
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
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
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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
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
-
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
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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
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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wwwoaktree-floorscouk
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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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bull Only 6 children per class
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Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600
bull Fun French
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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
01635 201854
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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings
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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
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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
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
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
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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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01635 860126
07786 846 367
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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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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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HUNGERFORD
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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
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
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on 01635 202001
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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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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
-
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
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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
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Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600
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
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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
01635 201854
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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings
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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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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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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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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
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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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
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
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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
-
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
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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
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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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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THE SIX BELLS
The Green
Beenham
RG7 5NX
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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
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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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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
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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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
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
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With people living longer
the strain on State benefits growing
and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast
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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
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
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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References available
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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
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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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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
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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
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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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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
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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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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
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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
NAPIT registered
Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
ELECTRICIAN
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time to suit you
01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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
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
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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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
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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
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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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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
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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
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prov
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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
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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
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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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
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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
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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Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham
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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
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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
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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
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
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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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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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
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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
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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
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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Tel
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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
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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
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
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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
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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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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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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
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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
COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC
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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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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
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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
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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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
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
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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
e im
prov
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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
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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
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
51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC
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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
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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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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
(01635) 582829
EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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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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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
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
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prov
ers
s
nork
ellin
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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
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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
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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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
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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
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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Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham
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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
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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
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
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
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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
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
-
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
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
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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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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THE SIX BELLS
The Green
Beenham
RG7 5NX
01189 01189 01189
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Proprietors Glynis amp Chris
CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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
-
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
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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
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
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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
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
51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC
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Give the lady in your life a gift that she will
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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
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
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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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
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
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
-
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
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
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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
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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
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
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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR
Tel 01635 200021
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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
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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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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
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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING
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Theresa has her own
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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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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
NAPIT registered
Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
ELECTRICIAN
Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
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
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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
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
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
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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
-
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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
J7 CD amp DVDCD amp DVDCD amp DVD
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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
-
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
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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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
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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
our infamous
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Christmas Menu
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3 - 9 November
bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices
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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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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
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
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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
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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
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
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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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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
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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
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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
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
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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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Tel
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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
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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
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
J7 CD amp DVDCD amp DVDCD amp DVD
DUPLICATIONDUPLICATIONDUPLICATION
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
-
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
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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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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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
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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
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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
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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HUNGERFORD
48a High Street Tel 01488 686830
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Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444
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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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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
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
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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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ions
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Con
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ions
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Tel
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8607
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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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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
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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
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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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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
-
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
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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
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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
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Tel 01635 200021
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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
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Proprietors Glynis amp Chris
CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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
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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
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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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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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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
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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
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
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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
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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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
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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TADLEY
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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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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01635 872285 07849078204
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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
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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
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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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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
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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
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Proprietors Glynis amp Chris
CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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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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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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
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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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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
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
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
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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
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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
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
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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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
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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
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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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
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Tel 01635 200021
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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
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AA rating
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CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR
SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED
Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns
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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
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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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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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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER
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With people living longer
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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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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
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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
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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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC
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Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm
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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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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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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
-
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 as little as pound10 Also
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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
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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR
CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW
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Tel 01635 200021
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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
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Proprietors Glynis amp Chris
CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale
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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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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
bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY
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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
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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
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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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
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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
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
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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
-
Gift Vouchers available for
Christmas Gifts
from as little as pound10 Also
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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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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
(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
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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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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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
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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
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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
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
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
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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
12 Lamb Close Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 3UE
01635 872285 07849078204
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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
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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
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
-
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
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
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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
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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
Property Maintenance
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Emergency call out
Free Estimates
01635 860126
07786 846 367
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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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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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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
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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
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
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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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
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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
-
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
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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Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham
RG19 3TL
Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch
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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
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
-
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
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now available also
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3 - 9 November
bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices
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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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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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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
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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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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
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
07875386490
macesolutionsyahoocom
NAPIT registered
Free no obligation quote
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ELECTRICIAN
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time to suit you
01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre
Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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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
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
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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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
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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
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
-
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
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
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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
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
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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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THE SIX BELLS
The Green
Beenham
RG7 5NX
01189 01189 01189
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Four Star Inn
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Pie Week
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New Year Gala Dinner
3 - 9 November
bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices
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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
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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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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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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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Priors Court Road - Hermitage
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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
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
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
-
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE
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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
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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
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
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
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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
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Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
ELECTRICIAN
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time to suit you
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
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
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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
-
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
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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
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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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-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE
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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
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Free no obligation quote
Fully insured
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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
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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
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With people living longer
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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast
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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
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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
-
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
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
-
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
J7 CD amp DVDCD amp DVDCD amp DVD
DUPLICATIONDUPLICATIONDUPLICATION
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
-
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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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
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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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Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
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ursu
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that
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that
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conn
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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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Con
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ions
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Con
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ions
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G
rave
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ridg
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G
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R
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1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
That
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G
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R
G7
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Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
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R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
That
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Con
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ions
That
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Con
nect
ions
That
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Con
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e 5
G
rave
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ridg
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G
raze
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R
eadi
ng
R
G7
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Tel
011
8 98
8607
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conn
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
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Con
nect
ions
That
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Con
nect
ions
U
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itke
n
S
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e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
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rmho
use
G
raze
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R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
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conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
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conn
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nsc
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
- HIGH QUALITY LOW COST
-FAST RELIABLE SERVICE
-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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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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G
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G
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R
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R
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Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
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conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
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nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
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Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
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itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
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conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
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conn
ectio
nsc
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
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nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
U
rsul
a A
itke
n
S
tabl
e 5
G
rave
lly B
ridg
e Fa
rmho
use
G
raze
ley
R
eadi
ng
R
G7
1LG
Tel
011
8 98
8607
0
em
ail
ursu
la
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
w
ww
that
cham
conn
ectio
nsc
ouk
- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
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nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
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that
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that
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
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w
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that
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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
cham
Con
nect
ions
That
cham
Con
nect
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That
cham
Con
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67
That
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-
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that
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- Judy 13
- Connolly13
- 07747 63455613
- Cedar Ceramics13
- Tiling Specialist13
-