Downley Festival 2015

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Following on from Frost’s articles about this fantastic village of Downley, near High Wycombe, and the piece in the Homes section of The Evening Standard, here is something about the arts festival that has just finished in Downley.

This year, at the start of the festival, strangers appeared in Downley, all vyeing for our attention. Some were perched on walls, another took her place in the front garden, with a glass of wine in her hand. One was up on a garage roof. Others guarded front doors. It was scarecrow time.

Here, there and everywhere, the scarecrows were enjoying the fun.

So, what did the Festival provide?

Those of an athletic disposition, (not me) could run 5 km and pretend to be enjoying it.

Another day we enjoyed the talent show, another time the Ceilidh Band, and talent show.

To begin with, however, there was a family disco in the marquee, and then, as the sun warmed us all, it was Downley Day. All afternoon there were performances and stalls.

The glorious weather continued which was kind to the gardens in Downley, some of which were open for the Festival. So lovely to poke around all those gardens you can’t usually see unless you’re on the top deck of a double decker. Nosey – me? Nah.

Downley School, which is the lovely village school put on a Shakespeare Production and to the relief of all concerned, a Beer and Cheese Festival took place.

I did a workshop on creative writing, and met lovely new people.

All a huge success, and bravo to those who organized and ran it. Downley has done it again. So close to London, but very much in the country.

Yay. Looking forward to next year already.

The Very Thought of You by Mary Fitzgerald Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Frostie

Once again Mary Fitzgerald has woven a story of friendship, love, intrigue and blackmail. Set in 1944 when hopes were high that the war would be over soon; Mary has shown how the friendship and comradeship of a touring variety group brings much needed entertainment to factory workers and troops.

In 1944 Beau Bennett gathers together a touring variety group, the Bennett Players, to perform to factory workers, military hospitals and troops in the UK and France.

Catherine, Della and Frances join the Bennett Players and form a strong friendship as they travel around with the show. The three girls are each searching for something – Catherine seeking news of her husband reported ‘missing in action’, Della is ambitious for fame and Frances needs to keep the impoverished family estate safe for the future.

The shows are a great success and raise moral wherever they go but as they follow the advancing armies through France the girls realise that lies, deceit, betrayal and blackmail are following them and the troupe. Slowly the truth becomes clear and they all will be changed by it. The girls have formed a strong bond which will survive as they return home to their changed futures.

Mary Fitzgerald now lives in the peaceful countryside of Shropshire. After a successful nursing career, marriage and four children, the family eventually settled back in the UK. Mary always loved writing and her characters took on a life of their own as she researches her books. After much rejection a chance email from Random House arrived and Mary was on her way to being a successful published author.

Mary’s characters have warmth and depth to cope with the ups and downs life presents. Read and enjoy.

The Very Thought of You is available here.

Published in Paperback by Arrow on 16^th July 2015 – £5.99

Also available in eBook

Luxurious Lace

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

Heading out for an evenings fun at Somerset House to see Jessie J. When the weather’s this good, all thats needed is a bright colourful number. A real head turner and conversation starter. We have been so lucky with the weather recently and we have been drenched in heady sunshine, the evenings are perfect for little dresses and special one off looking garments.

One of my favourite brands is Closet Clothing London and I was invited along to their London showroom to pick out a few items for events coming up. This stunner leapt out at me for this particular evening. I can’t tell you how many compliments that I received.

Luxurious Lace Outfit Details

Little black dress & shoes from Asos, Jimmy Choo bag, Chanel Necklace, Apple Watch & Lace duster coat (co) Closet Clothing London

Big Mack: Michael Ball leads the cast of Chichester’s big summer musical

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Vicky Edwards

THEATRE REVIEW

Mack and Mabel
Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 5 September (and then on tour)

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart (revised by Francine Pascal)

www.cft.org.uk
Box Office: 01243 781312

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

From the moment that the blistering overture kicks in you sense that something special is in store. And so it is. In addition to a belting orchestra, there’s a clever set and technical wizardry, glorious frocks and a phenomenally talented cast, led by Michael Ball and Rebecca La Chance in the title roles.

But although billed as a musical comedy, the plot isn’t an endless stream of lighthearted froth by any means. Nor is it a conventional musical theatre romance. The true story of Mack Sennett, the legendary silent movie director famed for his Keystone Cops, and Mabel Normand, a hot dog seller spotted by Sennett and transformed into the darling of the silent screen, in many ways the tale is more reminiscent of Albert Square than Hollywood. Just with more songs.

Told retrospectively, Michael Ball convinces absolutely as the ruthlessly driven Sennett whose sole aim in life is to make ‘em laugh. Broke and alone in his studio before being turned out, he recalls the past; the lies he told, the cast and crew he bullied and the love he treated far too casually. And then there’s the crushing blow that he was wrong about the Talkies which, in spite of his prophecy to the contrary, did actually catch on, diminishing public appetite for his silent pie-in-the-face two-reelers.

Resigned to his rudeness and lack of romance, Mabel continues to love the difficult but charismatic Mack. Reaching a point, however, when the occasional moment of tenderness is no longer enough, and with Mack unwilling – or unable – to make any greater commitment to her, she allows her head to be turned by a rival producer. Having taken drugs before to cope with Mack’s punishing schedule of movie making, she is soon a regular drug taker, slugging down hard liquor in between shoving cocaine up her nose. By the time Mack finally realises that she needs help as much as he needs her it’s all far too late.

Rebecca La Chance is terrific. Vocally enchanting, she pitches Mabel’s initial passion, zest and energy perfectly. As times change, and her fading hope and enthusiasm becomes apparent, it pierces the heart.Fluid, visually stunning and audibly fabulous, all credit to director Jonathan Church and his creative team, whose collective expertise is harnessed to great effect. Choreographer Stephen Mere, at the top of his game, must surely be one of the world’s best. Inventive, stylish and almost poetic in their gracefulness, his routines are simply dazzling.

But ultimately it is Michael Ball’s show. Giving Mack real substance, and following on from his triumphant performance at Chichester a couple of years ago as Sweeney Todd, he cements his status as a supremely talented singer who can really act. Balancing the aggressive bully who is consumed by his work with the man who is also capable of flashes of sweetness, loyalty and at some level self-awareness, Ball manages the emotional and personality gear changes with complete aplomb. It is a remarkable performance and not until the curtain call is there so much of a glimpse of the slightly camp luvvie who willingly sends himself up.

Another Chichester musical with all the hallmarks of success, I Never Promised You a Happy Ending may well be one of the big numbers, but you’re sure as Hell guaranteed joyous entertainment. If you can get a ticket, grab one.

The Energy Bus Book Review

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Aidan

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy By Jon Gordon is a self help book with a difference. Written as a fictional story about a negative businessman who’s life changes when his car breaks down and he is forced to take the bus. The driver, Joy, has 10 rules to a positive mindset. I found the book helpful with fascinating facts about the heart and Abraham Lincoln. Facts, rules and fiction are all woven together into a book that inspires positive energy and gives you the tools to bring that positive energy to your life and work place.

Easy to understand and implement. Recommended for work and home.

The book, which is written in the style of a fable, takes place in a business setting, and includes an Action Plan and 10 simple rules, using the analogy of a bus ride, to build a positive, high performing team. The Energy Bus has proved hugely popular in the US amongst sports teams and their coaches and Gordon, a former College lacrosse player, regularly gets asked to address sports teams teaching them how to maintain a positive mindset throughout gruelling training sessions.

Discover how to stay positive and avoid ‘energy vampires’

According to a global Gallup poll, negativity in the workplace is rife, with only 1 in 8 employees being psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organisations.

Energy coach Jon Gordon wants to change that. In his bestselling self-help book, The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to fuel your life, work and team with positive energy, the author offers lessons on staying positive and avoiding ‘energy vampires’ who will ‘suck the life out of you and your goals and vision’ if you let them. Gordon offers 10 simple rules to achieving positive results which, when applied, have an impact on health, family, team and personal success.

The author draws on his experience of working with thousands of leaders and teams to provide readers with insights and practical strategies to help them achieve a positive team and culture. Written in the style of a fable, the book tells the story of a man, struggling in his job and marriage, whose car gets a flat tyre, forcing him to take a bus to work. The bus driver’s positive attitude helps him to turn his life around.

“While this fable takes place in a business setting, this book was written for everyone. We are all part of a team, and every member of our team – whether it’s our work team, sports team, family team, or school team, can benefit from the 10 simple, powerful rules shared in this book. After all, positive people and positive teams produce positive results, and the essential ingredient is positive energy.” Jon Gordon

About the author:

Jon Gordon’s best selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous sports coaches and teams, organisations, schools, hospitals and charities. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal best seller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish and Soup: A Recipe to Nourish your Team and Culture. Connect with him at www.JonGordon.com

Published by Wiley.

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy is available here.

ISBN: 9781119089148

5 Sizzling Steak Tips

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Aidan

Having ‘grilled’ one of England’s top top beef scientists, we bring you tips that will make your barbecue season so much tastier. ‘The Science of Steak’ at The Meridian Hotel in London’s Piccadily involved some serious steak sampling, and whilst munching on Waygu and Aberdeen Angus, Carol Muskoron spoke to Dr Phil Hadley of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to discover some compelling steak advice.

Why you don’t always need steak mince.

Do you walk proudly by the budget mince and head straight for the steak mince? Budget mince is the best mince for making burgers. With more fat than leaner mince, it gives a burger extra flavour and succulence and helps it hold together better too. Go for the mid-range mince if you like a little less fat, but you really don’t need to opt for steak mince if you’re making burgers. What should you use steak mince for? Lasagne or spaghetti bolognese of course.

Steak doesn’t have to be bright red when you buy it

You know those brownish, vacuum-packed steaks you tend to avoid in the supermarkets – well, it turns out that they’re just as fresh as the bright red ones. We might prefer our steak to look red and bloody when we buy it, but it makes no difference to the steak at all. Want proof? Take it out of its pack and leave it for half an hour and it will turn nice and red again once its re-oxygenated. Or just cook it – the colour won’t affect the flavour.

When NOT to throw out your steak

If your steak has turned a bit brown on the outside that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s off. Steak does brown as it gets older but it’s usually perfectly okay to cook a steak that has a brown tinge. And remember, if you’re pan-frying or barbecuing you’ll be heating it up so high that it will kill any small amounts of bacteria on the outside. The sell-by date is a good indicator of freshness but may not be accurate – the real test is to smell it. A steak that is off will make its presence known to your nostrils – it will smell bad!

Ageing – what’s that all about?

When you go to a restaurant and 35-day aged steak is on the menu, what does that mean? Should you be excited or horrified that a mouldy old lump of meat will turn up on your plate?! Ageing simply means storing meat so that the flavours and tenderness improve – it’s kept in a constant and very cool temperature under UV light to keep it fresh during the process. It’s common practice to age steak for 14 days, as flavour and texture both improve up to that point. After 14 days the texture won’t improve any more – it’s as tender as it’s going to get – but the flavour will move on and become more meaty (more game-like).

Grain-fed or grass fed?

Again, on a menu or in a butcher’s you might see this information. What should you make of it? In England, most of our cattle is grass fed, and the English consumer seems to mostly prefer grass-fed steak. In taste tests we say grain-fed steaks taste fattier. But give an American a grass-fed steak and they may well complain that it tastes off! Really, this seems to be a case of liking what you’re used to. FYI: Argentinian steaks are grass fed – and that may well be why so many of us love our Argentinian steak restaurants here in the UK.

Fnd out more at http://www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk.

Hardys Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2014 & Kumala Cabernet Shiraz 2013 Review

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Frostie

Hardys Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2014

This shiraz is a smooth, full-bodied red wine with intense autumn fruit flavours of fresh blackberry & mulberry. Accompanied by rich black pepper & vanilla spice. It is well balanced and delicious.

Goes well with pasta, meat and cheese. This wine would be perfect with roast beef, steak and at barbecues.

Kumala Cabernet Shiraz 2013

This shiraz is a South African Wine. A dark ruby red in colour. It is full bodied and has glorious spicy barbecue notes which are complimented by forest fruit flavours. A rich, high quality wine full of wonderful tastes. Smooth and goes down well.

Surrounding South Africa’s Legendary Table Mountain is a place of lush fertility and natural beauty. This is the home of Kumala, where the company make quality wines that are full of character.

Can be enjoyed on its own or with red meat dishes, at a barbecue (of course) and with cheese.

Red wine should be served at room temperature. Red wine is graded from A (light) to E (full bodied).

Chi Chi London – Anisha

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

The sun is out and when that happens its time for strapless little numbers. Weekends aren’t about throwing on those jeans and an old T shirt, but to dress in beautiful clothing. Keep the casual items for rainy, sad looking days when all you want to do is hide away from the entire world. When the sun is drenching us in its sparkles I say a girl needs to dress accordingly. I love nothing more than putting on my heels, a cute dress and head out for cocktails. To while away a few hours people watching or wandering around London grabbing the odd coffee here and there. On this particular day we decided to head towards Holborn. It holds many memories for us as this was the place where we lived when I upped sticks and moved in to London to be with him. Almost 15 years ago. Time has flown by but it still is as beautiful at the weekend as I remember. Its very quiet and chiled unlike the West end. We shot this Chi Chi London – Anisha dress needing a beautiful city backdrop. I think it does it justice don’t you think!

Chi Chi London – Anisha Outfit Details

Zara heels (old) Russell & Bromley bag, J Crew necklace, Apple Watch, Shellac Nails in Dark Lava & Dress (co) Chi Chi London

I styled this outfit with a vivid bag to make the blue and white tones in the dress come alive. Id delightfully swishy and extremely flattering. Perfect for pear shaped girls, as it will show off those tiny waists. Its also great if like me your a little straight up and down. It creates curves in all the right places. If you are a little self conscious about those arms ladies add a wrap or contrasting cropped cardigan. This dress would look amazing worn with heels or even flip-flops. Perfect for Summer afternoons spent sipping tea on the terrace too.

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