Out & About Autumn 2019

FREE

Autumn 2019

West Berkshire, Nor th Hampshire & East Wiltshire

A Newbury News Ltd publication

Parkrun Newbury Free Saturday morning exercise for all

Legacy An arts studio in Highclere

lives on thanks to the vision of one woman

Drawing inspiration An exhibition of Ladybird books and their illustrators opens at The Base

Fashion Food Features Gardening Travel Competitions

presents...

UNCORKED

Sunday 15th September | 12 – 6pm Celebrate the end of summer at Uncorked.

This day is for lovers of fine wine, sensational spirits, live music and great company! Try some wine. Learn in a masterclass. Listen to live music outside on the terrace. Feast from our Californian BBQ. See you there! £55 for a day ticket (Includes one voucher for the BBQ and £20 redeemable against wine purchases on the day from The Vineyard Cellars)

www.the-vineyard.co.uk Please call us on 01635 528770 The Vineyard | Stockcross | Newbury | Berkshire | RG20 8JU

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

O n September 22, 2018, I became parkrunner number A4958165 and walked and ‘ran’ my way round the 5km course at Greenham. A year later and I have completed more than 30 runs and can now ‘ run’ the whole course – trust me, I am not a runner and if you had told me 18 months ago I would even be attempting such a thing, I would have laughed. The parkrun phenomenon is truly remarkable. A free run for all ages and abilities, it is a great way to kickstart your Saturday morning. Yes, there are the serious runners at the front who complete the course before I’m a third of the way round, but nobody cares how fast or slow you are and it’s a joy to trundle round watching the family groups and people out with their dogs all pounding round the common. And the shouts of encouragement from volunteers and other runners as I puff my way towards the finish line is uplifting. Liam Headd talked to some of the people who are among the 500-plus who turn up at Greenham Common every Saturday, in all weathers, to run this most-friendly of events (p24). We are very lucky to have Greenham Common as an area to stroll around and to now take in the views from the recently-opened control tower, which hosts exhibitions and talks and where you can stop for a welcome cup of tea.

In Greenham Business Park too, the newly-opend arts centre The Base has been running some fascinating exhibitions and I am of an age where The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists , which opens this week, will evoke many memories. I spoke to the curator of the travelling exhibition, Helen Day, about her interest in the prolific series of books and the artists who illustrated them and can’t wait to go and visit the exhibition – for the record my favourite Ladybird book was The Elves and the Shoemaker (p34) . The Ladybird books exhibition is a reminder of a bygone age and residents of Highclere village are very lucky that doyenne of the arts, the late Dorothy Rose Gribble, has bequeated to them a building specifically for the continuation of performance and creative arts activities. Trish Lee recalls the redoubtable Ms Gribble and discovers more about how her legacy is being honoured and the work that is now under way to open up the new Westridge Centre (p54). There’s a bit of a wedding theme going on in this issue too, with some fashion suggestions (p8), a look at some of the venues in the area (p28) and some celebratory wine suggestions from Romain Bourger (p46). There are some tasty autumn recipes from Mrs B’s Kitchen and Lonely Lentil (p50) and all the usual lifestyle features, plus a round-up of what’s on over the coming months. Enjoy.

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Celebrations

Westridge Studio

24 PARKRUN NEWBURY A worldwide phenomenon, the free inclusive 5km run is a popular Saturday morning pastime on Greenham Common

30 WEDDING VENUES

54 ARTS FOR ALL

A round up of places where you can celebrate your special day in and around Newbury

One woman’s legacy has provided a centre for creativity

and mindfulness in a Hampshire village

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CONTENTS

7 Local view: Jonathan Hopson visits the Normandy beaches 8 Fashion: wedding guest outfits 13 Health & Beauty: how to give your skin an autumn glow FEATURES 24 Keep on running: Parkrun Newbury is inspiring people to get up and run 28 Wedding feature: People and places that can make your day extra special 34 Ladybird memories: An exhibition at The Base celebrating the iconic children’s books 54 Arts legacy: One lady’s bequest to Highclere village WELLBEING 15 Fitness: a post-holidays fitness routine 19 Mental health: facing mental challenges 21 Education: Make the new school year less stressful FOOD & DRINK 37 Pop inn: The Bell, Aldworth 38 Restaurant review: The Bull, Stanford Dingley 42 Café culture: healthy eating, a cup of tea and homemade cake 45 Fish news: matching risotto with fish 46 Top tipples: autumn recommendations 50 Recipes: Mrs B’s Kitchen and Lonely Lentil offer some tasty suggestions

Autumn 2019

A Newbury News Ltd publication

LIFESTYLE 59 Antiques: Old toys that carry some value 65 Interiors: make your rented accommodation feel more like home and inject some colour into your bathroom 69 Gardening: smart technology to help you in the garden 72 Travel: visit Iceland 75 Motors: the Audi Q3 LEISURE 77 Book review: Slow Horses is a hit, while Good Omens is a miss 78 How to: get creative with pom poms 81 What’s on: a round-up of local autumn events 87 Outdoors: nature clubs for children 89 Star gazing: autumn night sky COMPETITION 29 & 68 Win: tickets to the National Wedding Show in London and the Royal County of Berkshire Show

Cover picture: Matthew Lawson | www.matthew-lawson.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE IN OUT&ABOUT Abigail Reddin 01635 886612 abigail.reddin@newburynews.co.uk

General competition rules: The winner(s) will be the first entry(ies) drawn with the correct answer. In the event that a winner must be notified quickly and is unavailable on the daytime number provided, another winner may have to be chosen. Newbury News Limited employees, and employees

directly involved in the competition, and their families, are not eligible to enter. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Responsibility not accepted for entries lost or torn in the post. Postal entries must be on the original form. There are no cash alternatives to the prize.

@outnaboutberks

Read our digital edition at

GROUP EDITOR ANDY MURRILL (01635) 886625 ANDY.MURRILL@NEWBURYNEWS.CO.UK OUT&ABOUT EDITOR GERALDINE GARDNER (01635) 886684 GERALDINE.GARDNER@NEWBURYNEWS.CO.UK ADVERTISING ABIGAIL REDDIN (01635) 886612 ABIGAIL.REDDIN@ NEWBURYNEWS.CO.UK PRODUCTION DESIGN CARRIE FAITHFULL, HELEN LAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY PHIL CANNINGS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER, OUT&ABOUT IS A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, PUBLISHED BY NEWBURY NEWS LTD, NEWSPAPER HOUSE, FARADAY ROAD, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE RG14 2AD

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O&A AUTUMN 2019

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LOCAL VIEW

JONATHAN HOPSON

D-Day 75th anniversary bike ride to Normandy

D uring early July I was 2019 Velocity racing syndicate on a memorable five-day cycling trip to Normandy. The key aim of the syndicate is to combine cycling and horse racing and the tour fulfilled this admirably, taking in more than 170 miles of cycling along the Normandy coastline, including visits to some of the D-Day beaches, finishing with a day at Deauville races. The tour was meticulously planned by our tour leader, Charlie Corbett. During numerous visits to sites of Second World War significance, we had the benefit of background historical narrative, kindly provided by the knowledgeable director of the Gurkha Museum in Winchester, Gavin Edgerley-Harris. The visit to the British cemetery at Hermanville-sur-Mer, behind Sword beach, was particularly poignant, with row upon row of immaculately tended headstones. The cemetery contains 1,003 Second World War burials, 103 of them unidentified. A personal highlight of the tour was the visit to the D-Day landings museum in Arromanches-les-Bains. We watched a film, Normandy’s 100 days , on a 360-degree nine-screen cinema with excerpts of footage from 1944 and the sounds of battle producing a powerful and somewhat disorientating experience. Adjacent to the cinema is the D-Day fortunate to join Lambourn trainer Harry Dunlop’s

75 garden, a memorial featuring two statues of the late Bill Pendell, who lived near Wantage and died last year aged 97. He came ashore on Gold beach on June 1944 with 11th Armoured Division. One statue portrays Mr Pendell as a veteran proudly wearing his medals, the other depicts him as a 22-year-

old rushing out of the water. The tour also incorporated a

British cemetery at Hermanville-sur-Mer

fascinating visit to the stables of one of France’s leading racehorse trainers, Criquette Head at Haras du Quesnay, followed by a day at the

races at nearby Deauville. Memorable high points here

included a particularly delicious lunch and watching Frankie Dettori guide Too Darn Hot to success in the big race of the day. There is much to recommend a visit to the D-Day beaches and surrounding area, particularly during this 75th anniversary year of the landings, but I should add a cautionary note. Anyone wishing to visit the British Normandy memorial at Ver-sur- Mer, unveiled by Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron on June 6 this year, will have to wait a while, as the memorial is currently clad in a protective wooden covering while construction work on the surrounding area is finished. Progress updates on these works are available at https://www. normandymemorialtrust.org/

D-Day 75 garden memorial at Arromanches-les-Bains

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FASHION

Simply the guest... You’ve had the invite – the perfect excuse to find a new outfit – so get your shopping gear on and suss out those glad rags...

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1. JUMP SUIT NEW LOOK £25.99 SHOES DUNE £190 2. FASCINATOR WALLIS £30 DRESS DOROTHY PERKINS £55 3. DRESS LIPSY £58 SHOES FAITH £49

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FASHION

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1. EARRINGS TK MAXX £7.99 DRESS LIPSY £50 SHOES DEBENHAMS £52 2. DRESS MONSOON £80 BAG M&S £25 3. FASCINATOR DEBENHAMS £35 DRESS DEBENHAMS £59 SHOES OFFICE £59

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FASHION

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2 3

1. DRESS OASIS £48 SHOES RIVER ISLAND £40 BAG DEBENHAMS £22

2. FASCINATOR DEBENHAMS £50 DRESS LIPSY £55 BAG RIVER ISLAND £28

3. HAIR CLIP VERY £6 DRESS EVANS £75 SHOES FAITH £45

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FASHION

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1. EARRINGS TK MAXX £7.99 DRESS DEBENHAMS £79 2. FASCINATOR DEBENHAMS £24

DRESS DEBENHAMS £99 SHOES NEW LOOK £23.99

3. DRESS FIFI & MOOSE £259.95 4. DRESS LITTLE MISTRESS £60 5. DRESS FIFI & MOOSE £259.95

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PHOTO CREDIT FEE G

Photo by Mos Mosh Official

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O&A AUTUMN 2019 12

HEALTH & BEAUTY Whether you’re the bride, part of the bridal party or a guest at the celebrations, we all want to look our best on the special day. Out&About has sourced some products that will give your skin that extra autumn glow Out&About wellbeing

F rom deciding on flowers to favours, stationery to seating plans and everything in between, planning your dream wedding can be an overwhelming and potentially stressful time. But it needn’t be so. ELEMIS has got your bridal prep skin essentials sorted to make sure you can relax and look and feel your best on the big day. For a day you’ll never forget. Discover dewy skin with this collection of bestselling ELEMIS bridal heroes for a refined complexion and radiant glow. Bridal Beauty Countdown Collection, RRP £65 Includes:

• Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm 105g • Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads 60 pads • Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Masks 2 sachets

S kin Republic sheet mask, Prime + Refine. This ultra-creamy sheet mask infused with 18ml of skin perfecting primer, simultaneously blurs imperfections and pores, hydrates and smooths the skin, providing the perfect canvas for makeup application. What’s more it can deliver all these benefits in just three minutes. Cutting-edge hydro-blur technology does to your face what good lingerie does for your figure. It smooths, flatters and conceals so that everything you put on looks immediately better. All this is infused in a sheet mask which stops any dirt and bacteria from being passed onto your skin, helping to prevent breakouts. In addition, the formula includes antioxidant-rich pomegranate which protects the skin, as well as vitamin E and chamomile which hydrate and visibly plump it. Instant gratification, tick. Long-term skincare benefits, tick. Skin Republic Prime + Refine Face Mask Sheet is £5.49 and is available now at Boots.

L ove Hemp, the UK’s leading range of trusted CBD (cannabidiol) products, has extended its range of products. The London based company provides the highest quality CBD products, produced from organically grown Colorado hemp. Stockists include Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s and Ocado, as well as a growing number of independent outlets. Love Hemp is 100 per cent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) free. Every product has been third-party tested under strict laboratory conditions and comes with a guaranteed CBD concentration. LOVE HEMP CBD INFUSED FACE MASK This is the UK’s first CBD infused face mask. Made with advanced nano-emulsified CBD, our CBD 100 per cent cotton face mask is a super-charged sheet mask infused with THC free hemp oil and plant extracts to promote healthy hydrated skin. Suitable for all skin types. Potent cannabinoid antioxidants work to undo skin damage from pollution, sun and various environmental factors. Price: £9.99. LOVE HEMP BODY SALVE Our deep conditioning CBD infused Body Salve is hand-blended and made with organic ingredients. Apply a thin layer and massage thoroughly into affected areas of the skin. Popular before and after exercise. Price: £29.99 for 50ml. www.love-hemp.com

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O&A AUTUMN 2019 14

Out&About wellbeing

FITNESS

Now autumn is upon us , VICKI BROWN suggests some ways to get back into a fitness routine

H ere’s a seasonal list to get you started on a new health and fitness routine after the carefree summer months. Accountability: to yourself and should it help you, your family, friends or even a professional that can support you along the way. Understanding: your goals, your current habits and how your body responds to change, it is important to adapt to your individual needs. Time: you will need to be

prepared to manage your time in order to achieve your goals. Utilise: maximise an increase in wellbeing from food to exercise, sleep to stress, alcohol and caffeine consumption. Movement: set yourself some movement goals. Be realistic, start with an amount of time that you can commit to and then build it up as necessary, this usually works better for sustainability. Nutrition: focus on fuelling your body with quality food, so you feel energised and satisfied.

Exercises you can complete around the house and which are suitable for all ages and abilities

Standing on one leg : This is good for balance. Why not try and do this every time you brush your teeth, but make sure you alternate legs. You may need to use a finger on the wall for support to start with. Calf raises : You can do this seated or standing, ideally on a step (with something to hold on to) balance on the balls of your feet and push up onto your tip toes and then all the way down for a stretch, your knees should not bend during this movement. Squats (chair squats) : Chair: feet hip width apart, stand up by driving through the legs, core engaged, chest up, then return to seated. Standing : Stand with feet slightly wider than your hips, toes out. Spine in neutral throughout. Breathe in, break at your hip and sit back. Keep chest and shoulders up and look forward. Squat down until your hip joint is lower than your knees, parallel. Breathe out, drive through your heels, keep knees out and return to starting position. Plank : Lie face down, engage core, tighten glutes, lift your body off the ground forming a straight line from head to toe, resting on forearms and toes. Hold. If your lower back starts to ache or you drop or raise your hips out of position, either drop to your knees or rest.

Wall Sit : Put your back against a wall and place feet hip width apart away from the wall, lower yourself to make a 90-degree angle at the hip and knee, hold. Press ups (floor or against the wall) : Start in the hands plank position. Keep your spine in neutral and core engaged. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, push yourself back up to the starting position. Drop to your knees to make the movement easier. Neck Stretches : Stretch your neck muscles regularly by holding each of these positions for at least 20 seconds. Drop the chin to the chest, look up to the ceiling, drop your right ear towards the right shoulder (do not let the shoulders lift for any of these), drop the left ear towards the left shoulder, look over your right shoulder (don’t let the left shoulder pull forward), look over your left shoulder. Do not be surprised if you find some of these movements small in range, if you regularly carry out these stretches you should find they become easier and with a larger range of motion. Try and do these every day, pair it up with something else you do every day, perhaps while you are waiting for the kettle to boil. Consistency is key and you will find putting these small things into your routine can make a big difference. Let me know what you pair the exercises up with.

Vicki Brown runs: LiveFitNow, Wash Common, Newbury. Telephone: 07879 447829. www.LiveFitNow.co.uk

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Abstract® Bodyworks Personal Training Life without Weakness

When You’re Unwell You Need Friends

Please Support the West Berkshire Community Hospital Charity when visiting the hospital and through their fundraising efforts so that they can continue their outstanding work. Contact us when you want to maintain or improve your fitness Community Hospital League of Friends Our purpose has always been to help improve the fitness of people in our local community, and the Community Charity steps in when fitness can’t be maintained Abstract Bodyworks is proud to be the first Corporate Sponsor of the West Berkshire

11 Kings Road West, Newbury

www.pe-newbury.co.uk

01635 551656

pe.newbury@gmail.com

07450 915462

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Advertisement feature

T he West Berkshire Community Hospital League of Friends is a registered Charity run by a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to raise funds for the purchase of medical equipment that the NHS is not able to supply our local hospital. The main work of the Charity is to help and benefit both the patients and staff at WHBC. Equipment purchased by the Charity enables treatment to be carried out within the community, and saves frequent or fatiguing journeys to Reading or Oxford, which can be particularly important to frail or elderly patients.

This year the Charity is introducing a new initiative – our Corporate Sponsor – and we are very happy to announce that Abstract Bodyworks, a personal training facility in the heart of Newbury, is our first such sponsor. Through this initiative we hope to allow local companies the opportunity to get more involved in our work, and to extend their efforts to a wider audience. For more information about the work of our Charity, or to find out how you could sponsor our work, please contact Stuart Stephens at stuart128@btinternet.com.

HELP US TO HELP YOU

League of Friends: Dates for your Diary

AGM to be held at WBCH September 17th 2019 at 7.30pm. Why not come along and see first hand the work we do. You will be most welcome Grand Christmas Raffle: £250 First Prize, £150 Second Prize, £100 Third Prize Draw takes place: 16th December 2019 at the Hospital. Raffle tickets can be purchased from League committee members or from the tea bar located in the oupatients department of the West Berkshire Community Hospital. Table Top Sale: Get ready for Christmas with handmade gifts and decorations Location: West Berkshire Community Hospital Date: Wednesday 6th November 2019 Christmas Carol Service: Location: St Mary’s Church, Thatcham Date: 4th December 2019, 7.30pm Please join us afterwards for complimentary refreshments and mince pies.

A Concert in aid of West Berkshire Community Hospital League of Friends

Music on the Orient Express!

Performed by The Heritage Light Orchestra & Singers Saturday October 5th 2019 at 7.30 pm At St George’s Church Wash Common, Newbury, RG14 6NU Tickets £15 each

to include glass of wine or soft drink Book now to avoid disappointment! Call Kate on 01635 44676 or email camayo26@icloud.com

If you are unable to attend any of our fundraising events or would like to support the League by donating please visit: Wonderful.org where you can ‘Make a Donation’ to West Berkshire Community Hospital League of Friends. If you would like to keep up-to-date with our news and events please find us on facebook. Registered Charity Number: 246183

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Advertisement Feature

Physical Health Injury, Ageing and “Functional Decline”

“Functional Decline” is a medical term that refers to the reduction in someone’s ability to do the things they used to do, or want to do, and it can apply to all of us. There are many potential causes of such decline, but research indicates that most of those causes can be addressed if you take the right steps. There are two major categories of such decline that can be reversed - in this article we want to discuss both of them. What is Functional Decline? It is likely that you can remember some point in your life when you could do things that you wanted or needed to do with little dif�iculty and with few negative consequences. This might have been doing sports at school or with your friends, playing with your young family, dancing the night away, or simply doing the spring cleaning. Whatever the activities were you used to be able to do them - and now you can’t so easily. Medical research calls this “functional decline” and might be measured by assessing how far people can walk, or climb stairs, or other similar daily functions . Medical research † has also looked into the potential causes of this decline and speci�ically looked into the following potential contributory factors: x Adiposity (body fat) x Muscle Mass x Muscle Strength and found that all contribute to this decline, but not in the way you might imagine. In particular muscle mass and strength play a much bigger role in decline, or maintenance of function than fatness. Injury A major cause of functional decline is injury and illness; if (heaven forbid) you have a foot amputated because of T - II diabetes you aren’t ever going to grow it back. But it † Epidemiologic Reviews: Vol 35, 2013. Adiposity, Muscle Mass, and Muscle Strength in Rela�on to Func�onal Decline in Older Persons ”

is possible to mitigate the impacts of injury and illness by ensuring the �ittest body you can have, either before the injury (i.e. preparing for a knee operation by strengthening the legs and buttocks), and undertaking the right kind of remedial exercise after injury and treatment. A story from Marie shows what can be achieved: “ I started going to yoga classes in the late 1960s, which was the start of my relationship with regular exercise, and in the 70s was inspired to train as a yoga teacher. This gave me a heightened awareness of the importance of exercise to wellbeing. When I moved near to Newbury, I found that my old friends, Pat and Stephen McKinnon, were planning to open Abstract Bodyworks, a new

Letting Yourself Go We all tend to believe that as we age we become less functional “naturally”; i.e. there is nothing you can do about it. Unhappily this isn’t true; certainly people have different levels of natural health and capability, but all of us can maintain these levels to a much greater extent than is comfortable to believe. We all “let ourselves go” and in doing so let ourselves down, to a future that is much more restricted and limited than it needs to be. Modern, “western”, lifestyles place fewer and fewer demands on our bodies, and as a consequence we are required to do less and less to stay alive. But the body is very clever - if you don’t make demands on it the body will change its composition to match your current demands. This actually involves losing muscle �irst rather than gaining fat (which is a consequence of losing muscle). And this can happen at any age ; looking at the bodies of some teenagers today shows us how true that is. It is very important then to hold on to the muscle mass you have, and to regrow as much as you can that you have lost - so you need to monitor your body composition. Reversing the Decline Because most of us don’t know how we lost function in the �irst place we are not in a position to reverse that loss. That is where a specialist exercise facility like Abstract Bodyworks comes in. Our one purpose is to increase the �itness of our clients - at any age, with any body, from any condition. We achieve this by placing physical demands on our clients that generate positive responses, in muscle mass, muscle tone, and bone density, to name but a few. And we provide regular reports so you know how your body composition is changing. But whatever you do, don’t take functional decline as inevitable - you can make a better, healthier, future for yourself. See adver�s ment on page 16 for details of how to book two free personal strength training sessions. Quote O&AQ32019

style of gym that they had found while living in America, and I became one of their �irst clients in January 2013. This was the same year that I turned 70, and was diagnosed with mild osteoporosis. I felt that the sort of exercise they offered would be especially helpful in preventing any

further deterioration – and so it has proved. Now, in 2019, I have been signed off my osteoporosis medicines because my bone density has actually improved - a fantastic result for me!. I know that my muscle tone has also increased because of the regular reports I receive and I believe I survived and recovered from a serious car accident partly because of the additional strength and muscle I have developed over the years.” In fact in these six years Marie has INCREASED her muscle mass and strength by up to 60%!

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Out&About wellbeing

MENTAL HEALTH

ANGELA RYAN is the founder and one of the peer trainers at Recovery in mind . The organisation offers free courses to adults in West Berkshire who are experiencing a variety of mental health challenges

I have often thought one of the strangest things about diagnosing and treating mental health conditions is that there is no blood test or scan that can give a clear answer and no certainty of what treatment may or may not work. Treatments vary enormously and there is definitely no ‘one size fits all’ – everyone responds to treatment differently. In addition, the access to support or the type of treatment on offer varies depending on where you live. However, mental health has one thread which is common to all of us – we all want to live a more meaningful and enjoyable life, regardless of the challenges we face. I have never met anyone who wants to have mental health challenges and deal with the devastating effect it can have in all areas of your life. We all want to live a full and worthwhile life – whether that’s work and volunteering opportunities, enjoying social opportunities, having reasonable living conditions, feeling connected to those around us, or experiencing good relationships with family, friends or partners and having a place in the world – we all want to belong and to be part of something.

to move forward with their lives. The first stage is to want to believe in yourself, build confidence that you can ‘self-manage’ your difficulties and set your own goals and aspirations. There are no magic tablets offered, we don’t have a wand to make people better – if I did I would be immensely popular – and we can’t give you a new life. Many of our students feel relieved to be among others who have walked a similar journey and to discover that a better life is possible. If you, or anyone you know, has tried other treatments or approaches and wants to try something new, where they learn to be their own best supporter and to take back charge of their mental health and wellbeing, how about Recovery in Mind? All our courses are offered free of charge to any adults living in West Berkshire, thanks to the support of the Big Lottery, Greenham Trust, Eling Trust and West Berkshire Council. Better mental health is possible, leading to a more enjoyable and meaningful life.

One of the most difficult things in my experience of mental illness was feeling ‘different’ and alone, even though I had good support. As part of my recovery, I attended a Recovery College in Hampshire. Instead of providing treatment for a patient, everyone attending is referred to as a ‘student’ – ready to learn how to self- manage the difficulties they may be experiencing, rather than ‘receiving’ treatment. It’s an empowering approach, where the trainers are both those who have professional knowledge and experience of mental health, but also people like me who have significant ‘lived-experience’ of mental health challenges. I started Recovery in Mind in 2016 because I wanted other people like me, living in West Berkshire, to have access to a Recovery College. We run courses, instead of ‘therapeutic’ groups, where students learn skills and how to use tools and consider mindsets that might help them to move forward with their lives. We don’t ask students if they have a ‘diagnosis’ or what ‘treatment’ they may have tried. We encourage them to come ‘as they are’ and to be ready and willing

Recoveryinmind.ord.uk • Follow AngelaRinm2016 on twitter

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NEW Reception,Year 1 and Year 2 Classes for September 2019

Experts in Education for Boys We believe the period from 4-13 years are the most critical in any boys life. We invite you to come and see for yourself what a difference a Horris Hill education could make to your son. To book a place or arrange an appointment on a day to suit you, please contact our registrar Lisa Lee-Smith by emailing: registrar@horrishill.com Please come and meet our Headmaster, Giles Tollit and Mrs Uwalaka, Lead Teacher for Lower School. OUR 2019 OPEN MORNING IS: Saturday 12th October 10AM - 12 NOON

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Out&About wellbeing

EDUCATION

Starting school The start of the new school year can be a stressful time for both parents and children. AMANDA BAILEY suggests some coping mechanisms to ease the process

P arents and children can experience a real mixture of emotions at this time of year as the summer holiday ends and the new school year begins. There may be a sadness as the freedom of relaxed mornings, fun family times and outdoor activities comes to an end, while some families will be relieved as they no longer have to juggle work and childcare. Some will feel bereft with the thought of early- morning school routines, bedtime at seven and homework to do. Others will feel excited to see friends and enjoy activities they love – sport, science, art, writing stories. For many it will be a mixture of all these feelings. For many parents, maintaining the emotional balance and sense of well-being for all family members within the context of term time routines is a primary consideration.

The summer holidays are often characterised by a period when family members proactively create happy, fun, connected experiences, except of course the back-to-school shoe shopping expedition. Outside of the ‘family bubble’ it is all too easy to become disconnected from that relaxed, centred warmth as external factors we have no or little control of become part of our daily lives: Monday morning, another child’s unwanted actions or words, homework to complete, to name but a few. There are so many ways to consistently enable your child to relax, be calm and peaceful. Just as a muscle is strengthened through exercise, relaxation is an ability we can all develop through practice. Here are some ideas for before and after school. Breathing Tip For a child who finds difficulty relaxing into sleep try the ‘Bubble’ (parent and child breathing together) Take your child into a sitting or lying hug Place your hands on the child’s belly. With your child in your hug, simultaneously take 10 deep nasal breaths into the belly. Make sure your child can feel your belly inflating at the same time as you feel your child’s belly inflating. The ‘Bubble’ activates the relaxation and calming response and provides a strong feeling of safety, relaxation and connection. Depending on the number of people in the family, who would benefit from this breathing technique parents can breathe in simultaneous pairs: ‘Double Bubble’ or lie in a family bubble, all breathing together, with hands on each other’s bellies.

BEFORE SCHOOL: Walk, scoot or cycle to school (the whole distance or park and walk/ride whenever possible) – this gives your child an endorphin and energy boost and they start their day calmer, happier and energised. It’s also a great time to talk. Breathe – Take in three deep nasal breaths, saying ‘I am’, breathing into the lower belly then let go easily saying ‘Here’. Set yourself up for a positive day: breath in saying: ‘I am peace’, then ‘I am happiness’, finally ‘I am love’. Positive Affirmation – Give your child a positive focus for the day, ‘I am kind’, ‘I am clever’, ‘I am a good friend’. AFTER SCHOOL: Chill out Space/Calm Box – Take some time out to relax and be quiet. Encourage your child to ‘chill out’, if happy to, lie down using blankets, beanbags and cushions: read a favourite book, look through a special

photo album full of important people, special places and events, enjoy a foot or hand massage, listen to some music. Relax. Just Be. Chat – Be an active listener. If your child wants to talk about any stresses or worries – attune to the emotion first; ‘I can see you’re feeling disappointed, upset, anxious’, then be creative together – discuss possible next steps. Relax – have a warm, relaxing bath or shower, then listen to a relaxation script or visualisation. Weekly Chill Out Night – gadget free – practise calming breaths, massage, read/ tell stories, do some colouring, play a board game, do a puzzle, make something, share some family photos, make plans for future family nights, share affirmations with one another – tell each other unique qualities each brings to the family home, eat chocolate mindfully, one tiny nibble at a time, listen to a relaxation script or some music.

If you’d like to find out more, visit www.beberkshire.co.uk or send an email to: amanda@beberkshire.co.uk or call/text on 07909502667

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&

Parkrun UK is 15 years old in October and has become a worldwide phenomenon. LIAM HEADD joined the runners at Greenham, where Newbury parkrun celebrated its 400th run in the summer, to find out why it is so popular

O n October 2, 2004, a new event made its debut at Bushy Park, Teddington, London and nobody could have imagined then how big it would become. Parkrun is a free 5km running event, which takes place every Saturday morning at more than 1,400 locations in 23 countries across five continents. It was founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt and originally started off as a series of events called UK Time Trials, before adopting theits current name in 2008. As a result of its phenomenal success, Mr Sinton-Hewitt was appointed a CBE in 2014, for services to Grassroots Sport Participation. The first Newbury parkrun took place on February 11, 2012, at Greenham Common, which every Saturday morning is now filled with runners of all ages and abilities. Greenham is one of 89 parkruns in the South East of England. One of the race directors of the Newbury run, Jeff Bird, is delighted to see the large numbers that turn out every Saturday. He said: “We have between 500 and 600 people that come out each week and it’s grown a lot this year, which is good because it normally drops off after January. “Anyone can run, it’s not aimed at anyone in particular,” he said. “We have dog walkers, people with pushchairs and people aged from four or five right up to their 70s and 80s.”

Taking part is simple. Once you have registered online you print off a unique barcode, which is scanned each week along with a token, which is handed to you as you cross the finish line. The results are posted on the website where you can then track your progress. You can use your barcode at any parkrun in the world. Every parkrun is organised in the same way. The only person you are racing is yourself. To find out more about parkrun Newbury visit www.parkrun.org.uk/newbury/ Number of events: ...................................... 146,543 Number of runners: ............................... 2,137,072 Number of runs: ...................................30,057,669 Number of locations: ..........................................646 Number of clubs: ............................................. 6,408 Number of PBs: ...................................... 5,229,291 Average runs per event: ................................. 205.1 Average number of runs per runner: ..............14.1 Average run time: ...................................... 00:28:42 Total hours run: 1,641years 185 days 14hrs 54min 18secs Total distance run: ........................ 150,288,345km

These were the statistics in August, 2019, before Out&About went to print. They change each week

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Out&About feature

Volunteers at Newbury Parkrun

One person who played a pivotal role in bringing parkrun to Newbury was Rachael Elliott. Rachael began her involvement back in 2005 when the first event took place in London’s Bushy Park. After many Saturday mornings spent in London, Rachael was keen to see if parkrun could take off in Newbury.

“We had to tell people that there was loads of snow and they would be running at their own risk, but we still got over 300 people who took part. “It’s built up and now there’s a whole team of people who run it,” she said. “I attended every week when it was first set-up because we had a small team. But it’s grown well and it’s also great to see all of the different running groups who have spawned off it.” It has now completely taken off in Newbury, with around 550 runners taking part every Saturday. It’s a big rise on the 317 that turned out for the first one back in 2012 and Rachael isn’t surprised by the increase. “I always thought it would get bigger because word-of- mouth is brilliant and we could see it growing all the time.

Rachael Elliott

“The first person I spoke to was Paul Hendry from West Berkshire Council and he thought that it was a brilliant concept. “By then, it had evolved because it was getting people involved within the community and it’s about making friendships – it’s not all about the running.” “Greenham seemed the obvious place to do it, but there were a lot of stakeholders who have ownership of the common.

“It’s a mainstream concept in many people’s lives and it encourages everyone to come out and take part. “I am pleased it has got like this and the team do a great job.” Rachael praised the efforts of the volunteers, who play a huge part in making the run enjoyable every week. “The volunteering is crucial and it’s a major

“You get to meet new friends and the social aspect, as well as the health benefit of it all is fantastic.”

part. I’d encourage anyone to volunteer because it is really fun and I felt it was more enjoyable than running. You get to meet new friends and the social aspect, as well as the health benefit of it all is fantastic.” Read some of the stories of people who’ve discovered running over the page. 

“In order to set it up, we had to devise a course which didn’t go into areas where there were restrictions. “I had to present the idea to different people involved with the common and it was difficult because some of them didn’t understand the concept.” But Rachael got the green light and with a small team, they prepared for the first parkrun event. “For the first event, I wanted to get an inaugural parkrun record and I used my contacts to get people to come a long.” However, things didn’t look good as Newbury was hit with heavy snow leading up to the run. “There was six inches of snow on the course and I thought it was going to be a complete write-off,” said Rachael. “I bought about 20 bags of grit, but it only covered about 20m of the course.

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said. “We’ve made parkrun a real family affair, all out on a Saturday morning, then back home for breakfast by 10.” “While I was pregnant, I was ‘running’ well within the 40 minute mark – which meant I was mostly at the back, and at times not feeling my best for it. “It did mean though that I experienced the true spirit of parkrun – fellow runners encouraging me to keep going, spurring me on to get through that last 1km and to keep a smile on my face for the finish line.” Amy also admitted that it was a great way to meet all the different people who gather at Greenham Common every Saturday. “I’ve met people who are there to lose weight, people who are there because they love to run, people there to socialise or to rehabilitate following illness or injury – and it truly works wonders, no matter what got you started.” Clearly all this wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers, who dedicate their own time every week. “I can only speak for myself and my family, but I know that we all greatly appreciate the work that goes into organising and running parkrun – by the run

One runner who feels the benefits of the parkrun at Greenham Common is 37-year- old Kristy Howe, who started running the course in October 2017. “I started at 38 mins and now I’m running the parkrun between 28-30 mins,” said Kristy, who has taken part in more than 70 runs with her family.

“I run with my husband and two daughters, so it’s a family affair. We even do it at Christmas and New Year. Kristy Howe

“Since starting the parkrun, I’ve gone on to lose two stone and complete my first ever half-marathon, which was back in March. “I was never really a runner, but now you can’t stop me as I run during the week and on Saturday. “I look forward to my Saturday parkruns and chatting to the men and women who are taking part – it’s a lovely parkrun atmosphere,” she added. Another runner who uses the running to her benefit is Amy Piper, who started taking part in parkrun in September 2017 with her father.

directors and volunteers around them.” says Matt Studart. While some runners use the event for weight loss and a chance to meet new people, others use it for preparation before bigger tests. Matt Studart took part in his first Newbury parkrun seven years ago, and has experienced challenges on the way. “I remember doing it

Amy Piper

Matt Studart.

seven years ago in the snow and I thought it was brilliant, because seven years later I am still there and I have made lots and lots of running buddies and also lots of friends. “Within that time I have now done four marathons – many miles, parkrun has been brilliant for lots of us. “Also I have been involved in lots of volunteering over the years. As a volunteer you can see the other side of the line and I definitely recommend it, it is fun,” he added. But it’s not just Newbury and the UK that offer the parkrun every Saturday morning, there are now 23 countries across the world that also hold events. Lloyd Heritage, from Newbury, has used the running for his marathon training and has taken part in two international runs. “I am currently halfway through a challenge to run four of the major marathons in 2019 and use parkruns regularly as part of my training routine. “July 6 was my 50th parkrun and also the first time that I

“Dad and I ran together for a long time, no matter what the weather and we slowly but surely watched our times get better and better. “My little brother then joined, then my husband, then finally my mum – who came to support me while I ran through my pregnancy.” Amy was running her own challenge with a newborn baby on the way and she was determined to complete this before having to stop. “I was determined to reach my 50th parkrun before I had my first baby and, at 32 weeks pregnant, I managed it,” she

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Out&About feature

since March 2014. She said: “My husband, Mike, who previously had no intention of ever jogging/running, has now joined me, and is loving the benefit of the exercise (which includes losing a few kg). “Our children Izzy and Theo also run when they feel like it, but they always say they are saving their energy for other sports. “My father Peter joined the Newbury parkrun in his late 70s after I suggested he try it and is now an addict. “He was 80 in January and last weekend joined a group of over-80s who met to run at the Bushy Park parkrun in London. “Last Saturday he was part of a group of 45 over-80s and he came 21st in his age category. I know he feels down if he misses a parkrun or a training run, so it clearly has an impact on his wellbeing.” And parkrun has become a truly family affair, as Emma says her mother Jane, who also never had any intention of running, decided she would get in on the action and has now completed 50 parkruns, having also never considered that she would ever be “a jogger”.

placed first at Newbury. “I am locally based, but whenever I am travelling I always look to see if there is a parkrun nearby.” In fact, Lloyd has taken part in an event in Warsaw, Lloyd Heritage

Poland. And if you’re looking to ‘parkrun the alphabet’, you might be interested to know that Poland has the only venue beginning with the letter ‘z’ – Zamek w Malborku, and to date there are no venues beginning with the letter ‘x’. When David Clyde

tempted his daughter to take part in the Newbury parkrun in January 2016, he couldn’t have known what it would lead to. Daughter Alex enjoyed it so much that it has encouraged her to take part in more running events, including the Reading Half-Marathon and the London Marathon. Speaking about her story, David said: David & Alex Clyde

Together the family has completed 485 parkruns and they have all volunteered a few times. Emma added: “We have run at other parkrun locations – it is great to be able visit friends and take part in their local run, and these count towards the milestone T-shirts. “Between us, we’ve run in Paris (where we came in the top 20 as there were only about 24 runners), Cardiff, Trelissick (Cornwall), Winchester, Exeter… and quite a few other places.

“She started off not being able to run around completely and stopped four times to walk, but built this up over time. “She then started beating her personal

best and has taken nearly 12 minutes off that first time. “Parkrun has not just been a great way to share some dad and daughter time, but she has also gone on to run the Reading Half-Marathon this year, followed by the London Marathon (raising money for Mind, the mental health charity) and taking part in Endure 24 as part of a team, doing 25 miles. “She has more events booked in moving forward and is now definitely a runner. “Parkrun was the catalyst for this as it encourages all abilities, shapes, sizes and ages, whether running or walking, no matter how fast or slow.” And David believes having the parkrun across the world is a great way for people to try new things. “It is a really good lifestyle choice to get outside and get some exercise and I’m really pleased that Alex is doing it. “It is also very good socially and a fantastic community activity with many benefits for all concerned. The volunteers each week are invaluable in this.” Emma Mulholland has been been running at Newbury

Emma Mulholland & family

Over-80s Bushy Park, London

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