Out & About Spring 2018

FREE

Spring 2018

West Berkshire, Nor th Hampshire & East Wiltshire

A Newbury News Ltd publication

A symphony of music Newbury’s flagship festival turns 40

WIN a pair of tickets to see Sansara and pre-show dinner plus

Facing the stalker Author Vanessa Lafaye

Walking with alpacas Join the Wyld Court trek

Fashion Food Features Gardening Travel Competitions

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

W elcome to the spring edition of Out & About. The magazine has had a bit of a spring clean itself recently and I hope that you enjoy the features and lifestyle, leisure and health & wellbeing articles in this issue. Spring may be the season of new beginnings, but Newbury Spring Festival celebrates its fortieth year with a strong lineup of world-class talent and we take a look at what’s in store (p29). In his column (p7) Jonathan Hopson writes about random acts of kindness and the way people rally round to offer support in times of crisis. It was just such support that helped writer Vanessa Lafaye as she faced up to what she called her stalker – the diagnosis of terminal cancer. Vanessa died at the end of February, but in November Angela Knight visited her in her Marlborough home to talk to her about her books and her blog (p56). Everyone deals with traumatic events in different ways and Vanessa started her blog – Living while Dying – as an outlet for the anger she felt about her illness. Her frank, but also funny, descriptions of the highs and lows of her condition were read

and appreciated by many worldwide and, to her own surprise, she discovered a community of strangers who remained with her throughout her illness. “I had loads of strangers saying ‘I will stay with you, I’m not going anywhere’.” Her attitude to her illness is probably best summed up in her own words in her final blog, which Vanessa wrote during a trip to Australia and New Zealand with her husband at the beginning of this year: “Many people close to me thought it was ill- advised, too strenuous, even dangerous to drag my sick old carcass across the world when I need such close medical attention... “I was determined to do this, one last big blow- out of an adventure, because it is the last and I couldn’t bear to miss it. And I have always had a problem with people telling me that I can’t do things.” The journey did take its toll, but she finished her blog on a high: “But I still say: it was worth it to have this experience, to show the universe one more time that I CAN DO IT.”

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover feature

Restaurant review

Gardening

23 WALKING WITH ALPACAS: Charlotte Booth joins the Wyld Court trek in Ashampstead, with the funny-faced, cuddly looking creatures

48 HENRY & JOE’S:

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PLANTING PERFECTION: Gain inspiration from Hortus Loci nursery in Hook, suppliers to top designers at Chelsea Flower Show, says Martin Robertshaw

Hilary Scott reluctantly share the secret of a tasty new restaurant in Newbury

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CONTENTS

7 Comment: Jonathan Hopson on random acts of kindness 8 Fashion: Spring on the high street FEATURES 23 Walking with alpacas: trekking in Ashampstead 29 Festival fever: the Newbury Spring Festival celebrates 40 years 56 Facing the stalker: interview with writer Vanessa Lafaye WELLBEING 15 Fitness: keep your body in shape 19 Health & Beauty: products and news 21 Mental wellbeing: the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy FOOD & DRINK 39 Café culture: healthy eating, a cup of tea and homemade cake 42 Food news: Spring Mediterranean treats, Greek style 48 Restaurant review: Henry & Joe’s, Newbury 50 Honesty: Use your loaf, homemade is best 53 Fish news: the world is your oyster 54 Top tipples: a selection of wines to add a bit of zing to spring

Spring 2018

A Newbury News Ltd publication

LIFESTYLE 64 Antiques: Making the most of downsizing 70 Interiors: Bringing nature indoors 74 Gardening: Chelsea Flower Show standards 78 Travel: African heat 81 Motors: Qashqai X-Trail LEISURE 85 Book review: Reservoir 13 and Lonesome Dove 86 How to...: Make a terrarium-inspired spring planter 89 What’s on: A round up of local spring events 95 Outdoors: How does your garden grow? 97 Star gazing: Spring highlights in the night skies COMPETITION 35 Newbury Spring Festival: Win tickets to see Sansara and pre-show dinner

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, TIM SILVESTER PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY 22ND MARCH OUT&ABOUT IS A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, PUBLISHED BY NEWBURY NEWS LTD, NEWSPAPER HOUSE, FARADAY ROAD, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE RG14 2DW

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JONATHAN HOPSON

In a world where we are so caught up in our own problems, whether at work or at home, and where the pace of life has become somewhat hectic, JONATHAN HOPSON is heartened by constant examples of random acts of kindness that underline the caring side of human nature

varied acts of random kindness. When the snow hit West Berkshire and Hampshire, two dreadful accidents closed a local section of the A34, which meant people were queuing for hours to be diverted off the dual carriageway.

Lorries got stuck on the A343 near Hurstbourne Tarrant and nearby Esseborne Manor hotel took in grateful drivers and gave them somewhere warm to wait while the roads cleared. Around Newbury, hats and gloves tied to posts or benches

T he recent arctic weather conditions showed community spirit is alive and well. During the beginning of March, in the middle of some of the most atrocious weather conditions experienced in Britain for many years, it was really heartwarming to see that community spirit still thrives and flourishes. It was a special brand of pulling together that motivated volunteers to take provisions to the hundreds of drivers stranded for hours on the M62 in sub-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions. In addition to opening Butterworth Hall, at Milnrow, near Rochdale, as an emergency centre for drivers diverted off the M62 due to the extreme weather conditions, some local residents also offered rooms for overnight stays for unfortunate motorists unable to reach home. The stranded motorists no doubt displayed the Dunkirk spirit – determined collective stoicism in the face of danger – a phrase coined from Operation Dynamo in May 1940, when more than 330,000 allied soldiers were evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk – while the volunteers selflessly put themselves forward and helped out through

appeared, with a label attached inviting a stranger in need to help themselves. Trains were cancelled and various

How do we change the world? – one random act of kindness at a time

stories emerged of people offering lifts to complete strangers to help them on to their destination. Much closer to home for me, and on a much

more minor scale, a car driver in Woolton Hill stuck fast on the side of a country lane, knocked on the nearest door – which happened to be mine – and was greatly relieved to be able to enlist the help of those within to free his vehicle. In a world where the pace of life seems to be increasing at an ever-faster rate and more people appear less inclined to take an active role in their local communities, random acts of kindness become more important. So let’s all do our bit to help by carrying out our own acts of random kindness and as the actor Morgan Freeman put it, playing God in the movie Evan Almighty : “How do we change the world? – one random act of kindness at a time.”

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FASHION

CLOCKWISE FROMTOP : MONSOON £59 LAURA ASHLEY £100 MATTHEW WILLIAMSON DEBENHAMS £130 MONSOON £59 M&S £49.50 F&F £28 NEXT £42 MATTHEW WILLIAMSON DEBENHAMS £99 M&S £49.50 F&F £25 JENNY PACKHAM DEBENHAMS £150 LAURA ASHLEY £95

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FASHION

TOP ROW: DRESS LAURA ASHLEY £85, T-SHIRT RED HERRING DEBENHAMS £14, TROUSERS DOROTHY PERKINS £26, JUMPER H! BY HENRY HOLLAND DEBENHAMS £30, JEANS TOP SHOP £100, SHOES M&S £29.50 BOTTOM ROW: JUMPER MISS SELFRIDGE £35, JEANS TOP SHOP £49, SHOES F&F £12.50, SHIRT LAURA ASHLEY £60, TROUSERS NEXT £32, DRESS MONSOON £109, SHOES FAITH DEBENHAMS £45

Out&About fashion

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2 nd Apr One Church Choir Choir performances at 11.30 & 12.30 . Plus Chicks with Legs and chocolate giveaways! 5 th Apr Circus Workshop Learn some traditional showman skills. 12 th Apr Crafty Workshop Colouring, beads and things to make 21 st Apr St George’s Day Come and see the smoke breathing dragon. 4 th May St. Michael’s Yellow Day Fundraising fun & games.

7 th May Squirrel Nutkins Cuddly fun & Interactive. 31 st May Balloon Workshop Learn how to make balloon models. 2 nd Jun Giant Owl Structure A large, fun & creative installation. 17 th Jun Father’s Day State of the art car simulators. 5 th &19 th May and 9 th Jun Denis’ Home Grown Plant Sales Rides and ice cream over the weekends.

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FITNESS - VICKI BROWN

Keeping fit and healthy need not be a chore. You make sure your car is running all right each year with an MOT, well your body needs to be looked after in the same way. VICKI BROWN offers advice on how to keep your body in good shape

This is where being organised can help. Emotional eating can spiral, whereas if you plan ahead with mood-boosting, nutrient-dense foods you will stay on track and more likely feel more positive. Once you have grip on the food, you will find this can help energy levels for increasing exercise too. Making an Impact

The importance of your overall health and fitness People often measure health by looking at the number on the scales. Scales measure the change in weight of your body, but when the focus is only on bringing that number down, how healthy something is, or rather is not, can often be forgotten.

It is important to think about our overall health. Our body composition is an important factor – high bodyfat is not particularly healthy, putting undue strain on our bodies and increasing the risk of illness. Sometimes the number on the scales may stay the same, but your body composition could change – the percentage of

Weight-bearing exercise is good for your bones. To maintain or increase muscular and bone strength you should ensure that you include it in your daily routine. From walking to weight lifting, jogging or dancing, this will all help maintain a healthy level of strength and get your cardiovascular system working too. There are low and high impact options available and, regardless of age, this kind of exercise is beneficial to your body.

muscle, water, fat etc that you have may mean that you can become healthier without the scales going down. How do you feel once you have eaten a snack or meal? Satisfied? Bloated? Tired? Energised?

Ways to start: take regular walks, complete some

bodyweight exercises at home, learn how to lift weights, go dancing. Swimming and cycling are great ways to work the cardiovascular system and get moving, but you do not get the impact with these. If you choose these activities due to discomfort during impact, it could be useful for you to visit a professional who can help you strengthen these weaker areas so you are able to partake in impact activities more regularly. Sore joints can often be the reason people avoid exercise all together, but getting moving again can help hugely. I hope this gives you a chance to have a think

Being aware of the way food makes you feel is important in learning the best fuel for your body. Food is fuel It is easy to forget that everything we eat and drink is the fuel that keeps our bodies running. If you put bad fuel into your car it may run badly or even stop altogether… our bodies are the same.

Tip: Know your portions. Being aware what a portion is will help you eat more volume and this can help you not have excessive portions of high calorie foods because you are eating more than you realise.

You need to be thinking about the quality of the food that you are putting into your body because of the impact it can have on your overall energy levels and wellbeing. Don‘t underestimate the benefits of eating well and drinking lots of water. If you are having a bad day and you turn to junk food for that quick fix, it very rarely makes you feel better. Quite the opposite, lethargy follows and sometimes guilt too.

about how you can be as healthy as possible by looking at what you eat, what you do and how you look after your

body – it couldn’t be more important. Do it now, you won’t regret it.

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

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MISHO Hair Studio, The Vine Yard, Stockbridge, Hampshire

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A recent Google consumer survey found that 78 per cent of us don’t know what products to use before and after exercise. Brands like Pretty Athletic have developed skincare exclusively for active women, while Clinique is adding a high-performance range to it’s line-up, called Clinique Fit. The products target exercise-specific concerns (from clogged pores to redness) and other gym-bag essentials are coming thick and fast from brands boasting breathable make-up. E.l.f’s new Active range includes a Workout Ready Eyeliner Pencil, Sweat Resistant Mascara and Brow Duo, plus a Lip & Cheek Palette that promises won’t clog pores when you work-out, plus Primark Beauty has just relaunched its targetted Work Out make-up range this spring.

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ƵůƟǀĂƚĞ ďĞƩĞƌ ŚĞĂƌŝŶŐ

Evidence suggests that people wait, on average, 10 years ďĞĨŽƌĞ ƐĞĞŬŝŶŐ ŚĞůƉ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŚĞĂƌŝŶŐ ůŽƐƐ͘ Ƶƚ ŝƐ ƉƵƫŶŐ Žī ŐĞƫŶŐ ŚĞůƉ ǁŽƌƚŚ ůĞƐƐĞŶŝŶŐ LJŽƵƌ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ Žƌ ŝƐŽůĂƟŶŐ LJŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ LJŽƵ ĞŶũŽLJ ŵŽƐƚ͍ If your answer is ‘no’ come in and see the hearing experts at Mary Hare Hearing Centre. We’re the only dedicated hearing centre in Newbury. And we’re open Monday to Saturday, with experienced and highly ƋƵĂůŝĮĞĚ ĂƵĚŝŽůŽŐŝƐƚƐ ŽŶͲƐŝƚĞ ϱ ĚĂLJƐ Ă ǁĞĞŬ͘ dŽ Ŭ LJŽƵƌ ĨƌĞĞ ŝŶŝƟĂů ĂƐƐĞƐƐŵĞŶƚ ĐĂůů ƵƐ ŽŶ 01635 523 343 or come and see us at 10 Weavers Walk in Newbury . www.maryharehearingcentres.co.uk

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DR JANA JENKINS - MENTAL HEALTH

Talking therapy DR JANA JENKINS explains what cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

R esearch evidence endorsed by the National depression and anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, health anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, long- term medical conditions, chronic fatigue and insomnia. CBT looks at how we think about a situation and how this affects the way we feel and act. When we feel low or anxious, we may think or behave Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) indicates that CBT works effectively in treating in an unhelpful way, which exacerbates the intensity of our feelings and we may feel worse as a result. Therefore, changing the way we think and behave can have a positive effect on our mood. Cognitive behaviour therapists help clients to identify unhelpful thoughts by asking them what is going through their minds. Many people are more likely to be aware of their mood and physical symptoms, rather than what they are thinking, while others are not attuned to their bodies, but can capture their thoughts and feelings. CBT teaches clients to understand triggers and how thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms and behaviours interact with each other. CBT also tends to focus on the here and now, instead of looking at your past. However, it is useful to make links Let’s talk The Key to Hope. Change. Empowerment

between the past and present to help clients understand why they formed certain beliefs. For example, if you have been growing up with a critical parent or have been bullied at school, it is understandable that you may have a core belief that you are ‘not good enough’. From my clinical experience, clients like CBT because it is practical and collaborative in reaching therapeutic goals. It involves homework assignments between sessions to maximise the effectiveness of therapy. For example, your therapist may ask you to keep a diary or do a behavioural experiment – such as asking you to test your anxious predictions about something you feel afraid to do. The ultimate aim of CBT is to teach you You can find free CBT resources online – visit getselfhelp.co.uk Furthermore, CBT-based self-help books are available to purchase or borrow from your library. It is useful to know that CBT can be used in conjunction with anti-depressant medications prescribed by your GP. I work with many clients who find both modes of treatment helpful. If you feel that CBT may be helpful for you, discuss it with your GP who can refer you, or you can self-refer. how to become your own CBT therapist and work out your own strategies for tackling problems. It is designed to empower clients to have control over their difficulties.

CBT teaches clients to understand triggers and how thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms and behaviours interact with each other.

Stress • Depression • Self-esteem • Trauma • Anxiety • Bereavement Divorce • Suicidal thoughts • Relationships • Gender & Sexuality Addiction • Anger management • OCD • Phobias • Panic attacks Family issues • Eating disorders • Emotional & physical abuse Career • Low mood • Self harm • Infertility

Adults, young people and children Couples and families Workshops and therapy groups Trainees and supervision Range of prices £35.00 – £90.00 per session If you’d like to book an appointment or have any questions, please call on 07544 752 667 or email us at enquiries@keytherapyassociates.co.uk We are also happy to set up an initial free consultation. You can find out more about us and our services at www.keytherapyassociates.co.uk Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you are feeling, talking through what’s going on with a professional can help. We are a dedicated team of counsellors, cognitive behavioural therapists, psychologists and psychotherapists. Whatever you’d like to talk about, we are here to listen.

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Join the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle for their 100th Concert! Pack up the hampers and champers and join thousands of loyal fans for an exceptional afternoon and evening of entertainment, as The Battle Proms returns to Highclere on Saturday 4 August, marking the 100th Battle Proms concert since they began over 20 years ago! Highclere Castle, Newbury, Saturday 4 August 2018 100th BATTLE PROMS CONCERT

concert, reaching speeds of up to 120mph demonstrating their world-famous canopy formations! All taking place on the lawns overlooking the ‘Real Downton Abbey’, this quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ features magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory. For full details and to book tickets for this spectacular and memorable night out go to www.battleproms.com

Enjoy a full 2 hour programme of captivating classical music from a 60 piece orchestra that opens with a breathtaking musical Spitfire display, plus toe-tapping vintage vocals, dramatic WWI cavalry display, and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons! In a very special addition to their 100th concert programme, the Battle Proms team are delighted to announce that The Red Devils – the British Army and Parachute Regiment’s official display team – will be making a dramatic entrance as they perform their daring freefall display in the skies above the

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Amners Farm, Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire RG30 3UE • See lambsbeingborn • Steam trainrides • PetsCorner • Straw play barn • Crafts & refreshments • Tractor and trailer rides • Pony rides • Falconry and more.. . Find us between Junction 11 and 12 south of the M4. Follow the signs on the day .

For more information go to www.amnersfarm.co.uk or call us on 01189 833 437

Pregnantwomenareadvisednot toattend theLambingDays. Nodogsallowed.

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W alking with alpacas

If you thought you had to visit darkest Peru to get up close and personal with an alpaca, think again. CHARLOTTE BOOTH ventured as far as Ashampstead to take part in an Alpaca Trek, organised by Wyld Court, and spent a fun 90 minutes in the company of Scally and Daf wandering around the Berkshire countryside 

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W e are all familiar with dog walkers, and horses on the road or bridleway are to be expected, but how many people have seen alpacas being taken for a walk? On a lead? If you live near Ashampstead, this is a regular occurrence. Wyld Court Alpacas makes it possible for anyone to go alpaca trekking through open fields and woodland. Wyld Court Alpaca trekking is the brainchild of Sharon Matthews, who owns 12 Huacaya alpacas. Her five males are regularly taken on treks with the public. “Males are better for walking because females are generally too hormonal,” says Sharon. “But we still need to ensure the males are suitable with the right temperament. They have to be happy being touched and handled, but we had one who found life a bit too stressful, he really didn’t enjoy it, so we decided to rehome him. “They all start off a bit jumpy, but after a couple of goes they relax into it. Alpacas have no natural defence, so their instinct is to run off if they get nervous and they are quite strong.” We met Sharon and her assistant Debbie Carter at the Casey Fields Farm Shop, off Dog Lane, along with two little bundles of fluff - Excaliber

for a walk there can be as many as 25 people on a trek. When asked who generally books these walks, Sharon says: “It’s mostly adults actually, or adults dragging their kids along. “One dad came with his kids and was more enthusiastic than his children. He refused to give up Enzo, as he felt he had bonded with the little fella.” Sharon hasn’t been in the alpaca business for long; “Only about a year,” she explains. “I swapped a vintage Vespa for five females, like you do. Haven’t we all done it? “I got those last January and two of those were pregnant, so then we had seven. We had been reading about these alpaca walking experiences around the country, so we got some boys. “These are pets who wouldn’t have any other use – they are not breeding quality. “Once we decided to do the walks, we bought five males.” In addition to the walks, Enzo and Scally visit care homes where they are used as a form of therapy. Their gentle nature makes them ideal and their fluffiness simply adds to their appeal. Debbie recalls: “One elderly lady at one of the care homes reached out to touch the side of the alpaca and was surprised that her hand kept going.

(Scally) and Daf - our alpaca companions for the next 90 minutes. Sharon told us that there should have been three, but the third, Enzo, refused to let himself be caught today, so she let him have his way and he stayed at home. She said: “They are quite stubborn. If they don’t want to do something they lie down – an action that is known as cushing. “Enzo wasn’t having any of it this morning. He would not let himself be caught.” However, in general the alpacas enjoy the adventure of being outside in new environments, meeting new people, eating new and exciting things and posing for photographs. Before starting, I was given the option of leading an alpaca and I jumped at the chance and took Scally’s lead. I was told he liked to walk behind Daf and that they didn’t like to be far apart from each other. I introduced myself to him and he seemed totally at home with the fuss. Just 18 months old, Scally is the younger and smaller of the two alpacas. Daf is two and a half years and they are half-brothers, with the same father. On any given trek experience there are a maximum of five people per alpaca, so if all the alpacas are in the mood

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The trek through the fields and woods is a perfect opportunity to see the alpacas doing their day-to-day thing. Scally had been labelled as “an absolute pig because as soon as he sees the food bag he is right in your face”. He lived up to this reputation. At the halfway point the bags of feed were produced and suddenly Scally became my best friend, eating from my hand and trying against the odds to get his head in the bag. Sharon explains: “If they eat out of your hand it is a good indicator that they will be happy to be handled.” Scally was just happy to eat and, once in the woods, he was eating everything in sight, from leaves and twigs, to sweetcorn (from a nearby maize field). Sharon assured me she fed him, despite appearances. The biggest quirk – which is apparently specific to winter – is the

She wasn’t expecting quite as much fluff.” Alpacas are also able to walk upstairs and travel in lifts quite happily and, perhaps more importantly, they don’t generally get caught short inside. If they need to go to the ‘little alpaca room’, they get a bit shuffley and the carer will then take them outside. Sharon is also thinking of expanding her alpaca business: “Weddings are the new things with alpacas. “We are talking with a couple of wedding planners at the moment so we will be offering this service soon. “People have them as ring bearers or they will have a couple walking about and the guests can feed them while they are preparing for the photographs. “We plan to do little monogrammed bags of feed as well. “People want their wedding to be special and are constantly looking for something different.” Sharon has only been running the trekking since November 2017, so it is still in the very early days. “I’m amazed how busy it is, to be honest,” she says. ”We run them every weekend, a couple of days in the week and in the school holidays we run them more often.”

alpacas rolling on the floor like dogs. When they reached the tarmacked road both Scally and Daf got onto the floor and rolled, showing their stomachs, with their legs in the air. Sharon laughs: “I think they do it because it is dry, and the fields are muddy and wet. “The road isn’t bumpy or gravelly and it is a good place to scratch on. They only do it in the winter. In the summer they have a dirt patch that they like to roll in.” Alpacas are becoming more common on the British landscape, but the national herd is still only about 40,000. Compare this to the sheep herd, which in 2012 was 22.9 million, and it seems alpacas are still relatively rare. Sharon recalls one lady on a walk who had never seen an alpaca other than in pictures. Well, now there’s a chance to see them for real in the Berkshire countryside. 

They are quite stubborn. If they don’t want to do something they lie down – an action that is known as cushing

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Alpaca fleece Alpacas are bred in the UK primarily for their fleece, which is incredibly soft and warm and is a favourite with knitters. There are two types of alpaca which have very different fleece. The Huacaya has short, curly fibre and the Suri has a form of dreadlock. It is possible to spin both types of fleece, but Suri alpacas are rarer in the UK than Huacaya. There is no lanolin in alpaca fleece, unlike sheep’s wool, and it can be spun directly from the fleece without being scoured first. An alpaca is sheared once a year, normally in May. If they are not sheared the fleece continues growing. An average alpaca fleece weighs approximately 2.5kg. Alpaca fibre was introduced to the UK by Sir Titus Salt in 1836, and alpaca coats and clothes were very fashionable during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Q: What is the difference between Alpacas and llamas? Sharon is asked this question all the time and said: A: “It’s like asking the difference between a Shetland and a horse. They are different species.” These are the five main differences: 1 Ears – alpaca ears are leaf-shaped and llama’s ears are longer and more banana-shaped. 2 Size - Llamas are generally bigger than alpacas. 3 Faces - Llamas have longer faces whereas an alpaca’s face is more squared off. 4 Fleece – Alpaca fleece is finer than llama fleece and there is more of it. They are fluffier, with more hair on their head than a llama. 5 Personalities - Alpacas like company and to be part of a herd whereas llamas are more independent animals. Llamas are more aggressive and are even used as guard animals for other livestock – including guarding alpacas.

The Wyld Court Alpaca Trek is a perfect opportunity to get close to these beautiful and gentle creatures. The walks last between 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the speed of the alpacas and can cover up to three miles. The route is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs and small children would need to walk or be carried. In the winter be prepared for mud. Children must be aged six or older to lead an alpaca and if under nine years old an adult must hold an additional lead. The costs vary, with one person leading one alpaca costing £30, or a family ticket (two adults and two children) costing £55. Short walks are offered for people with disabilities or mobility problems (normally the last Sunday of the month) and costs £20.

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For further information go to www.wyldcourtalpacas.co.uk and to book contact Sharon on 07467 958441

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Festival fever

Newbury Spring Festival returns in May (12-26) for its 40th anniversary with world-class classical music, musical theatre, folk, jazz and cabaret. It has grown over the years and richly deserves its international reputation, writes TRISH LEE, with music’s most talented young artists appearing alongside famous names at concerts held in venues in and around Newbury. 

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Edward Gardner

D rum roll… fanfare… cue the chorus… Newbury Spring Festival has hit the BIG 4-0. Tickets are selling fast for Newbury’s 40th prestigious music festival. As always, an exciting and varied array of world-class performers will be coming to our town to entertain during the festive fortnight. One day you might find Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, playing long horns, bone trumpets and skull drums; classical music’s international superstars on another. A hidden gem in this spring celebration is the Festival Chorus, who, for the last 20 years, have got together every year to perform in one of the acclaimed orchestral concerts at the parish church of St Nicolas, in the centre of town. Last year, they sang at the opening concert in Elgar’s magnificent Dream of Gerontius and this year it will be the closing performance of Mozart’s Mass in C minor . Over the last four decades, a great many class acts have come to take part in the festival and in 1998, in order to include more local people, the chorus was formed to involve local amateurs and offer them the chance to perform with professional musicians. Visiting conductors have been continually surprised and impressed by the standard of the chorus, now said to be one of the best local choirs in the country. Aside from the talented individuals who take part, much credit should go to chorusmaster Janet Lincé, who retired from the role last year. It isn’t easy for a choir to sing over the sound of a large orchestra, but Janet’s attention to detail –

in particular diction and voice projection without straining and tuning – has resulted in so high a standard that many top conductors are more than happy to come back to the festival. The chorus work hard: auditions take place in February, with weekly rehearsals starting in March and running up to the festival. In this short rehearsal time they have taken on many ambitious works, including the Mozart Requiem , Elgar’s The Music Makers , Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and even Beethoven’s Ninth . The chorus has been fortunate in securing the services of a new master in Ben Cunningham, who came to the attention of the festival last year when he played the organ at one of the Young Artists Lunchtime recitals. Currently the organ scholar at Westminster Abbey, and still only in his early 20s, Ben has considerable experience in directing choirs and he is looking forward to the challenge of taking on bigger works and working with the Festival Chorus over a longer period of time. He intends to follow Janet’s lead and, in his own words, ‘make the music come off the page’. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s all-Mozart programme, which also features extracts from Don Giovanni and the 40th Symphony , on Saturday, May 26. If you are interested in joining the Newbury Spring Festival Chorus, contact Paul Millard: paul. millard30@ntlworld.com. The chorus is free to join, but is subject to successful audition. Newbury Festival Chorus will sing the Mass in the renowned

The festival opens at St Nicolas’ Church with a newly- commissioned work played by the renowned Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Edward Gardner, recognised as one of the most talented conductors of his generation. Bringing the fortnight of musical excellence to a close, on the third Saturday, an all-Mozart finale, with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, featuring Newbury’s very own, home- grown Spring Festival Chorus, themselves celebrating their 20th anniversary.

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Ben Cunningham talks about his excitement at joining the Festival Chorus

Ben Cunningham

So, you’re looking forward to working with the Festival Chorus? Yes, I am very excited and can’t wait. Although I have worked with choirs before, this will be my first large chamber choir. While I am used to intense rehearsal schedules, it will be interesting to work on a large-scale piece over a longer time because you can achieve so much more. What will your approach be? I want to continue working towards making the music come off the page, make it alive. This year I will be involved in the auditions for any new members, but over the next few years I would like to re-audition everybody so that I can get a view on the mix of voices that are in the choir. The Mozart Mass is one of the greatest choral pieces ever written, what challenges do you anticipate? The Mass has some tricky corners and is complicated musically. But two of the main challenges will be getting it right stylistically and getting the chorus to project their sound over modern instruments. You are also appearing at the festival in another role, as music director of Sansara, who sing at St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay Yes, I am very much looking forward to bringing Sansara to the festival. They are a group I put together with two friends from school, consisting of 16 professional musicians who sing a cappella. We have been going for four years and since winning the 2015 London International A Cappella Choir Competition we are being asked to perform all over the UK & Europe. For the festival we will perform a programme of English music which will reflect on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Are you the only one who conducts the group? No, there is no single conductor. Instead there are several who conduct – all of whom sing in the group. They will direct the choir according to their particular musical taste. We feel this makes the choir versatile and gives it a greater sense of collaboration.  Although I have worked with choirs before, this will be my first large chamber choir

Sansara

Festival Chorus

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