Out & About Spring 2019

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

D aylight hours are getting longer, birds are singing and flower beds are blooming. Nature has a wonderful rhythm that transcends anything mankind can do to it, even though it seems as if we are doing our level best to destroy our planet. However, many of you are saying ‘enough is enough’ and we discovered local communities that are taking action and doing their bit in the fight against plastic and coming up with eco-friendly solutions (p26). Talking of friendly, Jonathan Hopson recently attended a seminar on loneliness and befriending initiatives. There are many volunteering opportunities out there and just a small amount of time given to others can make such a difference (p7). Loneliness is a problem not only confined to the elderly. The stresses and pressure of social media and keeping up with the latest trends mean many younger people end up feeling isolated and as a result their school and home life can suffer. Relax Kids (p23) is a programme designed to help young people cope, offering them an oasis of calm. I like to relax with a cup of coffee, usually with a cheeky slice of cake, and yet again we have found some wonderful independent cafés in the area (p50). If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more substantial for a special meal out, you might want to check out

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, where Hilary Scott was wowed by the taster meal (p44). If its homecooking you’re looking for, I recently met up with Balwinder Kapila in her Pangbourne home to talk about her new book A Pinch of Spice (p36). It is packed full of traditional recipes handed down to her by her mother and grandmother, but with Balwinder’s own personal twist on many of them. Tradition is such an intrinsic part of our DNA. We love the famliarity of seasons and repeated rituals and I particularly love reading about the quirky ancient ceremonies and events that are still celebrated today, often many hundreds of years after they were first instigated. The Community Orchard in Thatcham holds an annual wassail (p95) and Hungerford’s Hocktide celebrations at the end of April, when the Tutti men march through the town demanding some goodly ale, are the epitome of British eccentricity (p33). There’s so much going on and so many people bringing communities together that it’s difficult to pack it all in, but I hope you’ll take heart from the positive messages in this issue and maybe it will give you food for thought about something you could do to preserve our planet for future generations – and if you do, let us know about it.

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Reuse, recycle

Restaurant review

36 A PINCH OF SPICE

26 KEEPING IT GREEN Local communities are getting together to do their bit for the environment

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THE HARROW The Michelin star restaurant in Little Bedwyn has lost none of its sparkle

Pangbourne cook Balwinder Kapila shares her family recipes in a new book

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