Out & About Winter 2018

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

W e all know the face of the high street is changing. As more people shop online, the large department stores and chains are experiencing lower footfall and many have closed a number of branches nationwide. It begs the question, what can draw people into their local towns? In many instances, apart from the thriving arts scene – the Corn Exchange (p41), Watermill, Arlington Arts, Hungerford Arts and many village arts initivatives – it is the local independent businesses that form the backbone of our communities, because they offer something different and unique. The artisan market in Newbury is a classic example and is often bustling with shoppers ambling along Northbrook Street, looking at craft stalls and sampling different foods. Out & About loves to champion local businesses and in our continuing café culture series (p50) we talked to James Priddy, who celebrates 30 years of running Weavers Coffee Shop and visited the lovely Pineapple Café in Thatcham, attached to Pineapple Palace, full of intriguing knick-knacks and locally-made clothes. We also received a fantastic recipe book from local cook Kate Saunders (p36) and have exclusively reproduced a couple of her recipes for you to try. And one of the

team was lucky enough to visit Newbury chocolatier Cocoa Ben’s (p39) to sample the sweet treats on offer – a great idea for a festive gift. Or, for something a bit different, how about a bespoke perfume from Beenham supplier Uncommon Scents (p19)? When we were looking at book suggestions (p77) to read during the cold winter months, we couldn’t resist including the latest historical fiction from local author Charlotte Betts. And local artist Fiona Crooks Smith shows you how to make a decopatch star (p78). There are also a lot of people who give up their time to help others in the community. In the winter months we become particularly aware of those less fortunate and it is heartening to see the work of Newbury Soup Kitchen (p31), which every Thursday sets up at the Salvation Army Hall to provide food and companionship to those in need. We none of us know what 2019 will bring – and I’m not going to mention the B word – so let’s start by celebrating what is on our doorstep and championing the independent shops and creatives across West Berkshire, as well as the many volunteer organisations who provide such a vital service, be proud of the community of which we are a part and encourage enterprise and initiative.

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Winter warmer

How to

36 KEEPING IT LOCAL A new book by cook Kate

31 THE SOUP OF HUMAN KINDNESS Newbury Soup Kitchen

78

DECOPATCH How to make a colourful Christmas decoration to brighten up your home

Saunders of Blackberry Cottage, Ashampstead, makes use of the full A to Z of vegetables

provides warmth, food and support to the homeless once a week

3