BuckinghamMarch2015_9x.qxp_BuckNov201311/02/201512:35Page1
EE FR
The genuine
Buckingham in Business magazine
Distributed to Buckingham & Many Surrounding Villages
March 2015
Monthly
The Only Estate Agent in Buckingham that’s open
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
For a FREE Market or Rent Appraisal, visit: EweMove.com/buckingham or email brackley@ewemove.com
Jez Vibert Branch Director EweMove Brackley
or call Jez on 01280 453 453
Sell Your House in Weeks and Save ££Thousands with our Baa-Brilliant Offer!
1.5%
0.75% Selling Fee* *Hurry! Limited to the next 20 instructions
Find Out What Your Home is Really Worth
Get a FREE Instant Valuation Report 01280 453 453
using my quick online tool!
Visit EweMove.com/buckingham BUSINESSES THAT ADVERTISE IN A RECESSION ARE THE ONES THAT SURVIVE AND COME OUT THE OTHER END
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Fully qualified 24 years experience No job too small
Fully insured Local tradesman All building work undertaken
• Brickwork • Stonework • Garage Conversions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Extensions • Patios • Landscaping • Fencing • Roofing etc For your free no obligation quotation call: 01280 423847 or 07701073720 www.homefixbms.webeden.co.uk e:homefixbuilders@googlemail.com
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on ten t s 4 Editor’s Comments... 8 Motorsports Services 9 Cloudy 2 Clear Windows - Service With A Smile! 10 Sugar and Spice Brides
60% off Top Brands see page 7
11 It Can Be REally Hard To Decide... 13 Health & Beauty 20 Calling All Doggy Divas! 22 Gardening in March £25 25 WIN Buckingham Garden Centre Competition
26 Index 27 Events
£25.00 See Page 25
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The aim of the monthly Buckingham In Business Magazine is to support businesses in order that the local community can flourish. Website: www.inbusinessmags.co.uk
Email: inbusinessmagazines@gmail.com
Office: 0844 6933228 Home: 01905 381011
Welcome...
March ISSUE 2015
........March – the start of Spring; under the soil, in every branch and twig, in farmers’ fields, in sheds and barns – new life is stirring. After the cold, unyielding winter, these precious shoots, young leaves unfurling, springy-legged lambs gambolling in the fields, remind us that nature’s year is beginning again. The start of British Summer Time, at the end of the month, may deprive us of a little sleep, but the extra hour’s light each evening is such a worthwhile trade; enabling country walks, gardening, a return to hobbies and pastimes shelved due to inclement weather and the hypnotic draw of the crackling fire and comfy sofa. With much to rejoice in and warmer weather yet to come, now is a great time to be a little adventurous – whether trying a new sport or booking a holiday – make March the start of your new beginning, too! Until next time………
Mobile: 07899 757473 ADVERTISING Mandy Mills FEATURES EDITOR Kate Martin NEXT ISSUE COPY DATE
11th March 2015 © 2015. All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no responsibility is taken if it is not. Care is taken to ensure all advertisements are truthful and no liability is accepted for errors or emissions. The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited.
Mandy Mills Editor
The above title is a division of The Best Area Magazines Ltd The Wood Cottage, Broughton Hackett Worcs, WR7 4BB.
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38 Tanners Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BP Unit 12, Beachampton Business Park, Nash Road, Beachampton, Milton Keynes, MK19 6EA
Tel: 01908 218875
www.EandEservices.co.uk
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It can be really hard to decide which estate agent to choose when selling your home. To help, I've put together 8 must have' ingredients to give your home the very best opportunity of selling fast for the best price. Here goes... 1. You need a local agent with a branch manager you can trust, who is themselves a local (like me!). They need to know the area and can give expert local advice. It also helps them strike up rapport with your buyers. 2. You want somebody to give you the correct valuation and not inflate the price and give you unrealistic expectations to trick you into signing up (and locking you into a long contract...) 3. There should be one point of contact from beginning to end. So the same person who values your house should also conduct the viewings and always be on hand to give you feedback.
And that includes giving you their mobile phone number so you can call for an update at any time 4. Accompanied viewings. The truth is that you more than DOUBLE your chances of a sale by having accompanied viewings. Go without and your agent is shooting you in the foot. 5. Open 24/7 for telephone enquiries to book viewings or make offers. People look for houses at the weekends or on evenings when most agents are shut! Your agent needs to be available when your buyers are ready and waiting to express their interest. 6. Allow buyers to book their own viewings and make offers online 24/7. By making it easy for your potential buyers, you're more likely to get a sale quickly. inbusinessmagazines@gmail.com
7. They must have exposure on all the major portals. So either Rightmove or Zoopla alone won't cut it. They need to list on Primelocation as well to showcase your home to the maximum audience. 8. Their boards must stand out. There are so many houses for sale and agents boring boards all look the same. Boards are your property's shop window. They need to stand out so that everybody notices them! More attention = more viewers. It's a no brainer... Â With all of these techniques deployed, you'll be giving your home the very best chance of a fast sale and achieving the best
possible price. Good luck!
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Health &Beauty
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He a l th & Be a uty
Orthodontics at Claydon Dental Practice
info@claydondental.co.uk inbusinessmagazines@gmail.com
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www.centraleisure.co.uk
Motorhome & Caravan Service Centre
MOTORHOME HIRE Brackley
Buckingham
SERVICING ACCESSORIES
TYRES
All Insurance & warranty undertaken
All Motorhome & Caravan Accessories supplied and fitted to the highest of quality
FOR ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES AVAILABLE
@centraleisure
Unit 2 Greatworth Hall Greatworth Banbury Oxon OX17 2DH
central.leisure@hotmail.co.uk
T el: 01295 760800 15
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Misty Units Replaced
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Established for over 25 years
Tel/Fax: 01280 703277 Mobile: 07793 206253
Tel: 01280 812431 07812 716661
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COMPETITIVE
RATES
Winterhills, Silverstone, Towcester, Northants NN12 8UG
www.grahamchurchillplant.co.uk
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Everything you need for your home & office improvements PAINTING, DECORATING, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, CARPENTRY, TILING, WOODEN FLOORING, & MUCH MORE ... CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE
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Mob: 07956 039268
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Insurance Work Extensions Groundworks Conservatories Landscaping Roofing Kitchen Fitting Gas Boilers, General Servicing & Plumbing Bathrooms & Ensuites etc...
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Take a look at my website..
www.bespokeinteriorskw.co.uk
It’s Time To Upgrade Your Home A quality company established for over 20 years, Bespoke Interiors has earned its well deserved reputation for the production of a first class service. Products ranging from Interior Carpentry, Stairs, Doors, Wardrobes Storage Solutions and Kitchens to Exterior Windows and Doors. All work can be designed to meet your needs,
Tel: 01296 733833 Mob: 07855 851004
P&B ROOFING & Building Contractors Ltd
ALL TYPES OF FLAT ROOFING TILING, SLATING, RE-POINTING, REPAIRS AND RE-ROOFS FASCIAS AND GUTTERS REPAIRED OR REPLACED CHIMNEYS RE-POINTED A L L W O R K C A R R I E S I N S U R A N C E WA R R A N T Y
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Calling all doggy divas! ‘7’ Year Warranty on All Worcester Boiler Installs Full Heating Installation - Boiler Replacements Solar Hot Water Systems - Hot Water Cylinders Boiler Servicing
C a l l To d a y F o r Yo u r N o
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All types of Domestic Electrical Work Carried Out
No call out charges Free Quotations Friendly Local Electrician Part P Approved Additional Sockets / Lights, Full Rewire, Exterior / Lighting, Fault Rectification, Electric Showers, Consumer Units.
88 Westbrook End Newton Longville
Tel Home: 01908 649143
Mob: 07541 025351 www.evelingelectrical.co.uk 20
It’s that time of year again, when our four-legged waggy-tailed friends of every shape, size and colour can show off what they do best, and their owners can go shopping! Crufts 2015, the complete canine experience, starts on March 5th, at the NEC in Birmingham. Just an hour’s drive from our part of the world, so very accessible for a family day out. Even better, children under 12 get in free – no excuse to leave the little ones at home, then! As well as the well-known showing classes for every breed under the sun, there are the amazingly disciplined Obedience classes, frantic Flyball competitions, Agility where handlers seem as fast on their feet as the dogs, and the amazing ‘doggy dancing’ of Heelwork to Music – plenty to see and do! If you’re looking to get a puppy, but deliberating over a Dachshund, confused over Clumber Spaniels or puzzling over Patterdale Terriers, then Discover Dogs is the area for you! Hundreds of breeds are there, with owners who can give you first-hand information about their particular type of dog, which may help you make your decision. For shopaholics, there’s everything from brushes to beds, collars to crates, foods, health products, insurance and more – to treat your faithful friend. If you’re tempted, and want to know more, just click: http://www.crufts.org.uk/
PLUMBING & HEATING Over 30 years Experience
FULLY QUALIFIED PLUMBERS & GAS ENGINEERS New Boilers / Power Flushing Full Heating Installation / Boiler Servicing Landlord Certificates / General Plumbing Bathrooms / Licensed to install Megaflo & Unvented Cyclinders
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T: 01280 841035 Mobile: 07831 898705 Gas Safe Registration No.35528
www.samooreservices.co.uk
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The Garden in March Cheap and ˚cheerful summer colour Filling your garden with a riot of glorious summer colour needn’t cost you a fortune, says Buckingham Garden Centre’s Chris Day.
When I was a lad I’d often help out in my father’s gentlemen’s outfitters shop in Manchester, my home town. My treat and reward for helping out would be some pocket money which I would duly spend in the large Woolworth store just down the road in Piccadilly Gardens. As well as buying a few treats, some pick and mix sweets, a 45 single record, I would really enjoy a look around the gardening department and be mesmerised by the packets of Cuthbert Seeds with their distinctive covers. The images encouraged me to buy the likes of Cornflower, Larkspur, Night Scented Stock and Godetias, thinking about it names I could barely pronounce then. The plus side of this was, much to the delight of my parents as I was allowed to use the whole garden we’d wait with baited breathe and some two months later we would
see the results – jewels of colour, often riots of vibrant colours from packets costing just a few pence. What’s more, many annuals encouraged beneficial insects, pollinators and of course honey bees! Today bedding plants or seasonal plants as the garden centre trade prefers to describe them, have undergone major variety, colour and designer makeovers in recent years. From micro plug plants to colour themed designer trays, we’ve sadly lost the art of growing flower seeds from the packet, which I think is a shame. It’s these hardy annuals which need a garden revival in my opinion. For one thing you get stacks of seed in a packet, the seeds are still relatively inexpensive but best of all you can transform your patch for just a few pounds and have great fun – getting the children involved too - in doing it. Here are a few tips to get your garden ablaze of colour with these hardy annual beauties. First of all you need to find a location in full sun. These flowers are real sun worshippers so the brighter the spot the better the display. Next clear the soil of all weeds, annual and perennials ones, by lightly forking over the area. Oh, clear any stones and lumps as you go! You can improve the soil by adding some home-made compost and apply some fertiliser either
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Local Garden Construction Specialist with a reputation built on lasting quality Blocked Paved Driveways, Patios & Paving, Walls, Steps, Fencing and all aspects of Garden Construction
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Growmore or Blood, Fish & Bone just before you sow. You don’t need to overdo the feeding as you don’t want to encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Sowing is best done when the soil is slightly moist and on a still day. A drill – a very shallow trench 1cm (1/2in) deep – should be made with a corner of the hoe, or for very small seed a pointed stick will serve the purpose. A garden line stretched out between two stakes will ensure the drill is drawn straight. The seed should now be sprinkled into the drill through the corner of the seed packet or by the natural line in the palm of your hand or simply distributed evenly by finger and thumb. However, many gardeners (myself included) prefer to scatter seeds at random (known correctly as broadcasting the seed) or sow them in groups known as stations (see picture). If you do this you’ll create small islands of plants which give a drift effect so looks more naturally planted. A light rake will provide the necessary covering these seeds need. Whatever the method you opt for, the seed should be sown as thinly as possible to reduce the tiresome task of thinning out later.
Woodlands Logs & Kindling DELIVERED LOCALLY 0844 4141174
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Good edgers: Alyssum, Candytuft, Limnanthes (Poached Egg Plant) and Nasturtium. You’ll come across larger seeds such as Nasturtium and Sweet Peas which can be sown singly 10-15cm (4-6in) apart and covered to about 3cm (1½in) of soil. Germination times are given on the packet and it can vary – literally from a few days to 2-3 weeks, so you may need to be patient! Keep the area moist so during dry spells water as necessary. You soon see the seedling appear and quickly recognise which are the flowers. You’ll need to keep an eye out for unwanted weed seeds and remove these promptly as they can quickly invade the area. When it comes to what to sow – there’s a huge amount of choice. If you plan to fill a border then do consider the heights and position the types and eventual growing heights accordingly in your border. Here’s my pick of the best hardy bedders that won’t break the bank but will give you a riot of colour from late May until the first frosts.
Middle ground fillers: Amaranthus (Love Lies Bleeding), Calendula (Pot Marigold), Clarkia, Cornflower, Eschscholzia (Californian Poppy), Godetia (pictured with Eschscholzia), Nigella (Love-In-A-Mist) and Papaver (annual Poppy).
Vincent Landscapes of Buckingham est1990
www.vincent-landscapes.co.uk
Specialists in Landscape Design and Construction, from an idea to your Dream alfresco living space, where you work rest and play. •Patios •Walling ( brick and natural stone) •Bespoke timber buildings •Fencing •Garden timber constructions For a free no obligation quote call or email Darren on
07918 193315
Tall and commanding: Larkspur (Delphinium), Lavatera and Sunflowers. This year is officially the Year of the Sunflower, so here’s another excuse to celebrate by growing some in your garden, especially good for the children to sow and grow too!
01280 817944
vincent-landscapes@hotmail.co.uk its not a job, its our passion!
Find us at yell.com
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Top Tip March is the start of spring and the ideal time to give your plants a welcome boost by feeding them. I still contend we generally don’t feed our plants as much as we should, so let’s deal with it
now and aim to get our plants in tip-top form for the summer. Actively growing shrubs, fruit trees and bushes, climbers and roses will benefit from a general feed to help promote strong root, stem and flower development. Keep your feeding simple and opt for a good general purpose fertiliser such as Vitax Q4, a granular feed which you would apply every 6-8 weeks from March until September. If you have topiary, bay trees or other evergreens then opt for one of the slow-release fertilisers, such as Osmocote, which provides nutrients over 3-6 months and is perfect for our busy lifestyles.
FREEPHONE: 0800 6951944 MOBILE: 07788 513780
FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED TREE CARE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE Leylandii & Conifer problems solved Hedges reduced and trimmed
A Buckingham Garden Centre Gift Voucher worth £25! Brighten your garden this year with a much deserved hardy annual seed makeover by entering our easy-to-enter competition. To win simply answer the following question and TWO lucky readers will have a chance to win a Buckingham Garden Centre Gift Voucher, worth £25 – perfect for treating your garden to a new plant or two. Question: A plant that goes through its entire life cycle in one season and which can be sown outside in the open garden in spring is best described as? A. Perennial B. Half-Hardy Annual C. Hardy Annual Pop your answer A, B or C together with your name and address to: competition@buckingham-nurseries.co.uk Or by post to: Buckingham Garden
Pruning, thinning and felling
Centre, Tingewick Road, Buckingham
Large or small jobs welcome
MK18 4AE.
Tel: 01280 822133 10% DISCOUNT FOR OAP’S
www.buckinghamgardencentre.co.uk www.facebook.com/BuckinghamNurseries Open 7 Days a Week. The closing date for entries is 31th March 2015. .
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Sat 28 Feb - Buckingham Food Fair - Community Centre - 10am till 4pm - all welcome Sun 1 March - Orienteering Discovery Day - Stowe Gardens adventure and discovery on trails for all abilities - 11am till 4pm - £2 per map - tel: 01280 817156 Sat 7 March - Fair Trade Coffee Morning - 10am till 12 noon Buckingham Old Gaol - all welcome - come along and support Fair Trade Sat 7 March - Charity Ball in aid of Breast Cancer - 7pm - Old Town Hall, Buckingham - contact: 07730 888191 Sat 14 and Sun 15 March Unveiling the Gothic Room Claydon House, Nr Winslow watch as this room is brought back to life after its winter clean 11.30am-4.30pm - tel: 01296 730349 Sun 15 March - Grow with Stowe on Mothers Day - plant bulbs in the gardens - Stowe Gardens - 10am till 6pm - tel: 01280 817156 Sun 15 March - Artisan Market Old Cattle Pens, Buckingham town centre - 10am till 2pm - local producers selling artisan food, drink and gifts Sun 15 March - "Parties, politics and petticoats - 18th century life for the ladies of Stowe" - 7.30pm Stowe House - book on www.stowehouse.org Fri 20 March - Quiz Night 7.30pm - Buckingham Old Gaol tickets £5 on sale at museum shop Wed 25 March - "From Gough to Google - putting Buckingham on the map" - a talk by John 26
Leighfield - Buckingham Old Gaol 7.30pm - tickets £5 Sat 28 March - Concert by Buckingham Choral Society "Gloria and Te Deum" - Parish Church tickets on sale at the Information Centre, Old Gaol
TOWCESTER RACECOURSE in MARCH Thursday 12th March TBC Free Monday 23rd March TBC Free
EVERY MONDAY Dance School Stepbystep Ballroom and Latin Dancing with Jean Conway Winslow CofE Combined School, Winslow Call Jean 07855546406 Jazzercise 7.30-8.30pm @ Winslow CofE Combined School, Winslow, 07900 987230 or jazzercise1@hotmail.co.uk Ceroc dance class 7.45- 10.45 at Buckingham Community Centre. New members welcome every week. www.cerocbucks.com Learn to SCUBA dive with us, call Roger for more information, 07802 765 366 www.stowesubaqua.co.uk EVERY MONDAY (term time only) Adstock Village Hall, Church End, Sing and Sign, Baby Signing classes for babies from 6 weeks to speaking. Booking is essential Helen 07906 055591 EVERY MONDAY/THURSDAY Buckingham & Stowe Running Club. Please see our website for more information http://www.buckinghamrunningclub.com or email buckinghamrunningclub@hotmail.co.uk EVERY TUESDAY Jazzercise 7.30-8.30pm @ Bourton Meadow Academy, Buckingham, 07900 987230 or jazzercise1@hotmail.co.uk EVERY WEDNESDAY Jazzercise 7.30-8.30pm @ Winslow CofE Combined School, Winslow, 07900 987230 or jazzercise1@hotmail.co.uk Heart Strings Community String Orchestra 8-10pm at the Chantry Chapel, Buckingham. Violinists, violists and cellists of all standards welcome. Call Rachel on 07789 050257. EVERY WEDNESDAY Buckingham Camera club meets at Padbury Village Hall 8:00 to 10:00pm Wednesday 11th February 2015 Speaker: Micki Aston—The Americas. This gifted photographer is well known to many of us on Facebook where she shows her creativity daily. £5.00 on the door to visitors, refundable should you join. Full programme details: www.buckinghamcameraclub.co.uk EVERY THURSDAY Zumba Gold (Latin-inspired dance-fitness) class 14:00pm - 14.50pm Swan Pool, Buckingham (class is not on Swan Pool timetable) 07919962307 or info@zumbabuckingham.co.uk Jazzercise 7.30-8.30pm @ Bourton Meadow Academy, Buckingham, 07900 987230 or jazzercise1@hotmail.co.uk SATURDAYS/TUESDAYS Chrgd NRG Dance Classes at Calvert Green community hall for children 10am to 11am,Saturdays at Steeple Claydon Methodist Church for children 2:30 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 4:30pm Tuesdays Steeple Claydon Methodist Church 7 to 8pm for children Tuesdays 8 to 9pm for adults currently £2 per session per person for any more info, please phone Sheree Bird, artistic director, on 07754 870052 or e-mail chrgdnrg@btinternet.com
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