Out & About January 2018

January 2018

West Berkshire, North Hampshire & East Wiltshire

A Newbury News Ltd publication

A year in the life of... Deborah Puxley offers an insight into what goes on at Welford Park

Clearing out How to overcome the desire to hoard

Designer buildings The life and career of Newbury architect James Money

Parkway Shopping, Newbury Last Minute Gift Ideas

Gifts for Her

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Stocking Fillers

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1. Debenhams, Nine by Savannah Miller £55.00 3. Fraser Hart, Northern Star Earrings £999.00 4. Joules, Chelsea Boots £140.00 5. Jigsaw, Fingerless Mitten £75.00

1. Accessorize, Star Earrings £25.00 2. Hotel Chocolat, Jolly Santa £7.50 3. L'Occitane, Terre de Lumière Perfume £58.00 4. Pandora, Disney Collection £35.00 5. Hotel Chocolat, Christmas Pudding £15.00

Gifts for Kids

Gifts for Him

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1. H&M, Slippers £8.99 2. Waterstones, Jeff Kinney. Diary of a whimpy kid £12.99 3. H&M, Kids Jacket £39.99 4. H&M, Kids Dress £29.99 5. Accessorize, Star Kids Bag £8.40

1. Dapper Street, Barbour Jacket £199.00 2. Dapper Street, Happy Socks £9.95 3. John Lewis, Molton Brown Juniper Shower Gel £20.00 4. H&M, Shoes £34.99 5. Paperchase, Beard baubles £7.50

As we head in to 2018, it is a time of reflection and taking stock. Châtelaine of the Welford Park estate Deborah Puxley Welcome to the January issue of OUT&ABOUT

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tells Out&About about her year and how she juggles running a large house and playing host to The Great British Bake Off with attending the many and varied functions in her capacity as wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley (p15). Find out more about the legacy of local architect James Money, whose designs have had a huge impact on the shape of Newbury (p21) and in an effort to look forward, how about a bit of clearing out? Hoarding expert Jo Clarke has some advice on making more space for yourself (p34). Dr Jana Jenkins begins her regular column on mental health (p13) and there’s the usual fitness and beauty tips. We’ve also picked out some warming coats and scarves to keep out the chill (p6). And, finally, this is the last monthly Out&About , but your NWN magazine will be returning bigger and better as a quarterly later in the year. There will also be a comprehensive selection of what to do, where to go, where to eat, days out and places to walk in our Out&About section on our website. A happy and prosperous 2018 to you all OUT&ABOUT EDITOR: GERALDINE GARDNER (01635) 886684 geraldine.gardner@newburynews.co.uk

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Regulars

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Jonathan Hopson: Takes a look back before looking forward to 2018 Fashion: You can put your coat on – a selection of winter warmers Health & beauty: Your chance to win a facial from new salon Body Bonito Fitness: Vicki Brown has three workouts to kickstart your 2018 Interiors: Making the most of your kitchen space Gardening: The amaryllis adds a touch of glamour around the house Travel: Jet off to a private island – pricey, but needn’t be a fantasy Books: A review of Helen Dunmore’s final novel Birdcage Walk Motoring: The Volvo XC90 hybrid gets Maurice and Annette Hardy all charged up Antiques: Birthstones are a gem of a gift idea says Thomas Plant Competition Nature: a new app keeps you in touch with nature Four pages of where to go and what to see and do this month West End show : win tickets to see Young Frankenstein What’s on

Out&About

January 2018

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

Features

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L’Ortolan Hilary Scott has a Michelin- star experience at a reasonable price Party time Some time saving tips for a easy way to see in the new year Honesty Romilla Arber encourages us all to enjoy the food on our plates Top tipples James Allen’s pick from local wine merchants Fish Simon Rhodes is full of praise for tasty scallops A year in the life of Angela Knight talks to Deborah Puxley about snowdrops and her ‘star baker’ moment In the Money Newbury architect James Money shaped the look of the town, as Chris Forsey discovers Clearing out Margaret McDonnell talks to hoarding expert Jo Clarke about ways of overcoming the condition Food & drink

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GROUP EDITOR: ANDY MURRILL (01635) 886625 andy.murrill@newburynews.co.uk Production design: Carrie Faithfull, Helen Layton, Tim Silvester Published on Thursday, December 21 free with the Newbury Weekly News. We want to hear about your events in the area – talks, concerts, outings, group meetings Email your listings details to: report@newburynews.co.uk (subject line ‘what’s on’) OUT&ABOUT is published by Newbury News Ltd, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2DW

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Follow us on Twitter: @outnaboutberks

Use this QT smartphone code to take you to our website where you can read our digital edition at:

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OA comment

2018

...loading

Jonathan Hopson Reflects on time past, present and future... I can’t quite believe more than 12 months have passed since the editor kindly asked whether I’d like to write a series of monthly articles for Out&About. articles and I’m looking forward to coming up with some new themes. Looking forward to 2018, I’ve set myself

several personal goals – these aren’t New Year resolutions as such and mostly relate to sports I compete in. I would love to complete the 1.1-mile Walbury Hill Climb in less than seven minutes – my current personal best is 7m43s, so I have around nine months to continue the training schedule and hopefully find a 10-per-cent improvement from somewhere. There is also, hopefully, further room for improvement in the Newbury Triathlon and next year I am looking to complete the 300 metre swim/22 kilometre bike ride/5 kilometre run in less than 1h20m. Not sure at this point in time whether my son and daughter will be taking part again to repeat this year’s Hopson family mini competition, but I feel 80 minutes is somewhere close to my performance zenith so further improvement will be very unlikely. Thinking about less competitive pursuits, I am planning to play a little more social bridge, while, at the same time, seeking to improve my technique. Perhaps I can take this opportunity to wish Out&About readers all the best for 2018.

So this seems an appropriate time to briefly reflect on the past year and at the same time look ahead to 2018. Firstly, I would like to thank the various Out&About readers who have kindly taken the time to pass on their feedback when we have met by chance while out shopping, cycling, running or walking dogs etc. It’s encouraging to know that some of the previous articles have been well received and indeed May’s article on the joys of mowing was prompted by a neighbour suggesting the subject after witnessing my delight at cutting the grass. The beginning of the year had an outdoor theme with cycling, table tennis and skiing and this was followed by pub walks in Berkshire and Hampshire, cricket, and tennis in the Algarve. A recurring topic has been classical music, – I’m a passionate fan of Mozart’s music – and more recently there’s been a return to the great outdoors with articles on the Newbury Triathlon and the Walbury Hill cycle climb event. It’s been fun researching and writing the

Four Quartets by T S Eliot BURNT NORTON Time present and time past

Are both perhaps present in time future, And time future contained in time past. If all time is eternally present All time is unredeemable. What might have been is an abstraction Remaining a perpetual possibility Only in a world of speculation. What might have been and what has been Point to one end, which is always present.

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It’s time to wrap up warm and we’ve selected some cosy coats and scarves to keep the winter chill at bay

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1. Coat £165 Jasper Conran Debenhams, scarf £10 F&F Tesco 2. Coat River Island £175, scarf £35 Crew 3. Coat £99 Ben de Lisi Debenhams, scarf £20 Top Shop 4. Coat £130 Laura Ashley, scarf £12 F&F 5. Coat £130 Laura Ashley, scarf £12.99 TK Maxx 6. Coat £79 Top Shop, scarf £38 Top Shop 7. Coat £99 M&S, scarf £20 Accessorize 8. Coat £179 Mint Velvet, scarf £40 Crew.

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OA on the high street

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9. Coat £95 Top Shop 10. Coat £85 River Island 11. Coat £35 Matalan 12. Coat £130 River Island 13. Coat £99.99 TK Maxx, scarf £29 Accessorize 14. Coat £99 M&S, scarf £17.99 New Look 15. Coat £129 Monsoon, scarf £45 Crew 16. Coat £120

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OA health & beauty

Win a CACI facial treatment with Body Bonito

D onna is a CACI facial therapist who has opened the Body Bonito salon at Newbury Rugby Club, Monks Lane. She specialises in anti-ageing, such as Glycolic Acid Peels and derma rollering and massage, including deep tissue and sports massage. If you would like to look less wrinkled, more contoured and have plumper looking skin, then a CACI facial could be the answer. CACI non-surgical facelifts really work.They are enjoyed by celebrities worldwide because the lift gives them the wow factor they desire and keeps them looking younger in an industry that’s very competitive. For a very long time, CACI facials have been seen as a really great alternative to botox or going under the knife. While you won’t come out looking 10 years younger after one treatment, after a course of treatments you will see a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles BEAUTY TREATMENT COMPETITION

much younger looking complexion. A course of 10 treatments is recommended initially and monthly treatments thereafter. Body Bonito is giving you the chance to win one CACI facial. For more details on any of the services offered please visit www.bodybonito.com Or call Donna on 07789 180585 For the chance to win a CACI facial, answer

and have a more toned, contoured complexion. CACI stands for Computer Aided Cosmetology Instrument and is a treatment designed more than 20 years ago to help treat people with Bell’s palsey or who have suffered a stroke. While they were using the treatment in hospitals, it became apparent that it could lift and tighten sagging muscles and improve the skin tone. CACI was re-educating muscles to do what they had done previously. It was soon brought into the beauty world to do the very same thing. A CACI nonsurgical facelift works by using microcurrent technology. Tiny microcurrents are sent to the muscles that are being treated. These microcurrents help to plump out lines and wrinkles, sculpt the cheekbones and jaw area, and re-educate the facial muscles so they will sit firmer and not sag. The treatment boosts the collagen and increases elasticity in the skin, giving you a

the following question correctly: Where is Body Bonito situated?

A) Newbury Rugby Club B) Newbury Hockey Club C) Newbury Netball Club

Send your answer on the form to Body Bonito competition, Out&About , Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2DW. The closing date for entries is Tuesday, January 9. OA terms & conditions p55

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OA fitness

Start as you mean to go on

Motivate.Believe.Achieve Personal trainer Vicki Brown is the founder of LiveFitNow, based in Wash Common. For a free consultation, more information and links to online home fitness videos, visit: www.LiveFitNow.co.uk

After the festivities of Christmas and NewYear, many people want to make a change and improve their fitness. VICKI BROWN has put together three short routines to kickstart the new you

F or those of you looking to improve your fitness, here are three things to consider – strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. Each of these routines works on those areas. WORKOUT 1 Strength (no equipment necessary, but can be added to increase difficulty) THE GOAL: to increase your strength. Begin by completing as many reps of each exercise as you can and make a note of how many you manage. Every time you repeat the exercises try to increase the number of reps.

WORKOUT 3: Flexibility

3. SQUATS STAND with your feet slightly wider than your hips, toes out, keep your spine in a neutral position throughout. Breathe in, break at your hip and sit back. Keep your chest and shoulders up and look forward. Squat down until your hip joint is lower than

THE GOAL: to increase flexibility. Regular repetition of these exercises should mean you can move the targeted muscles more freely.

your knees, parallel. Breathe out, drive through your heels, keep your knees out and return to the starting position.

1. HIP FLEXOR/QUAD STRETCH Kneel on floor. Lunge right leg forward until it is at 90 degrees in front of you, right foot is flat on floor directly under knee, left knee on floor. Press back hip forward, leaning into stretch, keeping torso upright. Hold for 30 seconds; release. Do three reps; switch legs and repeat.

1. PRESS UPS Start in the hands plank position. Keep your spine in neutral and core engaged. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, lowering yourself, push yourself back up to the starting position. Drop to your knees to make the movement easier.

4. 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. Time how long you can hold it for and try and improve each time you do it. THE GOAL: to increase your fitness. This part can be easily adapted depending upon the level of fitness you are starting with. Beginners: walk. Intermediate: jog. Advanced: run/sprint. You’ll need a hill, steep slope (perhaps a driveway) or even your stairs. 1. Warm up before going up your hill, slope or stairs as fast as you can. Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes you to get to the top and record. Walk back to the bottom. Repeat this process five times, each time taking note of the time. You will see your improvement of fitness as the time it takes you reduces. WORKOUT 2: Cardiovascular fitness/stamina

2. RECLINING PIGEON Lie face-up, knees bent, feet flat on floor. Cross flexed right foot over left thigh, hook arms around left hamstring, and lift left foot a few inches, keeping back and shoulders on floor. Gently pull right leg in toward you, until you feel a stretch; hold for 45 seconds to two minutes. Switch legs and repeat. 3. SWAN STRETCH Lie facedown, hands in front of shoulders, fingers facing forward, legs together, extended behind you. Press into hands, lift belly off floor. Keeping abs engaged, shoulders down and pelvis grounded, lengthen upper body reaching out and up from your head. Draw shoulder blades together, opening chest. Hold for 30-45 seconds and repeat. These workouts are quick and easy to do anywhere. The key is consistency, to see the best results with fitness. Little and often is better than lots occasionally. See our videos for more details.

2. TRICEP DIPS Position your hands shoulder- width apart on a bench or stable chair. Slide your butt off the front of the bench with your legs extended out in front of you. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in your elbows to keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints. Slowly bend your elbows, until your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Push yourself back up to the starting position using your triceps.

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OA mental health

New Year

time for a change?

DR JANA JENKINS explains why therapy empowers you and helps you to understand yourself P erhaps you are someone who has been putting off therapy for some time and your New Year resolution is to make helping you make sense of your difficulties in a collaborative way. It may be helpful to think that you are the expert on your difficulties and

changes in your life. I would encourage anyone who can benefit from talking to give it a try. Everyone and anyone can benefit from therapy, just think of it as a safe space to talk and explore what’s going on for you. One of the most damaging preconceptions is that therapy is a sign of vulnerability. I always say to my clients that it is the exact opposite, it takes a lot of courage to be in therapy, look at your fears, hopes and discuss your wish to change. Therapy can be helpful for people from all walks of life. Thinking about entering therapy can feel daunting, especially if you have no previous experience of seeing a therapist. Many questions may surface in your mind, such as What if I do not like a therapist? What if they are unable to help? What if they do not understand or judge me? Please be assured that these worries are very common and understandable. Therapists understand and respect that you are letting them into your internal world and you may be a private person who does not find talking about your difficulties and feelings easy. You may feel embarrassment or even experience shame about asking for help and if funding private therapy, feel guilty about spending money on yourself. You may be blaming yourself for ‘not coping’ and feeling ‘overwhelmed’. Good therapy involves treating you as a unique individual, with a therapist

how they impact on your life, whereas your therapist is an expert on how to identify your needs and help you. In therapy you are an active participant and your motivation for change is important. Good therapy can also increase your self-awareness and provide you with a better understanding of the causes of your distress and which factors maintain or sustain it. It can also teach you coping strategies to manage your distress and build resilience. In this process, a good therapeutic relationship is paramount, therefore if you are not comfortable with your therapist, you should not hesitate to choose another therapist you feel more at ease with. My key message is to persevere and find a therapist who can facilitate change. Another observation that I would like to share with you is that sometimes people feel that they do not deserve therapy as they believe that other people are worse off or it is selfish to talk about oneself. What might help you to challenge this belief is to know that human distress lies on a continuum and comparing the intensity of suffering is not helpful. Many people I meet are initially ambivalent about starting therapy and there are people who ‘do not believe in therapy’. However, how do you know that therapy is not for you? Understandably, you may have certain preconceptions and feel unsure or even fearful. My advice is to try one session and see how it is for you.

DR JANA JENKINS CPSYCHOL, BSc Hons, AFBPsS Chartered Clinical Psychologist Clinical Director of Key Therapy Associates Limited 07544 752667 www.westberksclinicalpsychologist.co.uk www.keytherapyassociates.co.uk

Let’s talk

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. • Adults, young people and children • Couples and families • Workshops and therapy groups • Trainees and supervision • Range of prices £35.00 – £90.00 per session • Open 7 days a week including evenings The Key to Hope. Change. Empowerment.

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OA feature

and

ANGELA KNIGHT meets Deborah Puxley, whose family home Welford Park is a hive of industry all the year round – from community events such as the Boxford Masques , to opening up the grounds to thousands of visitors to view their stunning display of snowdrops, to the infamous Bake Off tent, where she once became ‘star baker’ – and inbetween time she supports her husband James Puxley in his role as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire 

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W elford Park, near Newbury, will again be opening its huge wrought iron gates to thousands of visitors in 2018, eager to see the famous carpets of stunning white snowdrops scattered over the six-acre park. There are believed to be 10 million wild snowdrops and about 30 varieties and it is thought to be the biggest mass of snowdrops anywhere in Britain. preparations have been under way to get the estate shipshape – paths have to be prepared, weeds killed, low branches cut back and snowdrop areas strimmed. The house and gardens are set in the beautiful Lambourn valley, a chalk stream weaves through seven acres of beech woods and gardens and over the years many rare trees, magnolia and tulip trees have been planted. This historic house was built on the site of a Norman Benedictine monastery, where snowdrops were cultivated to decorate the church for Candlemas. Snowdrops were grown for their medicinal properties, as the monks are believed to have rubbed the crushed bulbs into their temples to alleviate headaches. Today scientists have extracted galantamine, naturally found in snowdrops, that appears to stimulate the regeneration of nerve cells and helps slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Last year 17,000 visitors came through the gates, so ever since September

in 1618, which, Deborah says, “is the only time it has ever changed hands for money”. It is the 400-year anniversary in 2018, so Deborah’s top priority is also to organise a large, private celebration for family and staff this summer. On the grey November day that I meet Deborah she tells me that every year, from September 1 onwards, Welford Park is a hive of culinary activity – preparing meals for eager galanthophiles (lovers of snowdrops). There is a team making soup and mixing cakes, while Deborah and Sophie Waterston, the estate manager’s wife, churn out chutney and more cakes in preparation for the ravenous ramblers in the snowdrop season. In previous Mays, Welford Park has had to prepare for an invasion of a different sort. It has been the location for T he Great British Bake Off ’and the famous bunting-clad, white marquee, which gets erected on Welford’s lawn and become home to the famous ‘Show Stoppers’, ‘Technical Challenges’ and ‘soggy bottoms’! Before the Bake Off team arrive, Deborah says, “We have worked very hard on the lawns and gardens and checked for hazards. “It’s all peace and quiet one day, the next huge pantechnicon lorries arrive. “It’s like a military operation, tracking goes down on the lawns and small tractors erect the enormous tent in just one day. The following day all the lighting, electricity and floor goes in. “On day three the kitchens are built, the ovens

Henry VIII destroyed the monastery at Welford in the Dissolution and replaced it with a deer hunting lodge for himself. This was built onto in 1618 and completed in 1702, making the present house of the Queen Anne period. The current incumbent, James Puxley, inherited Welford Park and is Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, the Queen’s representative in the county. His wife Deborah, a former jewellery designer, now finds herself wearing several hats and juggling various jobs throughout the year. She also plays an important supporting role for her husband at ceremonial functions – otherwise, she says, she would never see him. Deborah says: “There are four main things in my life for 2018 – the ongoing upkeep of getting the house up to scratch, which is a fair- ly full-time job because it is so old and we are preparing to hand the house over in 10 years time in a fit state to the younger generation. “I run the snowdrop business and filming schedules and ensure that the Welford Estate business runs smoothly. “On top of which, I have 20 sheep, five chickens and 10 chicks, five call-ducks, five belted Galloway cows, three sows, and about 20 piglets, two dogs and a cat to look after.” Deborah also designs the linen on sale in the shop, and still finds time to be chairman of Macmillan Cancer Support, Berkshire and a governor of Welford and Wickham Primary School. The Welford estate came into the Puxley family

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OA feature

“We arrived at our hotel in Windsor, James had two uniforms, I had three day suits, three evening outfits and hats. The hotel took one look at us and said we needed a bigger room. “When I saw the barriers on Windsor High Street it only dawned on me how big an occasion it was. “On the first morning James set off early. I had to get myself to Victoria Park to be the first to be presented when the Queen arrived. “It was very special. I was with the High Sheriff and his wife. I was also presented to the Duke of Edinburgh and walked with him as he talked to the school children and then onto a dais for the school performance. “I sat behind the Duke, James sat behind the Queen. The most memorable thing was that the children stood to sing the national anthem and the Queen was absolutely thrilled. As a famous TV star, Welford Park is now in demand as a location for shoots and appeared in the recent Christmas edition of Harpers Bazaar magazine. Deborah was the location manager and was helped by the estate manager’s 14-year-old daughter, Fleur. Every other year, in July, the house is transformed into a backdrop for a community- theatre, open-air musical romp by the Boxford Masques. A stage is built in front of the house with full lighting rigs and there is a cast of about 50, aged from five to an octogenarian. Last summer the house became an ocean liner in All At Sea, with the audience as passengers, many of whom brought picnics for the interval. “As the theatre crew were setting up, the television crew for Bake Off were leaving, which all worked like clockwork.” And when September comes round this year it will be time, once again, to get beating and baking for the next Snowdrop season in 2019.

wired in and the sinks fitted with hot and cold water. Then we’re ready to go.” The grounds were bustling with runners, technicians, presenters, contestants and crew. Deborah worked very closely with the art director, arranging the flowers for the marquee and planting up the now-familiar steps. Last year, she was thrilled to be chosen as a baker in the dress rehearsal for the judges. “So I know the pressure the competitors are under, not only having to produce something that is delicious, but to be cross-examined by any one of four celebrities in front of 10 cameras. “I had absolutely no idea what was under the red and white tablecloth and I’m very thrilled to say that my technical challenge got a Hollywood handshake. “I made a Victoria sponge and we had to also make the jam and buttercream. “It was run on strict Bake Off rules and I’m delighted to say that last year I was Star Baker – but the other three were crew and I make hundreds of scones and cakes for the Tea Rooms, so I’m not sure it was awfully fair.” Deborah says the new Bake Off with Channel 4 is a breath of fresh air. “Of course we missed Mary, Mel and Sue ter- ribly, but the new team bonded quickly and felt honoured to be part of this iconic show. “ I think it’s been beyond everyone’s wildest dreams that so many people watched it.” One of the winners of a previous Bake Off was Nadiya Hussain, who was commissioned to bake a cake for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016. The year was also a highlight for the Puxleys, as in his role as Lord Lieutenant, James and Deborah were present at Windsor for the three- day celebrations. On the Queen’s actual birthday, says Deborah,

The Boxford Masques is a community event

Welford Park Gardens, open on January 31 until March 3, Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm (free car park closes 5.30pm). The gardens are closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Entrance Adults £ 7, concessions

£6, children £3. Tea Rooms 11am-5pm serving

Dragonfly teas, a company based in Newbury Light lunches based on Welford Park sausages. Gift shop with British-made products. Snowdrop shop is now online. www.welfordpark.co.uk

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Donate to us, volunteer with us or buy from us Telephone 01635 43933 enquiries@cfpnewbury.org www.n-c-r-c.org

The ‘Furniture Project’ does a lot more than move sofas around!!!!! Whilst you may know us for our work in furniture and electrical reuse, you may not know about our other work in helping local people. We help many people with disabilities to take an active part in their community as volunteers. In addition we also provide a wide range of activities and training opportunities to help support local people into employment. We are always happy to receive visitors to our projects. If you would like a guided tour of training facilities at our Bone Lane site, learn more about the work of our charity and how you can become involved please email enquiries@cfpnewbury.org to arrange a time for you to visit.

Newbury Community Resource Centre (Registered Charity no. 1082243) Operators of The Community Furniture Project (Newbury), The Community Furniture Project (Basingstoke), The Growing Together Project, Pulling Together and the RENEWAL Project.

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Local architect James Money was responsible for the design of many iconic buildings in Newbury and across West Berkshire. In 2017 a blue plaque was unveiled in his honour and CHRIS FORSEY does some more unveiling of the prolific work of the town’s very own ‘Sir Christopher Wren’. 

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James Money at York House, The Broadway Newbury

James Money

J ames Money (1834-1918) is possibly the most influential Newbury person you have never heard of and there is every chance that you have walked past many of ‘his buildings’. If you travel widely within West Berkshire, then this list of structures would rise to 70-plus and include such iconic landmarks as Newbury and Hungerford town halls. James Money was born at The Dene in Donnington, near the Castle Pub. He was the son of John and Maria Money and had two older sisters and an older brother, the noted Newbury historian Walter Money. His father ran a brickworks at Donnington House, before moving on to create an architect and surveyors business locally. James Money finished his education and moved to London to train as an architect at Cooper & Kent of Gray’s Inn and immediately made his mark by having some of his designs chosen in competitions for cemetery buildings at Watford, Ipswich and Keighley in Yorkshire. James returned to Newbury to join his father’s practice in the 1850s and had effectively taken over the running of the business from his father

Martha Money

children – one son and nine daughters – and he designed the ornate wooden gateway at their local church at Shaw, where he and his wife are buried. A memorial cross was later erected in their honour. The ‘Money style’ of design used different colours of brick, such as red and grey, to create a patchwork of patterns. His designs were numerous, in varying styles, and these included cottages, pubs, such as The Bell at Boxford, breweries, shops, schools, chapels (Thatcham Cemetery) and extensions to many local country houses. Money died in 1918, aged 83, and is considered to be Newbury’s answer to Sir Christopher Wren, having been so prolific during his working life. A ‘blue plaque’ to honour Newbury architect James H Money was unveiled near the main entrance to Newbury Town Hall in July 2017 by the mayor David Fenn (pictures below). Among the guests were his great-grandsons Christopher Blissard-Barnes and Anthony Wells, as well as Peter Snape, Walter Money’s great-grandson. Historian Walter also has his own blue plaque in the town.

by the 1870s. For the next 50 years he enjoyed a

productive career and in 1862 he married Martha Joan Vincent, daughter of Newbury solicitor Frederick Vincent. In 1864, his office was at 34, Northbrook Street (the former Newbury Weekly News headquarters), but by the end of the decade he expanded to York House in the Broadway and moved the family home to The Shrubbery, Oxford Road (now Wessex House, opposite Waitrose). This ‘double move’ coincided with James Money’s most productive period of designing, as he embarked on competing to design the town halls of Hungerford and Newbury. Among his most notable achievements were Hungerford Town Hall, built to his plans in 1870-71; Newbury Town Hall 1876-81, with an extension in 1909-10 and its iconic clock tower in 1880; the Falkland Memorial at Wash Common, commemorating the first Civil War Battle of Newbury, was unveiled in 1878, and the Oddfellows Hall in Craven Road, was built in 1886. James Money and his wife Martha had 10

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Since the 18th century a Georgian building in Mansion House Street had served as the town hall and within its walls were the Courts of Justice, but by the 1870s there were regular council meetings that discussed its inadequacy. In March 1875, entries were invited for the competition to design the new ‘Municipal Buildings’, with a deadline in May. James Money duly won this competition and the Newbury Weekly News noted this fact on June 24, 1875, by stating: “It is gratifying to find that the selection of plans, though conducted in ignorance of the actual competitors, has resulted in the success of a local architect, Mr. James H Money, whose long connection with the town will give him something of a patriotic as well as a professional zeal in the oversight of the works”. Mr John Crook of Southampton was appointed the contractor in May 1876, and work started on the foundations with the laying of a stone bearing the following words: “THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THIS BUILDING WAS LAID BY WILLIAM Q.C.RECORDER ARCHITECT H.BURKE GODWIN JOHN CROOK TOWN CLERK BUILDER The work was completed in 1878, with the official opening on Tuesday, May 7. “OPENING OF THE NEW MUNICPAL BUILDINGS The formal inauguration of these new Buildings…took place on Tuesday afternoon. The Right Hon the Earl of Carnarvon had accepted the invitation of the Mayor and Corporation to inaugurate the buildings,and at two o’clock his Lordship was received at the principal entrance in the Market Place by the Mayor, aldermen, councillors and the town clerk.” Newbury Weekly News Externally, Money used red and grey bricks in a range of patterns to create an imposing Victorian building, which reflected the area’s character and facades. The two towers facing the Market Place were described as: “differing in a character- istically Victorian way” – contrasting strongly with the classical stone frontage of the nearby Corn Exchange. The badges of the Borough of Newbury and Berkshire appear over the balcony, which is used for public occasions, allowing the mayor to address crowds in the Market Place below. Internally, it is dominated by the Council Chamber on the first floor, with a high ceil- ing, hammerbeam roof, large chunky fireplaces and stained glass windows. This area is approached by a grand staircase; while the courts were originally on the first floor.The extension along Mansion House Street provided office space which reflected the expansion of local government in the late 19th century. GEORGE ADEY MAYOR AUGUST 30TH 1876 G.M.DOWDSWELL JAMES H. MONEY

Newbury Town Hall, 1875 (design), 1876-78 & 1881 (built) Hungerford Town Hall, 1870-71 Significant works/buildings of James Money

Falkland Memorial 1875 (design) -1878 (unveiled) Nutley’s Brewery, Bartholomew St (later Phoenix Brewery), 1867 Church and Childs’ Almshouses, Newtown Road, 1879 Shaw Church Lych Gate, 1898 Oddfellows Hall (Newbury) 1886 East Garston School, 1872 Speen Cottage Hospital, 1869 Bucklebury Common Cemetery Chapel, 1886 Thatcham Cemetery Chapel, 1886 St, John’s Mission Room,Hungerford, 1899/1900 Bell at Boxford, rebuilding 1887 Bridge House, Northbrook Street, 1892 Municipal Offices, Mansion House Street, 1909-10 Chieveley Church belfry, 1893 Hamstead Marshall school, 1896 Cold Ash Children’s Hospital, 1891 (demolished 1970) St Luke’s Church, Wash Common, 1896 Newbury Cattle Market, 1873 (demolished 1969)

Plough Inn, Hungerford, 1879 The Gun, Wash Common,1880 Arlington Manor Lodge, 1881

Newbury clock tower In October 1880, Newbury Town Council decided to go ahead with the addition of the clock tower to the original town hall building, which they also asked James Money to design. This was completed in 1881, after the council agreed to raise the proposed height so that the clock face could be more widely seen throughout the area. The municipal offices which front Mansion House Street and appear to be an integral part of the town hall were, in fact, added in 1910 to replace the Georgian Mansion House, which had been demolished a year earlier. Work also began to widen Mansion House Street and when the building was finished a stone was laid bearing the following inscription: THIS CORNER STONE WAS LAID ON AUGUST 20TH 1909 BY

Phoenix Brewery

Hungerford Town Hall

THOS. W. TURNER (MAYOR) F. QUEKETT LOUCH, TOWN CLERK JAMES H. MONEY, ARCHITECT S.J.L. VINCENT, BOROUGH SURVEYOR THOMAS PLUMB, BUILDER This extension to the 1870s building was reported as com- plete in June 1910, and this date can be found on the side of the building. The interior of the offices were lit mainly by gas lighting, but with electric light for the borough surveyor’s office.

Falkland Memorial

Oddfellows Hall

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Cold Ash Price Guide £850,000 A delightful extended detached family home offering spacious accommodation comprising a traditional reception hall, impressive drawing room with a fireplace and a dining room, a fitted kitchen, utility room, family room, a study and a studio on the ground floor. The first floor provides a generous master bedroom with a large en-suite shower room and dressing room, 4 further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The property is approached via a gravel driveway with parking in front of the garage which is set to the side of the house with the studio behind. The lovely & expansive rear garden offers a large level lawn with breath-taking views across the valley.

Long Lane, Shaw Price Guide £795,000 A beautifully presented detached home which would suit a variety of family needs. The property comprises a reception hall, cloakroom, fitted kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, dining room, family room and study. A guest double bedroom and lovely en-suite and a sitting room/bedroom 5 make up the ground floor and could easily form an annexe. On the first floor the master bedroom offers a delightful view over open countryside and shares a Jack and Jill bathroom. A delightful double bedroom with en-suite facilities overlooks the rear garden. There is a large parking area and garage and an attractively landscaped rear garden which offers the most breath-taking views. There is also a studio in the garden, ideal as a home office or gym.

Your property in Park Lane Showcase your property to the lucrative London market www.fineandcountry.com

• Newbury 01635 35010 • Park Lane 0207 079 1515 • Oxford 01865 362004 • Bath 01225 320032 • Windsor 01753 255555 • Reading 01189 668685

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OA food & drink

by tipples top

I want to highlight some of the wines that I came across in pre-Christmas tastings. In general, the quality of wines offered by our local retailers is very high indeed, but even with so much competition, some wines really do stand-out. These are the ones which are worth going out of your way to try. They’re not the cheapest, but they pack both flavour and interest, making them great value for money. Lovely balance of crispness and fruit with rich apricot flavours coming to the fore. Perfect winter white. £9.80 per bottle. Macon, Monbellet, France Really good creamy Chardonnay with depth and poise. Not so opulent as the Viognier above but very classy. Leaves the more commercial Macons absolutely trailing in its wake. £13.80 per bottle. Sangiovese, Carpazo, Italy This is such an attractive red. Uncomplicated, fruity, but not jammy, with a satisfying dry finish. Just so drinkable – bring on that pizza. £9.50 per bottle. Cabernet Merlot, Buitenwerwachtung, South Africa Wow. What a stunner. Reminds me of old-style Bordeaux. Quite tannic, but in taut balance with excellent berry fruits. At this price, love it or hate it, you’ve just got to try it. £10.90 per bottle. Winesmith, Hungerford Dumanet Viognier, France

Hayne Hanson & Clarke, Whitchurch Basa Blanco, Rueda Made by the outstanding Spanish wine- maker, Telmo Rodriguez, this is just such an attractive wine. Not complicated, but with a lovely balance between crispness and peachy/ plummy stone fruits. A delightful, elegant wine. £10.50 per bottle. Saint Romain, Sous le Chateau, Burgundy, France Another cracking white burgundy from Olivier Leflaive, the winemaker. A Chardonnay part-aged in some toasty oak barrels gives a gorgeous wine balanced between crispness, creaminess and those toasty/nutty flavours. Not cheap, but by classic white burgundy standards this is terrific value. Can be cellared for two to three years easily. £21.80 per bottle. Fonseca, 2007 Crusted Port, Portugal Powerful, aromatic bouquet. Sweet, with firm but ripe tannins and a concentrated core of dark fruits, mocha and sweet spice. Delicious. Will help dispel the gloom of these long winter days. £21.80 per bottle. Majestic Wine, Newbury Blind River, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand Enticing, aromatic bouquet but with a surprisingly smooth, soft style while keeping that zingy Sauvignon flavour. Most attractive. £11.99 per bottle. Chardonnay, Domaine del la Metairie d’Alon, France A little subdued on the nose, but with flavours of citrus, freshly-baked

The Naked Grape, Hungerford Hattingley Valley, Demi Sec, Hampshire What a gorgeous wine. Pale onion-skin colour, enticing aromas and beautiful soft, creamy, fruity flavours. Amazing. £39.99 per bottle. Chateau Paraza, Minervois, France Rich, round, fruity, spicy… and some! Super blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes. A true winter warmer. £14.99 per bottle.

Cabernet Franc, Araucano, Chile Really good wall-to-wall blueberry and raspberry fruit and a smokey smooth palate. Yum! £16.99 per bottle. Pfeiffer 5 yr old Muscat Brilliant fortified nectar. The grapey flavour is captured wonderfully in this heavenly, rich liquid without ever being cloying.

Fab with cheese. £18.99 per bottle.

pastry and hazelnuts, this is seriously good value. An oaked Chardonnay to seriously rival white burgundies. £14.99 per bottle.

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L’Ortolan – c’est magnifique HILARY SCOTT savours the delights of a Michelin-starred restaurant, offering a range of

dishes at affordable prices I did love the press release that came from L’Ortolan when it retained its Michelin star in the 2018 guide, announced in October: ‘Young Tom Clarke holds Michelin star for first three years as head chef at L’Ortolan’ ran the headline. Young Tom is actually early 30s – so, yes, young in terms of Michelin, but no enfant terrible. And no wonder he retains that coveted star each year – fine cooking, innovative flavours and some great value in the menu du jour, the two- or three-course set menu, which is amazingly competitively priced at £30 for two courses or £35 for three. We sat down in the old vicarage on a Tuesday lunchtime and we did not need to say a prayer to the food gods. Tom and his staff – including chef Gareth, who you will have seen impressing in this year’s MasterChef: The Professionals – produced some hallelujah moments. A punchy cracker with dots of fish emulsion, then a chef’s appetiser of celeriac soup with cubes of pickled pear hidden under the foamy broth and with a crunch from puffed rice, set the scene. My starter of confit duck terrine with orange and verjus was duck and orange amped up – pickled kumquats, verjus gel, orange emulsion, charred orange segments and slithers of pain d’epice (gingerbread). The terrine had a fine texture and avoided the often chunky/stringy terrines served by others. My companion’s torched mackerel with bonito and wasabi was a thick piece of beautifully- cooked mackerel, topped with tiny balls of compressed apple, a bonito jelly, edible

flowers, puffed rice and more. It sat next to a vibrant green and white swirled sauce of yogurt and wasabi. Absolutely entrancing was her verdict. We ordered an extra course as it is Tom’s sig- nature dish – on first glance it could have been a cocoa-covered chocolate with meringue and pineapple. But cleverly, this was goose liver parfait with textures of pineapple and pineapple gel, still-pink smoked duck slices and, yes, they were dots of meringue and meringue shards. But the sweetness and fineness of the meringue was perfect with the rich duck. Onglet of beef is hard to cook just right – overdo it and it turns to chewy cardboard, underdo it and ditto. This came out perfect – two small, but thick, slices flushed rosy pink with the love the chef had given it, accompa- nied by a quenelle of deep and strong shreds of beef in a sauce, a meaty fried bonbon, truf- fled mash, mushrooms and a strong mushroom ketchup. Give me that mash any day of the week, so silky smooth and with every bite a hint of truffle. My dining partner thought the same of the cauliflower textures with her sea bream – there were florets nicely caramelised at the edges, a purée topped with fennel seeds and crispy tempura. Hints of star anise and curry ran through the dish, the sea bream was textbook and the samphire too. A pre-dessert quickened our pulses – a tiny dish of maple custard hiding a Bramley apple parfait and a gloriously fine-textured pecan crumble on top. We shared our desserts – a blueberry soufflé was described as blueberry, white chocolate

and buttermilk. We think it may have been a buttermilk ice cream with it and the white chocolate was through the soufflé. The chocolate dessert of a rich, dark creameaux with ice cream, crunchy and biscuity chocolate shard and L’Ortolan’s version of Caramac was generous in size and flavour. The cheese trolley is extra if you want it – and we did. As the heavy wooden trolley was pushed gamely through the restaurant, we spied just how perfect the cheese looked. When server Dimitri explained the cheeses to us, they were a great mix. We had to try Alchester Sloe, a soft, gooey cheese washed in sloe gin, a sharp Harrogate Blue and Boxer that smells of brown bread, with a subtle farmyard and meaty aroma. Cheese comes with an impressive selection of accompaniments, from raisin bread and crackers to quince jelly and truffled honey. The wine list is good – and kind to those like us who splash out on more than the set menu. A Chapeaux Bordeaux Blanc at £30 came at not quite the right temperature and was whisked away until cold enough, which took barely five minutes. All-in-all, this old vicarage should be praised to the heavens. It has been one of my favourite restaurants for a long time and remains so. Young Tom defies the adage that you can’t put

an old head on young shoulders. In cooking terms, he’s pretty wise.

n L’Ortolan’s seven-course tasting menu is £75 per person or if you like surprises you can have a 10-course Surprise Menu at £105.

L’Ortolan, Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9BY, 0118 9888500 www.lortolan.com

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