Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

AS summer approaches, The Dinton Hermit Inn, in the peaceful hamlet of Ford, near tHAME, is focusing on the forthcoming season of ?al fresco? dining.

With new garden furniture now in place, diners can enjoy lunch or dinner in the beautiful and peaceful garden surroundings, overlooking the Buckinghamshire countryside. Or the gardens make a lovely setting for an afternoon tea, with home made scones, jam and of course clotted cream, along with a wide choice of teas.

Alternatively, you can relax in the sunshine with a chilled glass of wine or a pint of one of the guest beers.

Children are welcome at The Dinton Hermit Inn, with a range of dishes on the menu that are suitable for children, that they can enjoy in the restaurant and in the large pub garden – ideal for a lazy family afternoon.

The Dinton Hermit Inn is just a few miles out from Aylesbury and Thame, in the middle of the most peaceful Buckinghamshire countryside ? a great place to escape to for a quiet lunch.

This historic inn dates back to the 17th Century and is named after the legendary ?Dinton Hermit?, a parliamentarian sympathiser during the Civil War, who was reputed to have been one of the executioners of King Charles I.

The Dinton Hermit is open all day, every day. To book a room or a table for lunch or dinner you can contact The Dinton Hermit on 01296 747473 or email relax@dintonhermit.co.uk.

THAME’S very own Speakers Club is watching BBC Television?s new reality series, The Speaker, with great interest.

“The programme is clearly highlighting the important role that conquering the fear of speaking in public can play in helping people build confidence and enhance achievement,” says Club President Jean Gamester. “As a club devoted to helping ?ordinary? people acquire strong speaking skills, we are ourselves learning from the programme.”

Filmed during the summer and autumn of 2008, The Speaker follows the fortunes and misfortunes of a group of teenagers from across the UK as they set out to demonstrate that ?ordinary? people of whatever age can achieve extraordinary things. With the right coaching, encouragement and mentoring, the teenagers at the centre of The Speaker are competing to be recognised as the best speaker in their peer group, developing remarkably as individuals as the experience unfolded.

Thame Speakers Club meets at 7:45pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in Thame Snooker Club, St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, OX9 3WT. If you enjoy The Speaker you will also enjoy the finals of the Toastmasters South of England Division speech contest at Thame Snooker Club on the April 19, 2009, at 10:30am.

The show ? perhaps best described as an Xfactor or Pop Idol for public speaking ? makes fascinating viewing, and is sparking off a wave of interest throughout the British Isles in the underlying subject: public speaking. Some people regard Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit international organisation, as a de facto University of Public Speaking for adults (18 and over). It is active in your area, and open to all, regardless of sex, creed or colour.

Sean Kennedy, a committed member of Toastmasters International, acted as programme consultant on The Speaker, and was involved with it from conception through production to broadcast.
He is even firmer than ever in his belief that one of the keys to success and happiness lies in having the confidence to speak in public, and in Toastmasters International as a first-class way to acquire that confidence. “I have had some wonderful experiences over the past 8 years since I sold my business, but over that time the most significant and life changing decision I ever made was to walk into a Toastmaster club. I have seen, read about and experienced dozens of personal development concepts – hand on heart, the Toastmaster programme is the single most effective and value-for-money personal development tool out there.
“The biggest lesson I have learnt from TM is that anyone can become a competent speaker, IF they are willing to put in the time. I have seen hundreds of people including myself, grow from nervous to natural and from self-conscious to self-confident.”

Member of Thame Toastmasters, Richard Moore, said: “I only wish I had known about Toastmasters International in general and Thame Speakers in particular several years earlier.
“It is no exaggeration to say that in many respects in has changed my life, much for the better. I know I am not alone in that. Companies ? and governments- would pay thousands of pounds of pounds for this training, which takes place in a positive, constructive, supportive environment. We offer it for pounds a month!

“I agree wholeheartedly,? added Mary Walters. “As I worked my way through the basic project manual and took on different responsibilities at our regular club meetings, I was acquiring not just speaking skills that I could never have dreamed of but also a confidence that I never believed I could have. As a by-product, I have also acquired new organisational and leadership skills. Oh, and a fantastic social life. And not just in Britain/Ireland. There are Toastmasters clubs all over the world; visiting one when travelling on business can be a much better to spend downtime than sitting in a hotel room watching television.

“We have regular social gatherings and I have made so many new friends,” says John Feore. “I would recommend it to anyone as a way of boosting the enjoyment of everyday life.”

“Toastmasters is not just an incredible personal development tool; it is also a great social experience,” continued Sean Kennedy. “As the son of an Irish publican I never thought I would say this but forget about the pub, join a Toastmasters club!”

If you would like to know more about Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit global group founded to help ?ordinary? people acquire essential speaking and leadership skills, contact Richard Moore directly on 007789902388, or email him at richardmoore@thamesperakers.co.uk.

Further information is available from www.thamespeakers.co.uk. The group actively welcomes new members looking to acquire or improve public speaking capabilities and leadership skills awareness.

NB Thame Speakers is the local branch of Toastmasters International. Meetings are held at the Thame Snooker Club, St Andrews Court, Wellington Street, Thame, OX9 3WT on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. There is parking if you enter the club from Wellington Street, or you can walk through the short lane beside Delphine Art at 27 Upper High Street.

Photo: (Courtesy of The BBC) The three judges, Jeremy Stockwell, Jo Brand and John Amaechi who must now whittle down from the final eight, the young winner of The Speaker.

Now here was me thinking (at the time of writing) that the weather was beginning to pick up and we were well on the way to spring. What a shame to hear we are likely to get Baltic weather, including snow, next week.
It was such a delight last weekend to get into the vegetable patch and dig over some more beds in preparation for planting. I managed to sow my sweet peas and tomatoes which now have pride of place in my office. The broad beans, sown in December are just beginning to poke through and the snow drops are out. No small wonder I was living with false hopes?

The Spring 2009 Bulb Catalogue came through this week. I know I have spoken to quite a number of you about Gladiolus callianthus and now is the time to let me know if you want me to order them for you. This is the most astonishing plant ? flowering late in the summer and lasting almost through to the first frost. It is a delightful creamy white, with a deep purplish centre, but its beauty lies in the longevity of flowering and the most amazing scent. My mother grew them in pots outside her back door and mine were just outside the office, giving off the most delicious smells. They have flowers resembling tumbling water with as many as 8-10 per stem. The cost is

AS I write this, my latest dispatch ?from the front? of London eating places, I?m absolutely furious!
Gordon Ramsay has, for the couch food guru, become a god, the Adonis of gastronomy, a genius amongst chefs. Well, after tonight?s experience, I for one am thoroughly disillusioned.
How can he have the audacity; the bare-faced cheek? How can he cross the pond and dare to ?entertain? us by tormenting and blatantly taking the rise out of incompetent restaurateurs then claim to fix them up in a flash?

York & Albany is the latest branch to spawn from the Ramsay family tree and is as bland, boring and nondescript as a restaurant and bar could be. I?m not even going to bother explaining where it is: it?s that rubbish!

What he has essentially done is this: taken a beautiful old building, spent a few quid on dull pastel coloured bits and bobs in an attempt to ?do it up?, but not so as to loose the character ? two inch gaps under the doors, single glazed iron framed climate-change-inducing windows are just a couple of examples ? and staffed the place with jesterly dressed, eastern European morons who have received no apparent training and therefore know sod-all about any of the things on offer.

My partner and I didn?t bother to eat as we couldn?t even get a drink out of the lounge waitress as she, and the other staff, messed around whipping each other, joking and singing whilst the frumpy, simple- looking manager did endless snail-paced laps of the draughty, miserable room.

I would venture to suggest that Gordon gets out of the TV studio, stops flogging low-grade Gin and BT technical services, stops telling the yanks how to fix up their restaurants, and focuses on getting his own house in order. People patronise his establishments with a level of expectation that accompanies such culinary mega stardom and anyone with half a brain can see that the place is utter rubbish. It can survive only on so-called food tourists: People who go out wearing enjoyment blinkers, mesmerised by just being there ? obliviously to the fact that they are eating food served by village idiots in a dull, characterless, over designed temple of pretence and marketing prowess.

No doubt the food is ok ? as Ramsay prodigy Angel Harnett is ?at the stove? but I care not a sausage! The passion, love and obsession that makes a great restaurant is totally absent here. There are so many great places in town that ooze a commitment to doing what they do well, so spend your hard earned cash elsewhere.

I feel at this stage that I should clarify something: Gordon Ramsay currently ?runs? around 20 restaurants, and is supported by a loyal army of dedicated henchmen ? and women who keep the standards up. Forget right now, any thoughts you have that when you go to a Ramsay restaurant he is in the kitchen. Forget also, any thoughts you have that one of his henchmen are there either. Angela Harnett is currently overseeing ? in addition to York & Albany ? her Mayfair restaurant Murano, plus restaurants in New York and Dubai. Who the duck is in the kitchen?

How diluted can something get before it becomes unrecognisable? This diluted is the answer.

I must apologise for not maintaining my commitment to this column. It was Christmas, I?ve been to The Netherlands and Prague, and I?ve started a new job. My mind has ? as can be expected ? been on other things but have no fear, I am back in the culinary driving seat and will hopefully bring you better news in the coming weeks, as I continue to offer (hopefully) more useful advice on where to eat and drink when you visit The Smoke. In the mean time, if any readers wish to send me some feedback, or ideas on places to visit then I would love to hear from you. Hopefully mum will tag my details on to the bottom of this passage of opinionated drivvle. God, Ramsay makes me mad!

NB Reminder of disclaimer: The views expressed in this feature are NOT those of Thamenews.net which bears no responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of any part of this article. Besides, it not worth sueing us Gordon, we are paupers, live in a tent and are currently living on baked beans!

To contact Eddie with your feedback to this, or any other of his contributions, email him at:
eddie@useyourloaf.net

Image: a shot of the York and Albany, from the York and Albany website

MAY I start by wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. Christmas was a bit of a whirlwind here. Jim arrived home on the Monday and didn?t leave until the following Wednesday. We seem to have been doing an enormous amount of entertaining and catching up with friends and family. All in all a wonderful break.

I did track down the monkfish cheeks and can buy them for

THE new management of The Spread Eagle hotel in Thame, has announced the commencement of their exciting refurbishment programme beginning with the Eden suite in January.

This extensive refurbishment, says ‘the Spread’s’ management, promises to restore this historic landmark building to its former glory with all the modern conveniences you would expect within a boutique hotel whilst maintaining the original charm and character.

Following the Christmas rush, why not relax at the Spread Eagle wtithe some unbeatable winter offers?

Enjoy a traditional three course Sunday lunch for the price of two courses for only

I READ with interest recently that children have been branded as ?feral?, and that 53 percent of us think that children are beginning to behave like animals. Beginning? They?ve been doing it for years! As you will no doubt have heard, a study by children?s charity Bernardo?s found that, even though kids are statistically only responsible for 12% of crime, we think they?re all knife carrying, bike riding, track-suit wearing yobos ready to grab bags off pensioners and steal your cars.
I was coming home from work at around 9:30pm last week, and a hoard of chavs were cycling recklessly and with total idiocy on and off the kerb; weaving in and out of traffic with no regard for their ? or anyone else?s ? safety. One of them promptly got run over by a horrified elderly man who was clearly shaken up. As far as I?m concerned the little cretin got what he deserved: The stupid, spotty delinquent?s friends didn?t even stop to see if he was ok: Gutless pathetic little urchins.
Then last night I was crossing Notting Hill Gate on a green man, and 3 similar characters came speeding through a red light and nearly ran me over. When I gave one ?the look?, he stopped, told me that ?there was three of them and one of me and that I was an ?effing pr%@k. Charming!
Furthermore, since Ken introduced free travel for under sixteen?s on London?s buses ? turning them into shuttle services for spotty, cocky little mites everyday at school time ? peoples? journeys have been ruined by their boisterous bleating and unruly behaviour.
I could go on, but the point I am trying to make is that they may well only be responsible for 12% of crime, but to what misconceptions should Joe Public conclude when faced with daily occurrences of teen behaviour similar to those cited above? It?s not just behaviour statistically constituting crime that can form someone?s impression of a group of people and ruin their day, but a lack of civility, humility and consideration for others.
Where did it all go wrong? Parents? Teachers? Culture? P-diddy? Who is to blame? Whoever it is it is clearly too late for the brats of today. They must just ride the wave of adolescence, with their parents keeping their fingers crossed that it is ?just a phase?. Kids need to be taught respect, self-awareness and courtesy towards others, and as a country, we need to clamp down on these walking, talking, bus riding advertisements for today?s? youth; nationally tarring all under eighteens with the same brush is justifiable, but will only make matters worse.
Maybe someone should start a national campaign of action: If you see one of these gutter dwelling heathens whilst out in your car, ?accidently? run them over: BMX and all. Don?t kill them; that would be sad for the family. Just a short stint in hospital should sort them out. Slowly, high streets up and down the land will be cleansed of these little monsters, and then the good kids will come out of the woodwork and remind us all of why we want/wanted to reproduce in the first place.

Next time you are in London, and want to get away from the predatory homeland of the teenagers: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street etc? I would like to draw your attention to a superb place for lunch or dinner in the relative sanctuary of Kingly Court and more specifically, Ganton Street. Kingly Court is a smart boutique-ee little development off Carnaby Street, and seems to feel much more grown up and less Essex girls? night ‘up West’ than surrounding sub districts. Definitely worth a look if you are in time for the shops.
As the younger sister of Fitzrovia?s Salt Yard, Dehesa is a small, but perfectly formed haven of culinary delights. I have visited several times and a chewy, floury portion of deep fried squid is the only criticism I have ever been able to muster. Seriously: This place is bloody good.

If you want to avoid a wait then booking is definitely advisable (although not available on weekend lunchtimes), and there is nowhere to wait for a table: This place is all about the serious business of food. The menu is an effortless fusion of Spanish Tapas, Italian Cichetti and excellent Charcuterie. Predictable bastions of each national cuisine sit alongside more original – and in some cases anglicised – creations: All executed to perfection and served by one of the friendliest, and most well trained front of house teams I have ever seen. Courgette flowers stuffed with Monte Enebro Goats? cheese are a fiendish delight drizzled with orange blossom honey, and the Chorizo Picante is damn good too. Confit Old Spot pork belly, with rosemary scented Cannellini beans came melt in the mouth juicy with a stunning crispy skin that shows real skill from the kitchen, and Scallops with caramelised cauliflower puree and caper dressing exceed all expectations with the Scallops cooked uncompromisingly spot on!

Seasonality and sourcing of the ingredients are keys to Dehesa?s philosophy. Where essential (and it frequently is), many ingredients come from the aforementioned nations – with an element of name-dropping providing the benchmark quality ? whilst other items are sourced locally and throughout the UK from artisan suppliers, and small ethical producers of rare breed meats and the like.
Oh! and the booze: Sherries by the glass (my new favourite aperitif) through to a stunning selection of Rare wines are all sourced using the same mantra as with the food. Rare, unknown grape varieties are in abundance here: Thank god the staff know their stuff. A particular favourite is the Cantine Carpentiere, Uva di Troia. This ?Grape of the Trojans? is a floral, herbaceous joy, with good acidity and a lengthy finish that stands up to the diverse flavours one will encounter whilst eating tapas-style. All this in a gorgeous, contemporary interior with a relaxed, buzzy vibe makes for a sensory culinary experience.

As is often the case with restaurants that revolve around sharing ? especially if like me you want to try everything on the menu ? prices can creep up if your not careful. Go all out on the wet stuff and a bill for 2 can, and has exceed

THIS is the time of year where other events take over and there is little time for anything other than Christmas preparations. The garden is no exception. The weather doesn?t help and although we have had some glorious days just recently there seem to be more of the wet, windy and cold variety.Although frost is a perishing nuisance early on a weekday morning when you are trying to thaw out the car, I do love the ethereal beauty it gives to plants in the garden particularly if you have left seed heads on your perennials.

However, if we have had severe frosts it is best not to walk on the grass as it burns it.

If you are not proposing to work in the garden, now is a good time to look at what you have got and what you might be able to use as decorations for the festive period. If you are lucky enough to have Chimonanthus praecox or Viburnum x bodnantense in the garden ? do pick it and put it amongst a table decoration. The scent is heavenly.

Evergreen shrubs and berried branches, such as variegated Euonymus, ivy, holly and laurel are useful backdrops for flower arrangements, as are Sarcococca, Eleagnus and Cotoneaster.

I like to make chocolate leaves to decorate puds and if you can bear the mess, children love to make these too. Cut ivy leaves in varying sizes leaving just a little bit of the stalk to hold on to. Firstly, wash the leaves and allow them to dry out completely. Melt the chocolate in a bain marie ? a saucepan of boiling water with the chocolate in a pudding basin ? make sure the bottom of the basin doesn?t touch the water. When the chocolate is melted, take a paint brush and paint the leaf. Place on greaseproof paper and allow to dry. It is probably worth painting two layers. When completely set, peel the leaf away from the chocolate. No two leaves are ever the same and they tend to dry with a curled effect. They look really great with almost any pudding ? though maybe not the traditional plum!!

Talking of food, which of course I love, I have still been trying to track down Monkfish cheeks to make one of the most delicious dishes I sampled on my Food Orgy weekend in Ireland. I think I have been successful. They are available from www.fishinabox.co.uk. At a price of course! However, I might have found a more local source and am waiting to hear whether she can obtain small quantities. If any of you are interested, please let me know as the more we can order the more likely she is to be able to supply. I have included the recipe which blew me away overleaf. I am definitely ordering before Christmas, so let me know
asap if you want any.

Remember to look at The Garden Boutique Website ? www.gardenboutique.co.uk. Quote the promotional code JF268 and you will be entitled to a discount.

And, I nearly forgot ? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas?

RECIPE: Monkfish Cheeks and Chorizo

Monkfish cheeks Olive Oil
Chorizo sausage Whiskey
Double cream

Put the cheeks in a bowl and coat in oil. Heat the pan until hot and then add the cheeks. Cook on one side and then add the chorizo. Throw in a slug of whiskey and flame. Add the cream and let it cook down on a low heat. Simmer gently for a few minutes and serve.

This was truly one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten and although Carmel said you could substitute the cheeks for scallops ? it just isn?t the same.

SEASONAL TIPS
Plant spring-flowering bulbs without delay.

Remember to begin feeding the birds and offering a constant supply of clean, unfrozen water. There are plenty of proprietary products available in the shops, but again perhaps the children could be encouraged to make some goodies. You will basically need some melted lard and loads of nuts and seeds. Mix them all up and then pour, when cooled, into something like a yoghurt pot. If you make
a hole in the bottom of the pot and thread some string through and tie a knot, the fat can be poured around the string and when set you have an instant bird feeder to hang outside.

Protect slightly tender plants. We had quite a severe frost last night and more are forecast. It is difficult to know which plants are susceptible as a lot of the more tender varieties have now acclimatised themselves to our colder winters. However, if you have recently introduced new plants
or have had your garden planted, pay particular attention to Phormiums, Astelias, Dickinsonias (tree ferns) and Arbutilons. Protect the base by
covering with straw (available from pet shops in manageable sizes), and wrap fleece around them tied with raffia or string. Not a pretty site in the
garden but worth it if you can save the plant. Agapanthus and lilies can be protected by covering with a layer of compost.

Plant roses, shrubs and trees as soon as they are delivered and if bare root plants look at all dry, soak the roots in water for several hours before planting.

If your seed catalogues have arrived spend some time planning for next year. At the same time, clean old pots and seed trays ready for next spring.

Dig over any vacant ground and work in compost or manure. This helps to break down the soil over the winter months.

Check stakes and tree ties.

Raise containers on feet or bricks to prevent waterlogging.

VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
Root crops such as potato, beetroot and celeriac will not survive if we have continued frosts. It is best to dig them up and put into store.

Start winter digging. We all have quite heavy soils around here and by digging over at this time of year it does help to break it down to a finer tilth for next spring.

Lift parsnips and Jerusalem artichokes as required.
Blanch endive in small batches.
Plant and prune new fruits. The leaders of bush fruits should be pruned by a half to two-thirds (to outward facing buds) to encourage branches to continue upwards and outwards and keeping the centre open.

Inspect stored apples and pears for rot and remove any damaged fruit. Force rhubarb outdoors. Cover the crowns with straw and place a bucket over the top making sure it is lightproof.

For more detailed information on what to do in the garden in December, visit: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calandar.asp.

GREENHOUSE
Grape vines can be encouraged to produce buds along the length of the rods by supporting them in the middle and letting the top hang down. Spray with a 4% solution of tar-oil winter wash to prevent
pests.

Clear up debris both inside and outside the greenhouse and wash the glass to let more light in.

Check heaters.

POINTS OF INTEREST

BBOWT
I have a great friend, Maggie Piggott, who works at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust as the Community Wildlife Officer for Bucks. She is an expert on wildlife gardening. BBOWT has a Wildlife Information Service which takes over 700 calls per year. The service is open on a Monday ? 01865 788307. There are over 38 fact sheets available. For a list please visit ? www.bbowt.org.uk. Maggie will send me an article each month which I am happy to forward on to anyone.
This month she is covering ?Hedgehogs?.

A naturally grown Christmas tree is five times more environmentally compatible than a plastic tree. www.christmastree.org.uk.

PLACES TO VISIT

RHS Wisley Christmas Shopping Weekends December 13th and 20th – Tel: 01483 211113

EVENTS
Waddesdon Manor
?Make a Spectacular Christmas Centrepiece?
Saturday 6th December ? 10.30 ? 12.00 & 2.30
Tel: 01296 653226 www.waddesdon.org.uk

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton
Thomas and Santa ? a chance to meet Father Christmas
December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th
01296 655720

Cinderella
Aylesbury Civic Centre
01296 486009

Christmas Farmers Market
Market Square, Aylesbury
Tuesday 23rd December

The RHS have created an Event Finder online. Visit
www.rhs.org.uk/rhseventfinder for details.

WHY jump in the car and leave town for Christmas shopping when here in Thame we have so many wonderful and unique shops of our own?

Let Thame.Net and our friendly shop keepers guide and inspire you to find the ideal gift for everyone.
Follow the LINK
for loads of ideas and suggestions for some wonderful presents to suit all pockets.

MUCH column space has recently been given over to the subject of our nation?s drinking habits. Binge Britain is in full swing and the government are spending huge wads of our cash telling us that we all drink too much and are all going to die from the horrific illnesses caused by excess alcohol consumption. Alcohol brands have even been dragged onboard the good ship ?Drink Aware?.
Is there anything more contradictory than old Jack Daniels telling you on a whopping great billboard to enjoy his whiskey responsibly, when he obviously wants to shamelessly force as much of his product as is humanly possible down the collective consumer?s face?

In last weekend?s Sunday Times there was a feature on women and their drinking habits: Each contributor attempted to justify how much, when, and why they drank, with boring clich