News

The Neighbourhood Collective – sponsored by Trend & Thomas and Active8 Wellbeing, will showcase the work of a select group of talented local craftspeople. The exhibition will take place from 10-14th July 2014 and will take place in ‘The Studio’, which is located at The Cafe in the Park.

The event will exhibit some of the finest furniture, jewellery and ceramics made by local craftspeople. The select group of craftspeople include: Anna Byers, The Source and Paul Rowbottom.

About Anna Byers

Anna travelled to Jerusalem in 2010 where she worked in a studio of a leading jewellery designer. Whilst living there, Anna found a passion for the geometric patterns the on buildings and places of worship, which has reflected some of the pieces of jewellery she was designed.

Anna officially launched her business in 2012 and has seen great success since. She has been shortlisted for ‘New Designer of the Year 2014 by the UK Watch and Jewellery Awards’ and her products are being stocked in a variety of UK stores including The Saatchi Gallery.

About The Source

Founded by Adam Collins – a participant of the Crafts Council’s 2014 ‘Hothouse’ program, The Source is a contemporary furniture designer that takes a unique approach to building contemporary furniture.

The contemporary furniture designed, combine steel and wood with a vibrant range of finishes to create limited edition pieces, which are handmade to order.

About Paul Rowbottom

After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art Sculpture, Paul began a career in ceramic and stone carving design. He used traditional and digital methods to create elegant pieces of work that are both contemporary in feel but manage to reach back to an ancient heritage.

Paul also take on various community projects and is also a part time sculpture and ceramics lecturer at The London Metropolitan University.

During the event there will also be a silent auction, which will allow visitors to set their own price for some of the exhibitors hand crafted products.

The Neighbourhood Collective is the perfect opportunity for you to come along and meet the makers of some of the finest local products as well as potentially buy and commission work directly from them!

In Rickmansworth and the surrounding areas throughout July there will be many book discussions, which will feature special guest talks by a variety of renowned authors.

 

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 – The Chorleywood Memorial Hall will play host to Caroline Taggart at 2pm. Tickets are just £5 and include tea and cake.

About Caroline Taggart 

Caroline spent the first 11 years of her career in publishing, before spending nearly 20 years as a freelance editor, focusing on adult non-fiction. During her time as a freelancer she edited BBC’s Walking with Dinosaurs, she also edited 14 of Jonathan Scott’s books. Her biggest success came in 2008 when she wrote a book called ‘I Used To Know That’, a book about ‘stuff you’ve forgotten from school’. I Used To Know That hit the Sunday Times best selling list and sold over 250,000 copies. After her best seller, Caroline has had 12 further books published and been a series editor of another five.

 

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 – The Chorleywood Memorial Hall will have a second event on in the evening entitled ‘Girls Night In’. The event will feature best selling authors: Sheila O’Flanagan, Jill Mansell and Veronica Henry. Tickets are only £8 and will include a glass of bubbly and a chocolate fountain!

About Sheila O’Flanagan, Jill Mansell and Veronica Henry 

Sheila O’Flanagan is an Irish born writer who wrote ‘Dreaming of a Stranger’. Sheila also published a business column for The Irish Times. Jill Mansell is a British born romantic comedy writer who lives in Bristol. Jill’s books have sold over three million copies worldwide and her best-known titles include: Rumour Has It, An Offer You Can’t Refuse and Making Your Mind Up. Veronica Henry has had a variety of job titles throughout her impressive career. Early on she was at Central Television as a script editor for shows such as Crossroads and Boon. Veronica then went on to become a scriptwriter for shows such as Heartbeat, Holby City and Doctors. In 2000, Veronica turned her attention to novel writing and her books include The Beach Hut Next Door and A Night On The Orient Express (which won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2014). Veronica also writes short stories for magazines and newspapers including The Daily Mail and Red Magazine.

 

Thursday 3rd July 2014 – Doctor Challoners High School will host Peter James as he discusses his book ‘Want You Dead’. ‘Virtual romance becomes a terrifying obsession’ in Peter James’ tenth book in his multi million copy selling crime series. Tickets are just £10 for the event, which are redeemable against the book.

About Peter James 

Peter James worked as a screenwriter and film producer in North America before returning to England to write several multi award winning, Sunday Times Top Ten best selling novels. His novels are based around his love for medicine, science and crime and have been translated into thirty-three languages. Peter has also produced a number of films that include ‘The Merchant of Venice, which starred Al Pacino.

 

Saturday 5th July 2014 – Woodoaks Farm hosts their Festival Gruffalo Trail and Storytime!

 

Thursday 10th July 2014 – Merchant Taylors’ School will host Michael Morpurgo OBE, who will be discussing his book ‘Only Remembered’. Only Remembered is an anthology of extracts, poems and images from some of the UK’s most influential cultural, political and literary figures. The book will also mark the 100-year anniversary of WW1. Tickets for the event start at just £7.50 for children, £10 per adult and £30 per family.

About Michael Morpurgo OBE 

Michael started his career as a teacher for ten years before founding the charity ‘Farms for City Children’, which are open to inner city children. Michael has written many children’s books including: The Wreck of Zanzibar, The Butterfly Lion and Kensuke’s Kingdom. Five of his books have also been made into films. In 2003 Michael became only the third Children’s Laureate for his contribution to children’s literature.

 

Friday 11th July 2014 – St Andrew’s United Reformed Church in Gerrards Cross will host Emma Chapman.

About Emma Chapman

Emma Chapman was born in 1985 and was raised in Manchester. She received a degree English Literature from Edinburgh University and then went on to complete a Masters in creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. After travelling Scandinavia she was inspired to write the book How to be a Good Wife. Emma is currently writing her next book, which will be based on a war photographer’s experience of the Vietnam War.

 

Saturday 12th July 2014 – Chorleywood Village Day Gruffalo Trail and storytime

It seems that it isn’t just Trend & Thomas that are holding charity events for great causes this summer..

Rickmansworth Web received confirmation that there is the ‘Croxley House Stawberry Fair’ upcoming on Saturday 19th July. The event is taking place to raise funds for the charity organisation – Greensleeves. Greensleeves provides high quality care and accommodation for elderly people across the UK including here in Rickmansworth. The funds raised will continue to ensure all of Greensleeves care homes including Croxley House are highly accommodating as well as ensuring there are enough staff members there to provide support for residents.

The Croxley House Strawberry Fair will take place on the Saturday between 2-5pm and is just £1 to enter. By paying £1 you also receive a free strawberry cream tea upon arrival! There will be a variety of things to do at the fair including: stalls, a tombola, and a raffle. So there is a good chance that you will spot something that you’d like to either buy or win! The fair provides fun for the little ones as well, as there will be games and a bouncy castle.

There will also be plenty of food available to buy as there will be cake stalls as well as a BBQ. A live band will also be playing a set, so you will be able to enjoy listening to local talent whilst indulging on good food.

We hope to see many of our local readers at the event and fingers crossed the weather is pleasant!

Stay tuned for more events coming up in July.

Regular visitors of Rickmansworth Web will have noticed that we recently added fitness company Burlexercise to our health and beauty directory. With a lot of you likely to be going on holiday this summer, we thought it would be a great time to provide you with insight on how Burlexercise can help you get fit, in shape and feel confident in your swimwear!

Firstly, let’s introduce you to the founders:

Burlexercise is a fitness company that incorporates token showgirl elements. The company was established by two women: Katie Ella Hardwicke and Sarah-Lou Buckle.

Katie is a local girl who grew up in Chorleywood, attending St Clement Dances School and now lives here in Rickmansworth. Her career as a professional dancer started after she graduated with a degree in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre. She performed all over the world and in London’s West End for six years. After, Katie began a career in Burlesque and performed with Miss Polly Rae and the Hurly Burly show for 3 years before joining London’s most ‘electrifying Burlesque troupe’: The Folly Mixtures. To diversify her skills even more, Katie then went on to qualify as a Personal Trainer.

Sarah-Lou is a professional dancer, a fellow ‘Folly Mixture’ and also a qualified fitness instructor. Having worked together for many years, the two women decided to combine their experience and abilities to create a new exciting exercise class.

 

Now, let’s tell you about the fitness class:

Burlexercise is a medium to high intensity fitness class that is designed for an all over body workout. It is considered a fitness class like no other as not only does it help burn calories and tone your body but it also incorporates hints of Burlesque and showgirl fun!

 

Classes start with a 30 minute cardio section that involves: aerobics, dance and Burlesque. They then move into Resistance Training, a 25 minute weights session that tones: arms, backs, legs, bottoms, core and abs – all of the parts of your body that you want looking great whilst in the sun! During this weights session you will be using unique ‘weighted boas’, to help add to the glamorous, Burlesque atmosphere.

Why you should attend:

Burlexercise classes are exclusive to Central London and Rickmansworth/Chorleywood, therefore you are in a position to attend and see great results before your friends outside of these areas can. By attending the weekly classes at St Clement Danes School on Monday’s (8-9pm) and enjoying a healthy, balanced diet, you will be in great shape for your upcoming summer holiday!

Classes are only £10 per time and if you book six in advance you can save £12!

We highly recommend attending these unique fitness classes but don’t just take our word for it, that a look at some of the reviews that previous attendees have given:

“It was the best class I’ve ever done!!! Wonderful music, burlesque flair & hard on the abs!!!” Camilla…

“Makes exercising fun and interesting, as well as keeping you fit and toned! Was pleasantly surprised, will defo be there next week!” Allison…

“AMAZING!! I’ve been to many many classes and hands down this one is the best… Loved it… A showgirl twist always makes life more fun!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Carly…

Full address: St Clement Danes School, Chenies Road, Chorleywood, WD3 6EW

Phone number: 01923 861378

For alternative ways of getting fit this summer, check out our health and beauty directory, as well as our sports clubs directory!

As you are all aware, Trend & Thomas organised and implemented a charity event between 19th-21st June 2014. The event invited local Rickmansworth residents to pop down to the estate agents office and decorate a brick on a Trend & Thomas Wendy House.

The event was held to fund raise for two very good causes. The first cause was to aid Rickmansworth Foodbank and ensure that the less fortunate people of Rickmansworth were still able to receive emergency food supplies when they needed it. The second cause was to help fund raise for a roof rebuild that prevented students of Rickmansworth Park JMI School from being taught in their normal classroom.

With the creative flare of many local residents of Rickmansworth (and possibly due to the excellent weather over the two days), the event was a huge success!

Overall, the final amount that Trend & Thomas raised was – £575.64

Here at Rickmansworth Web, we would like to congratulate all the hard work that Trend & Thomas put into this event. We would also like to thank all of the attendees who decorated the Wendy House for such a good cause.

Trend & Thomas has also confirmed that they will be drawing the raffle shortly, so good luck to all that entered!

Before you leave, be sure to check out some of the photos that were taken during the event, you may even spot yourself!