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This coming Sunday the 30th of June at 3pm sees the family friendly show called ‘BonBon’ come to the grounds of Micklefield Hall, Sarratt, Near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 6AQ.

This afternoon is aimed at children between 0-12 and is a new type of interactive play created by the dynamic and innovative theatre company, Gabriella & Octavia.

The show is inspired by a combination of traditional fairytales and is about a young girl called Scarlette who, after rowing with her mean sister, decides to head off into the forest.

Children will be captivated by this fantastical world of make believe and will fall in love with the friendly, fun and seriously silly characters!

For tickets please contact Gabriella & Octavia on:

Telephone 07976 952 264

info@gabriellaandoctavia.com

Our ticket prices are as follows –

£25 for families of 4 & over
£10 for adults
£5 for kids
Children under 2 go free

On Saturday 29th June at 10.45 am there is a guided walk to Croxley Great Barn for all to enjoy. The tour will last for approximately one hour and is a great opportunity to explore one of the oldest and most fascinating buildings in Hertfordshire.

The barn is a grade II* listed building and it is estimated that the barn was built between 1397 and 1401. The precise date is unknown as dating the barn was quite a complex process which The English Heritage undertook.

It is a timberframed aisled barn with a crownpost roof and has sometimes been labelled as a tithe barn yet Friends of Croxley Great Barn would strongly dispute this.

The barn required some elements of restoration which took place in the 1970s, yet it still retains its original character and charm. Participating in the walk on Saturday is a wonderful way to be a part of this historic gem and all it has to offer.

Those interested should meet at St Joan of Arc School at 10.45am

 

My monthly outgoings are lower than ever. I feel healthy and energised and happy in the knowledge that I am supporting my local businesses.

A couple of months ago I decided to see if I could shop for my family through steering clear of supermarkets as much as possible and instead visiting the local businesses for my weekly shop. I have been pleasantly surprised. Dodging the supermarkets has changed my whole outlook on buying and cooking food.

I started off by thinking I could knock a small amount off my grocery bill. I would say it has reduced by almost a third. How have I done this? By making very small changes and watching the pennies save themselves. I know that if I head to Mark’s Grocers I can pick up four avocados for one pound. If I go to the supermarket I am looking at four for £1.99. I would go as far as to say the quality of the avocados at Mark’s Grocers supersedes that of any supermarket.

Shopping local has also meant I do a lot more cooking from scratch which can only be a good thing. On a Saturday I walk down to Chris Blake Butchers and buy a chicken breast. I mix this up with some fresh vegetables from the grocers and freeze in batches. Another few meals for my family.

A huge money saver has been learning to bake bread. A gift of a Masterclass in Bread Making from Cinnamon Square means that I now save approximately £160 a year. How? I used to buy a couple of fresh loaves at the weekend. Now, with a little organic flour I can make my own and freeze it. Just like any busy person there are days where I don’t have much time to do things like this but fortunately I can always rely on Upper Crust for a fresh loaf of bread (or a cheeky cake on those ditch the diet days…)

Shopping locally does require a bit of planning and at the end of the week nothing beats relaxing with a nice glass of rouge. Again, why should we pay extortionate prices in the supermarket when we have places like F L Dickins Ltd on our doorstep? They are licensed to sell exquisite wines from countries like Argentina, Canada and Egypt and there are always great deals in the window.

Now don’t get me wrong. By no means am I saying I will not shop in a supermarket again, what I am saying is that there is no need to solely rely on them when we have so many wonderful, local shops at our fingertips.

Supermarkets are well-stocked and inviting but they also use quite artful marketing techniques and are quite expensive due to what you pay for packaging and production. Through a little planning I have learned how to make the most of what Rickmansworth has to offer.  I am saving money and eating better food. Who else is with me? #shoplocal

 

There is one thing Rickmansworth is not short of and I’m not talking Estate Agents or Charity shops for the moment. I am actually talking coffee shops.

Global warming is on the up as is the price of the coffee bean. So why are coffee shops in Rickmansworth so popular?

I thought I would offer some advice on where best to go as if you are anything like me maybe you are feeling a little overwhelmed with all the choice.

Harris & Hoole- I couldn’t get enough of this place when it opened. The deals and loyalty schemes seemed too good to be true. That’s because they were. Delicious, aromatic coffees but the price leaves a lot to be desired. Come on H&H, bring back the special offers! A free coffee with any breakfast muffins…don’t mind if I do.

Costa Coffee- never been a huge fan of chain coffee shops but this shop is very family friendly. You won’t arrive in a fluster because you can’t quite ram your buggy through the door like you may do in other establishments. This shop is also great for people watching….lots of awkward meet-ups and juicy conversations (if you listen hard enough)

Cinnamon Square – go in for a coffee and leave half a stone heavier. The cakes are truly something else and the new table service makes it quite a pleasant experience.

Cafe Nero- well they really know how to nurture the beloved coffee bean in this place. Delicious coffee, a spacious seating area, but again you are buying in to the corporate chain.

Evidently each of these establishments come with their own pros and cons. Why not make your own mind up and feedback via twitter?  #coffeshopculturewd3

 

We all know the importance of giving blood and this time you really have no excuse as on Saturday June 1st between 9.30am and 12.30 pm you can go along to St Mary’s Church and do your good deed for the day.

Giving safe blood saves lives. An example of just a small selection of people you could help are women with pregnancy complications, children with anaemia and those involved in accidents.

To prepare yourself for this selfless deed you are advised to have a good night’s sleep, eat regular meals, drink lots of fluids and wear comfortable clothing.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a bunch of friends and head down to St Mary’s in Rickmansworth on June 1st and do something amazing.