Experience a unique performance from one of the greatest song writer of this generation, live on the big screen in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.

Showing on the 26 February at 8pm exclusively at Vue Cinemas.  Tickets are £15 each and with a limited amount it’s best to book now. Go here to book your tickets and make sure you don’t miss out!

Buzz also has two standard tickets to give away. All you have to do is fill in the form below and answer the easy question. Competition closes 24 February.

What British band did Noel previously play in with his brother Liam?

A: Oasis

B. Travis

C. Take That

The festival takes place between Saturday 12 and Saturday 26 May 2012 but festival director, Mark Eynon, will launch the 2012 programme on Thursday 8 March at 12 noon when public booking also opens.

The 2012 Festival will present an international line-up of artists, including Miloš Karadaglić, Freddy Kempf, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, painter Johan Andersson and historian David Starkey.

The festival will be at home at Highclere Castle as it’s founder Jeanie is the former Countess of Carnarvon. Founded in 1978, the independently run festival celebrates youth and the highest artistic achievement on the international arena. Concerts and events take place across West Berkshire at various historic and iconic locations including St Nicolas Church, Newbury Corn Exchange and Douai Abbey.

This year’s Festival is a reflection of Britain’s national highlights of 2012, marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a series of concerts and events and is also inspired by the upcoming Olympics. The festival includes a series of daytime Festival Talks in historically relevant venues across Newbury. There will also be a screening of two iconic films: Zeffirelli’s Otello on Wednesday 16 May and Nureyev and Fonteyn’s Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday 23 May, with introductory talks by Ross Alley, who lectures frequently at the Royal Opera House.

Go to for more information www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

The shop will generate around 180 new jobs in the area and with the recruitment campaign still running, some positions are still available. All Partners (staff) will recieve training to ensure the shop is prepped and ready ahead of its grand opening.

Laura Berry, John Lewis recruitment manager said “The calibre of candidates for our new ‘at home’ shop in Newbury has been really high and we’ve worked closely with the local Jobcentre Plus to ensure we have a good mix of candidates that reflect the local community.”

She adds “We look forward to welcoming these new Partners on board and have no doubt they’ll deliver the outstanding levels of customer service John Lewis is renowned for.”

Dominic Joyce (pictured) was appointed branch manager of John Lewis at home Newbury a few weeks ago and commented “This is a really exciting time for us and I am looking forward to working with my new team throughout their training as we countdown to opening day in the spring.”

All applicants can log onto www.jlpjobs.com/athome for information on available jobs.

A local photographer has put together an exhibition at the Corn Exchange in Newbury, which celebrates the beauty of West Berkshire. 

 The exhibition will take place between 28 February and 5 April and will display the work of wildlife photographer Rob Appleby, from Newbury, who regularly volunteers with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust. The aim is to show the beauty and variety of the landscape just south of Newbury and Thatcham.

Known as the West Berkshire Living Landscape, which has lead to the exhibition being named A Living Landscape, this area includes Greenham and Crookham Commons, Thatcham Reedbeds and the Kennet & Avon Canal. The project was a joint idea between the Wildlife Trust and West Berkshire Council to protect, expand and enhance this unique and diverse landscape of West Berkshire. 

Jacky Akam, West Berkshire Living Landscape project officer said “many people who live in Newbury are not aware of this stunningly beautiful area of countryside on their doorstep. Rob has been photographing this area for many years, and he wants to share his work so that people will be inspired to get closer to nature.”

He adds, ”We look after the heathland and woods so that wildlife living there can thrive, and people are able to enjoy the tranquillity and be close to nature.” 

More details of Wildlife Trust events can be found at www.bbowt.org.uk, and West Berkshire Council events on www.naturediscovery.org.uk.

Talented

Born in Poland, as a child Basia would spend hours filling sketch books with drawings, particularly of faces. At school she was always known as the child with a talent for drawing and was often asked to illustrate other children’s stories.

Despite her talent being right in front of her, the thought of becoming an artist didn’t materialise until she finished school. With no art classes behind her and an original plan to study law, Basia says “I was only 17 when my parents sent me to an art professor. After a few lessons he called my parents and said I was “a pearl” and had a natural talent for painting. After passing a difficult exam, I attended the Academy of Art in Gdansk .”

Starting out

Studying for six years, Basia was only allowed to paint abstract. At 24 she held her first exhibition in Rome where she displayed all her abstract work and one self portrait but was confused when everyone crowded around the self portrait.

After spending some time painting in Sardinia, Basia returned to host another exhibition in Rome displaying all her Sardinian paintings and one portrait of Prince Raimondo Orsini. Once again, to her surprise, everyone gathered around the portrait and that’s when she realised painting recognisable people attracted more attention and her lifelong passion for portrait painting began.

The life of an artist is never straight forward but Basia explains why that’s a perk of the job, “As an artist you never know what the next day will bring and one meets such interesting people such as writers and politicians. Artists get invited everywhere and have a very colourful life. Everyone wants to be associated with an artist and enjoy their company.”

Portraits also have to be complementary of their sitter says Basia, “I think that if women take so much time to look beautiful for parties then there is even more reason for them look their best in a portrait. Why would I spend hours painting someone in a way they and I don’t like”. She adds “Portraits can give such pleasure to a sitter and family. Once a father leaving my studio said if my house was on fire I would grab my daughter in one hand and her portrait in the other.”

Big break

In 1999, Basia was invited to Clarence House to paint the Queen Mother but this was put
on hold when the Queen Mother broke her collar bone.

“I thought it wouldn’t happen but in February the Private Secretary called me again with another date and I was thrilled. The Queen Mother was talkative and charming and had the most amazing memory.”

Basia’s biggest achievement came when she was asked to paint the late Pope in 1999 which she describes as “the most touching experience.”

Modern art

Basia believes modern conceptual art is not as inspiring for children as classical art and says the success of the Leonardo exhibition in the National Gallery reassures us that there is a huge desire for classical portrait and classical art. With the aim to reignite enthusiasm for the portrait and to inspire a new generation Basia Hamilton has set up the Renaissance of the Portrait Foundation.

Basia says “the future of art is in the hands of our children. It is up to us to inspire and nurture the love of painting and to encourage the younger generations to paint and draw before they will be swallowed by the world of technology.”

Basia’s advice for young artists is to “choose a technique or style to master and stick to it. There are lots of artists who use lots of different styles so you can’t identify them.”

Basia is launching The Children’s Queen, a nationwide competition to celebrate HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Every school child in Britain can take part by painting a portrait of their Monarch.
Keep checking www.localbuzzmagazine.com for more updates.

Makes 24-30, depending on the size of the cookie.

Preheat the oven to190C / Gas Mark 5

Ingredients
For the cookies;
225g/8oz butter (slightly softened)
140g/5oz caster sugar
1 egg yolk (lightly beaten)
2 tsp orange extract
280g/10oz plain flour
75g/3oz plain chocolate chips or chunks
75g/3oz raisins
Pinch of salt
For the coating;
1½ tbsp caster sugar
1½ tbsp cinnamon

Method
Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and orange extract.

Sift the flour and salt into the mixture, then add the chocolate chips and raisins and mix until they are thoroughly combined. The mixture should be quite firm.

For the cinnamon coating, mix together the caster sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Scoop out walnut-sized pieces of the cookie dough, roll them into balls, and then roll them into the cinnamon mixture to cover.

Place the cookies on a greased baking sheet, spaced well apart.  You might need two baking sheets if you make the full amount. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Leave to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, and then use a palette knife to transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Pop the cooled cookies into a gift bag or decorative jar and your Valentine gift is all wrapped up. Enjoy!

A 24 hour football fundraiser is taking place over the weekend at Soll Leisure in Abingdon, in aid of The Stroke Association and is the brainchild of Paul Brook-Taylor, Head Chef at Highclere Castle.

The idea came following Paul’s own experience with a stroke after he lost his sight in one eye back in 2010, at just 35. Like cook Mrs Patmore in Season One of the hit ITV show Downton Abbey, which is filmed at Highclere Castle, Paul’s concerned employers Lord and Lady Carnarvon sent him to their personal eye specialist for tests. After an MRI scan and a visit to a neurologist it was discovered Paul had suffered a stroke.

Shocked at Paul’s age, he and the Carnarvons have decided to raise awareness of the condition amongst a younger audience. With the aid of Hollyoaks hunk Marcus Patrick taking part alongside Paul, Lord Carnarvon and other staff at Highclere Castle, they are taking part in a 24 hour mega charity football fundraiser. 

“We often watch Downton Abbey and recognise bits of Highclere Castle’s real life playing out in front of us – it was quite strange when Mrs Patmore and I were both going through exactly the same thing at the same time” said Paul Brook Taylor, “Lord and Lady Carnarvon were so supportive and didn’t stop until we had answers as to why I had gone blind.”

“Highclere Castle and the people in it are one big family and Paul is very much part of it,” said Lady Carnarvon, “Watching him going through this frightening ordeal was awful – of course we were happy to do anything we could to support him.”

It’s estimated that nearly 1,260 people have a stroke in Oxfordshire each year and there are around 3,510 people living in the county with a long term disability caused by a stroke. Across the UK, around a quarter of strokes happen to those aged under 65, with around 1000 happening to those under 30.

The 8-a-side 24hr Football Fundraiser kicks off at 6pm on Saturday, February 4th. If you would like to support Lord Carnarvon, Paul and Marcus Patrick in this amazing challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/PaulBrooke-Taylor to donate.

Whether you’re an old fan or new, there’s no denying that seeing Star Wars on the big screen is an event not to be missed – especially when it’s the first Star Wars movie to ever be presented in spectacular 3D!

The duel with Darth Maul, the harrowing Tatooine Podrace, the first meeting of Artoo and Threepio, and the introduction of the Star Wars Saga’s tragic hero, Anakin Skywalker, are all back in an all-new 3D presentation of Episode I, an experience that promises to truly surround you with the Force!

See Star Wars Episode 1 3D first at Vue Newbury 00.31 showing on the 9th January. Book now at www.myvue.com/newbury

Enter the competition below to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to see this movie in it’s opening weekend (10th-12th February). Just answer the easy question and fill in the form below by 8th February. Prize can only be redeemed at the Newbury branch of Vue.

What fictional weapon is used in the Star Wars universe?

A. Lightsword

B. Nightsaber

C. Lightsaber

Hungerford walk (4 1/2 miles)

Download map here

With your back to the Downgate pub, look for the fingerpost and head diagonally across Hungerford Common, aiming for the right end of the tree line. Look for a well used path and continue towards the edge of the common. Make for the fingerpost by the road and cross over.

Head for a gateway at the far corner of the common, pass into the field and keep along the left boundary beside the trees. Cross over a track and continue along the edge of farmland. Follow the field edge until you come to a gate slightly to the left of the path. Continue in the same direction along the enclosed path, farther on passing to the right of a plantation. Keep ahead in the next field towards woodland and then at the road turn left.

Pass a turning to Templeton Stud on the right and then swing left to follow a restricted tarmac lane. Pass Victorian Slings Lodge and continue between the hedges. On reaching a gate, turn left and follow the road to a cattle-grid and kissing gate on the edge of Hungerford Common. Keep to the right-hand edge of the common, following a path parallel to the road.

When you reach the road, cross it by a footpath sign and keep to the right. Follow the path through the trees and emerge onto the common with the road to your right. Cross the grass verge to a road junction and walk ahead to return to the Downgate pub.

Aldermaston walk (4 miles)

Download map here 

The Aldermaston walk starts at The Hind’s Head in Aldermaston Village and takes you through the tranquil Kennet Valley and into the scenic Aldermaston Wharf. Upon leaving the inn you turn left and cross the A340, taking the track to the right of the village shop. Keep to the stony track, known as Fisherman’s Lane, and over to the right you will see the tower of Aldermaston’s Church of St Mary the Virgin peeping over the trees. You can take a detour to the church by following the waymarked footpath on your right.

If not, continue along Fisherman’s Lane passed a brick cottage and up to a kissing gate next to a car park. Continue on to another kissing gate leading into a field. Head towards  the far corner and take the footbridge into another field. On your right, Padworth House can be seen on the hillside. Just over half way across the field, look for a footpath sign and bear left across a wooden footbridge. Go straight across the next field to a gate and then cross the Kennet. Follow the path alongside some wooden panel fencing and you will reach Padworth Mill. Continue along this path until you reach a junction and turn left.

You will pass entrances to various properties and eventually, on your right will be the entrance to Alder Bridge School. Follow the path to the junction with the Aldermaston Wharf lift bridge. Cross the road and take the towpath on the southern bank of the canal towards Aldermaston Lock. Pass the lock and the beautifully painted moored narrow boats. Eventually you will reach the road bridge where you go left passed a farm and follow the road to a junction. Turn right and pass the entrance of the Old Mill Hotel. Just passed the entrance, cross the road and turn left into a copse of poplar tress.

Follow the path down the bank and you will soon emerge onto a clear path across three fields to a stile. Turn right and return to Aldermaston Village via Fisherman’s Lane.

 The launch recieved support from more than 50 health and home care professionals from across the district. The event provided them with the tools to help guide their patients on how to keep warm and stay healthy this winter.

The programme includes a range of activities such as providing general information for everyone through leaflets and their website www.warminwestberkshire.org.uk. There is also additional individual support available for vulnerable people through the partners in the project.

 The event was organised by CCB (Community Council for Berkshire), with speakers from  partners in the programme, including Jeremy Speed from Berkshire West NHS Trust who explained the importance of a warm home in winter,  Jayne Mills from West Berkshire Council who explained the Council’s approach to offering specialised energy efficiency advice to vulnerable people in the district and Garry Poulson, who talked about the drive to recruit 4×4 ICED drivers (In Case of Emergency Drivers) to collect emergency provisions and prescriptions for people during an extreme weather event.

Practitioners were provided with leaflets and information to hand out and use during home visits, tips on energy efficiency, and signposting professionals to other areas of support they can call on to meet their clients’ needs.  

The programme runs between January and March and is funded by the Department of Health.