An audiologists in Thame is celebrating winning two industry awards.

Aston Hearing has won the Best Family Hearing Care Consultancy Award for the Home Counties and Hearing Technology Supplier of the Year in Corporate Vision Magazine’s annual UK Excellence Awards.

Duncan Collet-Fenson, audiologist and managing director of Aston Hearing, said: “We are delighted to have won this award, particularly because this year marks our 30th year as audiologists for our region, and we continue to raise the profile of hearing and how important it is to protect it.”

CV Magazine’s prestigious UK Excellence Awards seeks to acknowledge the very best from across the UK’s vibrant business market, who are especially deserving of credit.

Laura Hunter, awards co-ordinator, said: “It is with great pride that we showcase this year’s winners and congratulate them on their success. I will be watching your future endeavours with great interest.”

Visit www.astonhearing.co.uk

A senior lecturer in publishing at Oxford Brookes University will be the third writer to take part in the recently launched Meet the Author event at Long Crendon Library.

Sarah Franklin, whose debut novel Shelter has received much critical acclaim, will talk about her inspiration for the book, set mainly in the Forest of Dean where she grew up, and her teaching career on Thursday, February 28.

Having lived in Austria, Germany, the USA and Ireland, Sarah has settled in the Chilterns and has written for the Guardian, Psychologies magazine, The Pool, Sunday Express and the Seattle Times.

She runs literary event Short Stories Aloud at Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford and has judged the Costa Book Awards Short Story prize for two years running.

Shelter is about a spirited young woman, Connie, who escapes bombed out Coventry in 1944 to work as a lumberjill with a reclusive community in the Forest of Dean. Running from a tragic past she meets another lost soul, Seppe, an Italian prisoner of war, based in a camp nearby.

Sarah, who is currently working on a second novel, due out next year, said: “I was moved to write Shelter after a suggestion by the then government in 2012 that some of our national forestry land be sold off for privatisation.

“Having grown up in a forest, the idea that such land wouldn’t be available to everyone moved me deeply, and prompted me to think of another time in history when the fate of the forests were decided far away from the people who inhabited them.

“I’ve been incredibly touched that people have responded positively to the story of Connie and Seppe.”

Tickets for her talk are on sale, priced £6, at Long Crendon Library or can be reserved by calling 01844 201946. Seating is limited and copies of her book will be on sale.

Twist-in-the-tale thriller writer Robert Goddard will be launching his new novel, One False Move, this month and will be talking about it and his prolific writing career at Long Crendon Library on Thursday, March 14.

As a special offer, tickets for both talks, if bought together, will cost £10.

Young people in Thame are the latest to benefit from funds raised by the popular Music in the Park event.

Thame Youth Café has been awarded funds to buy computer gaming equipment needed as more and more youngsters enjoy the facilities offered.

Music in the Park has donated £430 to Thame Youth Café for the purchase of a Nintendo Switch gaming console, a game and two additional controllers.

The success of Thame Youth Café, which has an average attendance of 55 young people and regularly attracts 70, meant that it was in need of the additional equipment to enable more of its visitors to participate in the fun.

The Thame Youth Café is held in Christchurch Methodist Church on Upper High Street.

Youth Café manager, Nick Francis, said: “The Youth Café is very popular and we aim to provide every visitor with an absorbing and interesting experience. The new gaming equipment will help us serve more young people.”

Unlike traditional youth clubs, the Youth Café concept is not solely about entertaining young people but rather to provide a safe place for them to gather and, through leisure activities, bring about real transformation by promoting values and personal development to enable them to reach their full potential, both as individuals and within the community.

There are different activities each week from cooking and mindfulness drawing to a graffiti wall and science experiments. It runs two Youth Cafés, one for 11 to 14 years and one for 14 to 16 years.

Music in the Park chair, Chris Fram, said: “Music in the Park is dedicated to supporting good causes in the local community. Thame Youth Café is a marvellous example of a charity that provides an invaluable service to the youth of Thame and we are delighted to support it again this year, following on from our previous donation in 2016.”

Music in the Park, the annual, one-day, family-oriented performing arts festival that takes place in Elms Park, Thame, is on Sunday, May 5. The festival will be the ninth. and is a not-for-profit organisation run by an enthusiastic band of volunteers. All proceeds from the event are invested in the local community.

Visit https://thameyouthcafe.org.uk and for more on the festival visit https://www.musicinthepark.org.uk/

The following people from Aylesbury Vale have been sentenced at High Wycombe Magistrates Court between February 11 and 15.

Eric Sharp, 73, High Street, Haddenham: drove a red BMW Mini on Churchway, Haddenham, while over the alcohol limit. Fined £1,096. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £109 and costs of £85 to the CPS. Disqualified from holding a driving licence for three years.

Simon Quilliam, 41, Windsor Road, Pitstone: drove a black Audi A3 on Lower Icknield Way, Marsworth, while over the alcohol limit. Fined £685. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £68 and costs of £860 to the CPS. Disqualified from holding a driving licence for 20 months.

Tasir Hussain, 22, Bierton Road, Aylesbury: possession of a quantity of cannabis. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Tyler Simmons, 23, Quarrendon Avenue, Aylesbury: assaulted a woman by beating. Committed to prison for 14 weeks because of the seriousness of the offence. Ordered to pay compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge of £115.

Laura McDonald, Oldfield Street, Aylesbury: failing to ensure her children regularly attended school. Fined £1,320. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £66 and costs of £611.04.

Margaret Nyambayo, 61, Friarage Road, Aylesbury: parked in a disabled bay at the Waterside North car park, Aylesbury, when not authorised to do so. Fined £40. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £325.

Hayley Price, 36, Westfields, Buckingham: failing to ensure her child regularly attended school. Fined £41. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £476.04.

Aneeb Khalid, 30, Park Street, Aylesbury: assaulted a man by beating. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £375 to the CPS.

Stephen Court, 39, Coppice Way, Aylesbury: criminal damage to property - destroyed two flower pots and one window. Fined £80. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Sam Norris, 27, Hanover Close, Aylesbury: criminal damage to property - destroyed a television valued at £35. Fined £80. Ordered to pay compensation of £35, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Danny Whitaker, 29, Galsworthy Place, Aylesbury: breached a non-molestation order by coming within 100 metres of the Feathers public house in Milton Keynes. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Iain Ball, 40, Russell Avenue, Aylesbury: failed to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a Mercedes who was alleged to have been guilty of an offence. Fined £415. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £41 and to pay costs of £85.

Psychedelic and familiar but a false Dawn.

It hasn’t even been a year since the release of the excellent Far Cry 5 and here we sit with what is know as a ‘narrative sequel’ in our laps, Far Cry New Dawn.

Bursting with colour, in almost pop art style, there is a psychedelic look and feel to this iteration of the hugely popular series.

Spoiler alert: The story is set 17 years after the events of Far Cry 5. After the nuclear exchange known as “the Collapse” devastated the world, survivors attempt to rebuild the community in Hope County.

Their efforts are threatened by the Highwaymen, a roving band of organised bandits. With few other choices, the survivors form an alliance with New Eden - the remnants of the Project at Eden’s Gate - despite knowing that they may represent a greater threat than the Highwaymen themselves. The Deputy returns from FC5 as does main protagonist Joseph Seed. You take on the role of Captain and form part of a group that travels the country assisting other survivor groups in need.

I should say from the get go I am a huge Far Cry fan who still finds the exploration and progression system of the franchise utterly engrossing in FCND.

They say familiarity breeds contempt. And that certainly seems to be the case looking at other reviews since FCND launched on PS4, XB1 and Windows earlier this month.

It is true, to a degree this does feel like a DLC expansion. Not enough has been done to change the environment and make it interesting enough for a standalone title.

Personally I welcomed the diluted RPG element as I am not an RPG fan - but that will undoubtedly grate on a large section of gamers.

Unfortunately it seems indicative of the wider game too. Everything just feels a bit diluted and the usual time and care put into Far Cry titles is missing.

The storyline and narrative leaves a lot to be desired too. The reworked openworld is cool and fun/rewarding to explore in equal measure.

And there are some superb new elements to make things interesting. Human superpowers eventually make combat thrilling and the expeditions are the game’s crowning achievement as they really offer Ubisoft the chance to show off their best-in-class world design.

There are so many ambitious ideas in New Dawn but it seems they were not fully realised as they would have been with a bigger timeframe for the latest release.

With the next generation of ever more powerful consoles looming on the horizon perhaps we are seeing the first seeds being planted of greater things to come in the next couple of years.

Far Cry New Dawn is still a thoroughly enjoyable playthrough. I imagine Far Cry games always will be.

I guess what takes the edge off here is the nagging feeling that it could and probably should have been so much more.

The following people from Aylesbury Vale have been sentenced at High Wycombe Magistrates Court between February 18 and 22.

Mirel Popescu, 30, Victoria Street, Aylesbury: drove a blue Mini Cooper on Victoria Street whilst disqualified from holding a driving licence. Ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work during the next 12 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and costs of £85 to the CPS. Disqualified from holding a driving licence for 14 months.

Drove the Mini Cooper on the same road without third party insurance.

Joshua Semmens, 26, Widmere Field, Prestwood: assaulted a woman causing her actual bodily harm. Ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. Ordered to pay compensation of £500 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Assaulted a man by beating. Ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work during the next 12 months and to pay compensation of £100.

Assaulted a constable in the execution of their duty. Ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work during the next 12 months and to pay compensation of £200.

Christopher Brewer, 31, Chesterfield Crescent, Wing: drove a silver Ford Focus on Lower Icknield Way, Drayton Beauchamp without due care and attention. Fined £770. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £77 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Drove the vehicle without wearing a seatbelt.

Used a vehicle with tyres with insufficient tread. Fined £50.

Mohammed Shah, 36, Arundel Green, Aylesbury: displayed a disabled persons badge belonging to another individual. Fined £100. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30.

Aaron Pullen, 26, Lincoln Place, Thame: possessed eight bags of cannabis in Stone. Committed to prison for seven days.

Assisted in the theft of a black Seat Leon in Stone. Committed to prison for six months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Drove a black Seat Leon in Stone while disqualified from holding a driving licence. Fined £120. Disqualified from holding a driving licence for 15 months.

Possessed a knuckle duster in Stone. Committed to prison for five months.

Possessed a quantity of cocaine in Stone. Committed to prison for seven days.

Resisted arrest by a police officer. Fined £50.

The young people of Thame and the surrounding area have, yet again, stepped up to the challenge to offer visitors to Music in the Park a packed programme of talent.

Music in the Park is committed to providing a platform for young talent in the area and is delighted that more youngsters than ever will be performing at this year’s event on May 5 at Elms Park.

As a result, the time set aside for the youth programme, which takes place on the Acoustic Stage, has been extended this year.

The first session starts at 11.40am and runs through to 1pm and features a guitar ensemble as well as a range of solo performers.

Then at 3pm there will be ‘Youth Rocks’, a rock band made up of 10 and 11-year- olds, who will be performing ‘Sweet Child Of Mine’. This will be followed by more soloists, including Isaac Forward, aged 10, who is currently starring on stage at The Playhouse Theatre, London.

Local guitar, ukulele and drum teacher John Reid-Hansen, who is coordinating the programme, said: “These children, aged 10 to 16, aren’t just our future, they are already an integral part of our current music scene and are having a tremendous impact on live music in Thame.

“So do come along and check out the youth of Thame on the Acoustic Stage.”

For more details about the event visit www.musicinthepark.org.uk

One night down the pub, 14 very different characters, and all portrayed by just two versatile actors.

Two is an award-winning play by celebrated playwright Jim Cartwright and it is coming to The Players Theatre, Thame for five nights from Tuesday, March 5.

The action takes place on a single evening in a typical Northern pub heaving with people. The play introduces us to 14 of them, each with their own story and their own take on life, love, and the human condition.

Jim Cartwright paints each of these characters in vivid colours, so that we not only recognise but empathise with them as they play out their private lives, their hopes, fears, anguish and absurdity before us and for our entertainment.

All human life is there – from the hopeless bravado of a faded Jack-the-lad and his long-suffering girl to the touching affection of an unassuming widower and the relentless bickering of the irascible landlord and landlady, which masks a dark secret that only emerges in the gut-wrenching dénouement.

All 14 of these incredibly diverse characters are brought to life in this dramatic white-knuckle ride by just two actors – Andy Dale and Jude Rogers in Thame Players’ production – who succeed in portraying every character using a combination of talented acting and clever accessories - little touches such as a hat, a scarf, a tie, a jacket – imbuing each with their own personality and taking the audience with them.

Two has enjoyed enduring popularity since it was first performed in 1989, receiving the Manchester Evening News award for Best New Play, and enjoying several revivals and performances around the world since then.

Directed by Phil Byrom for Thame Players, it delivers a fantastic evening’s entertainment.

Phil said: “I am delighted to be bringing Two to Thame. The characters are painted so vividly that the audience can identify with each and every one of them. The portrayal of these diverse characters is what makes the play so enticing, so intriguing, and keeps audiences coming back over and over again to this small but perfectly formed modern classic.”

Two is being performed at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame OX9 2DP from Tuesday, March 5 until Saturday, March 9, at 7.45pm. Tickets are £8 - £10 each and available from Spear Travels, Greyhound Walk, Thame, call 01844 217228, or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk

Jim Cartwright was born near Bolton in 1958 and won a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he developed his talent as a writer. His early play Road became an international hit in 1986, winning a raft of awards. His career went stellar in 1992 with his sixth play, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (to be performed by Thame Players in September), which won yet more awards and was also adapted into a film starring Jane Horrocks amongst others.

Besides Two, winner of Best New Play in 1989, Jim Cartwright has written several other hit plays and films, and his works are studied worldwide, having been translated into 30 languages.

Thame Players Theatre Company is a registered charity, run entirely by volunteers, offering a varied range of entertainment all year round, from serious theatre to comedy and pantomime, including their own productions, visiting shows, and film screenings by Thame Cinema 4 All. For more information about Thame Players, upcoming shows, and how to join as a member or a friend, call 07881 688895 or visit www.thameplayers.co.uk

If your organisation shares personal data with businesses in the European Economic Area (EEA), you will need to take steps to ensure you continue to comply with data protection laws if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

What is personal data? Personal data refers to any information that can be used to identify a living individual, including a customer’s name, their physical or IP address, or HR functions such as staff working hours and payroll details.

Although the UK’s own data protection standards would remain the same, how personal data is transferred from the EU/EEA to the UK would change. This could affect your organisation.

Therefore, if your organisation receives personal data from organisations in the EU you should consider, with your EEA partners, what changes you may need to make to ensure that data can continue to flow after the exit date. These changes will affect organisations both large and small.

Organisations should as a priority, review whether they would be affected. For those that would be, early action is advisable, given changes may take some time to implement.

Practical advice and support is available at ico.org.uk, including ‘Six Steps to Take’ to help you understand the implications and prepare.

Digital Minister Margot James has issued a reminder to SMEs to ensure that they’ve got plans in place so that they don’t lose access to vital data flows if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Recent research from YouGov has revealed that 26 per cent of SMEs currently receive and store personal data from people within the EEA. It also identified a number of sectors that said data from the EEA is essential to core or secondary functions within their business’ model.

The top sectors included IT and Telecoms (43 per cent), Manufacturing (26 per cent) and Finance and Accounting (25 per cent). Guidance already exists for SMEs to understand how they can prepare and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has produced a six step strategy for companies to follow.

Digital Minister Margot James said: “I know that personal data plays a hugely important role in day to day business. The current uncertainty around Brexit is of great concern and businesses need to take action to limit the risk of potential disruption if no deal were to happen. I would urge all companies to check the Information Commissioner’s Office guidance on their website, and make sure that they are as prepared as possible.”

The Government has already introduced robust new data laws through the 2018 Data Protection Act. This included giving people more power and control over their data and strengthening the powers of the ICO. In the event of a deal, through the Withdrawal Agreement, the government has made plans to secure what is known as a "data adequacy decision" from the EU. This will ensure UK and EU firms can carry on exchanging personal data like they do now.

For more information you can call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

Residents around Thame are being invited to view plans for new health facilities in the town.

Proposals for a health campus at the Kingsey Road roundabout will go on display next week in Thame.

Hallam Land Management and Montpelier Estates invite residents to meet them at a public exhibition on Wednesday, March 6, at Thame Town Hall, from 4pm to 8pm, to view their plans for the new campu.

Hallam Land Management is working jointly on these proposals - on a site at the Howland Road / Kingsey Road roundabout, to the east of Thame - with Montpelier Estates, who specialise in the design and development of healthcare facilities.

The health campus would comprise:

A health centre, accommodating GPs from The Rycote Practice and Unity Health doctors’ practices and offering additional medical services to those currently available.

A care home.

Assisted living units for residents requiring continuing care services in an independent living setting.

Hallam Land Management and Montpelier Estates say they look forward to engaging with residents and hearing community feedback on the plans before carefully considering the responses and deciding how best to take the proposals forward.

Ben Meynell, of Hallam Land Management, said: “Hallam is delighted to be helping to bring forward new healthcare facilities for Thame. We have been in discussions with stakeholders and the town’s existing GP practices for over two years regarding an ‘all in one’ health campus in this location, and we look forward to discussing our health campus plan with residents at the exhibition.”

John Horsman, of Montpelier Estates, said: “We are excited to be involved with this project to bring first-class healthcare facilities to Thame. Hosting all these facilities on one health campus brings significant benefits including greater and improved access for residents and an improved patient experience.

“We are very pleased to have the support of the town’s existing GPs practices in bringing these health campus proposals forward.”

Cllr Nigel Champken Woods, South Oxfordshire District Council member for Thame ward and a member of Thame Town Council, said: “The Thame Neighbourhood Plan, as well as recommending the delivery of 775 new homes, also identifies the need for improvements in infrastructure (including healthcare provision) to support the town as a whole. Subject to due planning processes, this initiative from Hallam Land Management and Montpelier Estates looks like it could provide part of that much-needed additional infrastructure.”

A rock band from Oxford will be rounding off the next First Thursday Music Club night in Thame.

The evening of music with open mic is at The Stables, at the James Figg Pub on Thursday, March 7 at 8pm, and players can sign up between 7.30pm and 7.45pm.

A fantastic, eclectic, array of music and musicians will be appearing – culminating with a set from The 2 Strokes.

They are a three-piece British rock band from Oxford, and have a unique style of music, mostly original, with the occasional cover from one of their influencers such as The Jam, The Lambrettas and Ocean Colour Scene to name but a few.

Prior to that, Raji, The Blue Jays and Waterfahl are all booked to play - as well as JAE who is signed to BFS Records in Thame and will be playing his own broad range of music from evocative folk to acoustic punk.

The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience.

The club maintains the ‘Open Mic’ section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a ‘first come, first served’ basis with player sign-up by 7.30pm.

The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.

Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and admission is free.

Visit https://the2strokes.webs.com/ and https://artists.nme.com/artist/jae/

Storm Freya is set to hit the UK with strong winds on Sunday (March 3), bringing travel disruption and possible dangerous conditions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning to parts of South East England from 3pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday (4 March), including Oxfordshire.

The Met Office said: “Storm Freya will bring very strong winds, with some travel disruption and possible dangerous conditions late Sunday and into Monday.”

“Storm Freya is expected to push quickly north-east across parts of England, Wales and southern Scotland through Sunday afternoon and evening, before clearing into the North Sea through the early part of Monday.

“Gusts of 55-65 mph are likely widely, with the potential for gusts of 70-80 mph for coastal parts of Devon and Cornwall, as well as Irish Sea coasts of Wales and north-west England.”

What to expect from this yellow weather warning:

- Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible

- Some damage to buildings and trees, such as tiles blown from roofs and fallen branches, could happen

- Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible

- Some roads and bridges may close

- Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

- Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

Set in working class Sheffield - flamboyant Jamie knows he’s not destined to be the forklift truck driver his careers’ teacher told him to be. Instead he sets his sights high for drag queen stardom - as Mimi Me - where he debuts on stage at Legs Eleven bar.

Through Northamptonshire-born Tom McRae's brilliant storytelling, the show takes emotional twists and turns from start to finish. The 39-year-old television writer from Weedon Bec not only wrote the script but he nailed all the lyrics for the musical too, which debuted in February 2017 in Sheffield and is based on the true story of a 16-year-old drag queen. Tom attended Weedon Bec Primary School and later Campion School in Bugbrooke.

Flamboyant Jamie, who lives on a council estate, is faced head-on throughout the show with bigotry from his classmates, and secondary school teacher, before he seeks artistic help and advice from Shane Richie’s character, Hugo, at the wittily named 'Victor’s Secret' shop. This gag didn't go wasted on the rows of Americans sat front of me.

Unlike the rest of the audience, though, they didn’t titter much when Jamie told his co-star Sabrina Sandhu - who plays the understated Pritti Pasha - he used to dress up as Carol Vorderman.

Revived drag queen, Loco Channell (aka Hugo), takes Jamie under his wing and is a guiding light for the youngster who has spent years not knowing how bold and brilliant he really is.

With the help of Ms Channel and the unconditional love of his mum Margaret, the sensational and utterly relatable Rebecca McKinnis, he finds his sparkle when he finally decides on his drag artist name. Jamie takes to the stage dolled up to the nines in his birthday heels - which his mum scrimped to buy - and he gives the bullies a performance to make them quake in their (high-street) boots.

Through the two hour show, it follows the polar opposite relationships the sassy teenager has between his separated mum and dad.

Jamie falls on hard times when his dad disowns him - but his mums’ hysterically funny pal, Ray, played by the talented Sejal Keshwala, is constantly there to pick up the mood of the show making welcomed light of some of the darkest parts. She becomes the dad he never had.

The final hurdle in Jamie’s time at school is being accepted at prom in a dress, albeit toned down from Mimi Me's satin red number. After initially being turned away at the school dance doors by mean Miss Hedge, played by Hayley Tammadon, his friends show solidarity and rally round him to make sure he gets a night to remember.

The casting in this show is immense. Lead Layton Williams is sublime throughout and knows how to make an audience feel relaxed.

His natural comedic ability sent belly laughs roaring through the Apollo auditorium while some of his more stirring scenes brought the three-tier audience to compelled silence.

The ensemble deserve a nod too. It was appreciated that they were given the opportunity to, uniquely, have their own lines and showcase themselves as individuals - which is ultimately the underlying message of the show.

Staging was inventive throughout, songs were a strong toe-tapping level of catchy and I left the theatre feeling better than when I walked in.

The all-singing-all-dancing-spectacle captures all the best bits of British humour and is a must watch for the whole family.

For a fourth year independent pub group Oakman Inns - which operates a host of family-friendly pub-restaurants in Herts, Beds, Bucks, Northants, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire - has been awarded the highest Three Star accreditation in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2019.

Oakman, which started life at founding pub-restaurant The Akeman in Tring, Herts, now has 26 venues and counting (see venue map).

The Three Star award signifies extraordinary levels of workplace engagement and follows an in-depth, anonymous and secure survey, that allows Employees to accurately and honestly reveal their views on their work.

The organisers then analyse the information and generate a score reflecting the overall level of employee satisfaction. An engaged workforce is more motivated and productive because people take pride in what they are doing and have faith in those around them. This leads to better working relationships, greater collaboration and ultimately a more successful organisation.

Oakman Inns’ HR Director, Jill Scatchard, said: “In the context of the hospitality industry, Oakman believes that it is vital that both front and back of house staff feel connected to each other and to Oakman’s aims and ethos. The teams’ belief in a shared purpose and the recognition of the important part that each member plays in fulfilling it – their engagement - means that our people are always prepared to go that extra mile for our customers. I am delighted that their work and dedication has resulted in this rewarding accolade.”

According to Oakman Inns’ results, under the heading of personal growth, 84% of staff agreed with the statement: “The experience I gain from this job is valuable for my future”.

Oakman’s renowned dedication to working with their communities and supporting local activities prompted the following response under the heading of ‘Giving Something Back’. 89% of staff agreed with the statement, “My organisation encourages charitable activities”.

Every Oakman Inn supports at least one local sports club, as well as numerous local charities including Herts Air Ambulance, SpecialEffect and the Hospice of St Francis.

Oakman Inns’ CEO, Peter Borg-Neal, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to retain our three-star rating for a fourth year and to remain in the top 25% of such an illustrious list of employers who care. During 2018, we went through a period of aggressive growth, opening five new sites, including our largest investment to date, The Royal Foresters in Ascot, and increasing our team numbers by some 30%. In the context of that activity, it is a huge testament to the skills and commitment of my senior team - especially Jill Scatchard, HR Director and Alex Ford, Operations Director.”

A magical little masterpiece.

The Nintendo Switch is a truly marvellous little machine made all the better now it has added gorgeous side-scrolling puzzle platformer Trine 2 to its roster.

Puzzle game fans will already know about the brilliant Trine series.

The games have been universally critically acclaimed since Frozenbyte released the original on PC back in 2009.

It has spawned even better sequels and now Trine 2 has been released on the Nintendo Switch.

T2 allows three players to play the iconic roles of a wizard (Amadeus), a thief (Zoya), and Pontius the knight in a simultaneous cooperative mode.

Players use the skills of the three heroes to navigate each level. As with the first game, the mystical “Trine” has bound the three characters together into one common entity which - if playing solo - you controls one at any time switching between their unique abilities to solve the puzzles and progress.

Amadeus can use magic to grab onto certain objects in the game world and conjure boxes and planks to be used to navigate to higher ground or the next section of the level. Zoya can strike at objects with her arrows, and grapple onto certain surfaces and Pontius is strong in combat against foes, can smash through walls and deflect projectiles with his shield.

You will need to call on all three to complete each stage in the game’s world.

Characters have individual life bars, and if one dies they cannot be used until the next checkpoint is reached. If all three characters lose die you start back at the last checkpoint.

Magical vials are key to the soft RPG progression element in T2. For every 50 you collect the player receives a skill point, which can be used to gain abilities through a skill tree for each character. These skill points can be used collectively for each of the three characters, and can also be traded between them.

It is co-op mode that T2 really shines on Switch, though, with each player controlling a character. It is undoubtedly Trine 2’s crowning achievement and is only aided by the beautiful simplicity of the Switch.

Beautiful is word that comes to mind when you play Trine 2 too.

The visuals are simply stunning, enchanting and charming. Whether it is the lush forests or the shadows of the caves to the beaches, T2 is brimming with colour and detail and basks in superb lighting effects.

It looks truly magical.

The gorgeous visuals, the fun, addictive puzzle solving and soft RPG element make this super slick platformer a superb experience from start to finish whether playing solo or co-op.

The story may be a bit old hat and lacking in originality but that is literally the only slight negative about this little masterpiece.

The following people from Aylesbury Vale have been sentenced at High Wycombe Magistrates Court between February 25 and March 1.

James House, 35, Carlton Close, Aylesbury: possession of a class A drug (MDMA). Fined £200. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Possession of class B drugs - ketamine and cannabis resin. No separate penalty.

Niki Butler, Griffin Lane, Aylesbury: failing to ensure her children regularly attended school. Fined £360. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £300 to the CPS.

Damien McPhee, Griffin Lane, Aylesbury: failing to ensure his children regularly attended school. Fined £360. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £300 to the CPS.

Shabana Akhtar, 36, St Anne’s Road, Aylesbury: exceeded the 30mph speed limit on Bicester Road, Aylesbury (was recorded travelling at 40mph). Fined £140. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30. Driving record endorsed with three points.

Michelle Heslington, 45, Cotswolds Way, Calvert: displayed a disabled person’s badge belonging to another individual. Fined £220. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £620.

Jennifer Camp, 35, Rickard Close, Aylesbury: drove a Nissan Note on the A40 London Road, West Wycombe, without due care and attention. Fined £217. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85 to the CPS. Driving record endorsed with five points.

Andrew Sifleet, 31, Lark Vale, Watermead: destroyed the windscreen of a Ford C MAX belonging to another individual. Ordered to pay compensation of £125, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Catrina Lindley, 31, Reeves Close, Aston Clinton: assaulted a police officer by beating. Fined £40. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and pay costs of £85 to the CPS.

Homeowners across Aylesbury Vale are being encouraged to keep an eye out for swarms of honeybees this year, particularly throughout the summer months.

The Mid Bucks Beekeepers Association are providing their annual free collection service if you do spot a bee swarm anywhere in the Aylesbury Vale district.

Brian Bush, the Mid Bucks Beekeepers Association's swarm officer said: "Swarming is the way honeybees in the wild increase the number of colonies.

"Half the bees in a colony leave with the old queen to search for a new home whilst the remaining bees raise a new queen.

"Before leaving the colony the swarming bees fill their stomachs with honey and are generally fairly docile.

"A swarm of up to 30,000 bees is, however, a quite frightening sight when they descend into a back garden.

"After a few minutes they will collect into a ‘ball’ around their queen and may hang in a bush or tree for a few minutes or hours - occasionally they will be there for a couple of days.

"Swarms have a much greater survival rate if they are collected and housed by a beekeeper."

Last summer the public reported more than thirty swarms to the Mid Bucks Beekeeping Association's swarm line but in previous years the beekeepers have dealt with more than 300 calls in a single swarming season.

If you notice a swarm this summer you can report it by ringing the association's swarm line on 07770 370132 or e-mailing the swarm officer on swarm@mbbka.org.uk.

Data was collected from company websites or by emailing customer service departments. In total, 357 children’s meals were surveyed from 26 outlets across the UK. Of these, 42% had more than 1.8g of salt per portion - the maximum salt target for children’s meals in the out of home sector. This is the salt content of popular kids’ meals.

Green Party candidate David Lyons won the by-election after securing 1210 votes (51%).

In second place in the ward was Mark Bale, the Conservative Party candidate with 781 votes (33%), followed by Jim Brown (Lib Dem), 333 votes (14%) and Jennifer Tuffley (Labour) with 59 votes (2%).

There were a total of 2383 votes out of a possible electorate of 7357, which represents a turnout of 32%.

Mr Lyons said: "I am thrilled and chuffed because I ran a very strong campaign.

"I have campaigned in Haddenham for some years although I was not expecting such a convincing margin of victory.

"With the upcoming abolition of the district council it is a very important time for local politics.

"We need a local plan which involves consultation with local people.

"People are not happy with the status quo and I hope to help change that."

Asked whether he felt the Green Party could start making gains within the political scene he said: "I think this result and the margin of victory is a sign of where the country is heading.

"One of the big things I will personally be working on is trying to get the Government to take action about climate change."

The make-up of Aylesbury Vale District Council is now 38 Conservatives, two Labour, 12 Liberal Democrats, one Independent Conservative and four Independent councillors.

Schoolchildren from across Aylesbury Vale are taking to the stage to perform 'Dare to Dream' at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday March 18.

A choir of 650 primary school children from Bucks will be joined by a stage company of 90 primary school children from three Bucks schools, soloists Claire Wild (soprano) and Kieran Rayner (baritone) and a 25-piece orchestra from Bucks Music Trust for the performance in London.

Pupils from the following schools within Aylesbury Vale will be part of the final performance:

> Aston Clinton Primary School

> Bierton Combined School

> George Grenville Academy, Buckingham

> Oak Green School

> Oakley C of E Combined School

> Princes Risborough Primary School

> St Michael’s C of E Combined School, Stewkley

> Wendover C of E Junior School

The faces and voices of young poets from Syria, Uganda and Bangladesh will be included within the work.

The themes for 'Dare to Dream' were initiated and explored in workshops conducted by Skype, which saw local children connect with youngsters overseas.

Their ideas were worked into a text suitable for an opera by Lucinda Jarrett and Chris Rawlence from Rosetta Life.

Composer Hannah Conway took the libretto and ideas from the workshops to create the score for the opera, working with film-maker Claudia Lee and designer Rhiannon Newman-Brown.

Karen Gillingham from Garsington Opera is directing the work which premieres at the Royal Albert Hall at 7pm on March 18 as part of Echoes 8, a biennial singing event.

The first half of Echoes will feature music performed by a further 850 primary school pupils from across Bucks.