Tag Archives: Downley

Downley Festival 2015

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Downley Festival 20151

Following on from Frost’s articles about this fantastic village of Downley, near High Wycombe, and the piece in the Homes section of The Evening Standard, here is something about the arts festival that has just finished in Downley.

Downley Festival 2015scarecrow

This year, at the start of the festival, strangers appeared in Downley, all vyeing for our attention. Some were perched on walls, another took her place in the front garden, with a glass of wine in her hand. One was up on a garage roof. Others guarded front doors. It was scarecrow time.

Downley Festival 20153scarecrow

Here, there and everywhere, the scarecrows were enjoying the fun.

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So, what did the Festival provide?

Those of an athletic disposition, (not me) could run 5 km and pretend to be enjoying it.

Downley Festival 2015run5

Another day we enjoyed the talent show, another time the Ceilidh Band, and talent show.

Downley Festival 20156ceilidh

To begin with, however, there was a family disco in the marquee, and then, as the sun warmed us all, it was Downley Day. All afternoon there were performances and stalls.

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The glorious weather continued which was kind to the gardens in Downley, some of which were open for the Festival. So lovely to poke around all those gardens you can’t usually see unless you’re on the top deck of a double decker. Nosey – me? Nah.

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Downley School, which is the lovely village school put on a Shakespeare Production and to the relief of all concerned, a Beer and Cheese Festival took place.

I did a workshop on creative writing, and met lovely new people.

All a huge success, and bravo to those who organized and ran it. Downley has done it again. So close to London, but very much in the country.

Yay. Looking forward to next year already.

 

 

Downley Village Festival 2015 by Margaret Graham

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Downley is a village perched on the top of a hill, and easing down the slopes  almost to the edge of High Wycombe. Vastly extended since the 60s, it is in some ways the classic suburbia, with houses, ranging from that time, intermingling with those of the ancient village.

Downley Village Festival 2015 by Margaret Graham 1

All this adds up to fantastic community which fizzes with heart and ‘things to do’. It is an environment that is helped by having countryside and beech woods within five minutes walks from the three parades of shops placed around the village. Added to this, the fact that there are regular buses into High Wycombe, and easy walks to Hughenden Manor (and café) through the woods, and half an hour by train to Marylebone, it’s a good place to live.

Last year Downley held its inaugural Village Festival and such was its huge success, it is to take place again.

The Downley Village Festival will take place between Downley Day on 20 June and Concert on the Common on 11 July. Some 20 activities are in place,  so there’s something for everyone.

As always there will be local school events, the annual art exhibition and craft fair together with a local talent show, a comedy evening, a talk on Downley history, a free creative writing class by bestselling author, Margaret Graham.

Downley Village Festival 2015 by Margaret Graham4

We have a fun run, art workshop, ceilidh band, and our very own scarecrow competition back by popular demand. Come and enjoy what we have to offer.
http://festival.downley.org/

 

 

The Words for the Wounded Litfest – Review by Pat Heath

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What a brilliant day at Downley Community Centre, 18th April 2015.

This inaugural one-day opportunity for new and established writers, and for readers, did what it said on the packet. We laughed with, learned from, and mingled amongst, experts in the world of writing at the Words for the Wounded (WforW) LitFest. It was organised by the ‘Writing Grannies’ who run the charity.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heath

To open the day, Matt Pain, Trustee, reminded us that the average age of wounded soldiers is 25 years old, which proved thought provoking.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathwelcome

Margaret Graham (‘writing grannie’) and Katie Fforde (WforW patron) opened the day with conversazione. These two bestselling authors covered key aspects of fiction writing, including sub-plots, the need to inhabit your characters and how to deal with a ‘soggy middle’. Something that troubles many of us – writers or not.

A massive amount of invaluable information was delivered with quick fire wit, during this hilarious and valuable session. Meg Cannell presented chocolates to Katie.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathkatiemegmg

After book signing and coffee it was time for some murder and mayhem, with two ‘Midsomer Murders’ TV writers, Rachel Cuperman and Sally Griffiths. Rachel and Sally explained the practical aspects of TV play-writing, punctuated with their own amusing anecdotes.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathrachelsally

Lunch followed, with wine and coffee, organised by Jan Speedie (‘writing grannie’), Margaret’s family and Josh Edwards. It was partially sponsored by Tesco, Morrison’s and Starbucks. A feast, it must be said, and the team did a fantastic job. Seamless.

Many authors choose the Independent Author publishing route and successful ‘Indie’ writers, Amanda Hatter and Catriona Troth, chaired by Penny Deacon, (writing grannie) described how to produce a high-quality self-published book,. This time Penny Deacon (writing grannie) chaired the session as Amanda gave many useful marketing tips, including how to penetrate large chains such as Waterstones, and Catriona explained the advantages of working as part of a writers’ collective, such as Triskele Books.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathcallum The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathtriskele

Felicity Trew, from Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency was introduced by Penny Deacon and gave a power-point presentation in which she explained the role of literary agents: negotiating publishing deals, making sure the contract protects current and future income opportunities, and chasing payments/royalties.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathpdprojector

She also advised on how writers should approach agents, using amusing spoof emails to illustrate her points, and she reminded the audience to check agent’s submission instructions. Her agency’s website has a useful list of ‘pet hates’ including applicants omitting the requested information and obvious ‘carpet bombing’ applications.

Felicity was at the LitFest all day, and was enormously generous with her time.

Finally, Jan Speedie introduced Penny Deacon who talked about why she ‘turned her back on romance and took to murder’. She compared her experiences of writing Mills and Boon to that of crime fiction. This was a relaxed and amusing end to an inspirational, funny, information-packed day.

The Words for the Wounded Litfest - Review by Pat Heathjan=pd

Prizes, donated by artist Sharon Bennett, Tesco, (Bollinger champagne) The Wellington, and Katie Fforde were raffled for WforW. Speakers were given boxes of chocolates, partially funded by Thornton’s and delegates were given books donated by Random House. Penny Gerrard made biscuits from heaven and Susan Atkins’ chocolate cake was seriously good.

One clever touch was the notepads and biros on every seat, for invaluable notetaking. Everything was so carefully thought out. It makes a difference.

Next year’s LitFest line up of speakers will include Elizabeth Buchan, bestselling author (patron of WforW) Jemima Hunt, Literary Agent, Catherine Balavage, e-magazine owner (Frost Magazine), and Tracy Baines, successful genre short story writer.

A total of £1,500 was raised by the inaugural LitFest for the rehabilitation of the wounded.

http://www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

 

 

 

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe

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Iain Rennie Hospice at Home service, provided by Rennie Grove Hospice Care, offers essential palliative and end-of-life care based around patients and their families, both day and night.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe

I know several people whose relatives have been nursed by these exemplary nurses and carers, nursed at home which is the wonderful concept of this charity.

One of their main fundraising arms is the charity shop. The Iain Rennie Hospice shop in Downley High Wycombe is just one of many. Downley is a village with a fantastic sense of community and a great deal going on, and is perched on the top of a hill to the west of High Wycombe, with a five minute walk to the Chiltern woods one side, and a twenty minute walk into town on the other.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe shopwindow

Mandy Dowling runs the shop with the help of invaluable volunteers and Mandy’s award winning window dressing is a lesson to us all.

 

Inside is an Aladdin’s cave of Charity Chic, all donated, so that Mandy is never sure what will be brought in, which is part of the fun of working in a charity shop.

 

I found amongst many other ‘buys’ a pair of shoes, New Look. £5.00. Just the thing for clubbing. Slightly out of my age range, but only slightly, I say, hopefully.

 

More appropriate perhaps is the Laura Ashley Jacket for £5.00.

 

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe lauraashley

I found two beautiful slender white vases for £2.00 each and photographed them beside a neat black bowl with white dots. Sophisticated with clean lines. Mandy and I put them on top of a glass fronted cabinet that had been sold to someone who is going to upcyle it, in a distressed style. It was only £20 and I can’t believe I missed it.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe twovases

Candle holders are my ‘thing’. These are often brought into the shop but these I left for someone else. I have no more room, and Dick would leave home if they came through the door. These are new, and priced at £4.00 each.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe candleholder

Christmas is coming and the shop is festive, with most of the decorations and Christmas bric a brac for sale. I found these little ‘friends’.

Smiley Face is £1.00, the glamour-puss bear is £2.00 and the book, The First Snow of Winter by Graham Ralph is a snip at 50p. (lovely book. I read it while I was standing there)

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe childrensgifts

Over the last few weeks, Mandy and her staff have been snaffling up cafetieres for the Words for the Wounded LitFest Day on 18th April. Look at my haul thus far. Priced at £3.00 each.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe cafetieries

And yes, there are those magical moments you hear about on Antiques Roadshow. Mandy tells me of a dusty old painting that came into the shop and which could have slipped through their hands. But a bit of a rub (much like the gennii’s lamp) and a name appeared – Victoria Crowe who Mandy googled. It sold on ebay for £500.

 

To make a donation to Rennie Grove Hospice Care: www.renniegrove.org/donate or to volunteer www.renniegrove.org/volunteer

For further information: www.renniegrove.org/standards 

 

There are so many more Aladdin’s Caves out there, doing good whichever way you look. The customers get a fabulous deal, and hours of fun browsing, and the charity gain much needed money. Contact us with tales of your favourite charity shops/stalls and the buys that have brought you pleasure. Contact margaret@margaret-graham.com