Gladys Falloon Editorial

Enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles with the team at Gladys Falloon on Friday 5th December on Henley’s Christmas late night shopping evening, and receive an amazing 10% discount on any purchase. They can provide you with fabulous gift ideas this Christmas. For elegant and cosy winter looks this season they stock lined leather and sheepskin gloves by Dents, in various colours from only £24.99 and warm and elegant pashminas, shawls & stoles by Devore. Guaranteed to catch your eye are both the new and versatile range of jewellery by Isle of Bite and the fun-fur winter hats and matching jumpers by Zepla (ideal for skiing too). You can view the whole stunning autumn/winter range of fashion including suede trousers & skirt suits by Verse at very competitive prices and for more formal occasions and winter weddings they have Rose Belind “fascinators”, which are beautiful hand made feathers decorated with crystal. Now available up to sizes XXL is the Italian lace collection from Ann Balloon. The Gladys Falloon team would like to thank all their customers for their support throughout 2003 and look forward to seeing them all on Friday evening.

Business Feature - Town & Country Tyres

“Excellent” “Brilliant”, “Fast and friendly”……….. This is what their customers have remarked on questionnaires at Town and Country tyres within just the last few months.

Town and Country tyres are a reputable and recommended family run business that has been serving the community of Henley and her surrounding areas for almost 17 years. They are well known for their professional service, competitive rates and the high level of repeat business speaks volumes.

At the front of this service helm is David Yeo, the manager, who deals initially with most of the major mechanical enquiries. He is supported in the day-to-day running by his assistant manager Daniel Lunnon, and fully trained tyre- fitter John Roberts.

Offering a full service (apart from MOT), and friendly service, after 16 years in the area Town and Country have dealt with all manner of tyres from wheelbarrows to Ferrari. They supply and fit all makes and models of tyres, including high performance and 4X4. Keen to please, they have been known to assist with pumping up tyres and checking tyre pressure. A welcomed addition to extended service is the arrival of their fully equipped Mobile Call Out Van, due at the end of this month. This will enable them to come to you regardless of whether you are at home, or at the office. Saving you valuable time and effort.

Town & Country tyres are approved by all the major lease companies including Lloyds TSB and Leaseplan and trade accounts and they pride themselves on being female friendly. You can expect open honest advice, and they do not expect you to know everything about mechanics or tyres, they are happy to explain in plain English any procedures, prices and services.

They are offering a November Winter Check which includes testing and checking, Engine water and oils, Brakes level fluids, Exhaust condition check, antifreeze strength, windscreen and windscreen and wiper blades, tyres, battery condition check, brake condition check, steering and suspension.

You will be delighted with the service, the ease of parking, and of course the competitive quotes and prices as they endeavour to offer the best possible prices.

A.D. Salon. Henley On Thames . Advertorial

HEADQUARTERS IS CHANGING TO A.D. SALON....Exciting changes are ahead at Headquarters; Liz Agar is acting as both mentor and advisor, as she hands over the reins to the new ownership and management to AD Salon to Angelo, who leads the look and team with the support of experienced head-technician Karen. Between them they have over 50 year’s professional hairdressing experience. They are also proud to have on board Natalie a qualified stylist who specialises in hair extensions using 100% natural European hair and Andrea who, as the youngest member of this team, has impressed both staff and clients alike having shown total and enthusiastic commitment to hairdressing which has enabled him to fully qualify as a stylist this summer.

AD Salon is more than just a cut and blow dry, here you have an approachable, experienced and dedicated team within a fresh and modern environment who offer a relaxed, creative and highly professional service with competitive and affordable prices. Take advantage of their amazing special introductory discount of 50% OFF any full cut and style. You will know you are in safe hands, with a FREE CONSULTATION. Here the team can answer any hair questions, advise on cut and colours to suit your individual style and hair type and help you update your look making. Professional products support comes in the shape of L’Oreal.

Refreshments are served all day, but if you fancy something more exciting let them spoil you with a complimentary wine or glass of lager after 2pm daily.

Opening times – 6 days a week
Monday/ Tuesday /Saturday 8.30am – 5.30pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 7.00pm
Thursday 8.30am – 8.30pm
Friday 8.30pm - 5.30pm

Highly qualified technicians
Students under 21 – 20% discount
10% discount when you book two services on the same day

The Angel on the Bridge. Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire

Brrrrrr, mid October and the evening weather has changed from a convivial late summer breeze into a definite hardy Autumnal chill. Following a short and breath snapping walk along the river in Henley, my partner and I were especially glad to finally reach the glowing lights at The Angel on the Bridge River Restaurant. Stepping inside we removed gloves and scarves, to find it warm, inviting and friendly and before you know it we were perched merrily at the bar, glass of wine in hand, ravenously appraising the menu to the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald.
This restaurant is welcoming and homely with deep berry-red walls, and snow white linen, each table having a pretty candlelit glass lanterns and a posy of fresh flowers. Out of the window we enjoyed the moving riverscape and were delighted when we were entertained by a softly lit Dragon Boat out on the river in full practise – only in Henley!
Whilst the restaurant can be as intimate as required, the Angel also offers booths with huge sociable tables for larger groups or families. The well planned menu here changes every few months. Offers excellent choices and accommodates meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians alike. Starters are all offered at £5pp and offer dishes such as a parmesan salad, devilled whitebait, lemon and granary bread or perhaps roasted jerk chicken wings with cucumber yogurt. After much deliberation I opted for whole grilled flat mushrooms with pecorino cheese and sage. The mushrooms were so succulent, the heat making the Italian cheese continue to melt beautifully and the two textures together were delicious. My partner went for the more spicy sounding Chilean prawn piri-piri with caper berries, which arrived in an appealing simple terracotta earthenware dish; he declared them flavoursome and delectable. These are the perfect size starters, leaving you satisfied, yet anticipating the main course.
Seasonal warmers like Wild boar sausages, mashed potato and white onion sauce, Moules marinieres or Grilled swordfish steak with lemon, parsley and garlic the main courses are priced between £9 and £14pp and include vegetables or salad and potatoes. Wanting something hearty and rich, I immediately went for the calves liver, streaky bacon, and red onion marmalade, which was just perfect, the bacon welding the flavours together. My partner chose the leg of lamb steak with honey, redcurrant and fresh ginger, which he said was an interesting combination and promptly ate with great relish. We shared the side dishes of broccoli with cheese sauce, crispy noisette and new potatoes and salad. Although our hunger really had been satisfied, we were presented with the choices of dessert. Well… it would be rude not to! Even though I had congratulated myself on by-passing the Chocolate pudding, I was soon tackled and pulled down the Sticky toffee pudding as my partner gleefully ordered his favourite treacle tart, both with custard. Gorgeous, hot, puddings, real comfort food, just what the doctor ordered on a cold night!
Wandering back out into the wintry night we were now warmed to the bone, and full of good food. Henley no longer felt cold and bleak, but picturesque and charming once more.
The Angel on this bridge, is more than just a port in a storm on a cold wintry evening, it really is a haven of good food and divinely unpretentious surroundings where you can sit and share food and life with lovers and friends and catch up on the gossip. It has lots of spirit and is fortunate enough to be blessed with a heavenly atmosphere.

Fondue starts next week, Classic Swiss cheese £3.75 pp
Chicken or Beef £6.95 pp -Both served with new potatoes & salad and sauces -Chocolate & nut with shortcake and fruit £3.75 pp
New Years Eve party Arabian nights book early! Special -Bottle of house wine with every two main courses from Monday 27th Oct ordered from the main evening menu.

Odessey Health Club. Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire

Hot Stones Therapy at Odessey Health Club

The treatment rooms at Odyssey are warm, softly lit ,and smell gorgeous. With the soothing background music it wasn’t long before my working day had disappeared into a distant memory. The new Hot Stone therapy here was introduced from Arizona has been in use for over 2000 years. It is said to “opens up the energy centres of the mind and body, known as the Chakras, thus allowing a balance of individual chakras to be achieved. “Rebecca commenced the treatment by gently brushing my legs and arms, she then massaged warm oils to my body, creating a calm, safe and totally relaxed feeling.
After about 15 minutes she introduced the warm basalt stones, which had been gently heating up in a water bath. These stones are said to “bring about an increase in heart rate and respiration as well as increasing the supply of blood to the muscles and organs removing waste products”.
First of all to my shoulders and back, by my feet and during the therapy, laid softly into the palm of my hands. She massaged my back, and traced with the stones the tight muscle groups that had collected in my shoulders and base of my neck, loosening the muscles and relieving tension. Next, the other side; turning over I had the stones placed underneath my waist, at the point of my Sacral, and at the base of my neck.
Feeling very comfortable I experienced a deeply therapeutic feeling as the warmth slowly and gently seeped through my body during this slow, languorous treatment. I then felt her place smaller stones on my forehead above and between my eyebrows, on my collarbones and shoulders and larger warm stones on my abdomen. Then most surprisingly (and for me powerfully relaxing), between each of my toes –.this produced an amazing feeling of energies opening, and I felt like I was dropping into the earth. It was very profound.
Rebecca having massaged me to heaven, then gave me an amazing facial massage, stroking the skin up and down, and the tracing my temples with tiny stones in small circular movements, then taking them gently into the hairline like a head massage sending my mind and body floating into outer space. I was able to fell a total lightness in my whole body and Rebecca tuning into my energies. In a warm, safe and comforting space, a state of deep relaxation was achieved, a treatment that is enveloping, spiritual and unforgettable. The effect is similar to a combination of massage and sauna, without having to move anywhere in fact I would say it is like going to heaven and coming back in time for supper! Telephone Odyssey for details on 01491

Pantomime Review. Puss In Boots

A new world record was set at the Kenton Theatre with Mike Hurst’s’ Pantomime production of Puss In Boots performed by 23 of his own relatives, his children, the in-laws, grandchildren and his wife, as they raised money to donate to this Henley On Thames theatre - the 3rd oldest in the country.

As the curtain opened, the magic began as we were transported very rapidly back to ‘ye olde days’ and met almost the entire cast in a swinging singing opening chorus, setting the style, pace and level of corny jokes early on in the production. We journeyed with Puss, and (Muffin) takes the cast and audience through scene to scene in as the story unfolded, about a poor man who is given a cat by his father.

The talking cat helps his master by gaining the King’s favour. First, he catches a rabbit, and takes it to the King saying it is a gift from his master. Then, by cunning, he manages to get some fine clothes, and finally a castle. The King is convinced Puss in Boots master is worthy of his daughters hand, and the tale ends with the accepted wedding proposal. The costumes, songs, and atmosphere were created with the children of the audience in mind, and the jokes were definitely to tickle the adults, as our subject matter started with Kinky Boots, weapons of mass destruction, political puns and fox hunting are all subject matter for Mike’s hilarious, yet traditionally corny script. Transformation scene from a giant to a mouse included pyrotechnics. Mikes older children, and in laws were cast in the main character parts, and between them they played the stronger parts of the show with humour, and continuous laughs were introduced by the three peasants, who were dragged onto staged.

‘The fleas’ were played by the grandchildren, whose ages ranged from 2 – 6, who undoubtedly stole the show, with their sparkly costumes, and endearing rendition of ‘underneath the armpits’. The Giant – was brilliant, with a character that filled the stage. Mike Hurst has retained a traditional Pantomime story, updated it with modern giggles, and did not miss a single opportunity to make the most of the talents of the cast.

It is obvious that there were a few nervous faces, but the hours of practise shone through for this talented, comical, and versatile family performance that never lost its own sense of humour. Between them, they performed an exuberant and hilarious Pantomime, and it is evident from the delighted reception that the packed audience gave them, that the magic really shone through. No doubt after all the thigh slapping for this family onstage, there followed lots of back-patting over the opening of their Christmas presents.