Editor's Blog

When is unloading not unloading in Windsor?

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:22:00 GMT

I ask this question because I recently had a parking ticket from the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. I was parked outside the Windsor Theatre Royal unloading 200 copies of magazines and two stands. My hazard lights were on. I took the stands downstairs and unloaded half the magazines, with the permission of staff. I then proceeded to unload the magazines into the stand upstairs - big mistake. I returned to my car seven minutes later with a notice saying I had been parked illegally. An attendant had apparently been watching my car for six minutes and could not even be bothered to glance into the foyer of the theatre where he would have seen what was going on.

I duly appealed, offering witnesses from the theatre who would testify that I was indeed unloading. When I did not hear anything after 14 days, I called again and was told a letter was in the post. Surprise, surprise, it never arrived. I called the council. My appeal was turned down. I was emailed a standard letter saying I was parked in a loading bay without loading. No one had even bothered to read my appeal! I then had to email again, asking how I could begin a formal appeal. I was told my original ticket had to expire before I could be issued one.

So, I now await an opportunity to be allowed to appeal. I will ofcourse be sumitting letters from witnesses, but this really isn't the point. As a council tax payer I just can't believ the bureaucracy, the time and the money that is wasted on petty issues such as this.

I suspect that in difficult economic times the council wants to raise money by any means - fair or foul - and that wardens are told to issue as many tickets as they can. The appeals procedure is made so long-winded so as to discourage anyone from seeking redress. My dealings to date make me question carrying on with the appeal, but a principle is at stake and I'm not going to be brow beaten. I shall continue with the appeal so watch this space! I'd love to hear from anyone else in a similar position. I'm sure I'm not alone in my low estimation of petty bureaucy.

Leslie Caron

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:09:00 GMT

Well, Ms Caron was every bit as poised and graceful as I thought she would be. I sat next to her at the luncheon at Cliveden and we chattted happily about all sorts.She was particularly critical of French employment laws which she has encountered during her time as a hotelier. Apparently even when an employee resigns you have to pay them for the next three months. Sadly she is selling her hotel as it is not viable in the economic climate.

A hushed audience loved her tales of Hollywood and working with legends such as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Sadly the luncheon over ran and many people had to rush off - a great shame. Nevertheless a super event.

My meeting with a Hollywood legend

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:16:00 GMT

Not many dancers can say they have danced with Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev but the legend that is Leslie Caron has - and , what's more - I'm interviewing her on Monday at Cliveden. The Hollywood actress, who has starred in such films as Gigi and An American in Paris, was one of the most famous Hollywood musical stars in the 1950s. It's bound to be a fascinating meeting. She is in this country to promote her autobiography and I was asked to interview her at a literary lunch organised by Waterstones. I'll let you know how I get on.....

Lunch with Sir John Madejski

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:11:00 GMT

Off to lunch with the knight of Reading today at his lovely restaurant The Leathern Bottel at Goring. Hope we don't have to talk about football - I know nothing. He's also agree to do a photo shoot for our November cover. Hope the sun shines!

Tea and cake with Donna Karan

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:37:00 GMT

Well actually it was with a delightful person called Antonia Timpany in Sunninghill. But she deserves all the publcity she can get, so I'm unashamedly giving her a plug for her new business. She's opening a dress agency tomorrow that sells pre-owned designer clothes and accessories and it's a great shop. Well worth a visit to take a look at her (unworn) Jimmy Choos and Alexander McQueen handbag. Good luck Antonia.

Chilling with Sir Steve Redgrave

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:14:00 GMT

I spent Monday morning at the Compleat Angler in Marlow with one of the greatest althletes of all time and what an enjoyable experience it was. I thought that someone so utterly focussed might be a bit intense but he was so relaxed and 'normal' and we had a good laugh about families etc. It turns out that he utterly loathed training and doesn't even miss not doing lots of sport. He really only plays golf for the social side of things and enjoys cycling along the Thames Path. You'd think he'd have had enough of the river wouldn't you? You can read the full interview in November's issue, out on October 25.

Upcycling in Ascot

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:37:00 GMT

I was invited to a great fun event last night by Linda Yong and the crew at Twin Cheeks in Ascot. The idea was that you went along a chose a dress from th many on display. Many of these were no longer fashionable but with a little judicious tweeking they could be revamped and made to look a la mode. Over 200 women came to the first 'upcycling' evening with more surely following today. Fabulous outfits for a fraction of the cost - what could be better!?

Fired up and ready to go!

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:38:00 GMT

Where has the summer gone? I can't believe I've neglected my blog for six weeks! Forgive me, do, but I've been so busy putting together an even bigger, brighter and better magazine. As most of you will know by now, Berkshire Life has joined forces with Buckinghamshire Life and, judging by the comments and emails I've received, you agree that our current issue is probably the best yet! I've had so much positive feedback that it's really exciting. So thank you to everyone who has emailed me and I hope you'll enjoy our October issue as much.

In between speaking to you in July and now, my son has passed his driving test, we've bought an adorable dog called Indy (a shi'tsu) and I've arranged interviews with Sir Steve Redgrave and, hopefully, Lawrence Dallaglio, and have been in talks about a writers' competition. We're planning fabulous offers with WASPS rugby club and an exciting partnership with Windsor Contemporary Art Fair. Next month, we'll be publishing our very own 'Rich List' and there'll be more fascinating features on heritage, wildlife - we have some wonderful images to share - and food. I'll keep you posted, but for now, I'm off to walk the dog in Windsor Great Park.

Two fire engines at my house!

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:59:00 GMT

Let me apologise to any of my neighbours who were woken by the sirens of two fire engines at my house last night. At 10.30pm all teh lights went out and when to the garage to check on the fuse box, smoke came pouring out.

A quick 999 and about 15 minutes later two crews, one from Ascot Firestation and the other from Bracknell turned up. The cabling had overheated and was melting the outer casing. Not only that, but it was near to teh gas supply so it needed cooling down pretty quickly. They made the overheated electrics safe and called the electricty company who came out 90 minutes later. By 2.30am the lights came back on and we all went to bed. That was quite enough excitement for one day!!

Thanks to the firecrews for their speedy and calming service. They do a great job and it's reassuring to know they're there in times of crisis!

Russell Crowe

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:04:00 GMT

If you go down to Virginia Water Lake at the moment you'll see a most extraordinary sight! A castle has sprung up on the shore. What's more, there's a galleon anchored there too! And the reason? Ridley Scott is filming his latest blockbuster there - starring none other than Russel Crowe. What's the film? Robin Hood would you believe, which Mr Crowe playing our eponymous hero. The film comes out next May - save me a seat!

Hugh Grant

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:38:00 GMT

I went with some other mothers from Hurst Lodge School in Ascot to the Belvedere Arms for an end of year meal and to our great delight we found Hugh Grant was eating there too.

Throughout the evening several people came up to him and started chatting. He even posed for photos. Someone asked him if he was on facebook too. We all felt very sorry for him.It must be very difficult wanting to go out for a quiet drink with a friend and being mobbed. Then again, if he hadn't wanted to be noticed, he would have stayed clear of one of the area's most popular nightspots I suppose!

Dancing with Craig Revel Horwood

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:37:00 GMT

A lot of people got rather excited the other day when I told them I was going to interview CRH at The Watermill at Bagnor. The Strictly Come dancing judge may have a reputation for being a harsh critic but he's got a winning smile and has a big fan base. He's directing two shows at the theatre this summer and has fallen in love with West Berkshire. See how we got on in our July issue, out on June 25.

A weekend in Paris

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:53:00 GMT

I've just spent the most marvellous long weekend in Paris. It was my birthday and my wonderful husband whisked me off for a romantic two nights. We were carried away by the charm and sheer joie de vivre of the entire place so I am, I admit, looking throught rose-coloured spectacles when I say that Paris really has London beaten when it comes to character. It was so wonderful to walk down the boulevards and see such a variety of shops and restaurants. Admittedly there were some chains and far too many fast food outlets like Subway, but nothing like as many as in England.Our high streets are becoming complete clone tones, with the same chain stores everywhere you go. Bring back individuality and diversity! I'm afraid I think it's already too late to reverse the trend and I'm sure greedy commercial landlords have played their part in the dwnfall of the independent retailer and we have surely lost so much in the process. Appropriately, it was Napoleon who called us a nation of shopkeepers. Sadly I fear we are now a nation of chain stores!

Royal Windsor Horse Show

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:48:00 GMT

Went to the RWHS again and bumped into Alan Titchmarsh, who's making a documetnary called All the Queen's Horses. I also saw barry Humphries aka Dame Edna Everage. He was dressed very sensibly in waterproof coat and large hat - no sign of make-up or glasses!

The Hotel Inspector

tessa.harris@archant.co.uk — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:46:00 GMT

If, like me, you love Channel 5's hit series The Hotel Inspector, then you'll be interested to know that I was invited behind the scenes last week as the TV crew, together with presenter Alex Polizzi, gave a boat moored at Mapledurham a make-over.

Andy and Bonny Cowley are the charming couple who have turned The African Queen into a hotel and restaurant, but business had been a little slow, so they called in the experts to see if they could get a boost.

I was contacted by the production team to see if I'd be interested in giving the 'boatel' some much needed publicity, which of course I was happy to do.

I was one of a number of invited guests who enjoyed an evening's cruise followed by an impresive dinner cooked by Bonny.We all had a very enjoyable time as the cameras rolled. The episode will probably be screened in July and you can read all about it in either the July or August issue of Berkshire & Chilterns Life.