Born and bred in High Wycombe, Justine Hart travelled to Senegal in 1998, an experience that changed her life. With a musical family background, she was already a guitarist and singer, but she fell in love with the exciting and powerful drumming rhythms of West Africa, where music and dance are a part of everyday life.
She bought her first djembe (a goblet-shaped hand drum) in Senegal and, over time, has built her collection to more than 100 drums, including dunduns — the melodic bass drums traditionally played alongside the djembe.
Since starting a drumming group in High Wycombe in 1998, Justine became fully self-employed ten years later. She now teaches evening classes and also leads workshops in schools, care homes, Scouts and Brownie groups, youth clubs, corporate team-building sessions, parties, events and SEND settings. Her classes are taught in a circle formation, reflecting the traditional communal style of West African drumming.
Justine’s Tuesday and Wednesday evening drumming classes, from 6.30pm–8pm, run year-round during both term time and holidays. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Sessions cost from £11 and include all equipment. She also runs dance classes accompanied by live djembe and dundun drumming.
You can see her group, Hartbeats Drummers, performing at the WhizzFizz event at the Eden Centre on Saturday, 29th August, from 11am–3.30pm.
For more information, visit hartbeats.co.uk.
Mike About Town
Is this the best fish and chips in High Wycombe? It might be. During Lent I was looking for a good fish and chips place to try, so I gave Tummy Fillers on the A40 a go. It’s a proper local fish and chip shop with plenty of history behind it. Jivan has owned the shop for 33 years, and you can tell it’s been built up over time through hard work and experience.
It originally started as a sandwich bar and bakery, but when local supermarket chains began selling cakes and pastries, the business changed direction and focused on fish and chips. Since then, the shop has expanded and become a familiar spot for locals.
The food was tasty, fresh, and good quality, exactly what you want from a traditional chip shop. You can also order on Deliveroo. There’s a friendly, established feel to the place, and it’s clear there’s real pride in serving the Wycombe community. Overall, it’s a nostalgic takeaway.
NB A correction: Downley Voices choir now meet at 8pm on Thursday evenings at St James’ Church in Downley, not Sunnybank Church.
