D
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Established
HLY NT O M BI-
2008
N O RT H E D I T I O N | M AY / J U N E 2 02 1
PUZZLES INSIDE
LOOK GOOD & STAY SAFE with The Batt House’s Claire Battista
ASPIRE HEALTH & FITNESS Banish those extra lockdown pounds
YO U R LO CA L M AG A Z I N E F O R : M O R P E T H
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WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE Welcome to the North edition of ABC, your bi-monthly local magazine. ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Bedlington, Cramlington and Morpeth. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information. Interested in advertising in ABC? Please call Richard on 07526 522272 or email info@yourabc.co.uk Published by: ABC Magazines, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL @yourabc
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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other clause. R Wilson Advertising does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.
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5
ADVERTISING FEATURE
ASPIRE HEALTH & FITNESS
The new owners at Aspire are ready to welcome you back to their newly refurbished Morpeth town centre gym If you’re looking to join a gym to rid yourself of any lockdown weight gain, then Aspire Health and Fitness can’t wait to welcome you in. Based on Newgate Street in the heart of Morpeth, Aspire Health and Fitness is a family business, owned and ran by Wayne and Christine. The couple, both from an Information Technology (IT) background, have always had a keen interest in fitness and wellbeing. Having looked at becoming part of the Business Community in the Morpeth area for a few years, when the gym that Wayne already trained in came up for sale last year, they seized the opportunity, and turned a hobby and a passion into reality. Their aim is to make sure that every visit to the gym is a friendly, positive experience. A gym for all ages, genders, ethnicity, and all levels of fitness, with current members ranging from teens right the way through to their eldest members in their eighties. We all know the year has been a real challenge for everyone. However Wayne and Christine took advantage of their enforced closure and, having bought the business just as lockdown was announced, they took the opportunity to refurbish the gym while it was closed – and the feedback so far has been very
positive. The gym boasts a cardio room which includes treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machine, bikes and a stretch/warm up area with small weights, bar, kettle bells, resistance bands to mention just a few. The main gym is fully equipped with a great variety of machines including cable machines and a large free weights section to train all parts of the body. If you are looking to work off those extra lockdown pounds, tone up, or if you just want to improve your level of fitness you can try one of their Training Programmes. From a simple one-off session, through to a more challenging 8 week plan, the programmes include exercise instruction and nutrition information. Both plans would be provided by our gym apprentice Amy who is currently working towards her Personal Training Level 3 Diploma at Newcastle College. They also have Personal Trainers available to book
Christine and Wayne 6
should this be your preferred option to assist in meeting your fitness goals. There are various membership options available including single sessions, weekly and monthly memberships, a Pay As You Go card with 10 pre-paid sessions offering more flexibility, as well as monthly Direct Debit and yearly memberships. There are no joining fees or minimum term contracts. Wayne, Christine and all the team are very conscious of keeping the gym as covid safe as possible with hand sanitisers, disinfectant and towels around all areas of the gym and members are asked to wipe down equipment before and after use. Whilst a lot of us have got used to either working out from our homes or outdoors, there is nothing like training in a proper gym, with high quality equipment and professional trainers on hand to ensure you get the most out of your workouts. So why not pop in and have a look around Aspire Health and Fitness and see for yourself the facilities on offer. ▪ Aspire Health & Fitness, 76 Newgate St, Morpeth NE61 1BQ Tel: 01670 457494 Facebook: @AspireHFMorpeth
WELCOME BACK TO CHOPPINGTON SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRE OON
N
COMING S
WHAT’S O
LITTLE SHOOTERS JUNIOR FOOTBALL TRAINING SESSIONS A great place for 4 to 6 year olds to learn basic football skills & drills amongst a friendly group of kids & qualified Trainers. They can advance into playing competitively in one of the junior teams. If the older brothers or sisters as well as the mums & dads want to participate there are teams from the under 7’s up to 40 years old.
Contact Marc the Coach on 07855 954783 for more info.
CARPET BOWLS Wednesdays 7pm to 9.30pm Part of the centre for over 30 years. A very friendly group of people, some of whom have played Bowls at the highest level for County & league competitions. They have also raised thousands of pounds over the years to donate to various charities. Come along and learn the skill attached to Carpet Bowling from some of the best Bowlers of their time. Contact the centre
PILATES CLASS Thursdays 6pm - 7pm With Gill Glass. Enjoy this popular way of exercising and help losing those few extra pounds put on during the Pandemic Lockdown with the aim of getting fit. Call 07742 885165 to book your place.
TO HELP US KEEP EVERYONE SAFE, ALL ACTIVITIES MUST BE PRE-BOOKED. Limited numbers can attend each session. COVID rules must be adhered to. Contact details for Track & Trace are required and a mask or visor must be worn in the centre.
For more information or to book an activity call Neal on Email:
Lots more activities and groups will be restarting soon when COVID restrictions allow, see the list below. Please look out for posters and adverts or keep checking with the centre for updates:
• • •
Line Dance Group 3 x sessions a week Junior Line dance class Community Choir Wansbeck Voices (Male & Female Members welcome) Card Craft Classes Sequence Dance Groups 2 x sessions each week Computer Group Monday Evening Computer for Beginners Computer Drop in Session Weds afternoon Computer Fault Finding session Snooker Room Table Bookings (booking a table is a must) Veterans Snooker Groups x 2 Local History Group Indian Head Massage sessions Cake Decorating Classes Art Class sessions for Beginners Printing your Digital Photographs Photo Frame Making • Table Tennis Group Badminton Group • Volley Ball Group Martial Arts Training • Yoga Sessions
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
?
Is there an activity you’d like to participate in but can’t find a location offering it? Contact us and we’ll see if we can make it happen!
Also, if you have the skills to help run any of the activities listed above or something new - please get in touch!
01670 822 028
neal@choppington.org
BECOME A MEMBER £5 PER YEAR OR £4 FOR OAP & JUNIOR
Choppington Social Welfare Centre, Fernlea Drive, Scotland Gate, Choppington NE62 5SS
CROSSWORD Across 1 Rip-off, hoax (4) 4 Twirling (8) 8 Foetus (6) 9 Be angry about (6) 10 Circle (4) 11 Striped feline (5,3) 13 Monty Python's, ____ __ Brian (4,2) 15 Native American home (6) 17 Another word for aubergine (8) 20 Small round salty cracker (4) 21 Cavern, den (6) 23 Womb (6) 24 Supply, material (8) 25 Seize, grab (4) Down 2 Mixing (9) 3 Phenomenon (7) 4 Crow, flaunt (5) 5 Welsh_______, cheese on toast (7) 6 Delicious (5) 7 Female member of religious order (3) 12 Dumbfounded (9) 14 The essence of a food (7) 16 Ardent, impassioned (7) 18 Paved garden area (5) 19 Accord, amnesty (5) 22 Fish eggs (3)
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Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.
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WORD SEARCH Can you find all of the explorers hidden in the grid? Amundsen Barbosa Bass Boone Cabot Cartier
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JON’S HANDYMAN
• • • • • • • •
& PLUMBING SERVICE Plumbing: leaks, radiator, taps, toilets, showers, outside taps Carpentry: In & Outdoor Assembling of flatpack furniture Stair Rails Fitting of door/security locks & door handles Home Improvements Moving furniture within the home Any general repairs - please don’t be afraid to ask
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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
OFFSETTING ‘BRAIN DRAIN’ DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS WITH THE ARTS Embracing the ARTS during school breaks to boost emotional well-being and prevent academic backslide By Jennifer Diaz, Director, Turpentyne Ltd
Lockdown number three has come and gone… Our children have been at school off and on for a full year and have lost an uncalculatable amount of academic progress. It has been observed that when children experience less regular academic stimulation during an extended absence from school, their knowledge retention can be adversely affected. Experts often refer to this phenomenon as an academic backslide, yet many of us in the teaching profession refer to it colloquially as “brain drain”. As both an educator and a parent, I am of the mind to do everything in my power to ensure that my children succeed despite this lost school year. However, I am also concerned about the potential to create further stress and emotional distress for my children who have weathered the past 14 months with extraordinary patience and smiling faces. It is so very tempting to allow our children to spend their school breaks camped out in front of their game console or television… They certainly have earned a chance to relax. But a summer of screens does them little good. After a year of disruption, our children can ill afford 6 weeks of the dreaded summer “brain drain”. This is why it is so important that we supply our children with engaging activities that help them to grow their minds whilst having fun. Studies have shown that an effective organic way to enrich our children’s academic performance is through
the arts. Painting, drawing, sculpting, music, drama, and dance, all create opportunities for our children to think creatively and critically. Additionally, the arts help our children to develop a growth mindset where they can develop skills like resilience, tenacity, and the ability to find motivation intrinsically as they master their craft. Participation in the arts is a complex and multifaceted endeavour that combines many subject matters (like mathematics, history, language, and science) while being uniquely tied to culture. The arts are the perfect link between ALL subject matters, and an excellent delivery system for academic concepts. Brilliant examples are the correlation between drawing and geometry, or the link between playing a musical instrument and having a practical understanding of sound waves and the science of acoustics. For my family, this summer more than ever before, we are making involvement in the arts an absolute priority to enrich our children’s academic and emotional wellbeing. Albert Einstein is attributed to have said "creativity is intelligence having fun". Not being one to argue with genius… I say, let us encourage our kids to express theirs! ■ www.turpentyne.com
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ADVERTISING FE ATURE
BOOKING A STAYCATION? TRY CRAWFORD HOUSE With 2021 being labelled the year for staycations in the UK, we have the perfect cosy getaway, Crawford House in Morpeth, Northumberland. Crawford House is a two bedroom holiday home situated alongside the River Wansbeck. We are Lisa and Mark and we started up Crawford House in the autumn of 2019, after moving out of the home due to our little family expanding. At the time we decided to keep the house on as a holiday home instead of selling, to see if we enjoyed the experience of being holiday home owners. Fast forward 18 months and, despite the pandemic, we still love the joys Crawford House brings us. We have spoken to, and met some lovely guests over that time, and have had the pleasure of sharing our home with them. We strive to ensure our guests have a 5 star experience when they come to stay with us, and the testimonials on our website demonstrate how our guests feel about their stay with us. Morpeth is a great location to base yourself if you are wishing to explore what the rest of Northumberland has to offer you. Crawford House is perfect for those who want a good mix
of urban and rural experiences on their holiday. Morpeth has some great shops, restaurants, and bars to enjoy. Crawford House is a 10 minute walk from Morpeth town centre, the train station and bus station. Although we have two bedrooms, we have the option to facilitate up to 6 guests, as we have a sofa bed available in the living space. The bedrooms feature a double bed in the main bedroom with two single beds in the twin room. You will find a smart TV with Netflix and Disney plus subscriptions included as standard for all our guests to enjoy. All linen, towels etc. are provided for our guests at no extra cost. We also have a travel cot and highchair for use by your little ones. Crawford House is a dog friendly property, as we love to have your canine fiends as our guests too, at no extra charge. The garden is fully secured so you have confidence in knowing the dogs are safe when you let them out to explore our outdoor space. Morpeth and
Northumberland have some great places to go with your dog, including a few pubs and cafés in the town of Morpeth itself. We have all been apart from our family and friends for just over a year now and, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will meet again. When that time comes, and it is safe to do so, think about Crawford House as a place for family and friends to stay if they do not live local to the area. Our prices start from a £80 per night to book out the whole property and we operate a loyalty scheme where all returning guests get 10% of their next stay as a thank you for choosing us. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook, @crawfordhousene. We do exclusive discounts for our followers on social media and run regular giveaways, including free stays and vouchers. Look us up if you want to be in with the chance to win a free night.
For more information, visit www.crawfordhouse.co.uk 12 12
READY FOR YOUR UK STAYCATION?
Crawford House is a cosy two bedroom holiday home in Morpeth, Northumberland. If you are looking for a home from home for a break, we have got you covered. Morpeth is a great place to stay to explore the rest of Northumberland from, there are great attractions close by and stunning beaches to enjoy all year round. • • • • • • • • •
Sleeps 6 people: Double Room, Twin Room & Sofa bed available Pets allowed; they stay for free Travel cot and highchair available for the little ones. Smart TVs with Netflix and Disney Plus as standard Secure Back Garden with BBQ and Patio Furniture All bed linen, towels and kitchen amenities included Free Parking Located 15 minutes from Morpeth Train and Bus Station COVID Secure with enhanced cleaning between guests
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK
for a chance to win free night stays at Crawford House as well as exclusive discounts off future stays.
@crawfordhousene
BOOK YOUR NEXT UK BREAK AT CRAWFORD HOUSE Prices start from £80 a night, no minimum night stay required. 10% discount on stays longer than 4 nights and 20% discount on stays longer than 10 nights.
Email: info@crawfordhouse.co.uk Telephone: 01670 516214 Mobile: 07919 332173
www.crawfordhouse.co.uk
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Working safely throughout Covid19
LO CA L N E W S
INDOOR EXERCISE CLASSES MAKE A WELCOME RETURN Active Northumberland is pleased to welcome customers back to indoor group exercise classes following the further easing of lockdown restrictions. The opening of indoor facilities was another milestone towards normality, and fitness instructors are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new back into the centres to pick up their exercise routines. Customers are being invited to book online, via the Active Northumberland website or app, to secure a place on their favourite class. Members can book 14 days in advance and non-members can make bookings up to seven days in advance. Booking is essential as numbers will be reduced to ensure social distancing. For this reason, the exercise classes will only be resuming in the nine key sports centres: Ashington, Blyth, Concordia, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Riverside in Morpeth, The Swan Centre in Berwick, Wentworth in Hexham and Willowburn in Alnwick. Classes include dancercise, Pilates, spinning, yoga, HIIT, Circuits, Body Pump, Body Balance and much more so there is plenty of choice available. Timetables for each centre can be found on the Active Northumberland website www.activenorthumberland. org.uk Mark Warnes, Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: “While the doors to our sports and leisure centres re-opened in April, under the new government regulations, re-opening has been phased, with initially only gym and swimming sessions permitted. From May 17, once again our customers have been able to enjoy the fantastic range of exercise classes that we lay on for all ages and abilities. We have a great team of experienced fitness instructors who are excited to get back to their job of helping people to get fit and enjoy the many benefits that exercise brings.” For those who are unable to get back to their local sports centre, Active Northumberland has launched a new online fitness experience which brings professional group exercise classes to your home. With the help of the latest technology, the new Active at Home sessions allow you to join the fitness team at Active Northumberland for your favourite exercise classes either live or on-demand. The monthly subscription of £7.99 offers fantastic value for money, launching with over 20 live classes a week and access to workouts you can do at a time convenient to you. For further information on timetables and how to join go to https://bit.ly/ANactiveathome
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E N TE RTAIN M E N T
FILM REVIEWS THE MISFITS Richard Pace (Pierce Brosnan), a master craftsman and notorious criminal, is being sought out by a group of misfits. The Prince (Rami Jaber), Hope (Hermione Corfield), Violet (Jamie Chung), Wick (Mike D. Angelo), and Ringo (Nick Cannon) are convinced that Pace can and will assist them in a gold heist with consequences that will affect their lives and millions of others. Armed with a con artist, a martial arts master, a robber, and a bomb expert, the group concoct an elaborate plan to sneak into one of the most heavily guarded places on earth. And Pace agrees to join them, but only if he gets to travel first class. Pierce Brosnan rose to prominence through his roles in the secret agent franchise ‘James Bond’. This film, which might signify his gradual comeback to the world of action movies, is set primarily in the Middle East. Its principal photography took place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Los Angeles and was completed before the pandemic. ‘The Misfits’ is packed with shots of Dubai’s skylines, car racing and explosions - great for fans of suspense-filled action movies. With several big scenes shot in the Etihad towers, some sequences will remind viewers of ‘Fast and the Furious 7’ (2015), especially since it also features luxury sports cars and explosions. ‘The Misfits’ is rated 18 and set for release in theatres on June 11th. It will also be released on video-on-demand (VOD) 4 days after its theatrical release by Paramount.
LUCA Set in a seaside town on the Italian Riviera and surrounded by beautiful seascapes, ‘Luca’ is a comingof-age story about the titular boy. During an idyllic summer, Luca finds himself engaging in adventures filled with scooter rides, gelato and pasta with a newfound friend, Alberto. But all that fun is threatened by a looming secret they both keep from each other and the rest of the world. The release of ‘Luca’ this summer will mark Pixar’s 24th feature film and their first and only release for 2021, following ‘Soul’, which came out on Christmas Day last year. Luca is voiced by Jacob Tremblay while Jack Dylan Grazer voices Alberto. Emma Berman, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, and Jim Gaffigan are other big names in the voice cast. Dan Romer, an American music producer and singer-songwriter behind Oscarnominated scores like ‘Beasts of the Southern Wilds’, composed the score for ‘Luca ‘. Romer has also worked as a producer and collaborated with singers like Christina Aguilera and Shawn Mendes. Luca marks his first collaboration with Pixar. Enrico Casarosa’s directorial debut was initially scheduled for theatre viewing, but Disney has announced that the film will be released on its streaming service Disney+. So families who already subscribed to the streaming service will be able to enjoy the film over the summer, as the pandemic keeps cinemas restricted. The film’s teaser trailer was published online on 25th February and shows the impressive and lush CG animation we all expect from Pixar films. Luca will be released globally online via Disney+ on June 18th.
18
A GOOD READ By Willow Coby
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens
When a young man is found dead on the North Carolina coast the local police – and local residents – start looking for the culprit. It doesn’t take long before they turn their attention to Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl. But is she guilty of anything more than being an outsider? What follows is actually two stories intertwined. As the hunt for the murderer continues we learn of Kya’s life in the marsh. At the age of 6 she watched Ma walk away from their shack with a blue case and high heeled shoes. Though Kya waited, her mother never returned and over the following months her siblings left as well, leaving her alone with Pa. He was often drunk or absent, so it was up to Kya to survive, until he finally left when she was 10. To some extent, this is a coming-ofage story. It is an unforgettable novel; a celebration of nature and some of the most engaging parts are the descriptions of the marsh world through which Kya glides effortlessly in her canoe. It becomes a character in its own right. There is no denying that this novel will stay with you long after you finish it and feel as if you have been along the journey though the marsh with Kya.
A GOOD DAY FOR CLIMBING TREES by Jaco Jacobs Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too young to take a stand. Sometimes all it takes is one simple, spur of the moment decision, to change your life forever. Marnus was fed up. No one seemed to notice him. His older brother acts as if he is in charge, and his younger brother seems to know everything. But a single knock on the door, a petition, and a tree under threat, will ensure that everyone notices him. This charming novel from one of South Africa’s most popular and prolific children’s authors will hook you in straightaway. It will make you laugh and will make you think about grabbing those opportunities that life gives.
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RECIPES
ETON MESS
The simplest of desserts but possibly the best way to use succulent strawberries.
INGREDIENTS
Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: If making meringues allow 2 hr 30 mins plus cooling. Otherwise, no cooking time! Serves: 6
For the meringues (or you can use good quality shop-bought meringue nests) 175g caster sugar 1 thick lemon slice 3 egg whites, at room temperature 1 pinch salt To assemble the mess 500g ripe strawberries 50g caster sugar 450ml double cream 1 tbsp icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla paste Mint for garnish
METHOD
Meringues 1. Preheat the oven to 220C / gas 7. Line a baking tray and pour the sugar on to it then bake in the oven until it just begins to melt at the edges. Rub the inside of the mixing bowl with the lemon (this gets rid of any grease) and add the egg whites. Just before its time to take the sugar out of the oven, start whisking the whites at high speed. 2. Carefully tip the hot sugar and the salt into the fluffy foamy whites. Continue whisking until the mixture is cool, glossy and forms soft peaks. Lower the heat in the oven to 130C / gas ½. Heap dollops of meringue on to lined baking trays, making sure they are well spaced. Bake in the cool oven for about two and a half hours. Check after two hours. The outsides should be crisp and golden but not burned! Turn off the oven
and leave the meringues inside to cool completely. The mess 1. To prepare the strawberries: wash and hull the fruit, and slice into half or quarters. Aim for bite-size pieces. Place the strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle with the caster sugar, making sure all the strawberries are coated. Place in the fridge for half an hour until the fruit goes squidgy and leaks juices. 2. Set a third of the strawberry mixture on one side for later. Using a potato masher lightly crush the
rest into a chunky puree. Pour the double cream into a big bowl (it’s best if the bowl is cold). Sift in the icing sugar and the teaspoon of vanilla paste (not essence) and whip to soft peaks. 3. Roughly squash and break six of the meringues. Fold the pieces and the crushed strawberries into the whipped cream. Don’t mix too thoroughly. The red and white should be clearly distinct. 4. Leave in a big serving dish so people can help themselves, or spoon into tall glasses, topped with a sprig of mint.
STRAWBERRY, FETA & PINE NUT SALAD Berries, feta and sweet balsamic — perfect for sharing
20g Pine Nut Kernels • 120g Strong Wild Rocket • 300g strawberries, trimmed and quartered • 100g Greek Feta • 1tbsp balsamic glaze 1. 2.
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Put the pine nuts in a dry frying pan and toast over a medium heat until they turn golden. Layer the rocket on a serving platter. Top with the toasted pine nuts and strawberries, then crumble over the feta and season with a grind of black pepper. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze to serve.
Davidsons of Morpeth
Volkswagen Authorised Service Dealer Booking your Volkswagen with Davidsons is the surest way to have your car serviced, repaired & cared for by a knowledgeable expert to the highest standard from a family run company, striving for a flawless experience to our customers.
Service, Repairs, Warranty & MOT Call us today to book Davidsons of Morpeth Coopies Way, Morpeth, NE61 6JN
01670 512 115 www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth 23
ADVERTISING FE ATURE
LOOK GOOD, STAY SAFE
Claire Battista, Aesthetic Independent Nurse Prescriber and owner of The Batt House, discusses how to stay safe when considering an aesthetic treatment. There is a continuing rise in the popularity of injectable aesthetic treatments such as Botox and fillers. In the UK the aesthetics industry is completely unregulated, meaning anyone can set themselves up and offer these treatments to members of the public. It is important for members of the public to be aware of this and also to know that Botox is a prescription only medication and should only be administered by a Nurse Prescriber, Cosmetic Doctor or Dentist. At the Batt House we have seen a rise in patients asking for our help when they have undergone treatments carried out by people who are not qualified or registered healthcare professionals. Aesthetics treatments such as Dermal fillers and Botox are injectable treatments, which always carry an element of risk. It is so important when choosing a professional to carry out your treatment to ensure they have a medical qualification and the appropriate experience and training to ensure your safety. Medical professionals are trained and experienced professionals who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to take a fully comprehensive medical history, assess suitability of a patient for treatment, and manage any complications that may arise from a treatment. Emergency situations can arise from aesthetics treatments, making it important you choose a clinician that is equipped to deal with such emergencies. As an experienced healthcare professional, I am qualified and experienced in detecting and responding to emergency procedures, aseptic technique, infection control, anaphylaxis, management of infection and wound care, medications contraindications, taking a consultation, prescribing and administering medication. Treatments such as Botox are carried out using prescription only medication and as such the person administering your treatment should 24
be a qualified prescriber like myself. Sadly, within this industry people have the ability to purchase unregulated products from the internet, set themselves up as an “advanced aesthetic practitioner” and carry out treatments with products that are not licensed for use in the UK. Making it so confusing to the general public as to whether the person treating them is a medical professional. Always ask for the name of the product to be used and ensure it has a CE mark. You can do this by asking to see the box the product is in. CE marking indicates conformity with health, safety and environmental protection standards. If you can’t see this do not go ahead with treatment! Having an aesthetics treatment is a great opportunity for me as a Nurse to restore confidence and allow my patients to look and feel their best. It is important to remember that both Botox and filler treatments are safe and effective with complications happening very rarely in well trained and safe hands. When they do, you really do need to be in the hands of someone that can manage it in a timely and professional manner. Most complications require management by prescription only medication which is why it is so important to ensure your clinician can like myself prescribe medication. When choosing a healthcare professional for your treatment it is also worth remembering we are all regulated by our governing bodies and have codes of conduct to follow to ensure safety, ethical practice and care for all of our patients. MY TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE WHEN SEEKING AN AESTHETIC TREATMENT: ·· Ensure your chosen clinician is a qualified and registered healthcare professional. ·· Ask to see a copy of their qualifications and training. ·· You can check qualifications by asking for their professional body so you can check they are registered with the appropriate regulatory body. For example,
Claire Battista, RN(DIP)He BSc(Hons) NIP
··
··
·· ··
·· ··
as a qualified nurse I, like all registered nurses am a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. www.nmc.org Make sure your clinician purchases their Botox and filler products from a UK aesthetic Pharmacy. Ensure a full consultation takes place prior to treatment, which considers your full medical and social history. Ask about complications and how they would be managed. Be aware that claiming to be an aesthetic practitioner does not mean that person is a health care professional. Ensure they are fully insured and trained in the treatments they are offering. Use The Aesthetics Complications Experts Group website to find a practitioner. You will find The Batt House registered on there! This group is for qualified medics, providing support with complications and continuing education. If your clinician is a member of this group you are rest assured they will have local, national and worldwide support from other medics if complications arise. www.acegrouponline Claire offers free consultations for anyone considering an aesthetic treatment. The Batt House is an at home clinic based in Bedlington which can be contacted by email at thebatthouse@yahoo.com or by direct message on Facebook or Instagram @batthousecc
AESTHETICS TREATMENTS
BOTOX, FILLER & SKIN TREATMENTS All carried out by an experienced, qualified and insured aesthetic Independent Nurse Prescriber. Only the highest quality reputable brands used. Claire Battista RN, Bsc (Hons) Nurse Independent Prescriber CONSULTATIONS AND AFTERCARE ARE FREE OF CHARGE
Contact us to book in at our home based clinic in Bedlington: on Facebook or Instagram @batthousecc or email thebatthouse@yahoo.com
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ADVERTISING FE ATURE
Luxury Living in Stannington
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON EXECUTIVE BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT
H
usband and wife team Alan and Victoria, of Altoria Development, are returning to Stannington Station to build more of their stunning, executive bungalows. The couple began their development venture in 2016 with a passion to build bespoke bungalows in the North-East. From Morpeth themselves, they found their first development in Stannington Station and obtained planning permission for fourteen bungalows at Furrow Grove, all of which were snapped up and sold off-plan. Since then they have expanded their portfolio to Oakfield Grove, Blyth, an intimate development of four bungalows. Alan said “We are delighted to be returning to Stannington Station to build a sister site to Furrow Grove. Ridge Grove will maintain the high quality and executive specification that is expected of Altoria Development. This development has three different bungalow types and are all three-bedroom homes; each home is fully adaptable and provides all of the benefits of one-storey living.” Ridge Grove offers each buyer the opportunity to design their new home without the responsibility of 26
“Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of the exceptional homes. ” managing a self-build. With bespoke Kitchens including choice of stone worktop, co-ordinated cabinetry and all integrated appliances included as standard. Villeroy and Boch bathroom and ensuite both fully tiled. Flooring is included throughout and there is a choice of internal oak doors and finishings. Farrow and Ball colours throughout and all offering double garages with electric doors. Victoria explained “Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of our exceptional homes. The bungalow’s have been designed to compliment the nearby surroundings of the Northumberland countryside and has been placed delicately into the heart of the wonderful community that is Stannington Station.” Stannington Station has the luxury of a wonderful Farm Shop and cafe with facilities for young children to
play, garage and convenience store all a few minutes walk from Ridge Grove. Slightly further afield is the village of Stannington with a quaint pub and village hall. The historic market town of Morpeth is only a few miles away which provides an abundance of shops, boutiques, excellent schools, doctors and dentists. Alan and Victoria have begun the initial construction of what will become a beautiful development, with completions taking place from early 2021. Prices from £445,000 onwards. To request the sales literature please contact Altoria Development on 01670 432603 alternatively email info@altoriadevelopment.co.uk
Northumbria
Flooring & Furniture
0
%
www.northumbriaflooring.co.uk
01670 368811
e st fre intereance fin ble availa ly app T&C’s
FREE MEASURING & ADVICE · EXPERT IN HOUSE FITTING SERVICE
Winner of
Winner of Flooring Flooring Retailer Retailer the Year 2019 of theof Year 2019 North North East Division East
Division
Find Us at: Cowpen Road, Blyth, NE24 5SU (Next to Esso Garage) & Royal Quays Outlet Centre, Coble Dene, North Shields, NE29 6DW Can’t get to us? Book a FREE home visit where we can discuss the most suitable flooring for your room and provide a range of samples
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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND
If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer
C
onservatories are a fantastic space to enjoy whilst looking out onto your garden, they are bright, spacious and give you a great sense of closeness to the outdoors. However, as most conservatory owners will know, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for two or three months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot. At Thermos Roof, we have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, firstly to increase its insulating performance and secondly to enhance its internal aesthetic appearance. Experience will have shown you that in the winter as soon as you open the door the heat is sucked out of your room into the conservatory and, during the summer, it becomes a dazzling sauna that’s so hot you need a fan to cool you down. At Thermos Roof we can transform your conservatory from a room you barely use into a room that you can enjoy all year round, because the temperature is comfortable and constant, you will even be able to watch TV or use a computer without sunglasses. What is most impressive is that we can do this all in one day! With no mess! We retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it from the inside, finishing it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory
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construction. The materials we use are lightweight, therefore no roof strengthening is required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess and upheaval in your home. In addition to this the look and finish of your Thermos Roof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now. The performance of the lightweight insulation system will equal that of vastly more expensive options, with less mess and waste, and less time to install saving you thousands of pounds and allowing you to enjoy your conservatory immediately. We can install a Thermos Roof to conservatories of any size or shape transforming them into a flowing extension of your living space wherein its use is not dictated by the external weather conditions, it will become warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition to the above benefits, our team will eliminate mould and condensation, reduce rain, noise and serve to cover up an unsightly
dirty roof. The gloss white finish will make it brighter in the evenings by reflecting light and will give your conservatory that WOW factor, making it a great place to relax or work. All installations come with a 5 year warranty and we guarantee that you will be amazed with both the improved appearance and the insulating performance of your new roof. We offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermos Roof and, should you require it, we can also undertake maintenance works to repair or replace gutters, fascias, soffits, window sills, roof panels and leaking roofs. Please give us a call today on 01670 828 695 to start the ball rolling to making full use of your Conservatory! ■ www.thermosroof.co.uk
★★★★★ Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook
@thermosroof
Is your conservatory: Too cold in the winter? & too hot in the summer? Does it have problems with: Too much sun glare? Condensation build-up? Noise from heavy rain? An unsightly dirty roof?
We can fix ALL of these issues with a Thermos Roof insulation system We can carry out a full install in a single day, leaving zero mess and instant results. We retain your existing roof profile & do Prices from not remove your current roof. A 5 year warranty is included.
£799
PART
P
Electrical Safety
Call Steve on 01670 828 695 or 07901 506 645 or visit our website www.thermosroof.co.uk During these unprecedented times, to ensure your safety and ours, all our staff and fitters wear PPE where suitable and, upon completion of each job, your Conservatory will be fully disinfected.
SET SQUARE
NONAGRAM How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.
Fill in the missing numbers so the equations work from left to right and top to bottom to correctly reach the totals given at the end of each row and column (Pedant alert! This may conflict with mathematicians’ conventions).
Guidelines: 21 Good; 25 Very Good; 29 Excellent
R S H K C E A A V Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
MINDBENDERS
ARROW WORD In this crossword the clues are printed in what would normally be the ‘black’ squares. Follow the signs from each clue to find where the word should fit.
Can you find the hidden phrases?
Miserly
Winter Decorative sculpture containers for flowers
Japanese school of Buddhism
Royal dwellings
Snowshoe
Breaks free Male person Became submerged Work of fiction
Hobbling Reverence
M E S C M A N N O V W L A M E W A N B E N D
V Z A P E S S A N K E L I S A Y C O T E Y E S O D
ARROW WORD
SET SQUARE
MINDBENDER 1. A foot in the door 2. The Last Leg 3. Cut a long story short
SOLUTIONS
NONAGRAM: acer; ache; acre; arch; cake; care; carse; carve; case; cash; cask; cava; cave; caver; chakra; char; charas; charka; chase; chaser; crake; crash; crave; creak; each; eschar; hacek; hack; hacker; HAVERSACK; heck; race; rack; reach; reck; sack; scar; scare; search; serac; shack; varec.
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Toy on a string Utter
Spread and dry grass
Terminate Child's bed
Pale Stoop
Centre of a storm
Piece of turf
Set in the historic market town of Morpeth, Foxton Court is a friendly, purpose-built care home offering residential and residential memory care, for those living with dementia. We’re pioneering a simple approach to the way we care, where kindness is our ethos. Through the vaccination, routine testing and enhanced infection control measures, we’re able to welcome new Residents, provide safe visits and protect those who already live with us.
Foxton Court is proud to announce a newly refurbished residential living space which is now open, offering thirty one bright, comfortable ensuite bedrooms. To find out more information on the care that Foxton Court can offer you, or your loved one, please visit our website or contact our friendly Careline advisors.
Offering; • Safe family visits and video calls • Tailored visiting plans for Residents • Vaccine rollout programme • Enhanced infection control • Plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) • Routine coronavirus testing • Telephone and video assessments • Leisure and wellbeing programme W T E A
hc-one.co.uk 0333 321 4780 careline@hc-one.co.uk Loansdean, Morpeth, NE61 2BT
Dawn Lang Funeral Services YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTOR • 24 HOUR SERVICE
Covering Ashington, Morpeth and Bedlington areas You can tailor any of our funeral packages. You can also pre-pay for peace of mind. Either pay now or in 12 monthly instalments with no additional instalment costs. Longer terms are available. POPULAR CHOICE FUNERAL
£2,295
• Professional Fees • Doctors Fees • Care of Deceased • Hearse • Crematorium Fees • Humanist • Classic Coffin & Nameplate • Pall Bearers • Ashes Tube or Casket Limousine can be added for an additional £150
Also available: Direct to Crematorium package £1,495
TRADITIONAL FUNERAL
£2,895
• Professional fees • Doctors Fees • Care of Deceased • Chapel of Rest • Crematorium Fees • Pall Bearers • Traditional Coffin & Nameplate • Humanist/Minister • Order of Service • Hearse & 1 x Limousine
Also available: Horse Drawn Hearse package £3,595
£100 DISCOUNT ON ALL FUNERALS if accounts are settled prior to the funeral
We provide prepaid Funeral Plans
Call 01670 457 575 for help or advice at any time 73 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RS www.dawnlangfuneralservices.co.uk 31
A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
Get Them Growing…
Inspire the next generation of gardeners DOBBIES CELEBRATES NATIONAL CHILDREN’S GARDENING WEEK The benefits of being in nature have many positives and spending time in the garden is a great way to encourage less screen time, in a calm, plug-free space. As National Children’s Gardening Week returns this May (29th May – 6th June) it’s the perfect time to nurture children and grandchildren’s interest in the great outdoors. Not your average garden centre, Dobbies is on a mission to inspire everyone of all ages to have a grow no matter the size of your garden. Not only that, but they are encouraging families to use sustainable products and practices. Sharing expert advice and ideas for National Children’s Gardening Week, Dobbies Horticultural Director Marcus Eyles said: “With the return of warmer weather, it’s a busy time in the garden, with young plants maturing, seasonal flowers in bloom, and plenty of wildlife to watch out for. There are many easy to grow plants to get little ones interested. Sunflower growing competitions always cause lots of excitement to see whose plant can grow the tallest! Marcus continued: “Passing down both knowledge and a passion for gardening to future generations is so important, as there are many valuable life skills that can be learned in the process. From practicing patience, to learning about the science of growing and sustainability the garden naturally combines learning with playtime.”
IDEAS TO GET THEM GROWING…
Grow your own – Edible plants to grow now There are plenty of easy fruit and vegetables to grow, plus many that don’t require much space at all, with containers, window boxes and wall planters all making great mini vegetable gardens and some varieties, such as tumbling cherry tomatoes, growing happily in hanging baskets. GYO is an ideal way to introduce your children to the enjoyment of growing their own food, broadening their understanding of where the food we eat comes from and also how easy it can be to grow many everyday items on your doorstep. Lettuce Little Gem (Strip £2.99) Tomato Moneymaker (9cm £1.49) Cucumber Snack Mini (Strip £2.99)
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Indoors: Monstera – Cheese plant Dypsis – Parlour palm Microsorum – Crocodile fern Cacti & succulents – easy to grow favourites Delsperma – Pickle plant Aloe vera Mimosa pudica – commonly known as a sensitive plant, it shrivels up when you touch it then relaxes again after a few mins – children will be in wonder of it!
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GIVE THEM THEIR OWN PATCH IN THE GARDEN?
Family gardening is on the rise. This involves splitting up your patch, so children can have a dedicated area to care for; a raised bed can be an ideal solution for this. Get them involved from the beginning by adding personalised signs and finding out what they would like to grow. From sunflowers to carrots, there are plenty of easy-to-grow plants and vegetables.
WILDLIFE SPOTTING
A brilliant way to get children outside and to learn about the natural world around them – plus a great chance to talk to them about sustainability and the important of environmentally-friendly products. One of the simplest activities is to spend time watching for visiting birds and keeping a tally of how many you see together. Throughout the year they will start to notice different species of garden birds and you can help to encourage them by setting up a bird feeder or installing a bird house. Making bird food is a fun and messy play activity for the weekend!
TOOL KIT FOR LITTLE HELPERS IN THE GARDEN…
Nurture nature, plants that will support garden wildlife Dahlia (1L £3.99) Bidens Bee Dance (1L £4.99) Lavandula Hidcote (2L 9.99)
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Jungle – create your own Jurassic Jungle Children will love to grow their very own garden jungle, the perfect backdrop for little explorers to play in! Outdoors: Phoenix canariensis (£9.99) Phormium ‘Brown Sugar’ (3L - £18.99) Fargesia assorted (2L - £19.99)
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Children’s gardening gloves, dinosaur print £3.99 Kids character metal gardening trowel £2.99 Toucan children’s watering can £10.99 ▪ Find your local Dobbies at Heighley Gate, Morpeth NE61 3DA. www.dobbies.com
NOW R C EATING YOUR E P RFECT BEDROOM
KITCHEN • BATHROOM • TILE
Brilliantly Simple...Simply Brilliant Signature Kitchens, Bathrooms & Tiles have been providing customers with quality kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, flooring and tiles for over ten years.
Offering a unique combination of superb products, expertise and unmatched customer service, we bring you the home of your dreams, whilst making the transformation a painless process. For every project, we have an experienced team and a generation of experience; this successful formula shows in the results. ● FAMILY RUN BUSINESS ● FREE 3D PLANNING & DESIGN ● TILING, ELECTRICS & PLASTERING ● SUPPLY OR INSTALLATION ● FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR BATHROOM
1a Burnside Road, Whitley Bay, NE25 8PW Tel: 0191 253 5111 www.signaturekitchensbathroomsandtiles.co.uk SHOWROOM OPEN: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm & Saturday 10am - 4pm
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NewSpace Loft Storage We create space so everything has a place
LOFT STORAGE SPACE PACKAGE
WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN CREATING HOBBY ROOMS
Add storage space in your property with our special loft package which includes:
Our hobby/play rooms are a fantastic alternative to a full loft conversion and at a fraction of the price, they provide valuable space for a variety of uses.
• Loft Ladder • New hatch • Light with Switch • Flooring SUPPLIED & INSTALLED
FOR ONLY £495
Includes: • Independent Floor • Timber Ladder • Lights & Sockets • Plaster Boarded • Velux Window
CALL US FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Call us today for friendly advice and an estimate 07973 957 481 or 07931 801 472 info@newspaceloftstorage.co.uk
www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk
INDIAN TAKEAWAY
20% OFF ALL ORDERS* WITH THIS ADVERT
Open 5pm till 11pm, 6 days a week (Closed Tuesday)
46 Front Street East, Bedlington, NE22 5AB
Tel: 01670 821 581
*Not in conjunction with any other offer. Please mention ABC offer when ordering. Please present advert when paying. Available once per person. 35
ADVERTISING FEATURE
GIVE SOMEONE POWER OF ATTORNEY… BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE Lasting Powers of Attorney are invaluable documents as part of the overall planning of your estate as managing your financial affairs can become more difficult as you get older. If a person is unable to manage their affairs due to mental incapacity and they have not made a valid Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney, their assets will be frozen as no one (including their spouse and children) has the authority to deal with them. At this point someone will need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as the person’s Deputy. The Court will then authorize the Deputy to deal with the person’s affairs in a certain manner. This is a very time consuming (around 6 months) and expensive (in the region of £1,750) process. This situation can be simply avoided through the making of a Lasting Power of Attorney. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you can decide whom you would like to manage your affairs in the event that you are unable to do so either due to physical or mental incapacity. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney that can be made, one dealing with your property and financial affairs and the other dealing with your personal welfare. Personal Welfare This power gives your attorney the authority to make decisions regarding your healthcare and medical treatment. Property and Affairs This power enables your attorney to deal with your bank accounts and your property. This includes decisions in relation to selling or renting your property, paying your bills, applying for benefits you are entitled to and all aspects of dealing with your bank accounts, savings and investments. 36
All work we undertake is at fixed fees: Single Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney: £300 inclusive of VAT Double Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (suitable for couples): £420 inclusive of VAT Single Will: £180 inclusive of VAT Mirror Will: £240 inclusive of VAT It is imperative that specialist advice is taken in order to ensure that the power given accurately reflects your wishes. Call Crichton Wills Trusts & Probate on 01670 514772 and speak to a specialist adviser today who will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have and offers a free no obligation appointment in the comfort of your own home.
55 Beaumont Court, Pegswood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1BF
Price of Family Trust £1,800 (inc. VAT)
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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
Davidsons of Morpeth add Volkswagen brand to their dealership Davidsons of Morpeth, located at Coopies Way, are proud to announce they have recently added the Volkswagen brand to the dealership and are delighted to be an authorised service dealer undertaking any service, repair or warranty work on all Volkswagen vehicles. Colin Davidson, Business Manager, explains “For us this is an exciting addition to our business. Volkswagen is a quality brand that we are very proud to represent alongside Vauxhall’”. The management team at Davidsons have attributed the continual success to great customer service and strong values. “We treat all our customers like family. The second they come into the garage we ask ourselves – if this was our mother or father how would we treat them?” Colin Davidson states “This approach, as well as a relentless strive for a flawless experience, has allowed us to maintain and grow a loyal customer base as they trust our ethical approach.” He feels that the business is well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to
“Davidsons are well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to travel unnecessarily” travel unnecessarily, especially given the difficult times we currently face with the pandemic. Davidsons have robust and exemplary measures in place to reassure customers from a COVID perspective. They provide a contactless service throughout, in both the Sales and Service departments. The premises are methodically and regularly deep cleaned and sanitised. Likewise, each and every car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before customers come in to contact with them. Tony Waite, an experienced member of the Service Department says “We have really worked hard to stand out from the crowd with the standards we offer to our customers. They are the lifeblood of the business. We receive endless thanks and compliments from our customers which really does delight and drive us. “ Colin and the team at Davidsons say “We’re excited to see what the future holds for us and our customers.” ■ To book call 01670512115
www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth 38
Davidsons of Morpeth
Nearly New Low Mileage Volkswagen 70 Plate Tiguan 1.5 TSi Evo Match 1800 Miles. £21,995 Save £11060 on cost new
70 Plate Golf 1.5 TSi Evo Life 5 Door 783 Miles. £17,995 Save £6585 on cost new
69 Plate Tiguan 2.0 TDi R-Line Tech 5500 Miles. £27,995 Save £10505 on cost new
69 Plate Golf 1.5 TSi Evo Match 5 Door 3563 Miles. £15,995 Save £10175 on cost new
Your local family run company, striving for a flawless experience to all of our customers. Go online or call us today for our full selection of stock Davidsons of Morpeth, Coopies Way, Morpeth, NE61 6JN
01670 512 115 www.davidsonsofmorpeth.co.uk
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Exciting Move for Local Dog Groomers GROOMS BY ARIANE HAS BRANCHED OUT INTO THEIR OWN PREMISES - ADDING A BRAND NEW PET SHOP TOO
G
rooms By Ariane is a dog grooming business owned and operated by Ariane Blevins. Having launched the business in 2018, and spent the last 2 years working within another grooming salon in the town, she decided the time was right to open her own salon and pet shop. She found the ideal premises, right in the heart of Bedlington Front Street at 76A High Street West, directly opposite Bedlington Community Centre and next door to Studio be and Innovations hairdressing. Grooms By Ariane provides professional clipping, cutting and styling grooming services for all breeds of dogs as well as nail clipping, teeth cleaning and baths and brushes to keep our best friends clean and healthy. Ariane has also incorporated a pet store side in the shop which sells various animal related products including pet food, leads and collars, pet beds, doggie treats and toys. In addition it is there for our wild bird friends as well selling fat balls and 'non-growing' wild bird seed amongst other things.
Ariane, 24, is a professional City and Guilds qualified Level 3 dog groomer with over 10 years experience which seems strange for one who appears so young. Ariane has a strong work ethic and started grooming whilst training to Level 3 standard in Animal Management and City and Guilds at Brooksby College in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire whilst simultaneously working at a local boarding kennels in Lincolnshire, a kennels she had worked at since she was 14 years old. Ariane came to the North East when her parents moved to Durham as her ex-military father was from the area originally and moved 'back home' as Ariane said he described it. Ariane found immediate employment as a dog groomer first with a local big chain followed by employment with
an independent business before setting up Grooms By Ariane as her own brand with her own clients and renting a table at another Bedlington grooming shop. After grooming for 10 years Ariane felt that she had to build a business of her own for her long term future, thus Grooms By Ariane on Bedlington High Street was born. It has been a painful time for everyone this past 16 months, Covid has seen to that, and no sooner had Grooms By Ariane opened on 12 January 2021, new guidance during the current National 'lockdown' meant that Ariane felt that despite all of the Covid precautions she had put in place in the shop, she had to close the grooming side to protect her and her customers health from the risks associated with Covid. Hopefully we have now seen the last of the lockdowns and, since the middle of April, Ariane has been back fully opened and welcoming four legged customers old and new. For bookings either visit her website or give her a call on the number below. ■ Grooms by Ariane, 76a Front Street West, Bedlington, NE22 5UA Tel: 07494 874 471 www.groomsbyariane.co.uk
40
Recruiting Now It’s time to care Rate of Pay
£9.80 an hour
• Flexible Hours • Rewarding Work • Full & Part-time • Training & Support • Competitive Rates of Pay • Career Progression
Find out more:
• Must be a car driver
Bluebird Care Northumberland South northumberlandsouth@bluebirdcare.co.uk Tel: 0191 2502244 bluebirdcare.co.uk/northumberland-south 41
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USEFUL NUMBERS NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL 0345 600 6400 Mon to Thu 08:30 - 17:00 Fri 08:30 - 16:30
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info@newspacegarageconversions.co.uk www.newspacegarageconversions.co.uk 42
A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E
BEST OF BRITISH!
UK Coach Breaks with United Group Travel Right now we all need something to look forward to, and a UK coach break could be just the ticket! Local coach tourism experts Graham Wright and John Hindhaugh have started their own coach tour company and are taking bookings now. Graham explains more... John and I have worked in the coach tourism industry as drivers for many years, the last few spent as tour drivers for the same local North East coach holiday company, until the Global pandemic had a catastrophic effect on our industry, with many companies going out of business. Over the years, on our numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, we have built up a fantastic relationship with many of our passengers, and are lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated our experience and knowledge of the places we visited, to the extent that a lot of passengers started asking who the driver would be before they actually booked a tour with the company. It was during a conversation with one of our friends that the question was asked about starting our own company doing our own holidays, so here we are. We have put all our years’ experience and knowledge to good use while planning our exclusive tours. All the tours are exceptional value for money, and we only select the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to us, or we have previously used before. The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on our knowledge as well as any relevant previous customer feedback and suggestions to ensure they are always enjoyed. The trips do not leave the hotel too early, or return too late, so as to allow everyone to make full use of the facilities of the chosen hotel. Guaranteed free time as well as entertainment are also key factors that we take into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience possible. In such a short space of time, from the initial concept, we have managed to make massive progress. During this current difficult time we all need something to
John Hindhaugh and Graham Wright
“Book with confidence. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate and if your tour is cancelled due to the COVID restrictions you will receive a full refund.” look forward to, and we currently have a wide range of fantastic tours in Great Britain. Our advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer, with more to follow! You can rest assured that you can book with confidence with us. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate which shows government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to the COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund. We look forward to welcoming you aboard! ■ United Group Travel Ltd Telephone: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654 www.unitedgrouptravel.com Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd E mail: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com Company no. 13052351
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John & Graham
£30
2021 COACH TOURS
DEPOS PER PERSITON SECURES YO UR BOOKING
Delightful Devon 30th June £595pp* Murder Mystery 16th July £225pp* Potters Resort All Inclusive! 17th September £389pp Three Shire’s 16th August £325pp* Lest We Forget 29th October £295pp* Christmas Markets Shopper 19th November £269pp* Turkey and Tinsel 3rd December £275pp* *plus single room supplement
See website or call for more tours / information
www.unitedgrouptravel.com 01670 632 460 \ 07957 141 654
45 45
HEALTH
Kids and Uncertainty HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE COPE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
By Kate McCarthy
The COVID-19 pandemic turned out lives upside down. As adults we’ve had too many questions and too few answers, and many of us felt overwhelmed in the face of so much uncertainty. Now imagine what it’s like to be a child or teenager in this environment. Young people don’t have the cognitive development, life experience, and coping skills to deal with all the uncertainties we face. So even though we may be struggling, it’s up to us as the adults to help them manage these feelings. It’s not unusual for young people to be anxious about the future, especially as they near the end of school, or transition from one school to another. They might be stressed about the uncertainty surrounding exams, or what might happen about their university place. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created more uncertainty than usual. As a parent, it’s hard not to have answers and reassurances. If your child or teen is anxious it can help give them the sense of some control. Help them to develop a plan A and a Plan B Plan A - The ideal plan they would have followed in normal times. Plan B - An alternative if plan A isn’t viable right now. Plan A may have involved taking a year out to travel overseas. Plan B may be to complete some online training then volunteer for a charity, with the intention of switching to Plan A several months down the line. The idea of Plan B is NOT to give up on Plan A, but rather to postpone it, while still moving forward in other areas.
·· ·· ·· ·· ··
Show your child how to be okay with uncertainty Tolerating uncertainty is a skill that can be learned by practising how to respond in the best way we can to what’s happening in the present. Try doing small things
WHAT IS TELEPHOBIA?
By Louise Addison
I would do almost ANYTHING to avoid speaking on the phone. For many people, 'telephobia' as it’s known, is real and is particularly common among those of us with social anxiety. Lots of people dislike speaking on the phone, but it’s a real problem if it causes us to delay important calls, affects our ability to work or causes physical symptoms such as nausea, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath. Humans are social creatures so speaking on the phone is daunting because we’re denied all social cues: gestures, body language, and eye contact. We rely solely on the voice and this can make us hyperaware of our own voice and choice of words. Anxious people often rate texting as a superior form of 46
together differently, such as preparing a meal without a recipe using only what’s in the cupboard or picking a random film to watch or podcast to listen to without knowing anything about it. Validate your child’s feelings and concerns. Accept how they feel and resist the urge to “fix” them by minimizing their worries or making promises that are not within your control to keep. Instead encourage them to be kind to themselves and realistic in their thinking. Listen to them and remind them that this is a very unusual situation; it would be weirder if they weren’t anxious! Talk about the things they value It’s usually possible to find something, even a small thing that they value or appreciate. Help them to refocus on the good things in their life. Share some of the things you are grateful for. It’s difficult for most of us to remain calm and focused at the moment, and we all have to accept that we can’t predict the future. It helps our kids to see us focus on the things we can control. We can model strategies and show them that whatever happens, we can cope with it together. communication. It allows time to think about responses, which takes the pressure off interactions. It also means we are not the sole focus of someone’s attention, which can feel unnerving, and pauses in the conversation can feel hostile and interminable. Speaking on the phone though is a skill, and like any skill we improve the more we do it. The more practice you have, the less anxious and more confident you’ll feel. Start by making a list of the people or organisations you need to call and articulate what it is about the call that provokes anxiety. When you hang up, articulate what went well so you acknowledge your successes. If telephobia is interfering with your life or threatening your job then consider seeking cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a highly effective treatment for social anxiety. Don’t suffer in silence.
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