ABC Magazine: Wansbeck Edition Jan/Feb 2023

WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE

Welcome to the Wansbeck edition of ABC, your bi-monthly local magazine.

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Ashington, Stakeford, Pegswood and surrounding areas. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information.

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All information at time of going to press. 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.

NORTHUMBERLAND LINE LATEST

The railway between Ashington and Newcastle used to run both passenger and freight services until the Beeching cuts in the 1960s. Since then, freight trains have continued to use the line, primarily serving Lynemouth Power Station. The lack of passenger railway services in the area has contributed to local congestion due to car and bus travel being the only viable forms of transport for many.

The Northumberland Line will bring passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle. The line will stop at 6 local stations and is still on track to be completed and running by the end of this year.

The reintroduction of passenger services on the line has been an aspiration of Northumberland County Council for many years, and the current political, social, economic and rail industry context means that it can now be successfully delivered. As a result of being awarded development funding from the DfT, the council has been working alongside partners to develop the scheme.

WHAT’S HAPPENED SO FAR?

In March 2022, the last planning permission required for the construction of the six new stations was received, and in June 2022 the Government approved the Transport and Works Act Order to allow the closure of level crossings, acquisition and use of land, as well as well as further work along the line.

With these important milestones reached, more enabling works began along the Northumberland Line. Below is a summary of some of the works completed so far.

● Site clearance is well underway - vegetation has been removed at various locations, and the Boots building in Bedlington and Arden House in Newsham have been demolished.

● Temporary site compounds have been established, with the main base for the construction team at the Newsham station site.

● Mining void works have gotten underway. This has included grouting (filling) at Seaton Delaval to make it safe to build on the land, and ground investigations at Northumberland Park and Bedlington to confirm if any grouting is required. In the New Year, these works will continued.

● The history of the area has played a key part in our works, with archaeologists working at the site of Newsham station unearthing the site of an Iron Age settlement.

● Track upgrades and renewals are well underway

along the line, with 8km of works now completed.

● New infrastructure has been put in place, with three new underpasses under the line being constructed.

● New train drivers have been recruited by Northern. 20 train drivers that will operate services on the line are now undertaking training.

● Test services have started. These are providing residents, local schools and business leaders from Cobalt Business Park with a chance to ride the Northumberland Line and see works in progress in advance of the line opening.

CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITIES

Local communities and businesses are at the heart of this project, and they are actively encouraged to get involved in the scheme. Below are just some of the key activities that have taken place to date:

● Cultural Programme launched, with hoardings installed in Ashington featuring local school children.

● Five construction apprenticeships have been created.

● Over 750 hours of staff time has been dedicated to social value initiatives to date, including over 70 hours of community liaison and over 140 hours of school engagement activity.

● 3 Institute of Civil Engineers QUEST scholarships completed and various work experience placements offered.

● £10 million of funding granted by the North of Tyne Combined Authority, to develop the Northumberland Line ten point plan – an ambitious and achievable package of projects that aligns to the Northumberland Line Economic Corridor strategic vision and the scale of the opportunity afforded by the reopening of the Line.

● Delivery of a series of public drop-in events in

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station locations, allowing local people to meet the project team face to face.

● Archaeology family event hosted during October half term at Newsham Primary school.

● £95,000 spent on local businesses through our principal contractor, Morgan Sindall.

● Targeted programme of local refugee support launched in May.

● Christmas raffle raising £1300 for local charities Community Food Friendship, Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter and Pathways 4 All.

SUMMARY OF WORKS BY STATION

Northumberland Park

Surveys and ground investigation works have started. These will help confirm the make-up of the ground, which will in turn assist in finalising the construction methodology for the station, including whether any mining remediation is needed.

Seaton Delaval

Works completed so far include setting up a site compound and mining remediation, which will soon be completed. Following this, works will pause until Spring 2023.

Newsham

Works at Newsham station began with the demolition

of Arden House, to the south of South Newsham Road (A1061), to create space for the new station and car park and the setup of the main works compound. The next stage of works will see piles being inserted into the ground.

Blyth Bebside

Preliminary work at Blyth Bebside station has included clearing the land of vegetation ahead of the construction.

Bedlington

Works began at Bedlington in October with the demolition of the former Boots building, followed by exploratory works relating to historic mining works in the area, to confirm the need for grouting (filling). To the south of the Bedlington station site, construction works to reinstate the disused railway sidings at Furnace Way have started.

Ashington

Works are underway in Ashington with the demolition of the old station platform and construction of the new platform, which is now underway. The first phase of track renewal works has also recently completed.

For more information, and all the very latest updates, visit www.northumberlandline.uk

NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Discovering Community and Activity Groups in Ashington

With the start of a New Year, many of us may be looking for a new challenge, hobby, or just to get out and meet new people. Here we look at some of the community and activity groups in and around Ashington. If you have a local community group you think is worth mentioning, then please let us know about it by emailing info@yourabc.co.uk

The events run from 11am until 2pm, all food sold is home-made and there is a raffle at each coffee morning. They also sell items that the Institute produce, to raise money for The NHS and for SAAFA, and all funds raised stay in the local area.

ashingtonveteransandeldersinst. godaddysites.com

17, an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be in a safe and friendly environment. Through various activities and adventures, you are taught teamwork, respect, loyalty, selfconfidence, commitment, selfdiscipline, honesty and how to be the best version of yourself. What’s more, all volunteers have the opportunity to be part of a committee.

www.sea-cadets.org/ashington

ASHINGTON HIRST RUNNING CLUB

Ashington Hirst Running Club is a UK Athletics affiliated running club. The club are now based at Ashington Rugby Club, Ellington Road, Ashington, NE63 8TP.

The club holds lots of different sessions for all abilities, from absolute beginner to more experienced runners. Regular sessions are held at 6.30pm as follows: Tuesday: Run & Run/Walk Groups or Effort Session, Thursday: Run & Run/Walk Groups/ Hill training or endurance run, Friday: Run Group

ashingtonhirstrunningclub.co.uk

ASHINGTON CHOI KWANG DO

At Ashington Choi Kwang Do, the aim is to teach this martial art as a practical and easy way to learn selfdefence techniques that are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It is an inclusive activity and even many with disabilities can participate and benefit from the training. Choi Kwang Do is a fun and exciting way to get and keep fit, to lose weight and firm up, to improve balance and coordination, to increase flexibility, to aid and improve concentration, as well as to promote longevity. This is done in a friendly, safe and fun learning environment.

The group are based at St. Andrew's Church Hall, for more information contact Richard Farrar on 07954578018. or find them on Facebook at Choi Kwang Do Ashington.

www.ashingtonckd.co.uk

NORTHUMBRIA SCUBA DIVERS

Northumbria Scuba Divers offer courses and internationally recognised certifications from Ashington, many subsidised, making them one of the cheapest in the U.K. They offer training from absolute beginners to instructors and welcome anyone from age 8 upwards. Courses are held in Seaton Delaval, and dive all along the North East coast. The club have their own boat, and dive the Farne islands almost weekly. The club charge a £10 monthly fee, which gives access to their trips and events, as well as discounted courses.

www northumbriascubadivers co

ASHINGTON VETERANS AND ELDERS INSTITUTE

Ashington Veterans and Elders institute hold open coffee mornings every first Saturday of every month.

ASHINGTON SEA CADETS

At Ashington Sea Cadets, the aim is to give young people aged 10 to

AGE UK GARDENING SOCIAL GROUP

This new initiative will launch on Wednesday 22 February at Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, and welcomes gardeners of all abilities to come along and enjoy the great outdoors whilst meeting like minded people. See page 18 for details.

uk

COUNCIL PLEA TO STOP HARMFUL BALLOON AND LANTERN RELEASES

Northumberland County Council is appealing to the public to use other alternatives to balloon and lantern releases for events and memorials which can have a devastating impact on wildlife and the environment.

While balloon or lantern releases can be carried out with good intent, they also have a long and devastating impact on the environment, and the council is strongly discouraging people from doing it.

After they’re out of sight, they eventually fall back to earth – along with any string and plastic attachments.

Wildlife may eat parts of sky lanterns or deflated balloons when they come down on land or in the sea.

Sharp parts can damage an animal’s digestive system and balloons may block it and prevent them from feeding, strangle them or drown them.

Animals and birds may also get caught up in fallen wire frames or string and suffer injury and distress in struggling to get free, or starve to death.

Deflated balloons can also look like jellyfish. And because some sea turtles feed almost exclusively on jellyfish, balloons are easily mistaken for their regular meal. Once ingested, the ensuing damage can become fatal if not caught early – if it’s caught at all.

Although biodegradable options are available, these still take months or even years to break down and can still cause horrendous painful deaths to animals. Meanwhile, lanterns set off in warmer months can travel long distances and have been known to cause a fire risk.

The council is encouraging people to use other less damaging ways to pay tribute to a loved

one such as planting a tree or flower bed, using jam jar lights, or organising a memorial walk for a chosen charity.

Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet member for local services said: “While many are aware of the environmental impacts of balloons and lanterns, a few well-meaning people and organisations do still release them - but as a council we strongly discourage this. People assume the term biodegradable means harmless but this is simply not the case. No balloon

Balloons can block the digestive system of wildlife and prevent them from feeding, strangle them or drown them.

is environmentally friendly.

“We do appreciate this is a sensitive and emotional issue as balloon releases are often organised to mark the death of a loved one. However we also recognise the concerns of farmers, environmentalists, biologists and animal lovers, and their work to raise awareness of and tackle this problem.

“It is council policy to decline any requests from individuals

and organisations who contact us wanting to have organised balloon or lantern releases from our parks and open spaces. What we are asking is for people to use alternatives which not only create a lasting memory but do so without detriment to the local environment or wildlife.”

environmentally friendly

Safer &

alternatives to balloon releases:

● Plant a tree

As well as being extremely environmentally friendly, this can be a lasting memorial and a place to visit and look after for generations to come

● Hold a candle lit vigil

Candles are beautiful way to commemorate a loved one. Have guests light a candle and sing or share stories or poems together.

● Create a Memorial Garden

Start a container garden or flower bed. Choose plants and flowers to honor a loved one.

● Organize A Memorial Walk

If the person you love loved the outdoors, why not gather together and walk their favourite route.

YMCA SLEEP EASY EVENT RETURNS THIS MARCH

On Friday 10th March 2023, hundreds of people will be sleeping anywhere but their beds to raise awareness of the thousands of young people made homeless each year, and YMCA Northumberland is calling on local residents to join in.

As an annual sponsored sleep out, Sleep Easy is a great chance for people to raise awareness while also raising vital funds to support YMCA Northumberland’s preventative work with vulnerable young people.

Every day 168 people are at risk of homelessness across England and Wales. At YMCA Northumberland they support young people through their regular youth drop-in session, detached work and targeted programmes. They work on preventing youth homelessness by providing advice and support, and working to tackle the root causes of homelessness. All money raised from the Sleep Easy event will go towards supporting this important work. Participants brave the cold, sleep in a cardboard shelter for one night and get sponsored for their efforts.

To enable people to come together and share this experience, YMCA Northumberland will be holding a community Sleep Easy event from 7pm on Friday

10th to 7am on Saturday 11th March, at Ashington A.F.C. However, for anyone who is unable to attend, there’s also an option for groups or workplaces to organise their own event, or for individuals to campout in unconventional places around their home or garden. Participating in this event is straightforward! Grab a sleeping bag, build a cardboard fort and go somewhere other than your bed to sleep, such as your garden, living room, hallway, or another safe location.

This year there’s also a Sleep Easy Challenge for local businesses, with the team raising the most funds becoming YMCA Northumberland’s Local Business of the Year for 2023.

If you would like to sign up, or find out more information, please contact Clare McKay: clare@ymcanorthumberland.org.uk or visit www.ymcanorthumberland.org.uk/sleep-easy

VOTERS URGED TO CHECK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT ID TO VOTE

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station, and it will apply to all future local elections, referendums, recall petitions and Police and Crime Commissioner elections from May 2023 and all UK Parliamentary General Elections from October 2023. These new requirements will not affect electors who vote by post. Voters are being asked to check in good time, whether they have an accepted form of ID and to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if they don’t.

WHAT ID CAN I USE?

You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:

a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)

· a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands

· a UK passport

a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country

a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

a Blue Badge

· a biometric residence permit (BRP)

· a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)

· a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card

a Voter Authority Certificate

an Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:

· an older person’s bus pass

· a disabled person’s bus pass

an Oyster 60+ card

a Freedom Pass

a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)

a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

· a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

The photo on your ID must look like you. You can still use your ID even if it has expired. To find out more about the photo ID you’ll need, head to www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need.

WHAT IF I DONT HAVE PHOTO ID?

If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. It’s free to apply. You’ll need a recent, digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.

You can still apply if you do not have a National Insurance number. You’ll need to provide other documents to prove your identity, for example, a birth certificate, bank statement and utility bill.

To find out more about applying for a Voter Authority Certificate, head to www.gov.uk/ apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

Voters can apply online at nland.cc/ID or by completing a paper form and sending this to their local council’s electoral services team.

Mark Crawford, Elections Manager for Northumberland County Council said:

“This is a new national requirement and in association with the work of the Electoral Commission, we will be doing everything we can to raise awareness of the need for Voter ID at all future elections.

“Anyone voting at a polling station in England will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot papers. While there are no scheduled elections planned in 2023 in Northumberland, we would advise everyone to check they have appropriate ID and if not to apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate if needed, as soon as possible.”

If you have a query regarding Voter ID, or need help applying, you can also contact the county council’s election team on 01670 624811 or by emailing elections@northumberland.gov.uk

For the first time, voters will need to show photo ID when they vote in person at elections in England.

TIP

use shop-bought tartlet cases.

RASPBERRY TARTLETS

Indulge yourself with these exquisite mini desserts

bases, line the tins with baking parchment, fill with baking beans and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the beans and paper and return the bases to the oven for 5 minutes, until cooked and a pale golden-brown. Set aside to cool.

5. Meanwhile, to make the crème pâtissière, put the milk and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat until it is just scalding (you’ll just be able to dip your finger in).

6. Put the sugar, flour and egg in a mixing bowl and whisk. Pour in half the hot milk and whisk until smooth. Pour in the remaining hot milk.

INGREDIENTS

Pastry

• 175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

• 2 tbsp icing sugar

• 100g butter, chilled, cut into small pieces

• 1 egg, beaten

• Crème Pâtissière

• 150ml whole milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 25g caster sugar

• 25g plain flour

• 1 free-range egg

• 75ml double cream

Raspberry Topping

• 4 tbsp raspberry jam

• 450g raspberries

You will need 8 small 10cm loose-bottomed metal tart tins and some baking beans.

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

2. To make the pastry, put the flour, icing sugar and butter in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg and blend again until it is just combined and forms a ball.

3. Dust a work surface with flour and tip the dough onto it. Roll the pastry out with a rolling pin. Cut it into eight rounds a little bigger than the tins (as you will need to line the sides also). Line each tin with a disc of pastry and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

4. To bake blind, prick the pastry

7. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring all the time, until very thick – this could take about 2–3 minutes.

8. Pour into a bowl, cover with cling film and chill in the fridge until cold. Once cold, pour in the double cream, while whisking constantly. Spoon the crème pâtissière into the tart cases and chill in the fridge.

9. To make the glaze, heat the jam in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water and whisk to combine. Strain the liquid through a sieve into a small bowl.

10. Arrange the raspberries standing upright on the crème pâtissière and brush the warm glaze over the top.

If you're short on time,

WHAT’S ON

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.

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

COMMUNITY CHOIR

Thursdays 7pm - 9pm

Anyone wishing to come along and join Choir Master Richard and the group should call the Centre to book a place.

SEQUENCE DANCE GROUP

Sunday & Tuesday 7pm - 10pm New Members Wanted!

Come along & enjoy an evening in the company of a lovely friendly group of people. New joiners please call the centre first to book your place.

LINE DANCING

Monday, Friday & Saturday 7pm to 10.30pm

Come along and Line Dance to traditional music or dance to the latest pop music.

PILATES CLASS

Wednesdays 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.

Is there an activity you’d like to participate in but can’t find a location offering it? Contact us & 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!

For more information or to book an activity call Neal on

BECOME A MEMBER £5 PER YEAR OR £4 FOR OAP & JUNIOR

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.

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

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.

(inc. VAT)

Price of Family Trust £1,800

FO2, Ashington Workspace, Lintonville Parkway, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9JZ

CALLING ALL GARDENERS!

Age UK Northumberland are pleased to announce they are launching a new gardening social group.

This fantastic new initiative will launch on Wednesday 22 February at Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, and welcomes gardeners of all abilities to come along and enjoy the great outdoors whilst meeting like minded people.

Come rain or come shine, you can enjoy being in the great outdoors while maintaining a natural environment. This is a lovely way to meet new friends and enjoy great chat, and light refreshments will be provided.

Age UK Northumberland is a local independent charity, providing services for older adults throughout Northumberland. In common with all Age UKs, their central service is free information, advice and advocacy. Other services are designed to meet local needs and currently include: personal

care, exercise and falls prevention classes, befriending, lunch clubs and day centres.

Anyone who is interested can call 01670 784800, email info@ageuk-northumberland.org.uk, or simply turn up at Woodhorn Museum on the day.

Age UK are also looking for volunteers to help assist with the group. There will be an informal meet for any volunteers wishing to join on Wednesday 15 February - 10am to 11am. Again, please use the contact methods above if you are interested.

MALE VOICE CHOIR PREPARES FOR SPRING

Following on from a successful and most enjoyable festive season, Ashington and District Male Voice Choir (ADMVC) have commenced rehearsals for the 2023 season.

We have welcomed two more members to the choir in recent weeks, Gary and Ivan, and both are enjoying the benefits of singing in a community choir whilst learning our revised programme for the coming year. 2023 brings a new programme of events, and dates are being confirmed for performances at Morpeth St Mary’s Church, Morpeth Gathering, our Annual Concert in Ashington to celebrate the King’s Coronation in May, and dates at Beamish Museum, all in the first half of the year.

The start of a new year is a great time to take on new hobbies or interests, and as always, with ADMVC being a community Choir, prospective new singers would be most welcome. Just drop into one of our rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7 pm in the lounge at Bomarsund Welfare for a taster session. No auditions are required, and you do not need to be able

to read music, as one of our experienced members will guide you throughout the evening.

An interval with coffee/tea and biscuits provides the ideal opportunity for members to catch up socially and is always a popular part of rehearsals. Make 2023 the year that you begin your journey in choral singing with us. Communal singing really lifts your mood, and the health benefits from regular singing are well publicised.

If you are interested, please visit our website www.ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org, find us on Facebook, or ring the number shown in our advert below. We look forward to hearing from you.

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GUM DISEASE A BALANCING ACT!

By Joanne Duggan, Principal Dental Surgeon at Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice

As a dental team we all have a commitment to continue our education, attending dental courses and lectures during the year as we strive to improve the dental care we provide to our patients. After attending a course delivered by a periodontal specialist, (specialises in gum disease), I wanted to share some interesting information about gum disease.

WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?

Gum disease is a destructive process caused by harmful bacteria in the plaque that forms on our teeth. The toxins produced by the bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums that can lead to loosening of the gums and teeth. Once the gum is loose it is easier for this harmful plaque to get under the surface of the gum and therefore it is difficult for you to brush it away at home. The harmful toxins produced by the bacteria destroys the bone that holds the tooth in place in the jaw. This can lead to loosening of teeth, pain, abscesses, inability to eat and eventually tooth

loss! Sounds scary doesn’t it, but unfortunately it is quite common.

You now know that gum disease is destructive and is caused by the harmful bacteria in plaque, however what was really of interest at this course was the impact of how our body responds and defends against the harmful bacteria and includes our inflammation and immune systems. Whether we develop gum disease really depends on lots of other factors as well.

HARMFUL PLAQUE BACTERIA V HOST RESPONSE!

What does the host response actually mean?

The host response, or how well our bodies respond to harmful bacteria, is our defence mechanism and involves our inflammation and autoimmune response. How well our bodies defend against toxic bacteria around our gums can determine whether we develop gum disease. This is significant and includes factors such as:

Genetics - There is a definite link between gum disease and our genes. If anyone in your family has gum disease then you too may be more at risk of having gum problems. It really is hard to fight your genes and if you have a strong family genetic predisposition to gum disease then it will be more difficult to manage and the treatment you receive may be less effective.

Diabetes - Diabetics are 3 times more likely to have gum disease, particularly if the diabetes is poorly controlled. Diabetics are generally not as good at wound healing. In fact, the link between gum disease and diabetes is so strong that the risk works both ways. What do I mean by this? Well, if you have diabetes you are at risk of having gum disease, but also if you have gum disease you have an increased risk of being diabetic.

Smoking - The most important known risk factor for gum disease is cigarette smoking. There is a very definite link between smoking and gum disease. Studies and research has proved that smokers do loose more teeth due to gum disease than non- smokers. Smoking has a profound impact on the progression of the disease, the response to treatment and the likelihood of relapse. Smoking impairs how well the body deals with harmful plaque bacteria and also reduces the success of any treatment you may receive for gum disease. Being a non-smoker is therefore one of the best ways to improve your gum health.

Smokers have more hard calculus and plaque build up on their teeth. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the gums, meaning infected gums do not heal as well. A reduced blood supply is not healthy and could hide the fact you have gum disease as your gums may not bleed. This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly as at

“Even smoking 1-4 cigarettes a day can increase your risk of developing gum disease by almost 50%.¹”

every check up they will screen for the presence of gum disease.

Stress - If we are stressed, it can affect our general health but also the health of our gums. When we under intense or prolonged periods of stress our bodies defence mechanism does not work as effectively. Stress therefore suppresses our immune system, tipping the balance in favour of the harmful bacteria. Also if you are stressed you may not be looking after yourself as well, for example not brushing your teeth before bed or using interdental brushes.

Toxic bacteria on teeth that causes gum disease.

Smoking Stress

Diabetes Lifestyle factors and Nutrition

Genetics Hormones

Nutrition - Reducing your carbohydrate and processed food intake and adopting a healthy diet including fruit and vegetables helps to improve your host response and maintain healthy gums.

Life style factors - such as obesity, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, depression can all reduce how well our bodies defence mechanism works.

Hormones - Hormonal changes are known to affect the gums, especially in pregnancy as even a small amount of plaque can cause a lot of inflammation and bleeding of the gums. With good plaque removal, after the baby is born and hormone levels have returned to normal your gum health should also improve.

All of these factors have an impact on how well the body fights the toxic bacteria that causes inflammation and gum disease. Whether we develop gum disease appears to be a balancing act of how much harmful bacteria there is on our teeth and gums versus how our body defends and protects us against it.

It is logical then that the best thing anyone can do to prevent gum disease is to have beautifully clean teeth: if there is no plaque and bacteria, there cannot be any gum disease! It is obviously very difficult to change our host response to bacteria, therefore good oral hygiene is the cornerstone of gum treatment combined with help, advice and support to manage the other factors listed above, such as smoking cessation advice or referral to your diabetic nurse. To diagnose, prevent

and treat gum disease you need to make sure you attend the dentist for regular examinations, advice and treatment.

Treatment provided by a dentist or dental hygienist for gum disease will only be successful if you fully engage in their recommended oral hygiene regime. I’m afraid there is a lot of homework for you to do in between dental appointments; you cannot rely on your three monthly hygiene visits to do all the work for you.

Treatment of periodontal disease will not be successful if you don’t clean the plaque off your teeth; being really clean means to remove the harmful bacteria which will prevent the disease process progressing. So you must brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, especially before bed and clean interdentally every day.

Your dental team will advice you of the best products to use for every area of your mouth. Examples of some of the products are floss, interdental brushes and single tufted brushes.

If you like to arrange an appointment or would like more information about any of the services we provide then give the practice a call on 01670 828402.

Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice

30 Front Street East, Bedlington, NE22 5AA. Tel: 01670 828402

www.bedlingtonshiredental.co.uk

“Whether we develop gum disease appears to be a balancing act of how much harmful bacteria there is on our teeth and gums versus how our body defends and protects us against it.

FILM RELEASES

THE WHALE

Genre: Drama

Age Rating: 15

Release Date: 3 February

BABYLON

Genre: Drama

Age Rating: 18

Release Date: 20 January

From Damien Chazelle, Babylon is an original epic set in 1920’s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

A bereft Charlie (Brendan Fraser) has become a recluse and is eating himself into an early grave. His health failing, he reaches out to the daughter (Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink) he abandoned when he fell in love with a man and left his wife. The Whale is adapted by Samuel D. Hunter from his own stage play, and Aronofsky directs with consummate economy. Unfolding in a single room, the film has a rich sense of place – the dusty American mid-west, but its themes are universal: our fundamental need for human connection, a sense that time is unforgiving, and the (occasionally awful) power and responsibility of parenting and being someone’s whole world.

what she truly has in mind, will he - and the roster of hot new dancers he’ll have to whip into shape - be able to pull it off?

THE FABELMANS

Genre: Drama

Age Rating 12a

Release Date: 27 January

A deeply personal portrait of a 20th century American childhood, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a cinematic memory of the forces, and family, that shaped the filmmaker’s life and career. A universal coming-of-age story about an isolated young man’s pursuit of his dreams, the film is an exploration of love, artistic ambition, sacrifice and the moments of discovery that allow us to see the truth about ourselves, and our parents, with clarity and compassion.

MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Age Rating TBC

Release Date: 10 February

‘Magic’ Mike Lane (Channing Tatum) takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke and taking bartender gigs in Florida. For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Salma Hayek) who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse…and an agenda all her own. With everything on the line, once Mike discovers

EPIC TAILS

Genre: Adventure, Family

Age Rating: U

Release Date: 10 February

The story of smart mouse Pattie and her feline friend Sam, as they embark upon an exciting adventure of paw-some proportions through Ancient Greece. With a little help from ageing hero Jason, the animals’ quest brings them face to face with some the most bizarre and dangerous creatures from Greek mythology, as they race to halt the threat posed to their city by Poseidon himself. A hilarious and inventive comedy adventure for the whole family.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA

Genre: Action, Adventure Age Rating TBC

Release Date: 17 February

Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.

Details correct at time of going to press. Please check details with your local cinema before purchasing tickets.

GET ON BOARD IN 2023

Local coach tourism expert Graham Wright of United Group Travel has worked in the industry as a driver for many years, the last few spent as a tour driver for a local North East coach holiday company, until the pandemic had a catastrophic effect on the industry, with many companies going out of business.

Over the years, on his numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, Graham built up a fantastic relationship with many of his passengers, and he is lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated Graham’s vast experience and knowledge of the places he 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 his friends that the question was asked about starting his own company and running his own holidays.

Graham has put all his years’ experience and knowledge to good use while planning his exclusive tours. All the tours are exceptional value for money, and he only selects the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to him, or he has previously used them before. The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on Graham’s 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. Guaranteed

free time, as well as entertainment, are also key factors that he takes into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience as possible.

It’s nice to have something to look forward to, so why not book yourself on a coach tour. The advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer.

Give yourself something to look forwrad to in the New Year with a selction of spring tours, including an adventure in the Welsh countryside, an all incluive drinks trip to Blackpool and Harrogate and an all inclusive party at the excellent Winnock Hotel in Perth.

Rest assured that you can book with confidence with United Travel. They have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate, which shows that government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund.

Graham would like to thank all of his wonderful customers that continued to support him throughout 2021 and 2022 and he’s looking forward to welcoming you onboard in 2023!

Tel: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654

www.unitedgrouptravel.com

Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd

Email: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com

United Group Travel are taking bookings now for their popular coach tours.

The Crown Hotel, Harrogate

Barony Hotel, from the Sensational Scotland Tour

Your driver Graham looks forward to welcoming you aboard!

£30 PERDEPOSIT SECURESPERSON BOOKINGYOUR

QUALITY COACH TOURS

3 Star Plus Hotels ● All Excursions Included

No Interchanges ● Local Family Company ● 2 Crew Onboard

Complimentary Tea/Coffee And Biscuits On Travel Days

BLACKPOOL & HARROGATE

ALL INCLUSIVE DRINKS PACKAGE - 6th March

2 Nights Blackpool - Imperial Hotel Plus

2 Nights Harrogate - Crown Hotel DB&B - £450pp*

RED ROSE COUNTY TOUR - 13th March

Foxfields Country Hotel, Ribble Valley

5 days, 4 nights DB&B - £465pp

SCOTLAND’S NORTH WEST PASSAGE - 24th April

Regarded as a trip of a lifetime - 7 days, 6 nights - £720pp*

PLUS OTHER TOURS INCLUDING:

-

Nights

CRIME FICTION FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WHITLEY BAY

Bay Tales Live, the North East’s biggest Crime Fiction event, returns to Whitley Bay on Saturday March 4th, 2023.

Following popular demand, the team behind Bay Tales have announced details of their second annual live one day crime fiction festival at Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday March 4th, 2023.

The event comes on the back of the duo’s inaugural event, which was held in February 2022, and will feature local authors Ann Cleeves OBE and Trevor Wood, alongside more than 15 of the UK’s bestselling crime and mystery writers.

“We’re thrilled with the authors joining us,” says Simon Bewick; co-director of Bay Tales. “We’ve got Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers, Richard and Judy Pick authors, award winners as well as several with work coming to BBC, ITV, Netflix and Paramount Plus soon.”

“Bay Tales Live 2023 will be even bigger and better, with more community involvement,” says Vic Watson. “We’re not just focusing solely on household names. Feedback from our first show indicated that audience members enjoyed being introduced to writers they weren’t already familiar with. Simon and I remain committed to giving writers that readers may not yet know a platform to be discovered. In addition to the five main panels, we’re also planning extra elements to ensure that we shine a spotlight on as many authors as possible.”

“About a third of the audience at the first show were people coming from outside the North East,” Simon says. “And they loved Whitley Bay – we even had one couple tell us they’re intending to move up here permanently! We worked closely with several local businesses for that event, but we’re going to be doing much more for 2023. We’re working with pubs, restaurants and cafes to provide offers for show attendees, we’ve got The Bound bookshop on-site all day selling books, and between now and March we’re working with local charities on some special elements for the show.”

One difference for the pair is the fact that Whitley based author of Vera, Shetland and the Matthew Venn series, Ann Cleeves, OBE, has taken on the official role of patron following her support behind the scenes. Ann says, “The first Bay Tales was a delight from start to finish and the whole town can’t wait to welcome everyone back in 2023.”

“We’re so grateful to have Ann’s support,” Vic says. “She’s been behind us all the way since we started our online shows and to have her as our official patron

is such an honour. It’s incredible that someone so pivotal in the crime writing world - and the north east - has backed us.”

Ann will be kicking off the show along with her special guest, Northern Irish award-winning author, Brian McGilloway. Following her keynote session, Ann says she’s looking forward to watching the four panel discussions to follow, featuring more than 15 authors running throughout the day.

The Doors Open at 08:45, and the Show Starts: 09:30 on Saturday March 4th. The full list of Confirmed Authors are:Ann Cleeves, Brian McGilloway, Abir Mukherjee, Ruth Ware, Jack Jordan, Lin Anderson, Trevor Wood, Jo Callaghan, Fiona Cummins, Alex North, C.J Tudor, Laure Van Rensburg, Lia Middleton, CM Ewan, Jonathan Whitelaw, Nasheema Lennon and Karen Woods.

You can find the full line up details at www.baytales.com/baytaleslive2023

All day tickets are available now online or in person at the box office at Whitley Bay Playhouse for £35 (plus booking fee) or direct from the Bay Tales team via baytales20@gmail.com

CLAIRE BATTISTA IS AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT NURSE PRESCRIBER AND OWNER OF THE BATT HOUSE WHICH IS BASED IN BEDLINGTON, NORTHUMBERLAND

For anyone considering a treatment, consultations at The Batt House are free of charge, so feel free to book in for a chat.

Monthly payment plans are available.

Booking is so easy you can message us on Facebook or Instagram or simply scan the QR code which leads you straight to the booking system.

email: thebatthouse@yahoo.com

To keep up to date with whats happening at The Batt House follow us on

ML I.T. SERVICES

Domestic & Business I.T Support

Supporting businesses & personal customers in their homes, schools, hospitals & small businesses.

BUSINESS SERVICES:

• Installation/Upgrade of Software & Operating Systems

• Specialist in Business Systems Support

• Server, Storage & Networking Support

• PC, Laptop, Router & Printer Installation/Setup

• Troubleshooting Hardware & Software Issues

DOMESTIC SERVICES:

•Set up/troubleshooting for TV’s, Alexas, Mobile Phones etc.

•Hardware upgrades

•Installation/Upgrade of Software on Home PC/Laptops/Printers

Call 01670 898 096 or 07516 086 854

USEFUL NUMBERS

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL 0345 600 6400

Mon to Thu 08:30 - 17:00 Fri 08:30 - 16:30

POLICE NON-EMERGENCY 101

NHS 111

If you need help assessing how urgently treatment is needed.

POWER CUT? CALL 105

SMELL GAS? CALL 0800 111 999

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 0345 717 1100

DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE

0808 247 200

Freephone 24 hours per day

CHILDLINE 0800 11 11

Confidential helpline for children & young people

RAPE CRISIS 0800 035 2794

Mon - Thu (6pm - 8.30pm), Fri (11am - 2pm)

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

0800 9177 650

MAGAZINES

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT

CARE 0808 808 1677

Helpline for the bereaved and those caring for bereaved people.

FRANK 03001 236600

24 hours a day. Information about drugs for those who use them, their friends and family.

GAMCARE 0808 8020 133

Confidential counselling and advice for anyone affected by gambling dependency.

SAMARITANS 116 123

24 hours a day. Confidential emotional support helpline for anyone in a crisis

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

To report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress

AGE UK 0800 169 6565

Free information on issues affecting older people

DEMENTIA CONNECT

0333 150 3456

Dementia advisers will listen and give you support and advice, and connect you to help you need.

SHELTERLINE 0808 800 4444

8am - 12 midnight. Legal and housing advice line for anyone with a housing problem.

NATIONAL DEBTLINE

0808 808 4000

Help for anyone in debt.

MISSING PEOPLE 116 000

Advice, help and support for anyone whose relatives or family members are missing.

CARER’S UK 0808 808 777

Wed, Thu only 10am - 12noon and 2pm4pm. Advice and information for all carers.

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE

0800 882 200

Advice for disabled people and carers.

CITIZEN’S ADVICE 03444 111 444

Help and advice for consumers in the UK.

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT

0871 882 1121

TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33

Advice for your journey by public transport by bus, coach, train, metro or ferry.

A PASSION FOR PEACHES

By Rachael Leverton

Nothing beats biting into a sweet, succulent peach that has ripened to juicy perfection in the warmth of the sun. Despite possessing an exotic air, it doesn’t require great expertise to produce a worthwhile crop in your garden.

When we rented a house in the South of France one summer, there was a peach tree in the garden, and the owner invited us to help ourselves. We have never eaten so many sweet, ripe peaches. Nothing in the supermarkets here has ever compared to those fat globes of nectar.

A few years ago, I discovered that it was possible to grow peaches in this country, too, with a few caveats. In the far South, it’s possible to grow them against a south or south-west-facing wall. Further up the country, we need the help of a conservatory or a large greenhouse. The reasons for this are threefold: peach trees tend to flower very early, around February, when the UK can still suffer sharp frosts in the mornings; they also develop fungal diseases if the weather is too cold and damp and finally, our short summers generally don’t give enough time for the fruits to ripen. But if you have that south-facing wall or conservatory and would like to have a go at growing peaches (and who wouldn’t?), read on.

‘Peregrine’ is a white-fleshed peach quite well-suited to the English climate (the above warnings notwithstanding) though generally best grown under cover. ‘Rochester’ is a very reliable yellow variety that gives good harvests of large fruits in August. It also has the advantage of being a late bloomer, making it less susceptible to frost damage. If space is limited, which it often is in a conservatory, choose a plant grafted onto dwarf rootstock. Peaches are best grown

as a fan. Fasten horizontal wires to the wall at 30cm intervals to allow the stems to be tied in and spaced out evenly. The plant should be positioned about 25cm from the wall with branches sloped towards it, and if planted directly into the soil, this should be enriched with well-rotted manure or compost. If planted into a pot, make it as large and deep as the space allows. Cover the plant with a light fleece at night when the flowers appear to protect the blossom. Because of the lack of natural pollinators early in the year, you can help things along by using a long dry paintbrush to dust pollen from one flower to another. Then water the plant regularly and feed with tomato food through the summer to keep it healthy. Prune any branches that grow away from the wall, and remove any that overcrowd the framework. Cut some old and fruited lateral shoots out each year to allow new ones to take their place.

Fruit is ready for harvesting after it has fully coloured and the flesh near the stalk feels soft. To pick, cup it in the palm of the hand and gently lift. It should easily come away from the tree. The tree will need regular visits for picking as the fruit will not ripen all at once. Peaches are best eaten directly

after being picked. It might take a couple of years, but with a bit of care, attention, and a smidge of luck, you will reap the reward of harvesting your own peaches.

DID YOU KNOW?

● There are over 2000 varieties of peaches in the world.

● Scientifically the peach tree is know as prunus persica.

● Peach originate from Northwest China, but today it can be found in many parts of the world.

● The average lifespan of a peach tree is about 12 years.

● Besides color, peaches are also distinguished by how their pits separate from the flesh. Clingstone – the flesh sticks to the pit; Freestone – the pit is easily separated from the flesh.

● The Ancient Romans referred to the peach as malum persicum “Persian apple”, later becoming French pêche, hence the English “peach”.

Clues Across

1 Scottish plaid (6)

4 Entice, coax (6)

9 Shape with many sides (7)

10 Circulate, deliver (5)

11 Grovel (5)

12 Spiky plant (7)

13 Calendar, schedule (6)

15 Despot, bully (6)

18 Touchable (7)

20 Scrutinise (5)

22 Pretended (5)

23 Teeming, jammed (7)

24 Victim, prey (6)

25 Delicate, fragile (6)

Clues Down

1 Subject matter (5)

2 Let go (7)

3 Seraph, cherub (5)

5 Nimbleness (7)

6 Beginning (5)

7 Essential feature (7)

8 Coalesce (5)

13 Captivate, fascinate (7)

14 Ebb, fade (7)

16 Kept away from (7)

17 Instruct (5)

19 Provide for (5)

20 Leave bread to rise (5)

21 Sea-dwelling duck (5)

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

SOLUTIONS & MORE PUZZLES

ON PAGE 44

QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, GARAGE DOORS

Whether you’re looking to enhance the look of your property, replace a worn out garage door or prevent draughts, AI Garage Doors have a door to suit your needs.

Give them a call and they will guide you through the process, ensuring you select the right garage door to meet your requirements.

From Side Hinged to Roller, Sectional to Up and Over, there are many to choose from.

Side Hinged (also known as side opening or ‘swing’ garage doors) are a traditional style of garage door that are exactly what they say they are: garage doors hinged at the sides, nearly always opening outwards. A simple and very effective type of door with the potential to offer great performance in security and insulation and ease of daily use.

Up and Over garage doors consist of a single panel of material. The door has to be pulled out and then pivoted up so it can slide along the roof of the garage. Roller garage doors, on the other hand, are made of a number of horizontal sections which are hinged together for flexibility. Because it rests on rollers, it can be lifted, and rolled into place along the roof of the garage.

Sectional doors are a great option if space on your drive is tight. They also take up less room in the garage since they can be placed higher than a up and over door.

Things to consider…

Insulation - Insulated doors can reduce heat loss due to foamfilled aluminium slats, which can help reduce your energy bills and is particularly good for houses with an integral garage. Their sound-proofing properties also offer acoustic insulation. Remote control - For ease, convenience and even safety you can’t beat a remote-controlled door. Override - Make sure the remote can be manually overridden in case of power failure.

Security - Automatic door locking mechanisms are useful.

Safety – This one is a top priority. To ensure that an electric garage door is deemed safe for use, it will have to incorporate at least one sufficient safety feature into its mechanism which will prevent personal injury.

AI Garage Doors have been supplying, installing and maintaining garage doors in the Northumberland

and North Tyneside areas for over 15 years. They are Approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen and have built a reputation as reputable and trusted specialists.

They offer a wide range of garage doors in a variety of colours, materials and features whilst offering excellent service and price without compromising on safety or security.

The doors they fit are all manufactured on a professional production line in the UK by a reputable garage door manufacturer and they conform with the standards expected throughout the industry.

With over 80 positive reviews on Checkatrade.com, they are highly recommended tradesmen who can install your new garage door in no time, transforming the appearance of your home.

The garage door is typically the largest moving part in your home and is probably used every day. With normal use, parts can eventually wear out and break, creating potential safety problems. Therefore AI Garage Doors also offer a full repair and maintenance service to keep your garage door running smoothly, so, whether you have something minor from a broken spring or snapped cable, or require a fully fitted automatic double door, they can help!

AI Garage Doors, Tel: 07931 304057 www.aigaragedoors.co.uk

WIN WHILE YOU SAVE

The history of Premium Bonds

Do you own any Premium Bonds?

More than 21 million of us own at least one, and their history dates back to the 19th century.

By 1861 the British Empire was wealthy, but ordinary citizens were not. They had little opportunity to save. A Huddersfield banker called Charles Sikes wanted to change this. He proposed a scheme to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William Gladstone. Gladstone approved and decided there should be a savings bank within "... an hour's walk of every working man's fireside.”.

The Post Office Savings Bank was established to provide cheap funding to the Government, and the Ordinary Savings Account was born. Because the Government secured the funds, people felt it was a safe way to invest, so the project was a success, with 2500 branches opening within two years.

During the First World War, the Government needed to borrow more money, so in 1916 it launched War Savings Certificates in 1916 and followed those with National War Bonds in 1917. These raised £433m (around £24 billion based on today's values).

During the Second World War, there was a similar National Savings campaign and deposits rose from £509m to £1,982m between 1939 and 1946.

After the war, the Government wanted to encourage people to save again, and on November 1st 1956, Premium Savings Bonds went on sale. These didn’t earn interest; instead, each £1 bond received a unique number and had an equal chance to win a prize in a monthly draw. £5 million worth of bonds were sold on the first day (about £121 million today).

So that each £1 bond had an equal chance of winning a prize, the draw needed to be truly random. Because of the complexity of the task, the Government used the team behind the Second World War code-breaker, Colossus, to build a piece

By Jamie Maxfield

of Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment dubbed ERNIE. This machine generated bond numbers based on the signal noise created by gas neon diodes. The original ERNIE was the size of a van and took ten days to complete a draw. Over the past several decades, ERNIE has been through several iterations. The current machine is ERNIE 5, which was introduced in 2019. ERNIE 5 is powered by quantum technology which uses light rather than thermal noise to generate random numbers and takes just 12 minutes to complete a draw.

Back in 1956, you had to own a bond for six months to be entered into the draw; now, it's one full calendar month. Initially, you could only invest £500 maximum, and the biggest prize was £1000. In a time when the average weekly pay was £10 per week, and average house prices were just under £2000, it must have seemed like a huge sum.

Today, you can hold up to £50,000 worth of Premium Bonds, and the maximum prize is £1 million with two chances to win the jackpot each month. There are also many smaller prizes down to a modest £25. 82 billion bonds go into the draw each month, so the odds of any individual bond winning a prize (no matter how small) is 24500 to 1. More than £350 000 of bonds from 1956 are still active today and eligible for entry into the monthly draw.

Believe it or not, even in the present economic climate, there are currently over 1.6 million prizes worth more than £63 million which have not been claimed. Perhaps now might be a good time to check to see whether you have any old Premium Bonds in your name which have been forgotten about. You might get lucky!

Please note, before making any financial decisions, you are advised to consult a professional financial adviser.

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.

HELP REDUCE ENERGY COSTS WITH THERMOS ROOF

Conservatories are a great 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: to increase its insulating performance and enhance its internal aesthetic appearance.

Experience will have shown you that in winter, heat is sucked out of your room and into the conservatory as soon as you open the door. 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 space you can enjoy all year round as 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 the rest of your conservatory 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 today.

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 the external weather conditions do not dictate its use; 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 five-year warranty. We guarantee that you will be amazed by 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

With most of us facing rising energy bills, why not reduce these costs and save money instantly with a Thermos Roof insulation system in your conservatory. Here they explain more.

SAVE £££’S THIS WINTER!

Having a well insulated conservatory can help reduce your heating bills this winter like never before.

Don’t shut your conservatory off from the rest of your house this winter. With a ThermosRoof Installation you can open it up and use it like any other room in your home, safe in the knowledge it’s not costing a fortune to heat.

Start saving right away. Give us a call for an instant price over the phone. You’ll notice the difference before we’ve even finished the installation. Start using your cosy new room immediately.

We can carry out a full install in a single day, leaving zero mess and instant results. We retain your existing roof profile & do not remove your current roof. A 5 year warranty is included.

Prices from £799

R C U N E R D C

WORDSEARCH

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.

Guidelines: 16 Good; 19 Very Good; 22 Excellent.

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).

2023 is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Can you find all of the fictional bunnies hidden in the grid?

Bean

Benjamin Bigwig

Brer

Bucky

Bugs

Bunnicula

Buster Baxter

Captain Carrot

Cecily Parsley

Cottontail

Flopsy Bunnies

Harvey

Hazel

Honey

Hoppy

Jazz

Lola

Miffy

Pantoufle

Peter

Rabbit

Roger

Thumper

Vibri

A GOOD READ

By Tash Donovan

THE MIDWIFE OF AUSCHWITZ

by Anna Stuart

Ana Kaminski is a midwife who is taken to Auschwitz with her young friend Ester Pasternak. As they pass through the iron gates and reach the front of the processing line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares her profession, saying Ester is her assistant. Their arms are tattooed, and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. There Ana vows to do everything she can to save the lives of mothers and their infants.

But she soon learns that the SS snatch the blondhaired babies from their mothers to place them with German families. In spite of her horror, Ana realises that for these children, there is at least the hope of survival. With rumours of the war ending, Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo the newborns with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.

The novel is fiction, but it’s based on a true story, and many of the characters are based on real people at Birkenau (the largest camp in the Auschwitz complex). Ana is a Catholic, Ester is Jewish, and Ana was the midwife who delivered her. Ana’s family were part of the Resistance helping Jewish people escape the Nazi enforced Ghetto until Ana was arrested along with two of her sons. Her husband and other son were not home at the time, so Ana does not know what happened to them at the time she arrives in Auschwitz. She and Ester cling to their friendship and each other through the horror and evil around them. When Liberation comes, will they find a way to get home together? And what awaits them there?

Anna Stuart’s sensitive, beautiful novel showcases one woman’s incredible story, which is a tribute to those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

THE GIRL OF INK & STARS

by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Isabella Riosse (Isa) is a teen trapped on the island of Joya, a land full of myths; forbidden to travel further than the forest that flanks her village by the Governor, and all the while dreaming of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped.

When a string of unsettling events and the disappearance of her closest friend Lupa make it necessary to journey beyond the forest in search of answers, Isa joins a team of explorers on an adventure that will test her map-making skills and her courage.

As she follows her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isa discovers the true purpose of her quest: to save the island itself.

The story is a fantasy set in a parallel magical world. The author draws on mythology and folklore and blends these with themes of friendship, adventure and courage. As a bonus, the text is enhanced with beautiful illustrations and maps.

The Girl of Ink and Stars is officially a children’s novel, but I suspect there are many adults who will also enjoy this richly drawn world and its characters.

NORMAL PEOPLE

by Sally Rooney

While this is a book written for adults I think older teens will find a lot to relate to.

The book follows Marianne and Connell through their angsty, often quite pretentious adolescent years (and who among us wasn’t at least a bit pretentious or obnoxious in their teens?) into the complications of early adulthood.

Rooney treads a fine line between evoking irritation at two flawed, slightly unlikeable people, while making those flaws and the angst seem so raw and real that as a reader we begin to care about them.

The novel is one about relationships and how they are affected by both class and social status. Marianne is a smart girl from an affluent family, but this does not protect her from being socially ostracized at school and emotionally abused at home. Connell on the other hand is from a working-class family and enjoys an easy popularity. Connell’s mother works as a cleaner for Marianne’s family, and the teens are drawn to each other and begin a secret sexual relationship, but it falls apart because Connell does not want his friends to find out.

By the time they meet again at university, Marianne is the popular one, and Connell is feeling increasingly depressed and isolated. They are once more drawn to each other as they navigate through a world filled with social expectations. Through Marianne and Connell, Rooney examines our need to impress and perform for others in a world that seems to grow ever more connected online, with so many things left unsaid face-to-face.

Rooney has created a weird, awkward, compelling novel about weird, awkward, compelling people, who find what they really need, and a lot they don’t, in each other. As Marianne spirals into selfdestruction and Connell looks for meaning in his life, how far will each of them go to save the other.

To buy these books online while supporting your local independent bookshop, visit the website www.yourabc.co.uk/books or scan the QR code

CRÈCHE

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