ABC Magazine: Wansbeck Edition - Nov/Dec 2022

NORTHUMBERLAND LINE UPDATE

STATION GUIDES

Ashington

The line is still on track to be up and running by December 2023. It is a priority of both Northumberland County Council, and is supported by a number of key project partners, including the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Transport for the North (TfN), Nexus and Northern Trains Limited, North Tyneside Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.

One of the project’s priorities is to enable people to travel quickly between Ashington and Newcastle, helping encourage them to switch from car to rail. With this in mind, the number of stations and their locations have been chosen to carefully balance passenger demand and journey times. However, the project does not prevent the future development of additional stations at other locations and extensions to the line.

The Northumberland Line aims to stimulate and support economic growth, regeneration and community development in Northumberland and the surrounding regions by providing new and improved transport links for local people and businesses.

The project will provide six new stations, at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park, with journeys between Ashington and Newcastle taking about 35 minutes and no need to change trains. Options for integrated ticketing between the train and metro services are also being explored.

The freight trains that currently use the railway will still be able to do so, helping support the economic aspirations of both Lynemouth Power Station and the Port of Blyth.

Ashington station will be the northernmost station on the Northumberland Line. The track layout at the station has been carefully designed so that the route can be extended further north in the future to locations such as Newbiggin and Wood horn, though any such extension would be part of a separate scheme. Ashington station will have a single platform on the west side of the line, located on part of the existing car park. The existing car park will be extended and will include Blue Badge spaces and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging bays. Pedestrian and vehicle access into the car park will be from Kenilworth Road and will be designed to maintain delivery access to Wansbeck Square shopping centre and access to the rear of Station Road properties. The station and car park will include tree planting, and wildlife friendly landscaping focused on the areas around the extended car park.

Bedlington

Bedlington station will be the first stop for trains leaving Ashington and will have two platforms, one for services to Ashington and one for services to Newcastle. In order to meet the predicted demand for passenger services, some additional parking will be needed at the station, including Blue Badge spaces and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging bays. The station and car park will include

The Northumberland Line will bring passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle.

tree planting and wildlife friendly landscaping. Some minor works are required to both the level crossings close to the station. In particu lar, the road will be re-prioritised at Bedlington South level crossing, creating a through route from Station Road to Palace Road/Street into St Johns Road. People will use this level crossing to interchange between the two station platforms. New boundary fencing will be installed to keep the station secure, and to provide screening for residential properties and businesses where necessary. No works are proposed to the signal box at the station, the project team are working with Network Rail regards the future of the station buildings.

Blyth Bebside

Blyth Bebside station will be the second stop for trains leaving Ash ington and will have two platforms, one for services to Ashington and one for services to Newcastle. It will have all the facilities described on page 13 of this booklet. The proposed station site is south of residential properties on Heather Lea, and is a former colliery tip that has already been partially reclaimed. The station location has moved further south since our previous consultation to lessen impacts on the highway network, namely the existing grade separated junction between the A189 and the A193. The current proposed location has better access from the main road and is further away from the high voltage overhead power lines. Pedestrian and vehicle access to the station will be along a widened and upgraded Errington Street from Front Street, where a new widened junction will be constructed. A station footbridge will provide access between the platforms. It will have stairs and lifts on both sides. A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A189 will also be provided.

Newsham

Newsham station will be the third stop for trains leaving Ashington and will have two platforms, one for services to Ashington and one for services to Newcastle. There will be a footbridge with lifts to allow passengers to transfer between platforms. The footbridge at this sta tion will be similar to the one provided at Blyth Bebside. A new road

bridge over the railway will be provided resulting in the closure of the Newsham level crossing. This has the benefit of improve ments to public safety, better traffic flows along the A1061 and a better and more robust signal ling solution.

Seaton Delaval

Seaton Delaval station will be the fourth stop for trains leaving Ashington. It will have a single platform located to the south east of the existing railway line and the A192 bridge. A new road will be constructed from the A192 adjacent to the existing car park entrance of The Hastings Arms to provide access into the station. This road will be a primary pe destrian and cycle access route to the station, with new lighting installed to improve safety. The station will be connected with the existing public open space and footpath network in Whytrigg Close and Wheatridge.

Northumberland Park

Northumberland Park station will be the fifth stop for trains leaving Ashington. It will have a single platform, allowing passengers to interchange with existing Tyne and Wear Metro services from the adjacent Metro station. Access to the platform will be by stairs and lift from Algernon Drive, where a separate scheme promoted by North Tyneside Council is looking at highway improvements and additional cycle storage. Given the existing provision within the Northumber land Park multi-storey car park, no additional car or bike parking will be created at this station. The existing car parking nearby is anticipated to be sufficient for passenger demand.

For more information visit www.northumberlandline.uk

FOOTBALL CRAZY: Are You Ready For The World Cup?

• The World Cup is usually held in June and July, but the host this year is Qatar. The subtropical desert climate of Qatar always results in scorching summers, with temperatures averaging between 32-27 degrees, often peaking much higher than this. Hence, the authorities felt playing football during these months would be too dangerous. So, as part of their winning bid for hosting the World Cup, Qatar agreed to stage the tournament in November and December, where typical temperatures are a more comfortable 21-26 degrees.

• The first World Cup took place back in 1930. Jules Rimet, a French football administrator who was the third and longest serving President of FIFA, wanted to create an international competition between men's football teams. The first World Cup tournament consisted of thirteen invited teams and took place in Uruguay, who then won the competition.

• The World Cup has been played every four years since this inaugural tournament, except in 1942 and 1946, when it was suspended due to World War II. This is the 22nd tournament.

• Brazil has won the most World Cups, with five, while Italy and Germany are close behind, with four each.

• The oldest goalscorer in World Cup history is Roger Milla, who, at

the ripe old age of 42, scored for Cameroon against Russia in 1994.

• The winning team is awarded the World Cup Trophy. Although the team enjoys celebrating and being photographed with the trophy after the final, they don't get to take it away with them. They are sent home with a replica.

The current Jules Rimet trophy has been presented to winning teams since 1970. It is made of 18-carat gold and weighs in at 13.5 pounds (just over 6Kg).

At the tournament's inception in 1930, FIFA decided that if any nation won three finals, they would be given the trophy to keep.

In 1970 Brazil achieved this feat when they defeated Italy in the final in Mexico, so the trophy was presented to the Brazilian Sports Confederation. The trophy was displayed on the third floor of the CBF offices in Rio. 13 years later, on the night of 19th of December, the security guard was overpowered by a group of thieves, and the trophy disappeared. It has never been found.

• Egyptian Goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary, is the oldest player to ever play in the World Cup at the age of 45, having played at the 2018 Russian World Cup.

•The highest scoring game in World Cup history was in 1854 when Austria defeated Switzerland 7-5.

• The biggest margin of victory in a World Cup game came in 1982 when Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1.

• The fastest goal at the World Cup took only 11 seconds! The scorer was Hakan Suker, who netted for Turkey against South Korea in 2002. England's Bryan Robson had previously held the record when he broke the deadlock against France in 1982 after only 27 seconds.

• While 32 teams have again qualified for this year's tournament, that number will jump to 48 in 2026, when the tournament will be spread across three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico.

• England have only ever hosted the tournament once, in 1966, which was also the only time they ever won the tournament, defeating Germany in a dramatic last-minute 4 – 2 win.

Will 2022 be the year England finally wins the tournament on foreign soil? Let's hope that after almost 60 years of hurt, football once again comes home!

With the first ever mid-season World Cup upon us, here are a few fun World Cup facts to get you in the mood for a winter festival of football.

NEWCASTLE IN ALL ITS GLORY

New Book offers a stunning collection of images which capture the essence of the city.

Newcastle has been a major city in the North East of England since the Middle Ages. The stone castle, from which it derives its name, still stands and the city first became prosperous because of its coal trade, later developing as a centre for shipbuilding and other heavy engineering.

Newcastle has retained much of its 18th and 19th century fabric while developing itself as a modern city in recent decades. Heavy industry has declined but the city has regenerated many areas as well as building exciting new developments, attracting many to this thriving city.

For those who are proud to live in Newcastle, as well as those visiting, Newcastle in Photographs is a must. Look through these photographs and you will quickly see why this city in the North East has such enduring appeal.

Author Simon Mccabe is a photographer based in

The Craft Lady

Art, Jewellery & the Occasional Curiosity

You are going to love our little corner of the world, it’s filled with expertly crafted unique jewellery and lots of other little treasures curated carefully to match your unique loveliness!

We are in the pretty seaside village of Newbiggin by the Sea, so what are you waiting for? Gather your girls, stay for lunch, and make a day of it.

Find this well-kept secret at: Seventy Seven, (77 Front Street), Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, NE64 6AD. www.thecraftlady.co.uk

the North East specialising in landscape, nature and wildlife.

This beautifully captured insight around Newcastle contains approximately 126 stunning images and is the perfect souvenir for tourists and gift for residents.

Newcastle in Photographs is available now from 15th November from www.amberley-books.com and all good bookshops. To buy this book online while supporting your local independent bookshop, visit: uk.bookshop.org/shop/abcmagazines

TOP MARKS FOR LOCAL SPECIAL SCHOOL

Cleaswell Hill School judged as a beacon of excellence

Cleaswell Hill, a day community special school in Guide Post, Northumberland for 208 children with complex learning difficulties and disabilities, received their second consecutive ‘outstanding’ judgement by Ofsted in a report published on the 21st September.

Two inspectors examined the school for children aged 4-19 on the 29th and 30th of June 2022. Their inspection involved visiting pupils from across the school, subject deep dives, the consideration of staff and parent survey responses and meetings with senior leaders, governors and the school improvement partner.

Lynn Watson OBE stated “it is a privilege working with Cleaswell Hill School as part of the Local Authority School Improvement Partner system. The school has sustained excellence across two full inspections and there is no doubt in my mind it is a beacon of excellence in SEND provision.”

In their glowing six page report, Ofsted state that ‘pupils thrive at Cleaswell Hill’. The document

highlights the high expectations, ‘overwhelmingly positive’ feedback from parents and carers, exceptional behaviour, safety, highly specialised and ambitious curriculum, experienced staff, work with multiagency professionals, preparation for next steps, support for pupil wellbeing, interventions, promotion of personal development and effective safeguarding arrangements as areas of strength for the school. No areas for development are outlined within the report.

Mike Jackson, headteacher explained “we have a great team at Cleaswell who work tirelessly day in day out to ensure our pupils receive the highest quality provision; this commitment is reflected in the Ofsted judgement”.

Ian Lavery, local MP commented “to be once again judged as ‘outstanding’ is an incredible achievement. This does not happen overnight. The hard work and dedication that goes on for years behind the scenes to make this happen is immense and a testament to the commitment and professionalism of all the staff and leadership team at Cleaswell Hill School. This is even more impressive given the difficulties that schools have faced over the past couple of years as a result of the pandemic. A massive congratulations and well done to all involved and keep up the hard work!”

The last full Ofsted inspection at Cleaswell Hill School was conducted in 2017, followed by a one day monitoring visit in 2020. To read the full inspection report and find out more information about Cleaswell Hill School and Cleaswell Hill Foundation (Registered Charity Number 1000697), visit www.cleaswellhill.northumberland.sch.uk

The Biscuit Factory Gift Guide

Shop local and independent this Christmas, and find original gifts at The Biscuit Factory in Ouseburn. With pieces starting under £30 you’ll find something for everyone among their collections. Take inspiration below, and visit the gallery to see their full collections!

FOR THE FOODIES:

1. Mouse cheese board in beech wood by Majid Lavasani, £30. Local furniture maker and wood-worker Majid Lavasani crafts beautiful, functional pieces for everyday use. His cheese boards are always sell outs, so grab one quickly!

2. Black porcelain and copper chilli flake bowl by Kirsty Adams, £30. For the avid cook; one of Gosforth-based ceramicist Kirsty Adams’ salt or chilli bowls is a thoughtful token that fits into their every day.

FOR THE JEWELLERY LOVERS:

3. Golden Seed Studs by Silverkupe £59. Silverkupe’s EmineThompson combines sterling silver with 24k gold plate to create organic-inspired jewellery right here in Newcastle!

4. Double Circle Sterling Silver necklace by Elin Horgan £50. Simple geometric jewellery makes a subtle statement for those who like to keep their look streamlined, like this silver necklace by contemporary jeweller Elin Horgan.

FOR THE EXPERIENCE-SEEKERS:

5. Botanical Embroidery Workshop with Lucy Freeman £65 per person. For those who like to try new experiences, why not book one of The Biscuit Factory’s creative workshops? A cohort of artists deliver sessions for small groups across a range of activities; from embroidery to oil painting, ceramics to wire sculpture. Better yet, spend some quality time creating together then enjoy an Afternoon Tea or Brunch for Two in The Factory Kitchen Cafe!

SPREAD THE COST OF CHRISTMAS:

6. Own Art Scheme. When buying original art and craft at The Biscuit Factory you can apply to spread the cost of your purchase with their Own Art scheme. Whether one statement gift, or several pieces together, when you spend £100 online or in the gallery you can use the interest-free finance scheme to pay over 10 instalments, starting the month after your purchase!

The Biscuit Factory16 Stoddart Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN. Open Daily 10 - 5. www.thebiscuitfactory.com Tel: 0191 261 1103

FILM RELEASES

SHE SAID

Genres: Drama Age Rating: 15 Release date: 25th November

THE MENU

Genres: Comedy, Horror Age Rating: 18

Release date: 18th November

Young couple Margot and Tyler travel to a remote island to eat at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant run by celebrity chef Slowik, who has prepared a lavish molecular gastronomy menu where food is treated as conceptual art, but his approach to cuisine has some shocking surprises for the wealthy guests. Starring Mark Mylod; Anya Taylor-Joy; Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Fiennes.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan star as New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who together broke a story that helped launch the #Metoo move ment, shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.

The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their planet.

STRANGE WORLD

Genres: Animation, Action Age Rating: PG

Release date: 23rd November

Journey to a place where nothing is as it appears! Walt Disney Animation Studios’ orig inal action-adventure ‘Strange World’ journeys deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their lat est - and by far - most crucial mission. With voice acting from Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal and Lucy Liu.

VIOLENT NIGHT

Genres: Action, Comedy Age Rating: TBC Release date: 2nd December

A coal-dark holiday action-com edy that says you should always bet on red. When a team of merce naries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

Genres: Biography, Drama Age Rating: PG Release date: 26th December

The joyous, emotional and heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical super stardom.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Genres: Action, Fantasy Age Rating: TBC Release date: 16rd December

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar:

A MAN CALLED OTTO

Genres: Comedy, Drama Age Rating: 18 Release date: 6th January

Otto (Tom Hanks) is a grumpy isolated widower with staunch principles, strict routines and a short fuse, who gives everyone in his neighborhood a hard time as he watches over it like a hawk. Just as it seems like he’s finally given up on life, an unlikely and reluctant friendship develops with his new neighbors. Little by little, Otto undergoes a subtle transformation…but is he really capable of change?

(07799797063)

FANCY A FESTIVE GETAWAY?

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

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 a Christmas shopping trip, or go the whole hog and book a trip away for Christmas? The advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer, over the festive season and beyond!

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 the 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!

United Group Travel Ltd

Tel: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654

www.unitedgrouptravel.com

E mail: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com

The Winnock, Loch Lomond

Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa

Ashington & District Male Voice Choir (ADMVC) have commenced rehearsals for the festive season. They have welcomed four new members to the choir in recent weeks, and all are enjoying the benefits of singing in a community choir whilst learning their festive programme.

Their next performance is at the County Hall, Morpeth, on 25th November, where they will be performing as part of a fundraising event for the Civic Head’s Charity – Tynedale Hospice at Home.

Their Christmas Concert is on Saturday 10th December 3pm, at St Cuthbert’s Church Bedlington. Their guest this year is Percussionist Steven Moore, who has just completed a UK tour. They look forward to hearing Steven and the amazing sounds he can produce on the Marimba.

As always, with ADMVC being a community Choir, prospective new singers would be most welcome. Just drop in to one of their rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7pm at Bomarsund Welfare Centre for a taster session. No auditions required and you do not need to be able to read music as one of their

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.

Communal singing really lifts your mood and the health benefits from regular singing are well publicised. If you are interested, please visit their website www.ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org or find them on Facebook. They look forward to hearing from you!

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DENTURES

By Joanne Duggan, Principal Dental Surgeon at Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice

Followingon from the previous article, I wanted to continue on the subject of dentures, as there was just too much information to fit into one magazine! In this piece, I will focus more on the potential problems with dentures and hopefully how to avoid them.

Plaque is a sticky coating that contains bacteria that can cause decay and gum disease on your natural teeth. Did you know if you do not clean your dentures properly plaque can also build up on your dentures? A report by the Dental Health Foundation found a lack of denture cleanliness can lead to poorer oral health, as well as general health problems. They also discovered that the general cleaning habits of denture-wearers remains poor.

The best way to clean your dentures is with soap and water using a denture toothbrush, at least twice a day. The “2 minute rule” applies to your dentures as well as your natural teeth. Make sure you brush all the surfaces of the denture, including the surface that fits against your gums and ensure you remove any fixative. Fill your sink with water (not boiling hot) and clean the dentures as close to this as possible as it will help prevent breakages if you were to accidently drop them. Daily soaking in a denture- cleansing

solution (please note always outside of your mouth and never use in your mouth) may also help to chemically breakdown any remaining plaque, but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these products as not all are suitable for every denture material. Metal dentures in particular can be corroded by some denture-cleansing solutions and some solutions can bleach the pink gum work making this part of the denture look unnatural. In summary therefore be careful with any products containing bleach, again follow the manufactures instructions and extreme caution with chrome cobalt metal or dentures with soft linings.

Usually you will be advised to take your denture out at night. This gives a chance for your mouth to rest and help to keep it healthy. This guideline is even more important for people at a higher risk of developing denture stomatitis (more about this later) and for frail or institutionalised older people. Soaking in a denture cleanser solution after mechanical cleaning/brushing seems to be beneficial for preventing denture stomatitis and the potential risk of pneumonia, especially in older more vulnerable people.

3

https://www.dentalhealth.org/ denture-stomatitis

Research published in the Journal of Dental Research (JDR) has shown that people who wear dentures during sleep are at higher risk for pneumonia

than those who removed their dentures at night.

Over a three-year follow-up period, among 453 denture wearers, 40.8% who wore their dentures during sleep, were at higher risk of developing pneumonia than those who removed their dentures at night. In addition, those who wore dentures while sleeping were more likely to have tongue and denture plaque, gum inflammation, positive culture for candida albicans (the organism that causes oral thrush/ denture stomatitis), and higher levels of a substance circulating in your body (the particular name of which is interleukin-6 for anyone with a scientific interest) that is produced in response to infections and tissue injuries.

This study2 concluded that denture wearing during the night should be discouraged, particularly in the elderly.

When your denture is out, store it somewhere safe and in a small amount of water to stop them drying out and warping. Try not to wrap them in tissue and leave them out on a bench or bedside cabinet. You would not believe the number of patients that throw their dentures out by accident. Also, dog owners beware; dogs just LOVE to chew their owner’s dentures!

If you have a partial denture, it is really important you do not wear it when you clean your natural teeth; make sure you take it out so your toothbrush can get into all the places the denture covers to remove any bits of food or harmful plaque bacteria. All patients who wear removable dentures should be enrolled into a regular recall and maintenance programme with their dental

professional1

Patients with no teeth are still advised to visit their dental professional for regular oral cancer screening.

PROBLEMS WITH DENTURES

· Speech. Initially some sounds may change, but usually will correct over a few hours as your tongue becomes accustomed to the position of the new teeth and thickness of the palate.

Getting used to them/eating. When you wear a denture for the first time, it obviously feels very strange as you will not be used to having a piece of plastic/metal in your mouth and it can take up-to 12 weeks to feel a “normal” part of you. Initially eating will take practice and you may need to start with small pieces of soft food until you get used to them. You will find that you will soon adapt to wearing dentures and eating will become much easier and you will be able to have a normal diet again.

Rubbing /ulcers. When you first get your dentures you may get soreness or ulcers from rubbing. I always liken this to having a new pair of shoes; you do not truly know if they are comfortable until you have walked in them. A denture is similar; you need to wear them for a period of time before you truly know if they are comfortable. Just a little too much pressure on the soft tissue of your mouth can cause tenderness. Do not worry though as this is a completely normal process, although sometimes painful. This problem can be resolved at the review stages with your dental professional where the denture will be eased to reduce the pressure at these sites.

· Denture stomatitis/thrush. Denture stomatitis is caused by a yeast or fungus called candida albicans. It is not an infection that we get or pass on to others, because we all have some candida in our mouths. Thrush can appear in other parts of the body, but when it affects the mouth, especially under your denture, it may be called ‘denture stomatitis’. You may not even be aware that you have this condition. The gum under your denture may be very red or have whitened areas

“ continues on next page ➤

https://www.dentalhealth.org/

over it, and if left untreated can cause soreness and changes in the shape of the gum under the denture. This can therefore lead to a poorly fitting denture. The best way to treat denture stomatitis is to ensure you have very good oral hygiene, keeping your mouth and dentures as clean as possible, and keep your denture out at night. Sometimes this is all you need to do for the yeast infection to clear up. If however it does not clear up, then you may need some medication, (sometimes lozenges or sucking tablets). Your dental professional/pharmacist will advise you3.

Poor denture hygiene, not only can lead to denture stomatitis as discussed above, but can also trap food and plaque that will lead to tooth decay and gum disease. A denture does not rot your teeth, but poor denture and oral hygiene does.

You just cannot tolerate to wear them? Most people do not have a problem with an upper denture; this is because your palate helps to support and retain them. If patients are having problems wearing a denture, then it is usually with the lower one. For a lower full denture there is much less of the jaw to support it and also it has to fit in a balanced position between your cheeks and tongue. These are powerful muscles and can knock the denture out of place when they move. It can take weeks and months for some patients to learn how to control their lower full denture when eating and talking.

Denture fixative

It is the aim of every dentist, Clinical dental technician, and technician, to make you a secure denture that instils you with confidence, however there are always circumstances when the denture may move (for example you may have a flabby ridge and flat palate, or your mouth is changing shape after having teeth out and an immediate denture), and you need a little extra help to keep your denture in. Denture fixatives area

applied onto the fitting surface of your denture to try to stop any movement and make them feel more secure. Most patients apply too much fixative to their dentures; if any squeezes out when you bite together then you’ve applied too much. Three small amounts, no bigger than the tip of your little finger nail, are usually enough onto the fitting surface of your denture.

Implant retained denture

If however, you really cannot tolerate dentures then progressing to an implant retained bridge/denture may be an alternative option. An implant retained bridge is a fixed appliance which can only be removed by your dentist. An implant retained denture is stabilised by securely gripping to the implants but is removable to enable you to clean at home.

How long will my dentures last?

If you treat your dentures well, and depending on the quality, they should last several years. However, your dentures may need to be relined or re-made because of normal wear, or a change in the shape of your mouth. Loose dentures can cause discomfort, and health problems including sores and infections. A loose or badly fitting denture can also make eating and talking more difficult. It is important to replace worn or badly fitting dentures before they cause problems.

In conclusion, dentures can be a great way to restore the gaps caused by missing teeth. Even though they are false, they still need to be looked after and cleaned well. You will also need to visit your dental team regularly to ensure your mouth is healthy and your denture is a good fit and is providing you with enough support for your mouth for chewing and eating.

References:

1. https://www.dentalhealth.org/denturecareguidelines

2. J Dent Res. 2015 Mar; 94(3 Suppl): 28S–36S.. Denture Wearing during Sleep Doubles the Risk of Pneumoniain the Very Elderly. T. Iinuma, Y. Arai, Y. Abe, M. Takayama, M. Fukumoto, Y. Fukui, T. Iwase, T. Takebayashi, N. Hirose, N. Gionhaku, and K. Komiyama

3. https://www.dentalhealth.org/denture-stomatitis

If you like to arrange an appointment or would like more information about any of the services we provide or our Clinical Dental technician, then give the practice a call; 01670 828402.

Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice, 30 Front Street East, Bedlington, NE22 5AA. Tel: 01670 828402 www.bedlingtonshiredental.co.uk

CHEAT’S CHERRY TRIFLE

We guarantee everyone will have room for dessert when you delight them with this cheat’s cherry trifle. This sweet recipe utilises canned cherry pie filling and shop bought custard for quickness and ease, but your guests will never know! Serves 10

INGREDIENTS

• 5 sheets of leaf gelatine

• 2 x 410g cans of cherry pie filling

• 400g of Madeira cake or madeleines

• 6 tbsp cherry jam

• 3tbs amaretto liquor

• 800ml good-quality shop bought custard

• 400ml double cream

• 1 tsp corn flour

• 1 tbsp icing sugar

• 15g flaked almonds, toasted

• Edible glitter or gold sprinkle dust and gold edible balls to decorate

METHOD

1. To make the jelly layer, soften the gelatine in a small bowl of water. Tip the cherry pie filling into a saucepan with 100ml of water and gently cook on a low heat on the hob, being careful not to boil.

2. Add the softened gelatine sheets to the cherry pie filling and stir until dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before transferring to a 20cm trifle dish. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the mixture has set.

3. Cut the Madeira cake or madeleines in half, length ways.

Spread with the cherry jam and sandwich back together before cutting into large chunks. Arrange the chunks in a layer on top of the jelly and then drizzle over the amaretto. Gently pour over the custard and level over with a palette knife. Refrigerate for a further 30 minutes - 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile, place the cream in a large bowl and sieve in the icing sugar and corn flour (this will help stabilize the cream if you are making this in advance). Whisk the cream mixture until soft peaks form, then spoon the cream on top of the custard and scatter over the flaked almonds, glitter, and gold balls. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe’s courtesy of Dobbies. For more festive food inspiration, and to browse Dobbies’ seasonal ranges visit www.dobbies.com.

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.

Wednesdays 7pm

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.

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.

WINTER GARDENING Tips

As temperatures drop, taking care of our gardens might not be at the forefront of our minds. However, Dobbies Garden Cen tre says that winter shouldn’t be a time of gardening shut down and, in fact, there are jobs to be done that will prep our outdoor spaces for the new year.

INDOORS

Pot up Amaryllis bulbs for flowering over the festive period, moving bowls of earlier planted fragrant Hyacinths or Narcissus Paper Whites to a brighter position to grow on for Christmas flower colour.

TUBS AND BASKETS

November is a great time to plant winter bedding. Pansies, Violas and winter flowering Heathers are all proven winners.

Plant with ruby red Skimmia, Hellebore (Christmas Rose), winter flowering Viburnum and trailing Ivy for a seasonal look.

Protect any prized outdoor plants and containers by lifting them off the ground with pot-feet to help prevent waterlogging during the winter months.

BEDS AND BORDERS

Tulip bulbs are best planted in November, so get them in now for a great display during May & June. Combine with drifts of winter

MAGICAL POINSETTIAS

hardy bedding plants for a colour ful spring display.

Cut back summer-flowering shrubs such as Buddleia and Lav atera by half to prevent wind rock and give evergreen hedges their final trim for a neat, crisp finish.

Plant new hedges, such as Beech, Hawthorn and Privet. It’s also the best time to fill gaps and rejuvenate a hedge with fresh plants.

GARDEN TIDY UP

Clean, oil and sharpen garden tools, and book the lawn mower in for its winter service.

Cover garden furniture with winter covers to protect from heavy rain.

Clear fallen leaves from the gar den pond to protect wildlife and from paths and patios to reduce slippery algae forming.

For the benefit of garden wildlife, leave some areas of the garden untouched as a winter sanctuary for insects and hibernat ing hedgehogs.

LAWN

Rake up fallen leaves to prevent them smothering and eventually killing off your grass. Mix into your compost heap, or store in a separate pen for rotting down into leaf-mould.

Scarify established lawns to re move dead thatch, which can stifle

growth in the winter months. Spike the surface with a fork or lawn aerator and apply lawn dressing to help improve drainage.

GARDEN BIRDS

One of the joys of winter is watch ing our colourful garden birds, so reliant on the food and fresh water we put out to sustain them through the winter months.

Position feeders as close to the house as possible, using a variety of seeds and nuts to attract a wide range of birds to your garden. Once they find you, they will be come daily visitors, sheltering from the worst of the weather in your trees, shrubs and hedges.

Put up nest boxes to entice them to stay in readiness for the new spring season.

For more gardening tips visit www.dobbies.com

In the UK, poinsettias have become as entwined with Christmas as holly and mistletoe. Yet poinsettias are actually sub-tropical plants, native to Central America and Mexico, requiring temperatures of between 10 and 21 degrees centigrade to survive.

The bright red ‘flowers’ are really bracts, surrounding the real flowers, which are tiny and insignificant. They are notoriously difficult to persuade to flower again but it is possible!

If you want to try this, fertilize the plant once a month then cut back the stems in February to promote new growth. In May repot it to a larger container.

From late September to 1st December cover the plant between 6pm and 8am as poinsettias need long periods of darkness in order to persuade the bracts to turn red. Around December 1st you should have a beautiful flowering poinsettia. But if this sounds too much like hard work...well, you can always buy another one!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

THE ORIGINS OF THE ADVENT CALENDAR

BY KATE MCCARTHY

I loved the arrival of the Advent Calendar when I was growing up. Every year we had a cardboard one from Woolworths, printed with a Christmas scene, each little door opening to reveal a tiny picture such as a teddy, a reindeer or a bauble.

My brother and I would take it turns to be 'odds' or 'evens'. I always wanted to be 'evens' so I could open the Christmas Eve door which was always slightly larger and had a picture of the Nativity or Santa on the roof of a snow-covered house. When some of the kids at school started boasting about their 'chocolate' Advent Calendars we begged my dad for one and eventually he gave in. We were disappointed when we realised that once the chocolate was removed there was no picture, just an empty space where the chocolate had been. The 'open' chocolate Advent Calendar had all the charm of a mouth with missing teeth. We never asked for another one.

The Advent calendar originates from Germany. It began with German Protestants marking the days of Advent either by burning a candle or marking a wall with chalk. This morphed into the practice of hanging a devotional image every day and ultimately to the creation of the first known wooden Advent Calendar in 1851. The first printed calendars appeared just after 1900. Small doors were added in the 1920s. Often short bible verses were hidden behind the doors alongside the picture. During the World War ll cardboard rationing put a stop to advent calendars but when hostilities ceased Richard Sellmar of Stuttgart obtained a permit from the US officials to begin printing and selling them again. He designed a calendar based on a German winter town scene. By the 1950s, they were mass-produced and affordable and exported across the world.

Chocolate Advent Calendars might seem like the new kids on the block but they have been around longer than you might think. Fry and Son produced the first chocolate Advent calendar as early as 1958 and Cadbury popularised them in the Seventies. Lego got in

on the action in 1998 with a set that contained a Santa Claus minifigure and simple brick-made structures, which could be finally reassembled into a bigger model or scene. They've produced at least one every year since. My oldest teen begs me for their Harry Potter one every year.

Over the past decade Advent Calendars have gone 'luxury’ and become a key marketing strategy for many companies. This started around 2010 when Selfridges department store launched a beauty-themed Advent calendar with the cosmetics giant L’Oréal. It was filled with product samples from fragrances to body creams. There is now a advent calendar catering for pretty much every taste, most of them marketed at adults rather than children. There are advent calendars for gin-lovers, tea-lovers, and nailpolish addicts; there is even one for pets, and they are not cheap! Some cost upwards of £150!

“

The first printed calendars appeared just after 1900. Small doors were added in the 1920s.

It's all a worlds away from Sellmar-Verlag, now run by Richard's grandchildren, which still produces traditional card Advent Calendars to this day. The company’s most popular advent calendar is still Richard's original design, called Little Town.

A few years ago my husband (knowing my love of traditional Advent Calendars) bought me a wooden one which is reusable and is a beautiful Christmas decoration in its own right...in fact my teens actually argue over which one of them will inherit it when I die (that's the festive spirit guys!).

However you choose to mark the occasion...Happy Advent!

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.

WHAT’S ON AT SEATON DELAVAL ARTS CENTRE

The Seaton Delaval Arts Centre is a modern facility for the enjoyment of the ‘Arts’ in the local environment. The 162 seater community theatre opened in 2007 after months of hard work and dedication, with the building being redeveloped from an old Salvation Army hall into a high standard multi use community space.

As a registered charity and not for profit organisation, the venue is ran entirely by volunteers providing a well maintained building not only for the arts, but for the whole community to enjoy.

The Centre has an ever growing theatre programme in place with a range of professional and amateur shows taking place including live music, comedy, pantomime, musicals and drama, allowing members of the community to see a real mix of shows and performances on their door step with great value for money. Our auditorium can hold up to 162 people with a permanent stage in place, professional lighting and sound rig and tiered seating.

Here is a glimpse of some of the upcoming events.

THE STRAITS UK – TRIBUTE TO THE DIRE STRAITS Saturday 19th November At 7:30pm

Founded in 2018, The Straits UK are made up of five musicians all with a passion for delivering quality music and performance every time. Residing in Newcastle, the idea to form a tribute

to Dire Straits originated with the front-man and drummer, who happen to be father and son. They have both been lifelong Dire Straits fans, meaning attention to detail is second to none. Performing all the hits from The Dire Straits back catalogue, with authenticity that has been likened to ‘listening to the real thing’ by many. Come with us to experience and relive the unmistakable guitar and keyboard sounds of the Alchemy, Wembley ’85, On Every Street tours and much more! In fact, close your eyes and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Knopfler himself playing. A must for all Dire Straits fans!

ALADDIN – 50TH ANNIVERSARY PANTOMIME! Presented by Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society Friday 2nd To Saturday 10th December 2022 | Evenings At 7pm – Matinees At 1pm

An evil magician has discovered the secret to becoming Master of the Universe. All he needs is an enchanted oil lamp hidden away for many years in a lost cave but only the ‘chosen one’ is allowed to set foot inside. Meanwhile, Aladdin dreams of marrying the beautiful Princess Jasmine but a penniless laundry boy could never hope to have the love of a royal. Could he be the chosen one? Join us on a flying carpet adventure as we celebrate 50 years of Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society! Aladdin, Window Twankey, Wishee Washee and the gang are back in a hilarious show for the whole family, packed full of all of the usual show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines

and hilarious knockabout comedy with bags of audience participation and fun.

A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS

Saturday 17th December At 7:30pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! So join us for an evening of festive hits and musical theatre classics. Following on from their hit concerts ‘From Hammerstien to Hamilton’ and ‘Twist and Shout’, locally based CS Productions are back for one night only with a new festive musical cabaret! Featuring fabulous vocals from talented musical theatre performers plus live accompaniment, this is not one to be missed. The perfect way to get into the festive spirit!

NE STREET BAND – THE SONGS OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Saturday 18th March 2023 At 7.30pm

The NE Street Band plays the songs of the legendary Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Based in the North East of England, they continue to get rave reviews from their live shows and are playing to increasingly growing audiences across the country. Expect a fun filled 2 hour show packed full of all things Bruce & E Street, covering

all the classic songs and fan favourites, including some from the Seeger sessions. A must see band for any Springsteen fan.

ACOUSTIC MCCARTNEY AND STING

Saturday 1st April 2023 At 7.30pm

Regarded as two of the finest songwriters of all time, this show features acoustic covers of all the best hits from Sir Paul McCartney and Sting performed by Edinburgh Festival Fringe award winner Gus Boyd. With one voice and one guitar, the first half will feature all of McCartney’s catalogue from The Beatles, Wings and his solo tunes including Yesterday, Here there and everywhere, Fool on the hill, The long and winding road, Drive my car, Let it be, Hey Jude and many more. In the second act we’ll visit all of the songs by local lad Sting including his solo songs and The Police. With a similar vocal timbre and range, Gus delivers with passion and power; songs such as Roxanne, Fields of Gold, Message in a Bottle, Every Breath You Take, Walking on the Moon and Englishman in New York.

All ticket and event information can be found by visiting www.seatondelavalartscentre.com

OLDER PEOPLE IN NORTHUMBERLAND TO BENEFIT FROM DONATION FROM LOCAL COMPANY

Representatives from Age UK Northumberland were delighted to receive the four-figure sum from local merchandise supplier, Pro-Ad Ltd, which was raised during the company’s 40th birthday celebrations earlier this year.

Loren Nardini, Commercial Director for Pro-Ad Ltd says:

“We have been based in Morpeth for 40 years now and see the great work that Age UK Northumberland does to support older people in the community. We wanted to use our celebrations to make a difference and this seemed to be an obvious choice.”

“We talked with our team and customers and agreed to donate £40 from every order over £500 to Age UK Northumberland. Our customers really got involved and loved the fact that they were supporting such an impor tant charity.”

The cheque for £2,360 was presented to Amy Whyte, Chief Executive of Age UK Northumberland. She says:

“We are bowled over by this generous donation from local business, Pro-Ad. It means so much to a charity like ourselves, who are dependent on fundraising, grants and kind donations to fund our services. It’s brilliant to see a local business looking outside of their immediate needs to support others in the community.”

Pro-Ad Ltd is a family run business, established by

Carlo Nardini in 1982. Carlo set out to create a portfolio of products that people could keep and remember events and businesses by. Forty years later Pro-As supplies over 100,000 products to companies across the world.

To find out more about how Age UK Northumberland can support you, please get in touch with our friendly, dedicated team for a confidential chat on 01670 784 800 or you can email info@ageuk-northumberland.org.uk

Amy Whyte, Chief Executive of Age UK Northumberland receives the cheque from Loren Nardini, Commercial Director of Pro-Ad Ltd.

CULTURAL TOURS OF THE NORTH EAST

Tyne Idols

To celebrate the enormous wealth of talent born in our region, Tyne Idols organise and host unforgettable experiences, promotions and tours throughout the North East.

Their hugely popular music and cultural tours take place aboard their classic double decker bus, and provide hours of local fact-finding fun. Most tours are hosted by Geordie legend Ray Laidlaw, the former drummer with the legendary folk-rock band Lindisfarne. Here is a small selection of the tours available….

THE DEFINITELY VERY LAST "HIM OFF THE VIZ" TOUR WITH SIMON DONALD

Wednesday, December 28, 2022. 15:00 18:00

Simon Donald and the Tyne Idols team would like to invite you on even yet another very special, one-off tour. This is now the squillionth tour he has done, so you know how it gans, but this tour will include a new venue visit, so you’ll have to be on it to find out where!

Starts 3.00pm from Bewick Street, Newcastle to take advantage of the diminishing light. Tickets £25 per person.

NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD TOUR

WITH RAY LAIDLAW

Wednesday, May 3, 2023. 19:00 22:00 Join the team for their famous music and film heritage tour departing Bewick Street, Newcastle (opposite Central Station) at 7.00pm and returning roughly three hours later — they’re usually a bit late returning because there’s so much to see and talk about!

The three hour tour of on-board chat and music, hosted by the legendary Mr Ray Laidlaw, includes two stop-offs at very popular watering holes, promising as always to be a fun-packed evening out! Departing from Bewick Street, Newcastle at 7.00pm. Tickets £20 per person.

NORTH TYNESIDE "COASTAL HEROES" TOUR WITH RAY LAIDLAW

Sunday, May 7, 2023. 15:00 18:00

The Coastal Heroes Tours celebrates local legends of TV, film and music. Hosted by the irresistible Mr Ray Laidlaw, the three hour tour will also include some very special guests, and there will be not one but two refreshment breaks throughout to whet your whistle in some carefully selected and interesting establishments. Leaving the Gibraltar Rock pub, Tynemouth at 3.00pm. Tickets £20 per person.

THE MOST CERTAINLY VERY LAST "HIM OFF THE VIZ" TOUR WITH SIMON DONALD

Thursday, May 11, 2023. 19:00 22:00

Simon Donald and the team would ONCE AGAIN like to invite you on yet another extremely special one-off tour. How many so-called “one-off” Viz tours has it been now? You can’t have too many!

Starts 7.00pm from Bewick Street, Newcastle for three (and-a-bit maybe) hours of hearty laughter and uproarious mirth. Tickets £25 per person.

For all ticket information please call Julie Clay on 07944 338026 or 0191 257 9427 or email Julie at julieclay23@gmail.com. For general enquiries please email info@tyneidols.com.

Tours celebrate the wealth of local North East talent with their fantastic range of tours

HELP REDUCE ENERGY COSTS WITH THERMOS ROOF

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.

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 shortlived 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

A GOOD READ

THE INK BLACK HEART

by Robert Galbraith

When frantic, dishevelled Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective, Robin Ellacott doesn’t know quite what to make of the situation. The co-creator of a popular cartoon, The Ink Black Heart, Edie is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie’s true identity.

Robin decides that the agency can’t help with thisand thinks nothing more of it until a few days later, when she reads the shocking news that Edie has been tasered and then murdered in Highgate Cemetery, the location of The Ink Black Heart.

Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie’s true identity. But with a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts to navigate, Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches their powers of deduction to the limitsand which threatens them in new and horrifying ways.

A gripping, fiendishly clever mystery.

ONE DAY IN DECEMBER

by Josie Silver

It’s the time of year for a feel-good romantic novel, one that can be enjoyed curled up under a blanket with a nutmeg-spiced hot chocolate.

Laurie is unlucky in love and stuck in a career rut. One day she is sitting on a bus when she spots a man reading at the bus stop. He looks up, their eyes meet and somewhere there is a spark. Laurie can’t stop thinking about him, wondering if they will ever meet. Her best friend and roommate Sarah is Laurie’s opposite. She introduces Jack, her new boyfriend to Laurie, anxious that they will hit it off except... her boyfriend is the man from the bus, the guy that Laurie has been dreaming about. No surprises here...classic romantic chick-lit so far.

Cue heartbreak and hiccups, and the quest not to hurt a friend while pursuing your own ‘happily ever after’. It’s not a typical love story. It’s told both from Laurie and Jack’s perspectives, with the reader privy to their thoughts and feelings. It has all the nostalgia (and a few of the cliches) of a Richard Curtis film, but the trio of central characters clearly care deeply about each other and this gives the story its heart.

ACT OF OBLIVION

by Robert Harris

1660. Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel William Goffe, cross the Atlantic. They are on the run and wanted for the murder of Charles I. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, they have been found guilty in absentia of high treason.

In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is tasked with tracking down the fugitives. He’ll stop at nothing until the two men are brought to justice. A reward hangs over their heads - for their capture, dead or alive.

Act of Oblivion is an epic journey across continents, and a chase like no other. It is the thrilling new novel by Robert Harris.

A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS

by Matt Haig

This enthralling tale tells the story of Father Christmas as a boy. It’s touching, funny and packed with memorable characters

Nikolas and his lumberjack father Joel are poor. Miika (a mouse) is his Nikolas’ only friend. In his whole life Nikolas has only received two Christmas presents: a sleigh and a turnip doll.

Then Anders the Hunter comes to recruit Joel to work on a mission for the King. If they can prove the existence of Elves they will be rewarded handsomely.

Keen to improve their circumstances, Joel heads off, leaving Nikolas to be looked after by his horrible Aunt Carlotta.

When Joel doesn’t return Nikolas begins to worry and eventually sets out with Miika on the long and treacherous journey to find his father.

Along the way there is Elf Village, a kidnapped elf, a naughty Truth Pixie that likes to watch people’s heads explode, and an unpleasant Troll named Sebastian. There is also of course, a flying reindeer. Haig does not disappoint with the ending, explaining how Nikolas finally finds his purpose, by becoming Father Christmas.

A Boy Called Christmas is the perfect festive story to read to children on the run-up to Christmas. As a bonus it is beautifully illustrated by Chris Mould. One you will return to each Christmas.

To buy these books online while supporting your local independent bookshop, visit: uk.bookshop.org/shop/abcmagazines