ABC Magazine: Whitley Bay Edition July - August 2021 by ABC Magazines

ABC ED

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FRE

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WHITLEY BAY EDITION | JULY / AUGUST 2021

Established

2008

PUZZLES INSIDE

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

North East Dog Festival returns for 2021

KICKING OFF

Age UK introduces local walking football programme

PEDAL POWER Summer of Cycling underway W H I T L E Y BAY

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Funded places available for eligible 2, 3 & 4 year olds

We offer full day, half day, hours to suit shift workers, term time only as well as all year round, 51 weeks of the year. The nurseries are open 8.00am to 5.30pm with the option of extended bookable places from 7.30am and until 6pm. Little Learners was voted as one of the best places to work in the North East for 2 years running and we are an Ofsted Outstanding Early Years Provider.

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WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE Welcome to the Whitley Bay edition of ABC, your bi-monthly independent local magazine. ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Whitley Bay, Whitley Lodge and Monkseaton or you can view it online via www.yourabc.co.uk

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LO C A L N E W S

SUMMER OF CYCLING 2021 GETS UNDERWAY North Tyneside Council are encouraging everyone to explore the borough on two wheels

his year’s Summer of Cycling is underway in North Tyneside. North Tyneside Council’s campaign, which was launched in 2019, is aimed at getting everyone – regardless of age or ability – out exploring the borough on two wheels. Last year’s event had to be held online only due to COVID, but this year it is possible to stage some activities alongside a wealth of cycling-related information and advice available online. Cllr Sandra Graham, North Tyneside’s Cycling Champion, said: “Cycling has never been more popular in North Tyneside, with trips on two wheels increasing by 59 per cent in the last year – the highest rate across Tyne and Wear. We want cycling to be accessible to all. That’s why campaigns like our Summer of Cycling are a great way to encourage everyone, no matter their age or ability, to give it a go and enjoy all the benefits it brings. “There’s no feeling quite like being out in the open air, enjoying some exercise and taking in some of the wonderful open spaces North Tyneside has to offer. Not only is great for your own wellbeing but you’re also doing your bit to make our environment cleaner and greener.” This year’s Summer of Cycling has begun with free weekly inclusive cycling sessions taking place at The Parks Sports. Participants use specially adapted bikes to make cycling accessible to all. Bikeability cycle safety training sessions aimed at children aged eight and over at various locations around the borough will also be available to book via Eventbright

from 26 July, continuing throughout August. Guided rides will be taking place in partnership with Bike 4 Health for young people and families during the school summer holidays to give young people the chance to put their Bikeability training into practice. Cycle safety training aimed at adults, providing help and advice and boosting confidence both on and off-road, will also be held. To support the growth in everyday cycling in North Tyneside, the council continues to invest in cycling infrastructure and continues to seek opportunities to improve the borough’s cycling network. A public consultation is currently taking place seeking views on plans to invest in up to 14km of new strategic cycle routes - including an option for the first ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout in the region - to be delivered between 2021 and 2023. Cllr Graham added: “These new

routes will encourage economic regeneration and help people cycle and walk to work safely. I would urge everyone to have their say on the consultation. This is around £8.6million of investment so please take the time to visit our interactive online tool and have your say and find out how you might be able to leave your car at home to get to work if at all possible. Climate change is a big issue for everybody and we all need to play our part and do our bit.” To take part in the consultation visit https://app.placechangers. co.uk/campaign/187/overview For more information about the Summer of Cycling, including video guides to bike maintenance, information about local routes, tips about commuting by bike, where to buy second-hand bikes and where to get your bike fixed visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk and search Summer of Cycling.

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LO CA L N E W S

Whitley Bay athletics track reopens after major upgrade

A running track, used by one of the largest athletics clubs in the North East, has formally reopened with a special event after a major transformation. North Tyneside Council has completed work on the refurbishment of the community track at Churchill Playing Fields, Whitley Bay. Both the six-lane 400 metre track, and the seven-lane 100 metre section have been resurfaced to bring the facility into line with new competition standards introduced by UK Athletics in 2019. New perimeter fencing and an improved entry system have also been installed to protect the track from misuse and vandalism. The facility will continue to be free for community use and slots can be booked via the Sport North Tyneside website, and the booking page can be found here. The track was reopened on Sunday July 4th by Councillor Davey Drummond, Chairman of North Tyneside Council, who said: “I was delighted to be there on Sunday to officially open the new track. Seeing it in use and athletes of all ages benefitting from it was brilliant. I know it will continue to be a muchloved community facility.” Councillor Sarah Day, cabinet member for Culture, Sport and Leisure added: “I am delighted that we have been able to revitalise a facility that is so well used and valued by the community and our local athletic clubs. The pandemic has really brought home how important it is to have access to good quality facilities, and this 8

is the latest in a string of investments by the council to maintain and improve our sports and leisure provision across the borough. “The new-look track will ensure that local clubs and the community have a top-class facility at their disposal for training and competitions. I am very excited to see the track in use once again.” The track is home to the 117-year-old North Shields Polytechnic Club, which has over 600 members, and specialises in track and field, road running, cross country, fell running, and triathlon for both junior and senior members. Club members helped to launch the track and put the new surface through its paces with a day of competitive sports on Sunday. John Sutcliffe, Chair of Trustees at North Shields Poly Athletics Club, said: “The refurbishment of the Churchill Community Track has provided opportunity to thousands of current, future and even past athletes from members of the local community and our club. “North Shields Poly goes from strength to strength and we are extremely proud of our relationship with North Tyneside Council with the ongoing management of the facility. The Council’s commitment to sport and leisure is something we can all be proud of and something we are extremely lucky to have. Their support in assisting North Shields Poly to achieve its charitable aims of promoting community participation in healthy activities will have countless health benefits at a time of national and local challenges.”

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The popular Wallsend Festival returns, for the first time since 2019, with a free and funpacked programme. Now in its 20th year, the community event will take place in Wallsend town centre on Saturday 14 August, between 10am and 5pm. There will be fairground rides, live music and a selection of stalls selling crafts, gifts and food produce. Cllr Sarah Day, Cabinet Member responsible for Culture, Sport and Leisure said, “We are pleased to bring the festival back to Wallsend as restrictions are eased as it’s such a popular part of the borough’s events calendar and we know it’s one the community really enjoy. We’ll be doing as much as we can this summer to provide things to do for visitors and residents as we cautiously and steadily get back to doing the things we love.” Bands and solo artists from North Tyneside’s Standing Upright Project will be performing on the stage outside of the Forum Shopping Centre. The project works with young people who have experienced anxieties or difficulties when it comes to performance. A collection of classic cars will be on display between Park Road and High Street East. People can take a look inside the vintage vehicles and chat to the owners. Small fairground rides will be located at High Street East and larger attractions can be found at the Segedunum Roman Fort car park. The museum will also be open throughout the weekend for those wanting to explore the town’s Roman history. The annual event would usually take place on the first Saturday of July each year but Covid restrictions meant that has not been possible since the last festival in 2019. For more information visit www.visitnorthtyneside.com

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LO C A L N E W S

North Shields exhibition to showcase creative reflections of Lockdown A thought provoking community art Exhibition ‘Time on My Hands’ is to be held in The Bank Studios in North Shields Beacon Centre in August. Organised by local artist Gail Curry, the exhibition will display reflections on lockdown by Gail and the local community. Gail explains: “I used creativity to help me manage my mental health, as well as to create items that helped me to reflect on the time I spent alone in lock down. I chose to create a series of clocks to represent my experience of lock down.” “Some of the time was easy to enjoy, a lot of it was not. I began to think of others experiences and how they might represent their lock down. Given that I don’t have speech, conversations can be very tricky things, so I decided instead of trying to use speech and technology, we should use the universal language of art to share our experience of lock down in North Tyneside. I therefore invited the community to submit their own creative work to join mine in this exhibition

and selected 35 works to join my own.” The age of exhibitors ranges from 5 to 92 years, representing all geographical areas of North Tyneside, as well as many forms of creativity. The Bank Studio is located in the former Natwest Bank in the Beacon Shopping Centre in North Shields. It houses studio space for six North Tyneside artists and a gallery space. It is part of East Street Arts Spaces programme, providing studios and support for artists in empty shops and temporary spaces. The studio gives artists the opportunity to create new art, present and develop their practice through exhibitions, workshops and performances, and to develop public events in the gallery space. The Time on my Hands exhibition will run from 1st to 24th August, Sunday to Tuesday 10am to 4pm at The Bank Studios, Beacon Centre, Bedford Street, North Shields, NE29 6QF. ▪ www.gailcurry.co.uk

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

At Concept, your eyes matter to us T

he joy of summer, as we reconnect with family and friends, can be blighted by watery, itchy, dry eyes. If you hadn’t felt it already, hay fever season is fully underway, with high pollen counts expected until the onset of Autumn. Whilst being amidst nature can have many benefits, most common groups of pollen that cause hay fever are trees and grass. According to AllergyUK between 10% and 30% of adults suffer from hay fever, along with 40% of children. Each year the timings of high pollen can vary depending on the weather, and the pollen count is at its highest during warm and windy weather. If you suffer from hay fever symptoms, we advise you to wear sunglasses (wraparound ones preferably) to protect your eyes against air pollutants when outside, as pollen and high temperature can cause dry eye symptoms, including redness, irritation, burning sensation, and tearing. Ask Sam, our clinic lead at Tynemouth: “Our gardens are back to life after their winter slumber and those of us who discovered gardening during last years lockdowns will be keen to get back to gardening and outdoor DIY projects. “Most allergy sufferers are aware of antihistamines, but there is plenty that you can do to help reduce your symptoms. Avoidance is probably top of my list, watch the pollen forecasts and try to stay inside on days where the pollen index is high and keep doors and windows closed where possible. If you have been outside, take a shower, wash your hair and change your clothes to remove any lingering pollen once back inside. Avoid rubbing your eyes and wear sunglasses when you are outside to prevent pollen entering your eyes. Keeping your eyelids clean may

also help to remove any pollen build up, and a cool compress can relieve eyelid swelling and help to dampen that burny, itchy sensation. Lubricating eye drops can also offer symptomatic relief. Finally, as the weather hopefully warms up, remember to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water which is not only good for our bodies but will also help to protect our tears from drying out and leading to the symptoms of dry eye.” Don’t forget, at Concept, all clear and tinted eyeglass lenses and sunglass lenses are equipped with the UV filter, so there is no need to order it separately. We always make sure you have the right lenses to offer you full protection! If you have any concerns about your eye health, or have felt a change

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Learning German at school or university provides excellent career prospects, and if your children study German already, they should put a lot of effort into their German. Demand for German linguists There is a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. Therefore graduates of German are especially highly sought-after. Many graduates choose German as part of their degree. They later work for companies with a German connection or for German companies, e.g. Sony Europe, Price Waterhouse, Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens, Bosch , E-On and Allianz Insurance. Undeniably, the German economy is among the strongest in the world, and many British companies are looking for staff able to communicate in German. Germany is currently the largest non-English speaking trading partner of the UK. It has a fabulous record in invention and innovation, today especially in green technologies. In addition German is the 2nd most common language in Science. Many German scientist are world leaders in many aspects of engineering, pharmaceuticals and pollution control. German and American researchers have collaborated on many important projects such as: SPACELAB, The International Nautical Almanac and The Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling (JOIDES). Also many of the greatest thinkers and artists of the modern era thought and wrote in German: Einstein, Freud, Kant, Beethoven – the list is endless. If your children are thinking about Law, Politics, International Relations, Sciences, Music, Psychology, Philosophy, History or the Media, German is a smart choice. 18

The reasons to learn German and foreign languages Firstly, studying a foreign language expands your view of the world while gaining a deeper understanding of your own culture. Secondly, it limits barriers between people, leads you to an appreciation of cultural diversity and improves your analytical and problem solving skills. It makes you more valuable in the market place. Finally, foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science...These are just a few reasons set out by Renate Latimer, Professor Emirata of German at Auburn University, Alabama. Working and Studying in Germany Universities in Germany are currently free! In addition, your child might want to stand out from the crowd and work for one of the German powerhouses established around the world. Moreover, Berlin is widely regarded as the economic powerhouse of Europe. Germany is easily accessible by rail or a short flight. The average income in Germany is higher than most other countries. But learning German is not just a gain on the financial level, understanding another language and culture broadens your horizon enormously. Despite all these reasons, most primary schools in England only teach French or Spanish and German GCSE and A-level opportunities are becoming rare. The demand for German speakers in the job market is huge and any German graduates or employees stand out from the crowd. If your child chooses German for his/her future, they have made an important career choice. ■ For more information on native 1 to 1 tuition, classes and more visit www.germanteacher.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

Image by RusbyMedia

AGE UK NORTH TYNESIDE KICKS OFF NEW WALKING FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Walking Footballer Bob Smith, 73, at The Parks Sports Centre in North Shields

Age UK North Tyneside has launched a new walking football programme for older people in North Tyneside. Football is our national game, beloved of millions, and the walking version is a fun, friendly and safe way of engaging in physical activity for both men and women in later life. It's open to all, whether you've played football before or not and regardless of age. It's great for the mind as well as the body and is a sociable sport, giving everyone involved the chance to make new friends and enjoy being part of a team. This new local scheme is part of a wider Age UK walking football programme supported by both The Football Association and Sport England to help older people in communities like North Tyneside to keep active and to 22

improve physical and mental wellbeing through playing the game. Age UK North Tyneside’s walking football sessions started in July and are held at Wallsend Boys Club, The Parks, North Shields and the Foxhunter’s Pavillion. The sessions are open to anyone over the age of 50 regardless of ability or previous experience. All groups and sessions will be COVID-secure and delivered in accordance with Government guidelines. Dawn McNally, Chief Executive at Age UK North Tyneside said: “We’re thrilled to have launched the Age UK Walking Football

Programme in North Tyneside, thanks to funding from The Football Association and Sport England. Being active is good for physical and mental health whatever your age and it’s especially important as we get older. It can improve confidence and wellbeing, help older people live independently for longer, and reduce isolation and loneliness. It’s been a difficult time for older people in our community during the pandemic, and our walking football programme will be a great opportunity for older people to feel active and socialise again in a safe and fun environment.”

To sign up to Age UK North Tyneside’s walking football programme, or for more information, please contact Rob Meldrum, Active Age Co-ordinator Tel: 0191 2877027 or email: community.development@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

FANCY A BREAK?

Right now we all need something to look forward to, and a UK coach break could be just the ticket! Local coach tourism experts Graham Wright and John Hindhaugh have started their own coach tour company and are taking bookings now. Graham explains more...

John and I have worked in the coach tourism industry as drivers for many years, the last few spent as tour drivers for the same local North East coach holiday company, until the Global pandemic had a catastrophic effect on our industry, with many companies going out of business. Over the years, on our numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, we have built up a fantastic relationship with many of our passengers, and are lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated our experience and knowledge of the places we visited, to the extent that a lot of passengers started asking who the driver would be before they actually booked a tour with the company. It was during a conversation with one of our friends that the question was asked about starting our own company doing our own holidays, so here we are. We have put all our years’ experience and knowledge to good use while planning our exclusive tours. All the tours are exceptional value for money, and we only select the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to us, or we have previously used before. The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on our knowledge as well as any relevant previous customer feedback and suggestions to ensure they are always enjoyed. The trips do not leave the hotel too early, or return too late, so as to allow everyone to make full use of the facilities of the chosen hotel. Guaranteed free time as well as entertainment are also key factors that we take into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience possible. In such a short space of time, from the initial concept, we have managed to make massive progress. During this current difficult time we all need something to look forward to, and we currently have a wide range of 24

“Book with confidence. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate and if your tour is cancelled due to COVID restrictions you will receive a full refund.” fantastic tours in Great Britain. Our advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer, with more to follow! You can rest assured that you can book with confidence with us. We have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate which shows government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to the COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund. We look forward to welcoming you aboard! ■ United Group Travel Ltd Telephone: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654 www.unitedgrouptravel.com Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd E mail: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com Company no. 13052351

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2021- 2022 COACH TOURS Potters Resort All Inclusive! 17th September £389pp Three Shire’s 16th August £325pp* Lest We Forget 29th October £295pp* Christmas Markets Shopper 19th November £269pp* Turkey & Tinsel - Drymen 3rd December £275pp* Turkey & Tinsel - Scarborough 11th December £299pp All Inclusive Burns 6th January 2022 £325pp*

*plus single room supplement

See website or call for more tours / information

www.unitedgrouptravel.com 01670 632 460 \ 07957 141 654

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

Age UK North Tyneside urges pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit

ge UK Ambassadors, Len Goodman and Rustie Lee, are supporting Age UK’s call for pensioners to find out if they are entitled to Pension Credit. The number of pensioners in poverty has now passed the two million mark, with Black and Asian older people most at risk of struggling financially in later life, warns Age UK North Tyneside, as it urges any older person in North Tyneside who feels financially hardpressed to check their eligibility for Pension Credit. Pension Credit is a benefit that tops up low pensioner incomes, typically taking an older person who receives it above the poverty line. Being found to be eligible for Pension Credit also acts as a gateway to some other benefits, potentially transforming an older person’s standard of living. Since 2013/14, the number of pensioners in poverty has risen by almost a third (31 per cent) from 1.6 million. Official figures show that a third of Asian older people (33 per cent) and just under a third of Black older people (30 per cent) in the UK live below the poverty line, compared to 16 per cent of White older people. The over-85s, renters, and single, female pensioners, are also at greater risk of poverty than the older population as a whole. The total number of older people living in poverty in the UK now stands at 2.1 million. Despite these high numbers and recent government figures showing that nearly a million older people could not afford an unexpected bill of £200, nearly a million (920,000) pensioner households are missing out on Pension Credit payments worth up to £1.6 billion every year – that’s an average of £32 a week, or over £1,600 a year, per recipient. The Charity is urging all 28

pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet to put in a claim for Pension Credit – a means-tested, tax-free benefit for pensioners that opens the door to many other potential benefits including: A free TV licence (if also over-75) Help with Council Tax Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital A Cold Weather Payment of £25 when the temperature is 0°C or below for 7 days in a row Help with rent An extra payment within Pension Credit for carers, worth up to £37.70 a week

Image: Wikipedia

FIGURES SHOW OVER TWO MILLION UK PENSIONERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY, WITH BLACK AND ASIAN OLDER PEOPLE MOST AT RISK

• • • • • •

Len Goodman: “Older people are so resilient and tend to know how to make do, but it doesn’t have to be like that for those who are struggling to manage day-to-day bills. “Pension Credit is a benefit for low-income pensioners to help cover the costs of later life. Lots of people don’t even know it exists, meaning almost a million older households are not getting the extra money they are entitled to. For those that have claimed, it can mean being able to stick the heating on for longer or having the money to buy essentials for their home to keep well and safe. “That’s why I’m supporting Age UK’s efforts to raise more awareness about this benefit. There’s help out there and Age UK can support older people throughout the whole process – from information gathering to form filling. Please… I would urge anyone who’s watching the pennies to find out more and see if they can make a claim. Pension Credit not only gives you more money each week, it can also be a gateway to other help too.” Rustie Lee: “It’s so important for everyone who’s feeling the pinch at

Age UK Ambassador, Rustie Lee the moment to see if they might be entitled to claim some extra help. It’s just shocking that so many older people can’t afford the basics such as decent, healthy food or keeping their house nice and warm “Pension Credit is a really important benefit that can make a big difference to older people on a budget, giving them a bit of extra cash to pay for things that most people for granted. I’d urge any older person who is struggling to make ends meet at the moment to speak to Age UK to find out if they could be eligible for Pension Credit, it could make all the difference and open the door to lots of other financial support too. There’s absolutely nothing to lose by making a claim!” Len Watson, Charity Services Manager, Age UK North Tyneside said “anyone aged 50 plus years in North Tyneside who is feeling the pinch should contact the team here in North Shields. We’re able to perform a free, over the telephone benefit check and explore benefits which many people are entitled to but not claiming” To make a claim, people should call Age UK North Tyneside Tel: 0191 2808484 Option1 or the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/ pension-credit/how-to-claim

Join our free Healthy Habits programme and start your wellbeing journey today. Taking that first step can be daunting, which is why we offer both peer-to-peer support sessions as well as one-to-one support from our Healthy Habits team. Tom and Rachel will help you make positive choices around your lifestyle, wellbeing and nutrition, enabling you to build long-term healthy habits. Call 0191 280 8484 or email Rachel.Haldenby@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk. Hurry, registration closes 6th August 2021!

“Support from Tom and Rachel along with input from well informed speakers has been excellent.” - Susan

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PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR LOVED ONES BY MAKING A WILL

BY JACQUELINE EMMERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EMMERSONS SOLICITORS The death of a loved one is often, for many, the lowest point in their lives. However, for some, this is just the start of a long stretch of uncertainty and confusion when their loved one dies without leaving a will. The Rules of Intestacy can be very complicated and are often at odds with the way that our clients live their lives. Did you know that without a Will, if you are not married to your cohabitee, then they are not your next of kin? • Your parents, if you are not married and do not have children, will be your next of kin and will inherit your estate. • Your minor children, even if you never see them, are entitled to some or all of your estate. At Emmersons, our Will Writing Solicitors deal with many distressing situations for example; • A client who lived with his male partner. His partner died as the result of a motor accident. He had never informed his parents that he was gay, and the house in which the couple cohabited was in the sole name of the deceased. The deceased's family forced our client out of his home and changed the locks. The deceased was 28 years of age. • A 44-year-old man was divorced but had not sorted out his Financial Settlement upon divorce and had not made a will. The matrimonial home was still owned by him and his ex-wife. When he died without a will, his ex-wife, who had remarried, inherited the house instead of his 17-year-old son inheriting half of the house. • A 65-year-old woman had lived with her commonlaw husband for 30 years. Her partner died without leaving a will. His sons were, therefore, his next of kin. As his sons did not like the lady in question, they forced her out of her home, which was owned in the sole name of the deceased. It took two years of court proceedings and over £20,000 in legal costs to recover her share of her deceased partner's estate. Please think about your loved ones. Please write your will. We know you are busy; however, our Will Writing Solicitors are here to help you. Telephone appointments are available so that you can attend to your affairs while sitting at your desk. Our Easy Will Making Process Making a Will is not as difficult as you think. Many of our clients felt that it was a complicated process to make a will and put off doing so. However, they found that the process is quite straightforward and can be dealt with quickly. In order to speed up the process of drafting your will, we send you a questionnaire in advance of your telephone appointment with one of our Will Writing Solicitors. The questionnaire has been designed so that you have all relevant information to hand at the point that you wish to 30

JACQUELINE EMMERSON

give instructions for the drafting of your will. During your telephone appointment with one of our Will Writing Specialists they will discuss everything you need to move forward. You can then relax knowing that the next steps are taken care of by us. This may include a change in the ownership of your property and registering the same with the Land Registry. All you have to do is turn up, with proof of identity, to one of our Drive -Through-Will-Signing appointments. We can provide the two witnesses required. You can then be on your way within 10 minutes.This is an extremely fast way to help you to sort out your affairs, provide you and your family with peace of mind and permits us help you to plan ahead for the benefit of your partner and/or your children. Our initial appointments are without obligation. We also offer Free appraisals of existing wills. Protect Your Personal Affairs With A Lasting Power of Attorney Whilst you are sorting out your affairs you should also consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney. Losing mental capacity can be a very scary thing. It does not just happen to people in their 70's or older; many younger people lose capacity much sooner due to such events as strokes and early-onset dementia. If this happens, it can leave you and your loved ones in a challenging situation. Someone still needs to look after your affairs. This may be the running of your business, banking, standing orders and financial support in order to put together a care package on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney can; • provide you with peace of mind knowing that someone you have appointed, that is, someone you trust, can manage your affairs if you are unable to do so. • be used if you are simply unable to manage your affairs because you cannot travel to your bank through illness. At Emmersons Solicitors, our Lawyers have noticed an increase in clients requiring a Lasting Power of Attorney because they are physically exhausted from either general infirmity or illnesses such as cancer or severe arthritis. Their attorney can deal with the complications of modern banking or with claims for benefits which can be a huge sense of relief. A Lasting Power of Attorney is Extremely Helpful Don't leave things to chance; make sure you appoint someone you trust to look after your affairs. You will also be helping your family by allowing them to manage your affairs easily at what may actually be a crisis point in your life. If you would like a chat about this please feel free to talk to one of our specialist Lasting Power of Attorney Lawyers or you can contact me on 0191 2846989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

If your relationship has just ended we understand that you may feel lost or worried.

Relationship in difficulties? Talk to the matrimonial specialist

EMMERSONS SOLICITORS has helped thousands of people in your situation. You will find us to be very approachable. We can offer you help with divorce, separation, financial settlements, arrangements for children, pre-nuptial agreements and same sex partnerships. Our well-trained staff can obtain the best settlement for you. Due to their experience, excellent negotiating skills and use of Round Table Meetings the vast majority of our clients never have to visit court.

137a BackStreet, High Street, Gosforth 145 High Gosforth

emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

0191 284 6989

01022 - Emmersons divorce.indd 1

Why not let us help you reach agreement, avoid court and move on with your life. Contact us now on 0191 284 6989 to see how we can help you. 7/12/15 08:39:13

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

A Weekend of Pawtastic Fun The North East Dog Festival returns for 2021, but this year the fun is over two days!

he brainchild of business partners Rebecca Ashworth Earle and Dawn Oliver Doyle, the festival is now in its fourth year and was created after a realisation that the North East was lacking in dog events of this kind. Every year it becomes more popular, with people wanting to find new things to do with their dogs, explore and learn what's new in the world of dogs and have a great day out. For the last 3 festivals, Kirkley Hall, a land-based college just outside of Ponteland, has been the perfect venue; allowing over 50 acres to create the festival and plenty of parking fields. Its location means it is easily accessible and gives plenty

of space to expand and create a fantastic visitor experience. The festival takes a full year of planning and a full week of hands-on preparation at the venue to turn empty fields into an array of havea-go activities, display rings, dog shows and 100’s of trade stands. This event was created with the ‘whole dog’ in mind and as a team they hold a very strong belief that dogs should be given the absolute best life possible for the short time they grace our lives - and that is very much the inspiration for this event. Activities are handpicked for the event with Dawn and Rebecca working closely with clubs having known many of them for several years.

Displays and guest speakers are carefully selected to bring the best entertainment coupled with education. Rebecca and Dawn do all of this themselves with knowledge and experience not only of the holistic dog but also in event management, social media marketing and everything in-between. With this approach they can put dogs at the centre of the festival and run a successful event at the same time. The festival plays host to numerous have-a-go activities; flyball, gundog scurries, hoopers, parkour, scent games, fastest recall and temptation alley to name but a few. There are also three dog shows with lots of rosettes and prizes to be won. There will be two demonstration rings this year with showstopper displays from falconry and herding dogs. A Wellness marquee where guest speakers will be talking about nutrition, welfare, canine activities, and behaviour. Add in lots of shopping, food stalls and a funfair what more can you need Rebecca and Dawn are no stranger to dogs, with over 40 years’ experience between them; having had dogs all their lives and both working their dogs, training in various disciplines, and competing in dog sports. Currently Rebecca shares her home with four working cockers and a collie-cross, whilst Dawn has seven working cockers. As a team they live, breathe and work with dogs every day. The event is the result of years of passion, dedication, and investment to create an annual one-of-a-kind festival for dogs; and they hope to be able to continue for many years to come. ▪ www.northeastdogfestival.com

E N TE RTAIN M E N T

FILM REVIEWS STILL WATER Matt Damon becomes a relentless father in ‘Stillwater’, the newest dramatic thriller directed by Academy Award winner Tom McCarthy. The story follows an American oil-rig roughneck Bill Baker from Oklahoma who travels to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter Allison (Abigail Breslin) in prison. Bill learns that his only daughter has been falsely arrested and charged with murder. But both father and daughter discover that they have no other legal options left. The man builds a new life in the small seaside city of France as he makes it his personal mission to exonerate his daughter. Confronted with language barriers, cultural differences, and a complicated legal system, Bill is aided by a French woman, Virginie (Camille Cottin), and her eight-year-old daughter Maya. But the clock is ticking and Bill must decide how far he’s willing to go. The daughter’s story was loosely based on the real-life event of Amanda Knox, an American who spent nearly four years in an Italian prison following her conviction for the murder of her roommate in 2007. The movie is both directed and written by Tom McCarthy, who last directed ‘Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made’. He has received three Academy Awards in Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director for his writing and direction on ‘Spotlight’, a biographical drama movie of the oldest operating newspaper investigative journalist unit in the US. ‘Stillwater’ is scheduled for release in UK theatres on Friday, 6th August 2021.

JUNGLE CRUISE

In ‘Jungle Cruise’, Emily Blunt plays Dr. Lily Houghton, a British scientist who tries to recruit a riverboat captain, Frank (Dwayne Johnson). Houghton enlists Frank’s help to take her and her brother, McGregor (Jack Whitehall), on an expedition down the Amazon in search of a mysterious tree that has the power to heal diseases. The team faces several challenges during their quest, such as running into a deadly and poisonous snake and facing another team of explorers led by Aguirre (Edgar Ramirez) and his henchman (Jesse Plemons) who want to find the mystical tree first. Based on a Disneyland theme park ride, this movie is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Michael Green, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The spectacular score is composed by James Newton Howard who collaborated with Metallica on an instrumental version of the song ‘Nothing Else Matters’ for the film. ‘Jungle Cruise’ also offers top-notch cinematography by Flavio Martínez Labiano. The movie provides a wild adventure with action-packed, dangerous scenes that leave viewers squirming in their seats. It also invites you to predict what challenges they will encounter next. The overall moral is to be brave and courageous, but also that to overcome obstacles, one needs to think outside the box. The importance of teamwork and relentless effort to achieve a goal is central to the movie’s message. There are some mild violent scenes between characters, so parental guidance is advisable. ‘Jungle Cruise’ is out now

A GOOD READ By Willow Coby

THE DILEMMA by Penny Vincenzi

Sometimes we’re daunted by the thickness of a book and wonder whether we should invest our time in something so enormous? Well 880 pages is certainly a big commitment. Anyone who has seen Vincenzi’s books on the shelves in a bookshop or library may well have felt a little intimidated. But Vincenzi really is worth the time and energy, though you may need a cheat sheet to keep track of all the characters! An alibi. A simple alibi. That’s all Brad Channing asks of his wife, Francesca. She simply has to say that he spent the day in the country with her, and so could not have been in London. All a mother wants for her family is for them to be happy and safe. If Brad is convicted, it would be the end for all of them. His business would fall apart and the comfortable life they’ve built for their family would be destroyed. Like her other novels The Dilemma is ultimately a family saga. It may be set against a backdrop of wealth and business success on a scale that most of us can only dream of, but it shows that no matter your position or status in life we will all fight for the same things when it comes to those we love.

WILD SWANS

retold by Xanthe Gresham Knight

Eliza is the youngest of twelve children, looked after and protected by her eleven older brothers. Their father, the king is determined that the children will remain safe from the plague that is ravaging the kingdom and killed his wife. So, they are kept inside the palace walls. One day their stepmother persuades their father that they need to go out and explore the Eleven Kingdoms that they will eventually reign over, and she casts a spell on them that turns them into swans. They may only return to human form only when the sun sets. Can Eliza break the spell and bring her brothers back? This charming story is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the same name. It’s perfect for youngsters who are gaining confidence in independent reading.

TYNEMOUTH'S FIRST ZERO WASTE PLASTIC-FREE STORE

WE SELL: DRIED FOODS CLEANING PRODUCTS HOUSEHOLD GOODS TOILETRIES Come down to Buy The Kilo and purchase your goods by weight: as much or as little as you need. Bring your own containers and re-stock your pantry. Jars, bottles and paper bags available in store.

Our friendly team are on hand to help you! UNIT 3 THE SIDINGS · TYNEMOUTH METRO STATION TYNEMOUTH · NE30 2TF *

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@buythekilo 35

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

HAS YOUR CONSERVATORY BEEN TOO HOT THIS SUMMER? If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer...

onservatories are a fantastic space to enjoy whilst looking out onto your garden, they are bright, spacious and give you a great sense of closeness to the outdoors. However, as most conservatory owners will know, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for two or three months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot. At Thermos Roof, we have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, firstly to increase its insulating performance and secondly to enhance its internal aesthetic appearance. Experience will have shown you that in the winter as soon as you open the door the heat is sucked out of your room into the conservatory and, during the summer, it becomes a dazzling sauna that’s so hot you need a fan to cool you down. At Thermos Roof we can transform your conservatory from a room you barely use into a room that you can enjoy all year round, because the temperature is comfortable and constant, you will even be able to watch TV or use a computer without sunglasses. What is most impressive is that we can do this all in one day! With no mess! We retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it from the inside, finishing it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory

construction. The materials we use are lightweight, therefore no roof strengthening is required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess and upheaval in your home. In addition to this the look and finish of your Thermos Roof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now. The performance of the lightweight insulation system will equal that of vastly more expensive options, with less mess and waste, and less time to install saving you thousands of pounds and allowing you to enjoy your conservatory immediately. We can install a Thermos Roof to conservatories of any size or shape transforming them into a flowing extension of your living space wherein its use is not dictated by the external weather conditions, it will become warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition to the above benefits, our team will eliminate mould and condensation, reduce rain, noise and serve to cover up an unsightly

dirty roof. The gloss white finish will make it brighter in the evenings by reflecting light and will give your conservatory that WOW factor, making it a great place to relax or work. All installations come with a 5 year warranty and we guarantee that you will be amazed with both the improved appearance and the insulating performance of your new roof. We offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermos Roof and, should you require it, we can also undertake maintenance works to repair or replace gutters, fascias, soffits, window sills, roof panels and leaking roofs. Please give us a call today on 01670 828 695 to start the ball rolling to making full use of your Conservatory! ■ www.thermosroof.co.uk

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Is your conservatory: Too cold in the winter? & too hot in the summer? Does it have problems with: Too much sun glare? Condensation build-up? Noise from heavy rain? An unsightly dirty roof?

We can fix ALL of these issues with a Thermos Roof insulation system We can carry out a full install in a single day, leaving zero mess and instant results. We retain your existing roof profile & do Prices from not remove your current roof. A 5 year warranty is included.

£799

PART

Electrical Safety

Call Steve on 01670 828 695 or 07901 506 645 or visit our website www.thermosroof.co.uk During these unprecedented times, to ensure your safety and ours, all our staff and fitters wear PPE where suitable and, upon completion of each job, your Conservatory will be fully disinfected.37

PUZZLE CHALLENGE

Solutions on page 54

WORDSEARCH Can you find all of the ice cream flavours in the grid?

Banoffee Bubble-Gum Butterscotch Cherry Chocolate Coconut Coffee Cookie Dough Honeycomb Mint Choc Chip Neapolitan Pistachio Rocky Road Rum ‘N’ Raisin Salted Caramel Tutti Frutti Vanilla

MINDBENDERS Can you find the hidden phrases?

SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

DON’T MOVE - MAKE NEW SPACE!

Your loft or garage can hold the key to that extra space that you need Most of us would benefit from some extra space in our homes, whether it is for storage purposes, providing a place to study, a home office or a hobby room or play room. NewSpace, a local company based in North Tyneside, have been creating safe accessible storage space in their client’s homes throughout the North East since 2004. From small storage spaces to large hobby area’s or even a place to study they do it all at fantastic rates and with minimum disruption. They specialise in creating hobby/ play rooms at a fraction of the price of a full loft conversion. They include the installation of an independent floor, lights and sockets, timber loft ladder, Velux window, and plasterboarded throughout. During a survey of your property, they’ll enquire how you wish to use your loft space and advise you of the options available. They also provide a comprehensive and expert garage conversion service for domestic property owners. Garage conversions are a great way to get more out of your home at a time when living space is at a premium. Most garages are too small for modern cars but can provide much needed extra space for the family. People often move house to get more space ignoring the potential already there that can be developed at a comparatively much lower cost, often increasing the value of your property in the process. From home offices and guest suites to games rooms and extra space to entertain we can convert your garage into any space you require. Their garage conversions services are always supplied as comprehensive packages of works; they get involved at the earliest possible stage providing a full survey and consultation before 40

TRANSFORM YOUR LOFT FROM THIS TO THIS

planning and designing your works. Converting garage space to home offices, spare rooms, games rooms and just about anything else you require is easy with NewSpace Garage Conversions. New Space only use Fully Qualified Electricians to carry out electrical work in your home. They’re Fully Insured and have all the necessary insurances to cover you, themselves, and the public. And they pride themselves on being Clean,Tidy and Punctual. Give them a call and they’ll take care of the rest.

CONVERT YOUR GARAGE TO A HOME OFFICE

▪ NewSpace Loft Storage & Garage Conversions Tel: 0191 2345269 Mob:07973957481 www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk www.newspacegarageconversions.co.uk

NewSpace

Garage Conversions

WE MAKE THAT UNUSED SPACE A WARM & HABITABLE PLACE

BEFORE

Most garages are too small for modern cars but can provide much needed extra space for the family. · HOME OFFICE · KIDS PLAY ROOM · ADDITIONAL RECEPTION ROOM Your garage holds the key to that extra space and we can bring it to reality.

AFTER

Create an additional living space in your home for less than you may think

Please contact us for friendly advice or to arrange an appointment

Tel: 0797 3957 481 or 07931 801 472

info@newspacegarageconversions.co.uk www.newspacegarageconversions.co.uk

TILE NORTH EAST

LTD

K I TC H E N T I L E S | B AT H R O OM T I L E S | F LO O R T I L E S

UNIT 3, HUBBWAY BUSINESS CENTRE, CRAMLINGTON, NE23 8AD OPPOSITE AZURE GARDEN CENTRE Tel: 01670 716 767 Email: tilenortheast@outlook.com www.tilenortheast.com 41

FOOD

Made in Japan

The rise of Japanese cuisine

By Tracey Anderson

The British have developed a taste for lighter, healthier food over the past decade. Japanese cuisine, with its emphasis on quality and presentation rather than quantity, has become increasingly popular. As restaurants open again, now is a great time to explore new tastes and cultures. Japan is famous for sushi. Ask many people what sushi is, and they’ll say, ‘raw fish’, so let’s clear up the myth. Sushi is not raw fish. Sushi in fact refers to the seasoned, vinegared rice and therefore is the name given to anything served on, or in, a block of this rice; this may include raw fish but also includes vegetables and cooked items. Sashimi is the name for slices of raw fresh fish and shellfish and is a dish in its own right. Many people have visited a sushi conveyor belt restaurant. These are great fun as dishes trundle past and you choose whichever appeals. You can add your preferred condiments, which include soy sauce and wasabi – a hot, green Japanese horseradish – and slices of pink, vinegared ginger. Plates are generally colourcoded according to the price so at the end of the meal it’s easy to add everything up for the bill. ‘Yaki’ refers to grilling or cooking over direct heat. Yakizakana is grilled fish and Yakitori are grilled chicken pieces on skewers. Tempura refers to food (usually seafood or vegetables) dipped in a light batter and deep-fried. Noodles are common side dishes and come in eight varieties. Ramen are made with wheat and 42

are often served in soup; Udon are also made with wheat, are very thick, and often enjoyed cold. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour so are suitable for coeliacs and gluten intolerant people (be sure they are 100% buckwheat); Yakisoba are stir-fried wheat noodles; Somen are thin white wheat noodles, usually served cold. Hiyamugi might as well be termed ‘medium-sized’ noodles as they fall between Udon and Somen in size; Shirataki are thin, translucent noodles made from konjac yam; and finally, Harusami (glass) noodles are made from potato starch and often served in salads. A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. This is special ‘sticky’ rice and easy to pick up with pointed Japanese chopsticks. Another staple of all Japanese meals is miso, a thin, tasty soup usually containing tofu and seaweed. Hot pots are good dishes to order for a group. They are usually prepared at your table. Sukiyaki is a pot of boiling liquid into which thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and noodles are cooked. Then you dip pieces of the cooked food into beaten raw egg and savour. Shabushabu is similar but the liquor is more like a fondue. Dip your food briefly into the pot then into another sauce before eating. Teppanyaki is a style of cooking requiring a highly skilled chef who cooks various items of food in front of you on a huge iron hotplate. This provides visual entertainment as well as delicious and healthy food. Very few of us will be able travel abroad this year so eating out is a great way to experience a different culture. A Japanese restaurant is a treat for all the senses…and don’t you deserve a treat? If you don’t fancy eating out then check out the recipe on page 44 for a taste of Japan you can try at home.

A GOOD MORNING DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

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RECIPE

Tonkatsu Pork

Enjoy a medal-worthy taste of Japan at home INGREDIENTS

METHOD

For the pork: • 2 eggs, beaten • 4 tbsp flour • 75g panko breadcrumbs • 4 thick pork loin steaks • Sunflower Oil for frying • ½ Chinese cabbage, shredded • Salt • Ground black pepper

The Pork: • You’ll need four plates. Pour the flour (seasoned with salt and pepper) on to the first; pour the beaten eggs on to the second and the breadcrumbs on to the third. NOTE - Panko breadcrumbs are crisper than normal breadcrumbs. The recipe will work with normal breadcrumbs, but you might prefer

For the sauce: • 125g tomato ketchup • 75ml sake or rice wine (dry sherry makes a good substitute) • 2tbsp Worcester sauce • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce • 1 clove of garlic, finely grated • 1tsp finely grated fresh root ginger • 1 tsp Japanese mustard (Dijon makes a good substitute) • 1tbsp mirin • 1tbsp sugar

The Sauce: • Place all the sauce ingredients into a small saucepan and stir well. Heat until simmering and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes or until the garlic and ginger are soft and the sauce has a good pouring consistency. • When its ready strain it through a fine sieve and allow to cool to room temperature.

to use finely crushed cornflakes or crackers. • Coat each pork loin generously in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the beaten egg so its covered, then finally coat each loin steak in breadcrumbs. Transfer them all to the fourth plate. • Pour enough oil into a frying pan to shallow fry the pork steaks and allow the pan to heat up over a moderate heat. When hot enough add the steaks and fry until golden on each side (4-5 minutes per side). Don’t overcrowd the pan as this will cause the steaks to steam and the breadcrumbs will become soggy. • Place the cooked steaks on a plate and cut into thick slices. Drizzle the Tonkatsu sauce over the steaks and serve with some shredded cabbage and Japanese pickles.

Prep time: 15-20 minutes Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes Serves 4

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LEISURE

The Joys of Retirement:

GETTING CREATIVE

If you’re retired and wondering how to fill the time, then finding a creative outlet is a great way to promote wellness while producing a bespoke product to love at the end of the process.

the perfect opportunity to give it a try. If you have always enjoyed drawing, then adding colour to your work is the next natural step. First of all decide on the paints you want to use: watercolours can make beautiful colour transitions, oil paints create great textures and depth of colour, and acrylic paints dry quickly and are easy to use. TOP TIPS: › Try sketching out your artwork before delving into the paints to get an idea of the image you want to create. › If you are new to painting entirely, why not try a painting by numbers activity kit, which are available in various skill levels, sizes and picture formats.

3 1

EMBROIDER AN ARTWORK

Your experience of embroidery may simply be from watching 18th century characters beavering away at the stitches on your favourite TV period drama, but it is great activity to focus on. You end up creating something beautiful too, whether that is a bunch of flowers, an animal or a modern slogan stitch. There are lots of different stitches to learn, from the simple backstitch, to the artistic woven wheel and French knot, which all combine to create an intricate picture. However, if all that sounds too complicated, then have a go at cross stitch. This is another popular form of embroidery that only involves learning one stitch, but creates equally beautiful results. When you feel more confident you can produce your own designs

on scarves and cushions for example, and make unique gifts for you and your loved ones. TOP TIPS: › Start with a step-by-step kit as it will come with all the equipment and instructions you need to complete your first embroidery. › If you get stuck on a particular stitch, look up video tutorials online or purchase a book of embroidery stitches to help you along your way.

PASS THE PAINTS

Painting can be a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon, but many of us never find the time to lay out the paints and really get creative, which makes retirement

COOK UP A FEAST

Retirement offers a great opportunity to enjoy cooking. Start by picking up a recipe book, having a flick through and marking the pages of the meals that look delicious. Take pride in selecting your ingredients by visiting local farmer’s markets, butchers and fish counters. You can also enjoy this activity with your family and friends too. Why not try making different flavoured scones, from rhubarb and ginger to apple and blackcurrant, then host a taste testing afternoon tea with your friends. If you are looking after the grandchildren for the day too, baking cupcakes of varying flavours before decorating them is a great way to have some fun. TOP TIPS: › See what food you have nearing expiry in the fridge and store cupboards, then use the index of the cooking books to discover recipes. This way you save on food waste. › Stop off at a second-hand bookshop for a browse of the cookery book section for new recipe inspiration.

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PUZZLE CHALLENGE

Solution on page 54

CODEWORD Each number in the grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

25 3

25 12

26 17

26 25

22 6

16 25

6 19

25 9

6 19

12 20

6 6

20 4

21 22

25 6

12 13

16 25

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Gardening Tips for August

August is the time to relax in the garden enjoying long summer days. Watering is key this month, particularly container-grown plants and border plantings not yet established. Regular feeding and dead heading keeps the garden looking its best until autumn. Terrace Garden

··

·· ··

LAW N TIP

Regularly water container plants, daily in very warm weather, adding a liquid fertiliser, like tomato feed every other week to encourage strong, healthy, growth and continual flowering through to the autumn. Remove spent flowers to encourage more to grow. If you’re going away, move containers into the shade to help reduce drying out, or for longer holiday breaks consider installing an automatic irrigation system. If you need to replace any plants that have suffered from lack of water visit your local Dobbies Garden Centre for fresh ideas perfect for adding late summer colour.

In warm weather the lawn can dry out and turn brown; but it will recover once rain returns.

Beds & Borders

·· ··

Prune spring and early summer flowering shrubs, such as Deutzia, Weigela and Philadelphus. Remove spent branches with secateurs or loppers to allow new growth to mature that will carry next year’s display. Spring flowering bulb collections are available in store and online, full of inspirational colour mixes as well as tried and trusted traditional favourites. As gaps appear in beds and borders, early autumn is the ideal time to plant bulbs, including Alliums, Crocus, Daffodils, Narcissi and Snowdrops. Give Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias a good drink of water and ericaceous feed now to ensure they set plenty of buds for spring. Water new plantings, giving a thorough soak every few days. This encourages roots to grow down into the soil rather than towards the surface. Add a thick layer of mulch to help retain moisture.

Cottage Garden

·· ·· ··

·· 50

Dead head regularly to extend the flowering season well into autumn, particularly Dahlias, Roses and cottage garden perennials. Any flowering herbaceous plants that have already finished flowering can be cut back and tidied, whilst some such as Geraniums will grow back with a second flush of foliage and flower for a late season display. Many Roses will put on another display of fresh blooms, particularly some of our Dobbies varieties which are renowned for their fragrance and long season of flower colour. Dead head spent blooms and boost with rose fertiliser to encourage healthy growth and a late summer display. Tie in whippy growths on rambling roses to bear

··

next year’s trusses of flower, positioning each stem as near to horizontal as possible. Training new growth in this way helps to encourage a prolific flower display along their length. Prune Wisteria cutting whippy side shoots back to around 5 leaves to 20cm in length. These may require a second pruning later in the autumn or spring.

Kitchen Garden

·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ··

Cut back herbs, such as Chives, Mint and Parsley, that are looking tired. This will encourage fresh new growth for a continued supply of leaves for summer dining. Cut back spent summer fruiting raspberry canes to the ground, tying in the new whips for next year’s crop as you go. Continue to water Tomato plants consistently and regularly, adding a high potash tomato feed for healthy growth and fruiting. Keep picking Courgettes when they are young and tender to encourage more to follow. Continue to water squash and pumpkins well as they ripen under the summer sun. Make sowings of beetroot, radishes, spinach, lettuce and salad crops, all fast growing for an extended season of fresh vegetables.

■ Find your local Dobbies at Heighley Gate, A697, Morpeth NE61 3DA. www.dobbies.com

LOCAL NEWS

PARKRUN EVENTS RETURN TO THE NORTH EAST

Following discussions with organisers, and thorough reviews of risk assessments, the regions Directors of Public Health are pleased to be able to support the return of Parkrun events to the region. Organisers have worked hard to put in place measures that keep attendees safe, and they are delighted that residents will once again be able to participate in these events and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits they offer. As we know it is much safer for people to be with others outdoors where the virus is less likely to spread, but the organisers urge participants to remain cautious at all times to protect themselves and others, particularly while the region continues to see a steady rise in Covid-19 cases. The Directors of Public Health have worked with organisers to provide a consistent approach for our communities, with each location being assessed individually. All sites will have similar start times and set ups across the region so there is no need to make long journeys to different Parkrun sites. Please minimise travel and attend your nearest Parkrun event. How you get there is also important. The safest way remains to walk or cycle but, if you’re driving, then avoid sharing cars with people outside your household

and, when using public transport, make sure you follow the vast safety measures operators have put in place. Maintaining the Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air guidance remains essential wherever you are, as does making sure you self-isolate and book a PCR test if you develop even the mildest symptoms of the virus. If you feel at all unwell, please do not attend these or any other events. Even those without symptoms should make use of free Lateral Flow Device tests, twice a week where possible, to ensure people aren’t spreading the virus without realising. ▪ For further details and to find your local Park Run event visit www.parkrun.org.uk

✆

USEFUL NUMBERS NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL 0345 2000 101 Monday - Friday 7.30am - 8pm

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

24 hours a day. Confidential helpline for children and young people.

RAPE CRISIS 0800 035 2794

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 0800 9177 650 52

CRUISE 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.

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.

GAMCARE 0808 8020 133

CARER’S UK 0808 808 777

Confidential counselling and advice for anyone affected by gambling dependency.

Wed, Thu only 10am - 12noon and 2pm 4pm. Advice and information for all carers.

SAMARITANS 116 123

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE 0800 882 200

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

Advice for disabled people and carers on the range of benefits available.

AGE UK 0800 169 6565

CITIZEN’S ADVICE 03444 111 444

THE SILVER HELPLINE 0800 4 70 80 90

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT 0871 882 1121

SHELTERLINE 0808 800 4444

TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33

Free information on issues affecting older people

24 hrs a day. Offering free confidential, friendship and advice for older people. 8am - 12 midnight. Legal and housing advice line for anyone with a housing problem.

Help and advice for consumers in the UK.

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

PUZZLE CHALLENGE

CROSSWORD

Across 3. Feline (3) 7. Evening jacket (6) 8. Sloping text style (6) 9. Tear (3) 10. Overpowered, routed (6) 11. Played at Wimbledon (6) 12. Young hen (6) 14. Increase in length or time (6) 17. Exits (6) 21. Souvenirs, trophies (6) 24. Disastrous failure (6) 25. Drifting (6) 26. Giant mythological bird (3) 27. Covert, private (6) 28. Cohesive (6) 29. High-pitched bark (3)

Can you work out the picture puzzles to discover the common phrase?

6. REBUS PUZZLES

Y Z

15 2

16 3

H W

17 4

18 5

19 6

20 7

21 8

22 9

J M

25 12

3. Green with envy 2. What goes up, must come down 1. Travelling overseas

SOLUTIONS

CROSSWORD

CODEWORD 1

SUDOKU

MINDBENDER

1. American Pie 2. Breaking News 3. Half Mast 4. Water Mark 5. Bear in Mind

WORDSEARCH

REBUS PUZZLES

6. Eye of the Tiger

Down 1. Writing table with drawers (6) 2. Concerning teeth (6) 3. Member of the musical brass family (6) 4. Pussyfoot (6) 5. Red semi-precious stone (6) 6. Sight (6) 12. Mate, chum (3) 13. Pasture, grassland (3) 15. The night before (3) 16. Spanish for ‘two’ (3) 18. Departed (6) 19. Church dressing room (6) 20. Athletic, active (6) 21. Daintier than a mug! (6) 22. Base unit of temperature (6) 23. Tidy, set straight (6)

Davidsons of Morpeth

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A D V E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, GARAGE DOORS

COULD A NEW GARAGE DOOR INCREASE THE KERB APPEAL OF YOUR HOME? What does your garage door say about your home? Never thought about it? Perhaps you should. As the housing market booms and people begin to think about upgrading or downsizing, the right garage door can significantly increase the kerb appeal and even the price of your house. 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. Roll-up 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 roll-up doors are more expensive as a rule but have certain advantages. Since these doors don’t have to be pulled outwards they 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. Both types of doors are usually made from wood or steel. Wood is generally cheaper, and some people prefer the look. However, just like 58

wooden patio furniture, a wooden door is more easily damaged by the weather and may warp, split, or blister. Steel is more expensive. It isn’t prone to warping but does need to be properly treated to prevent rust. Remember a garage door will be exposed to everything the weather can throw at it day in and day out, so will need regular maintenance. Doors should be washed down regularly. Wooden garage doors need to be repainted in alternate years to ensure that the wood stays protected. Steel doors can be painted and treated to an occasional shine with car wax. All moving parts should be lubricated with motor oil whenever the door starts to feel stuck. Consider… 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. You don’t want the kids, or the dog trapped in there, or even yourself. 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. Every year children and adults are injured in accidents which involve older style garage doors. New doors should have an automatic reverse function. That way, if the door encounters any object as it is closing it will immediately stop and back-up. Approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen, AI Garage Doors have been supplying, installing and maintaining garage doors in the Northumberland, North Tyneside and most areas of the North East for over 15 years, building 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. They will guide you through the process, ensuring you select the right garage door to meet your requirements. They 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

T E C H N O LO GY

TECHY TIPS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER By Tom Hancock

Put your USB drive in the right way the first time

Why do we get it wrong on the first try so often? Get it right first time, every time. Here's the secret: Grab any USB cable sitting around your house. Find the symbol on one side? It’s not just for decoration. That symbol will point up if you’re plugging in horizontally and if you're plugging a cable vertically, the USB symbol will face you.

Reopen a closed browser tab

It happens all the time. You have a dozen tabs open in your browser and accidentally close the wrong one. I know you can open up your browser’s history and reopen the tab from there, but did you know you can do it with a couple of keystrokes. Hit Ctrl+Shift+T on your PC or Command+Shift+T on your Mac to automatically reopen the tab you just closed.

Share a YouTube video at a precise point

You find a brilliant YouTube video but the bit you really want to share is 3 minutes and 24 seconds in. If you want to share it at that exact point, you can get a link

that takes people directly to the moment. Simply click the Share button below the video. Look for a little box below the link. This automatically displays the time at which you currently have the video stopped. You can stick with this time or pick any time you like. Then when you copy the link and share it, whoever views the link will view it from point you chose.

Search WhatsApp chats

WhatsApp chats can be fast-moving, and messages accumulate over time. When you want to find the address of the party, or the joke someone told you two weeks ago, you don’t have to scan back through every conversation, you can search for it. From the Chats tab in WhatsApp, swipe down to show the Search bar.Type the word or phrase you’re looking for in the Search field. Tap a result to open that message in the chat. On Android, Open WhatsApp, Tap Search, Type the word or phrase you’re looking for in the Search field, then tap a result to open that message in the chat.

PUZZLE CHALLENGE - TOTALISER Boost your mental agility against the clock. Start with the number on the left and follow the instructions as you go across. Within the 30-second time limit beginners should complete the Level One challenge, intermediate players Level Two and advanced players Level Three. LEVEL ONE

ANSWER

-4

TIMES ITSELF

➥

➥ 1/3

-100 ÷2 ➥

1/2

OF THIS

-4

➥

LEVEL TWO

ANSWER

-17

-5

OF THIS

+5 x1.5 ÷6 +102

➥

÷13.5 +28

5/6

LEVEL THREE

ANSWER

√

OF THIS

➥

+69 ÷8

x4 +412

60%

➥

OF THIS

➥

OF THIS

➥

Solution: Level One: 16 Level Two: 105 Level Three: 40 60

le Sa On! w No

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LEARN FRENCH

WITH LINGUA FORME

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With my French Classes for adults, I can help you to learn at a level that is suitable for you, from beginner to advanced. All classes are online via Zoom and I provide regular resources and audio files to keep learning fresh, fun and foolproof.

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FOR GCSE/A LEVEL FROM SEPTEMBER 2021

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• Fires & Fireplaces • Fire Surrounds • Gas Fires • Gas Stoves • Electric Fires • Multifuel Stoves • Heating Packages

COME HOME TO A LIVING FIRE 7 Market Place, Bedlington, NE22 5TN Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm 62

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McGlone New Business Card.i1 1

14/08/2012 11:24:18

of e g n ra ade to e g u h lity m nds qua sure bli meatorised blidndaswnings • Mo opies an n • Ca fect ﬁt r e • P tters u h S n • netia e V • d e t a • Ple ler l o R l • rtica e V • od • Wo el n a •P man • Ro x lu • Ve

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Unit 64