ABC Magazine: North Edition, Mar/Apr 2021 by ABC Magazines

FRE

LI DE

Established

LY TH ON M BI-

2008

N O RT H E D I T I O N | M A RC H / A P R I L 2 02 1

PUZZLES INSIDE

It’s all about the dog at Doggy Days Creche

Davidsons of Morpeth add Volkswagen brand to their dealership

Welcome Aboard with United Group Travel

COVID-19 SECURE This magazine has been delivered in compliance with the UK Govenment’s Covid-19 risk management guidance

YO U R LO CA L M AG A Z I N E F O R : M O R P E T H

1 B E D L I N GTO N | C R A M L I N GTO N

Davidsons of Morpeth

Volkswagen Authorised Service Dealer Booking your Volkswagen with Davidsons is the surest way to have your car serviced, repaired & cared for by a knowledgeable expert to the highest standard from a family run company, striving for a flawless experience to our customers.

Service, Repairs, Warranty & MOT Call us today to book Davidsons of Morpeth Coopies Way, Morpeth, NE61 6JN

01670 512 115 www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth

WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE Welcome to the North edition of ABC, your bi-monthly local magazine. ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Bedlington, Cramlington and Morpeth. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information. Interested in advertising in ABC? Please call Richard on 07526 522272 or email info@yourabc.co.uk Published by: ABC Magazines, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL @yourabc

@abcmagazines

www.yourabc.co.uk

Working safely throughout Covid19

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other clause. R Wilson Advertising does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Italian for Beginners lessons starting March 2021 in Bedlington Fully qualiﬁed teacher BA (Hons) and PGCE (University of Leeds and Universita per Stranieri di Siena). Courses last 20 weeks: £12 for a 2 hour class at the Old Police Station building in Bedlington. Mondays 12.30- 2.30 pm Complimentary refreshments provided. Max class size 6.

Contact Sharon Email: letslearnbedlington@gmail.com or Tel 07764 709 985 / 01670 207488 Find us on Facebook 5

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Why choose Doggy Days Creche? BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOG!

warded a 5 Star Rating from Northumberland County Council and entrusted to care for the region’s canine companions since 2003, Doggy Days is where your dog would choose. Spanning across 200 square metres, with indoor day care, pampering in the grooming salon, and even a doggy boutique, we've got everything your furry friend could wish for all under one roof. With limited dog numbers and a thorough 20-hour assessment of each dog, (complete with school reports) everyones safety is assured, making us the premier dog day care facility in the area. Our experienced, professional day care team understand what dogs need for their physical and mental wellbeing. With their considerable experience, the team can read dog body language and know how to provide safe, enjoyable fun for dogs, no matter what their size or age. You can rest assured your dog is in safe hands while they have fun, meaning you can get on with your day without worry. The salon team handle dogs with patience and kindness, making sure

that they're comfortable and relaxed while being pampered. After all, a visit to the salon should be about feeling good as well as looking. In the salon you can choose from a range of services from a simple bath & brush to our full grooming package, all of which include nail trim and ear cleaning as standard. If you really want to pamper your pooch you can upgrade to our VIP Premium Care Package, this includes teeth cleaning, paw’s waxed, luxury facial, body massage, shine serum, spritz of cologne, all with the use of premium grooming products & a free gift, all for just £10. Even in the boutique, the team have selected a range of unique products for your dog that you simply won't find on the high street. High quality toys, indulgent treats and fabulous accessories that your dog will love are all here - in fact, treating your dog to something special has never been easier. Based in Cramlington, we are easily accessible by road or on public

transport. We also offer a collection and delivery service making it easy for your dog to visit, even if you can't come along yourself. We know dogs are a big part of family life. As dog owners ourselves, we understand what matters is their safety and happiness. We also know balancing busy lives with a dog’s needs can be difficult. That's why we're here to help you and your dog have a better life together. So why would you choose Doggy Days? Because it's all about YOUR dog! ■ www.doggy-days.co.uk Call 01670 716666 facebook.com/doggydayscreche Unit 7-8 Hubbway Business Centre, Bassington Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8AD

Boutique - Creche - Salon Call us now on:

01670 716666 Creating a unique experience all under one roof, it truly is 'all about the dog': Creche

GROOMINg

Entrusted to care for the regions canine companions since 2003 and awarded a 5 star rating from Northumberland county council, it truly is 'all about your dog'.

Providing a range of services from a simple bath & brush to our full grooming package, all of which include nail trim and ear cleaning as standard. Our puppy pamper package is now only £10!!

THE DOG BOUTIQUE All of your dogs essentials including shampoo’s, luxuary dog fragrances and nose and paw wax.

Do ggy D ays

@d o ggydayscreche

E: h e l l o @ do ggydayscreche. com www.doggy-days.co.uk Company licence number: NAB/207

HOME

WHEN NOT TO DIY Some DIY jobs are better done by professionals

You may have no other choice than to call in the professionals to ensure some tricky household jobs are done safely, properly and legally. We tell you what you shouldn’t attempt yourself. Many homeowners are discovering advantages to buying homes that are in various stages of completion. Instead of hiring professionals to complete the house, some amateur DIY-ers are discovering basic homebuilding skills. As long as the work meets standard building codes, a homeowner can often see substantial savings over the same work performed by licensed professionals. But not every task is suitable for a competent but fledgling DIY-er. Due to the specialised skills required to do the job, you may have no other choice but to call in the professionals to make sure the job is done safely, properly and legally. Here are a few situations where you will most likely need to call in the professionals for a home repair job. ELECTRICAL WIRING OF ANY KIND Never attempt electrical work yourself as the consequences of a mistake can be incredibly serious. Rewiring a room, fitting new lighting fixtures, and fitting fuse boards should all be undertaken by a qualified electrician to meet the extremely high standards required by law. According to the law, most electrical work in homes will need to be carried out by an electrician who is registered under a government approved scheme, such as the National Inspection for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). The alternative for those doing DIY electrics, is for electrical work to be checked by local authority building control at a cost of around £120. Despite this tough new law over 70 per cent of householders questioned still felt confident to tackle DIY electrical tasks. If you are one of the majority, you are breaking the law and may come across problems when you come to sell your property. SUPPORTING BRICKWORK Professionals should do any brickwork that is not merely decorative. At first glance, brickwork may appear to be one of the easiest construction jobs around. But, as any professional bricklayer will tell you, the job can be overloaded with dangers.

Professionals have the proper tools and techniques to prevent collapse due to improper alignment. If the job involves load-bearing structures, installation procedures must be followed to the letter, which usually means leaving the project in the hands of experienced workers. INACCESSIBLE PLUMBING JOBS Many DIY-ers discover that simple plumbing repairs are completely within their scope of ability. Replacing a leaky toilet for example, is an involved process but not overly complicated. Pipes for drains and sinks are standard sizes and will come off with traditional wrenches without much effort. Many drainage problems can be solved with relative ease. But this may lead to a false sense of security. Flooding and excessive water damage can be two of many problems associated with improper plumbing repairs. Much like electricity, you can’t always be sure that all the connections are closed before you begin a major repair. Professionals should handle any plumbing job that involves a broken pipe that you can’t see or reach. They have several methods of finding hidden breaks in pipes and know how to repair them with little collateral damage. GAS LINES ARE STRICTLY FOR THE PROS There are no exceptions. Again, installations not fitted by a registered professional are illegal and potentially extremely dangerous. Never consider fitting or repairing a boiler or gas fire yourself and always ensure that you use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. ROOFING REPAIR Any repairs to the structure of the roof should be left to those who can accurately measure the proper angles needed for load bearing. You can undertake any routine repair work but professional roofers should handle anything involving the actual frame of the roof.

ESTABLISHED 1990

G E U

GEU DECORATING QUALITY INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

PAPER HANGING

FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE

DISCOUNTS FOR BOOKINGS THROUGH MARCH & APRIL

CALL GARY USHER TODAY ON CRAMLINGTON

JON’S HANDYMAN

• • • • • • • •

& PLUMBING SERVICE Plumbing: leaks, radiator, taps, toilets, showers, outside taps Carpentry: In & Outdoor Assembling of flatpack furniture Stair Rails Fitting of door/security locks & door handles Home Improvements Moving furniture within the home Any general repairs - please don’t be afraid to ask

FREE QUOTES LOCAL, FRIENDLY & FULLY INSURED NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL

01670 733563

Please call 01670 638339 or 07496 726 403

FOR YOUR NO OBLIGATION ESTIMATE OR ADVICE

Email: jonvrbeck@gmail.com

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - TIME SERVED TRADESMAN

Jons Handyman Services

LO CA L N E W S

CAR PARK CHANGES IN MORPETH AS LEISURE CENTRE WORKS START

Changes to car parks are coming into force as the multi-million pound scheme to transform leisure provision in Morpeth gathers pace. The town’s new state of the art £21 million leisure centre and community hub, which is being funded by Northumberland County Council, will be built on Gas House Lane. Willmott Dixon has been appointed as the main contractor for the centre which is expected to open to the public in early 2023. Construction activities started on 1st March and will mean the temporary closure of the existing Terrace Car Park, which will be used as the construction site compound for the duration of the works. The Council has leased a site to provide a replacement long stay car park on Gas House Lane to mitigate any loss of town centre parking whilst the Terrace Car Park is temporarily closed. Signs have been displayed in the Terrace Car Park to advise users of this temporary closure and redirect users to the alternative facilities. Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Healthy Lifestyles, said: “This

significant investment will create outstanding new facilities for the town and surrounding communities and we’re delighted we’ve reached this stage where people will soon be able to see the centre taking shape. Ward Councillor David Bawn said: "It’s great that we’re now moving to the next phase in this exciting project. It was important that the work fits around the current needs of the town so finding an alternative carpark nearby has been crucial to avoid any loss of amenity for residents and visitors.” The new sports complex will be run by Active Northumberland, the charitable trust that manages leisure services across the county. Mark Warnes, Acting Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: “One of Active Northumberland’s key aims is to get more people of all ages involved in physical activity to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. There will be something for all members of the local community at this new centre and we hope that it will offer opportunities for more people to be active, more often.” When complete the new centre will include a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall, a new 100 station fitness suite, a dedicated spinning studio, large fitness studios, a cafe area and soft play. The plans also incorporate a new community services hub which will see the town’s library move back to its former home on Gas House Lane, a customer service centre and a new adult learning facility.

Set in the historic market town of Morpeth, Foxton Court is a friendly, purpose-built care home offering residential and residential memory care, for those living with dementia. We’re pioneering a simple approach to the way we care, where kindness is our ethos. Through the vaccination, routine testing and enhanced infection control measures, we’re able to welcome new Residents, provide safe visits and protect those who already live with us.

Foxton Court is proud to announce a newly refurbished residential living space which is now open, offering thirty one bright, comfortable ensuite bedrooms. To find out more information on the care that Foxton Court can offer you, or your loved one, please visit our website or contact our friendly Careline advisors.

Offering; • Safe family visits and video calls • Tailored visiting plans for Residents • Vaccine rollout programme • Enhanced infection control • Plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) • Routine coronavirus testing • Telephone and video assessments • Leisure and wellbeing programme W T E A

hc-one.co.uk 0333 321 4780 careline@hc-one.co.uk Loansdean, Morpeth, NE61 2BT

LO CA L N E W S

Ashington To Host Antiques Roadshow

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow is heading to Ashington this summer. The popular programme, hosted by Fiona Bruce, will film an episode of its 44th season at Woodhorn Museum. The date of the recording and the broadcast date of the episode will be announced soon. Rowan Brown, chief executive of Museums Northumberland, said ‘I’m delighted that Woodhorn Museum will be the series’ first coalmining location. We’re really looking forward to working with the Antiques Roadshow Team to showcase Northumberland’s heritage and create opportunities for our communities to get involved. The programme is renowned for its engaging and diverse storytelling, and Museums Northumberland aspires to do the same, so I hope we can learn a lot, and have a great time in the process.’ The episode at Woodhorn Museum will be filmed on a closed set with an invited audience to ensure the safety of guests, production and the wider public during the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the public interested in taking part in the recording at Woodhorn Museum can apply online by visiting bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow. Successful applicants will be invited to Woodhorn Museum later this summer where they will be able to share their items with a Roadshow expert who will reveal more about the craftsmanship, history and provenance of each piece – as well as the all-important value. Fiona Bruce has acknowledged the team’s success at recording the show under challenging circumstances in 2020 and is encouraging people to apply to be a part of the programme in 2021. Fiona said ‘We were thrilled that we managed to make a series of the Antiques Roadshow last summer, despite all the difficulties of filming during the pandemic. Hopefully things will be easier this summer though life may not yet be back to normal by the time we start filming.’ For more about Woodhorn Museum, please visit museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/woodhorn-museum More information and frequently asked questions can be found at bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow or on the show’s Facebook page. 12

WE HAVE MOVED! Find us at our new address: 76a Front Street West, Bedlington, NE22 5UA Full grooms Baths & brushes Pet Shop Puppy grooms Emmi-Pet Teeth Clean

Level 3 City & Guilds qualified dog groomer with 9+ years experience with many different breeds Call Ariane on

07494 874 471

GroomsbyAriane

www

groomsbyariane.co.uk

@groomsbyariane

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

WELCOME ABOARD!

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

John Hindhaugh and Graham Wright

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

2021 COACH TOURS DELIGHTFUL DEVON

MURDER MYSTERY WEEKEND

2nd - 8th June · 7 days/6 nights DBB

16th July 2021 · 3 days/2 nights DBB

at the Best Western Livermead Cliff Hotel

£595 per person (£60 single supplement) With 3 days included excursions visiting - Totnes, Dartmouth, Exeter, and Sidmouth and 2 days at leisure in resort The Livermead Cliﬀ Hotel on Torquay Sea Front has its own direct private access to Livermead Beach and is a level walk to the Marina & Town Centre. Its quiet location and spacious seaside lawns oﬀering a wonderfully secluded seaside retreat by the Sea. Why not enjoy a Drink on the stunning Riviera Terrace and watch the Boats go in and out of the Marina.

OUTSTANDING VALUE AT £595!

At The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond

£30

£225 per person (£43 single supplement)

The murder mystery takes place on the first night, followed by an included Day time excursion and evening entertainment on the 2nd night. Murder Mystery Nights take place in various forms, with numerous different plots. Someone sitting next to you may be another guest or an actor who will shortly slump to the floor. On all the storylines, you will be given the opportunity to guess ‘Whodunit’ and a prize given to the winner. In the unlikely event of everyone guessing correctly, we draw the winner from a hat. Most of the murder plots conclude after Breakfast, but some may conclude on the same night. The evening’s entertainment, with Dinner usually served between 7.30pm and 8.00pm – the evening usually finishes between 11pm and mid-night.

John & Graham

DEPOSI PER PERST SECURES YOON UR BOOKING

✆ CALL TODAY TO BOOK

01670 632 460 \ 07957 141 654 07770 934 189 \ 07720 784 084 Check our website or facebook page for updated tour information. Or you can contact us with your email address to receive updates: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com Preferred payments, via bank transfer, cheque, cash* or debit/credit card. Visit our website for terms and conditions 1 Spencer Drive, Pegswood, Morpeth, NE61 6SZ

www.unitedgrouptravel.com

ALL-INCLUSIVE BURNS

TURKEY AND TINSEL

At The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond 3rd December 2021 · 4 day tour 3 nights DBB £275 per person (£51 Single supplement) Free bar 7:30pm- 10:30pm. Christmas carols on the steamship on Loch Katrine and a visit to Edinburgh Christmas Markets. The popular Winnock Hotel is situated in the centre of Drymen village just a short distance from Loch Lomond. All Bedrooms are prepared in traditional Scottish style with Private Facilities, TV, Tea & Coﬀee Tray, Lounge area with open ﬁre, Bar, Reception Service, Highlander Restaurant & Function Room for Meals and Entertainment.

TWIXMAS

at Warner’s Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel

27th December 2021 · 4 day tour DBB

Only £389! NO single supplement

Bodelwyddan (pronounced bod-el-withan), is a Grade II listed Victorian building near the North Wales coast, not far from Snowdonia. Set within the grounds of a romantic castle, but with all the amenities of a modern Hotel, including a superb range of leisure facilities, numerous daily activities, and nightly live entertainment.

Dinner is normally a choice menu followed by Tea or Coﬀee.There are just two ﬂoors but no Lift.

The hotel was given a £6 million renovation and awarded a 4* AA award.

OUTSTANDING VALUE AT ONLY £275

** LIMITED AVAILABILITY ALREADY **

at The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, Loch Lomond 6th January 2022 · 5 Day Tour £325 per person (£68 single supplement) Join us for Burns Night in Drymen! Burns Night is the annual celebration honouring the life and works of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, the national poet of Scotland! Each year his birth is celebrated on 25th January with a hearty meal (and lots of haggis of course), a wee dram and renditions of his famous song Auld Lang Syne! Includes: � Return coach travel � 4 nights all-inclusive � Hotel entertainment on at least 2 nights � Glass of wine with dinners followed by tea and coﬀee � Packed lunches or soup & sandwich lunches � Free bar every night (between 7:30pm & 10:30pm) � Farewell ‘Hot Toddy’ on departure � Loch Lomond cruise with tea/coﬀee and shortbread served on board

★ QUALITY TOURS - BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE ★

Recruiting Now It’s time to care Rate of Pay

£9.80 an hour

• Flexible Hours • Rewarding Work • Full & Part-time • Training & Support • Competitive Rates of Pay • Career Progression

Find out more:

• Must be a car driver

Bluebird Care Northumberland South northumberlandsouth@bluebirdcare.co.uk Tel: 0191 2502244 bluebirdcare.co.uk/northumberland-south 16

ADVERTISING FE ATURE

A Success Story for Morpeth Maximize Education is a private educational facility providing supportive and alternative education for students funded both privately and via local government. The business was founded in Morpeth by Christine Jamieson, who built up its reputation for delivering bespoke individual tuition for students of all ages, across a full range of academic subjects. She recognised the need to professionalise the private tutorial industry to ensure tutors provided tuition reflecting the national curriculum and examination board specifications while observing the necessary requirements of safeguarding. The intention was always to ensure that parents and students were given access to highly qualified professional educators, across as many subjects as required, in the most cost-effective way. The standards were set high with a determination ensure services continued to be one to one. The development of locally based tuition centres began in 2019, first in Gosforth then Morpeth when a suitable property became available. The onset of the pandemic brought about new challenges, however, Maximize Education adapted and evolved to meet the challenge and invested heavily in the Morpeth Tuition Centre to ensure a Covid safe

environment for students and staff, welcoming new and old students back into the learning environment. On the 7th September 2020 Maximize Education’s Online Tuition Services went National. The uptake has ensured that this locally developed business is not only surviving the pandemic, but marching forward, creating ongoing employment opportunities for a growing team in their Morpeth based Head Office. ■ www.maximizeeducation.com

TUTORING WITH PROVEN RESULTS •

All GCSE & A-level subjects, including Maths, English & Science

•

Entrance exams, SAT’s GCSE & A-levels

•

HOLIDAY TUITION PACKAGES AVAILABLE Use the Summer break to review your lockdown learning and prepare for your next academic year

•

SPECIAL OFFER: 10% discount to ABC readers Promotion code ABC21

To book a free consultation call 07894 852 929 or email maximizeeducation@gmail.com

www.maximizeeducation.com | 32a Newgate Street, Morpeth NE61 1BA 17

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

Could a German speaking country be your next holiday destination? BY SUSANNE WARDLE, DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE GERMAN TEACHER

With the days getting longer, the temperatures rising and the lock down hopefully easing in a few weeks, we tentatively start to think about holidays in the hopefully not too distant future! So, could Germany or a German speaking country be your next holiday destination? Travelling from North Shields on the ferry to Ijmuiden near Amsterdam might be a preferred option this year – if you like to avoid airports. Once in Holland, Germany’s coastline along the Baltic is about 4-5 hours away. The North Especially the former east around Warnemünde and the Mecklenburger Seenplatte (a vast area of lakes) are very beautiful during the summer – a stunning area of unspoiled nature not dissimilar to our Lake District. Also, in the North you find the Hanseatic towns of Hamburg, Bremen, Lübeck and Rostock – all on a maritime theme and with a long history of trade and shipping. Heading South Heading South past Hanover, Göttingen, Kassel and Cologne and then along the banks of the river Mosel and Rhine, you will encounter huge vineyards, fairy tale castles and Roman history around the city of Trier. If you enjoy riding a bike, the cycle paths along the river are perfect and the views are breath taking.

The South: Swabia, Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein Stuttgart with its famous Swabian food, the Mercedes Benz and Porsche Museum, the Ritter Sport factory where you can make your own chocolate, are great for holidays with children. Bavarian beer, food, folk music and its mountains are famous all over the world. Of course, there is also Austria with its gorgeous capital of Vienna and Mozart’s Salzburg. Switzerland provides a variety of different holiday experiences – whether you want to be active (climbing, walking, mountain biking and, of course, skiing in the winter) or you prefer boat trips and lovely strolls along Lake Geneva, Lake Lugano or Lake Lucerne. And then there is, of course, Liechtenstein, a stunningly beautiful and interesting German-speaking microstate situated in the Alps and in the southwest of Central Europe. What about the language barrier? People in Germany and German speaking countries start learning English at the age of 7 which means that by the time they leave school, most of them have a good command of the English language, so most people will understand you!

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela – former President of South Africa

However, any holiday is so much more exciting if you manage to speak some words or sentences in the local language. Any person in any country appreciates the effort somebody makes to speak their language – it builds bridges and does not have to be grammatically correct. Speaking German German and English have many cognates (words which are the same) or near – cognates (words which are very similar). Here are a few phrases to get you started in German: Hallo – hello Guten Tag – Hello (any time of the day) Guten Morgen – Good morning Guten Abend – Good evening Mein Name ist… – My name is… Wo ist …? - Where is…? Wo ist das Hotel? – Where is the hotel? Wo ist der Biergarten? – Where is the beergarden? Wo ist der Supermarkt? – Where is the supermarket? Wo ist die Bäckerei? – Where is the bakery? Auf Wiedersehen – Goodbye In brief, consider German speaking countries as a holiday option. They have lots to offer, are not too far away and starting to learn the language is easier than you think! ■ www.germanteacher.uk

Dawn Lang Funeral Services YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTOR • 24 HOUR SERVICE

Covering Ashington, Morpeth and Bedlington areas You can tailor any of our funeral packages. You can also pre-pay for peace of mind. Either pay now or in 12 monthly instalments with no additional instalment costs. Longer terms are available. POPULAR CHOICE FUNERAL

£2,295

• Professional Fees • Doctors Fees • Care of Deceased • Hearse • Crematorium Fees • Humanist • Classic Coffin & Nameplate • Pall Bearers • Ashes Tube or Casket Limousine can be added for an additional £150

Also available: Direct to Crematorium package £1,495

TRADITIONAL FUNERAL

£2,895

• Professional fees • Doctors Fees • Care of Deceased • Chapel of Rest • Crematorium Fees • Pall Bearers • Traditional Coffin & Nameplate • Humanist/Minister • Order of Service • Hearse & 1 x Limousine

Also available: Horse Drawn Hearse package £3,595

£100 DISCOUNT ON ALL FUNERALS if accounts are settled prior to the funeral

We provide prepaid Funeral Plans

Call 01670 457 575 for help or advice at any time 73 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RS www.dawnlangfuneralservices.co.uk

NewSpace Loft Storage We create space so everything has a place

LOFT STORAGE SPACE PACKAGE

WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN CREATING HOBBY ROOMS

Add storage space in your property with our special loft package which includes:

Our hobby/play rooms are a fantastic alternative to a full loft conversion and at a fraction of the price, they provide valuable space for a variety of uses.

• Loft Ladder • New hatch • Light with Switch • Flooring SUPPLIED & INSTALLED

FOR ONLY £495

Includes: • Independent Floor • Timber Ladder • Lights & Sockets • Plaster Boarded • Velux Window

CALL US FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Call us today for friendly advice and an estimate 07973 957 481 or 07931 801 472 info@newspaceloftstorage.co.uk

www.newspaceloftstorage.co.uk 19

HE ALTH

Upskill for Brain Health LEARNING NEW THINGS HAS ALL KINDS OF FRINGE BENEFITS By Kate McCarthy

Lots of us began 2021 with the ambition to learn a new skill: beginner’s computer programming, conversational Italian, or how to paint with watercolours maybe. We learn new skills for many reasons. Perhaps we need to improve our computer literacy to gain a promotion, or Italian so we can speak to our new in-laws, or we've always fancied learning to paint. Learning is fun but its benefits go way beyond the actual skill learned, and the skill is irrelevant, whether its crochet or advanced mathematics, the extra benefits are the same. ■ Positive brain changes - The white matter in our brain is comprised of nerve fibres covered in a fatty sheath called myelin. It is involved in learning and coordination of communication between different brain regions. The more we practice a new skill the more our white matter increases in density, which helps us when we learn other new skills. ■ Increased learning speed – When brain neurons are stimulated, more neural pathways are formed and the faster our brains process new information. It’s as if 'learning' is a muscle which strengthens as its exercised. ■ Interconnections - When we learn a new skill our brains draw on information and skills we already possess, and we build on that existing knowledge. But a wide knowledge base also makes it easier for us to learn more new skills. ■ Increased interestingness! - (Yes, it's a real word!) Well-rounded individuals tend to find it easier to relate to others because a wider knowledge base makes it 20

easier to find things in common and thus make friends. Beat boredom - Repetition can quickly become monotonous. Following the same routine every night, 'supper, bath, TV, bed' makes it easy to become bored. Learning new things breaks the cycle of monotony and gives our brain something to do. ■ Increased adaptability - Learning new things physically alters our brains in such a way that our outlook and perceptions change. These alterations make it easier for us to adapt to sudden life changes, like a global pandemic for instance! Adapting to change is a skill, and the more varied our life experiences are, the easier it is to draw on them and adjust ■ Prevent cognitive decline - Learning origami doesn’t mean we won’t get dementia. There are many types of dementia and the causes are nuanced. But there are many studies which suggest that people who learn new skills are less likely to experience cognitive decline including dementia. Mental decline is linked to demyelination of our brain. People who actively learn new skills are not giving their brains a chance to demyelinate, and their neural pathways are primed to create workarounds if some area of the brain does begin to fail. The key seems to be to learn things outside of our comfort zone, so if you are a knitter, don't choose to learn crochet, which is similar, choose Russian, or salsa dancing, or the ukulele instead, subjects which push you out of your comfort zone, but (importantly) which you actually want to learn and will enjoy. Keep exercising that brain!

INDIAN TAKEAWAY

20% OFF ALL ORDERS* WITH THIS ADVERT

Open 5pm till 11pm, 6 days a week (Closed Tuesday)

46 Front Street East, Bedlington, NE22 5AB

Tel: 01670 821 581

*Not in conjunction with any other offer. Please mention ABC offer when ordering. Please present advert when paying. Available once per person.

• 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

Dimplex Opti-Myst

Display & Demonstrate Approved Showroom

Tel: 01670 632717 or 07541 697 991 Saturday 10am - 3pm

Sunday Closed 21

LO C A L N E W S

The

NEW ONLINE FITNESS EXPERIENCE LAUNCHED

3D Cakery

Cakes made for all occasions

Let us create that special cake for that special occassion Birthdays, Weddings, Christenings etc. Cake Decorating Equipment & Consumables. Cake Boards, Cake Boxes, Icing, Food Colouring etc.

The 3D Cakery Hirst Yard, Viewlands, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9AF

Tel: 01670 812852

www.the3dcakery.co.uk

margaret@the3dcakery.co.uk

Leading Nursery Brands at Everyday

LOW

Prices!

Exclusive ABC

Special Of fer

Place an order

with Babythingz

and we’ll give

you a Gift Vouche

worth 10%

of your order value For example, place an order for £600 and receive a Babythingz gift voucher worth £60. Terms and Conditions apply. Please mention offer at time of purchase.

Unit 8D, North Tyne Ind. Estate, Whitley Road, Benton, NE12 9SZ (Opposite ASDA Beton) PramsNewcastle ∙ Open Tuesday to Saturday by appointment

Tel: 0191 266 1190 ∙ www.babythingz.com 22

Active Northumberland has launched a new online fitness experience which brings professional group exercise classes to your home. With the help of the latest technology, the new Active at Home sessions allow you to join the fitness team at Active Northumberland for your favourite exercise classes either live or on-demand. The monthly subscription of £7.99 offers fantastic value for money, launching with over 20 live classes a week and access to workouts you can do at any time, delivered by Active Northumberland instructors. Classes include Yoga, Pilates, Les Mills Body Combat, Body Balance and Body Step, HIIT and Zumba so there is something for everyone. Mark Warnes, Acting Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: “Over the last year, due to the pandemic, residents have increasingly used online platforms for work, social events, shopping and services. While the gyms have been closed during lockdown many of our customers have been accessing exercise online too. This new online monthly subscription membership is separate from our centre membership. It offers an alternative digital solution for residents who want to keep fit, experience professional exercise classes delivered by some of their favorite instructors, but can’t get to the gym. Mark continued "We hope that many people will enjoy the live exercise experience which will help to keep them motivated and connected and enjoy the many benefits that exercise brings to our physical and mental health.” For further information on timetables and how to join go to https://bit.ly/ANactiveathome

LEARN FRENCH

WITH LINGUA FORME

IS LEARNING FRENCH ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

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.

NOW TAKING NEW ONE TO ONE TUITION

FOR GCSE/A LEVEL FROM SEPTEMBER 2021

For more information visit

www.linguaforme.co.uk or call Barbara on 07946 115 256

Garage Conversions & Extensions

From Plans to completion

we are with you every step of the way. Free quotation | No salesman

Find us on Call us today to discuss your vision T: 0191 234 5269 M: 07973 957 481 Visit us online:

www.newspaceservices.co.uk 23

WORD SEARCH Can you find all of the greek and roman gods hidden in the grid?

Aphrodite Apollo Ares Artemis Athena Ceres Demeter Diana Dionysos Hephaestos Hera Hermes Juno Jupiter Mars Mercury Minerva Neptune Poseidon Venus Vesta Vulcan Zeus

EQUALIZER

SUDOKU

Place a different arithmetical sign (add, subtract, multiply, divide) in each circle so that the total of each line across and down is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

11 4

4 5

2 6

5 2

1 24

10 3 1

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

CROSSWORD Clues Across 1. Female sovereign (7) 5. Portents (5) 8. Gratuity (3) 9. Sweet roll (7) 10. Fit out (5) 11. Vital liquid (5) 13. Appease (7) 15. Woody plant (4) 17. Bewilder (6) 19. Orb (6) 22. As well (4) 24. Armed conflict (7) 26. Problem (5) 29. Hackneyed (5) 30. Chivalrous (7) 31. Furrow (3) 32. Lifting apparatus (5) 33. ------- Nelson (7)

Clues Down 1. Arm joint (5) 2. Artist's material (5) 3. Accompanies (7) 4. Treeless plain (6) 5. Musical drama (5) 6. Teach (7) 7. Presume (anag.) (7) 12. Primate (3) 14. In smaller quantity (4) 16. Back end (4) 17. Captivate (7) 18. Cocktail (7) 20. Well-liked (7) 21. Fish eggs (3) 23. Linear extent (6) 25. Watchful (5) 27. Vertical passage (5) 28. Proportion (5)

8 9

13 15

19 22

30 31

KAKURO Fill in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it.

3 4

9 12 21

Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners.

12 11 4 5

You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

2 1

3 4

3 3

6 2

T R I

9 20

H O

N I

S T

H O R A T

R U T

T E

1 4

B R L

N I

P L A C A T E P

O C H E S

E M P R E S S

E Q U

R P

O M E N S

S P H E R E

T R E E

W A T E R

P O S E R

A L S O

B E M U S E P

G A L L A N T

W A R F A R E

5 5

+ 10 4

SOLUTIONS

KAKURO 9

CROSSWORD

EQUALIZER

SUDOKU

WORDSEARCH

Please mention ABC Magazine when responding to adverts

ADVERTISING FE ATURE

Luxury Living in Stannington

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON EXECUTIVE BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT

usband and wife team Alan and Victoria, of Altoria Development, are returning to Stannington Station to build more of their stunning, executive bungalows. The couple began their development venture in 2016 with a passion to build bespoke bungalows in the North-East. From Morpeth themselves, they found their first development in Stannington Station and obtained planning permission for fourteen bungalows at Furrow Grove, all of which were snapped up and sold off-plan. Since then they have expanded their portfolio to Oakfield Grove, Blyth, an intimate development of four bungalows. Alan said “We are delighted to be returning to Stannington Station to build a sister site to Furrow Grove. Ridge Grove will maintain the high quality and executive specification that is expected of Altoria Development. This development has three different bungalow types and are all three-bedroom homes; each home is fully adaptable and provides all of the benefits of one-storey living.” Ridge Grove offers each buyer the opportunity to design their new home without the responsibility of 26

“Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of the exceptional homes. ” managing a self-build. With bespoke Kitchens including choice of stone worktop, co-ordinated cabinetry and all integrated appliances included as standard. Villeroy and Boch bathroom and ensuite both fully tiled. Flooring is included throughout and there is a choice of internal oak doors and finishings. Farrow and Ball colours throughout and all offering double garages with electric doors. Victoria explained “Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of our exceptional homes. The bungalow’s have been designed to compliment the nearby surroundings of the Northumberland countryside and has been placed delicately into the heart of the wonderful community that is Stannington Station.” Stannington Station has the luxury of a wonderful Farm Shop and cafe with facilities for young children to

play, garage and convenience store all a few minutes walk from Ridge Grove. Slightly further afield is the village of Stannington with a quaint pub and village hall. The historic market town of Morpeth is only a few miles away which provides an abundance of shops, boutiques, excellent schools, doctors and dentists. Alan and Victoria have begun the initial construction of what will become a beautiful development, with completions taking place from early 2021. Prices from £445,000 onwards. To request the sales literature please contact Altoria Development on 01670 432603 alternatively email info@altoriadevelopment.co.uk

NOW R C EATING YOUR E P RFECT BEDROOM

KITCHEN • BATHROOM • TILE

Brilliantly Simple...Simply Brilliant Signature Kitchens, Bathrooms & Tiles have been providing customers with quality kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, flooring and tiles for over ten years.

Offering a unique combination of superb products, expertise and unmatched customer service, we bring you the home of your dreams, whilst making the transformation a painless process. For every project, we have an experienced team and a generation of experience; this successful formula shows in the results. ● FAMILY RUN BUSINESS ● FREE 3D PLANNING & DESIGN ● TILING, ELECTRICS & PLASTERING ● SUPPLY OR INSTALLATION ● FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF YOUR DREAM KITCHEN OR BATHROOM

1a Burnside Road, Whitley Bay, NE25 8PW Tel: 0191 253 5111 www.signaturekitchensbathroomsandtiles.co.uk SHOWROOM OPEN: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm & Saturday 10am - 4pm

Come and try

INGTON ASH

WLS CLUB

BOWLS in 2021

Ashington Bowls Club (Located within Hirst Park)

Pictured above is club Treasurer Lee Taylor (centre) receiving the new club jackets from Jack Phillips (right) and Iain Harvey (left). The club would like to thank G. Phillips Heating Services for providing the all weather jackets and Mimarc Construction for the team polo shirts.

COME ALONG AND GIVE IT A GO! Find us on Facebook

or Contact Lee on 07986 505075 for more information

BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT, STANNINGTON

AN EXCLUSIVE GATED DEVELOPMENT OF EIGHT EXECUTIVE, ARCHITECT DESIGNED, DETACHED BUNGALOWS Specification inclusive of: n n n n n n n n

Bespoke Kitchen with choice of stone worktop and coordinated cabinetry Integrated BOSCH Kitchen appliances Stunning large living rooms with vaulted ceilings, available on certain plots Fully tiled Villeroy and Boch bathroom and ensuite Oak internal doors n Three bedrooms Flooring throughout n Farrow and Ball colour scheme Double Garages with electric doors n Landscaping Private gated development n Freehold and 10 year structural warranty

PRICES FROM £445,000 COMPLETION FROM EARLY 2021 For a sales brochure or more information Call: 01670 432 602 Email: info@altoriadevelopment.co.uk Visit: www.altoriadevelopment.co.uk

BOOKS

NEW LOCAL BOOK COVERS THE BEST WALKS THAT THIS VARIED COUNTY HAS TO OFFER Day Walks in Northumberland features 20 routes between 7.6 and 14.5 miles (12.2km and 23.3km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Researched and written by local walking guide David Wilson, this book covers the best that this varied county has to offer, including the border country along Hadrian’s Wall, spotless sandy beaches and exploring the industrial heritage of the area. The routes are split into three areas – Northumberland Coast, Northumberland National Park and History & Heritage. Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions,

details of distance and navigation information, and refreshmentstops and local information. David Wilson is a Northumberland Trail and Tour Guide and has spent his life exploring this remote and unique landscape. An ambassador for the county, he can be found in a variety of locations from the wilds of Northumberland National Park to trekking along Hadrian’s Wall. Alongside his passion for tourism in North East England, he is also a long-standing Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champion. This role sees him encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably - the core principle of Day Walks in Northumberland, his first guidebook.

Available now from Vertebrate Publishing. ISBN: 9781912560615 Number of pages: 152 Weight: 200 g Dimensions: 175 x 120 x 10 mm www.v-publishing.co.uk

The Furniture Painter at Brooks of Oldgate Here at Brooks of Oldgate we love to paint furniture, although we mainly focus on painting and selling our own pieces, we are now taking commissions for the painting of customers furniture.

Rather than throw out that piece of furniture that no longer fits your decor why not ask us to paint it to give it a new lease of life. We can help with your colour choices & discuss your options. You have nothing to lose so why not ask us for a free no obligation quote?

Brooks of Oldgate, 16 Oldgate, Morpeth, NE61 1LX

Email: keith.brooks2@brooks@btconnect.com Mobile: 07437 853 665 Facebook: brooksofoldgate@morpethclocktower 30

THE NORTH EAST’S PREMIER FURNITURE STOCKIST

NOW OPEN

YOUR NEW ASHINGTON STORE

IS HERE!

We stock sofas, beds, wardrobes, dining sets & lounge furniture. Quick free local delivery, Interest free options available & excellent customer service

2-4 Woodhorn Road, Ashington, NE63 9UX | 01670 814 333 31 OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY • INTEREST FREE OPTIONS AVAILABLE • WWW.QUAYFURNITURE.CO.UK

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GIVE SOMEONE POWER OF ATTORNEY… BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE Lasting Powers of Attorney are invaluable documents as part of the overall planning of your estate as managing your financial affairs can become more difficult as you get older. If a person is unable to manage their affairs due to mental incapacity and they have not made a valid Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney, their assets will be frozen as no one (including their spouse and children) has the authority to deal with them. At this point someone will need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as the person’s Deputy. The Court will then authorize the Deputy to deal with the person’s affairs in a certain manner. This is a very time consuming (around 6 months) and expensive (in the region of £1,750) process. This situation can be simply avoided through the making of a Lasting Power of Attorney. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you can decide whom you would like to manage your affairs in the event that you are unable to do so either due to physical or mental incapacity. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney that can be made, one dealing with your property and financial affairs and the other dealing with your personal welfare. Personal Welfare This power gives your attorney the authority to make decisions regarding your healthcare and medical treatment. Property and Affairs This power enables your attorney to deal with your bank accounts and your property. This includes decisions in relation to selling or renting your property, paying your bills, applying for benefits you are entitled to and all aspects of dealing with your bank accounts, savings and investments. 32

All work we undertake is at fixed fees: Single Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney: £300 inclusive of VAT Double Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (suitable for couples): £420 inclusive of VAT Single Will: £180 inclusive of VAT Mirror Will: £240 inclusive of VAT It is imperative that specialist advice is taken in order to ensure that the power given accurately reflects your wishes. Call Crichton Wills Trusts & Probate on 01670 514772 and speak to a specialist adviser today who will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have and offers a free no obligation appointment in the comfort of your own home.

55 Beaumont Court, Pegswood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1BF

Price of Family Trust £1,800 (inc. VAT)

RECIPE

Spanish Baked Eggs Breakfast with a continental twist

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely sliced 120g Chorizo, sliced 1 yellow pepper, finely sliced 1 orange or red pepper, finely sliced 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ tsp sweet smoked paprika 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp capers (optional) 2 large eggs (4 if you’re really hungry!) 2 tbsp fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 thick slices of bread

DID YOU KNOW?

Eggs have the effect of helping our bodies absorb nutrients from other foods better, so eating an egg with a salad, for instance, increases the vitamin E we absorb from the meal. 34

METHOD 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Use a frying pan with an ovenproof handle. Heat the olive oil, then add the onion and chopped chorizo. Soften for 5 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until they soften too. Stir in the crushed garlic and sweet smoked paprika, cook for another 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes and add the capers, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes reduce and thicken a little. Make two or four wells in the thick sauce and gently crack an egg into each. Place the pan into the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny. Towards the end of the cooking time, toast the bread. Removes the eggs from the oven, scatter with the parsley and serve with the toasted bread, drizzled with a little olive oil.

Prams • Pushchairs • Car Seats • Nursery Furniture • Changing Bags • Raincovers

Mattresses • High Chairs & Lots More

www.babythingz.com

10% RESERVES

ANY ITEM

Unit 8D, North Tyne Industrial Estate, Whitley Road, Benton, NE12 9SZ

(Opposite ASDA Benton)

PramsNewcastle ∙ Open Tuesday to Saturday by appointment only ∙ Tel: 0191 266 1190

TILE NORTH EAST

LTD

K I T C 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

✆

USEFUL NUMBERS NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL 0345 600 6400 Mon to Thu 08:30 - 17:00 Fri 08:30 - 16:30

POLICE NON-EMERGENCY 101 NHS 111

If you need help assessing how urgently treatment is needed.

POWER CUT? CALL 105 SMELL GAS? CALL 0800 111 999 NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 0345 717 1100 DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE 0808 247 200 Freephone 24 hours per day

CHILDLINE 0800 11 11

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 36

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE 0808 808 1677

Helpline for the bereaved and those caring for bereaved people.

FRANK 03001 236600

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

GAMCARE 0808 8020 133

Confidential counselling and advice for anyone affected by gambling dependency.

SAMARITANS 116 123

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

SHELTERLINE 0808 800 4444

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

NATIONAL DEBTLINE 0808 808 4000 Help for anyone in debt.

MISSING PEOPLE 116 000

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

CARER’S UK 0808 808 777

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

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE 0800 882 200

AGE UK 0800 169 6565

CITIZEN’S ADVICE 03444 111 444

To report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress

Free information on issues affecting older people

THE SILVER HELPLINE 0800 4 70 80 90

24 hrs a day. Offering free confidential, friendship and advice for older people.

Advice for disabled people and carers on the range of benefits available. Help and advice for consumers in the UK.

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT 0871 882 1121 TRAVELINE 0871 200 22 33

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

Rend & Mend

★★★★★

“We are thrilled with our low maintenance lawn. We can guarantee that Simon will go above and beyond to provide his customers with an outstanding product and service.”

TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN

- LEIGH & CHRIS

Enjoy a tidy, mud-free, low-maintenance garden all year round with a high quality artificial grass installation from SR Works. ➤ UNRIVALLED ARTIFICIAL GRASS SPECIALISTS ➤ TRAINED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD IN DOMESTIC GRASS INSTALLATION ➤ FIRST CLASS SERVICE ➤ LANTRA TRAINED INSTALLER Simon Rnic, Director of SR Works Ltd has a background in civil aircraft safety critical equipment design. This has heavily influenced his unique approach to artificial grass installation, which focuses on the need to ensure high quality standards are always achieved.

CALL SIMON ON 07734 679 747 email: simon@srworks.co.uk

www.srworks.co.uk

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

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND

If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer

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

★★★★★ Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook

@thermosroof

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

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

£799

PART

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.

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

Davidsons of Morpeth add Volkswagen brand to their dealership Davidsons of Morpeth, located at Coopies Way, are proud to announce they have recently added the Volkswagen brand to the dealership and are delighted to be an authorised service dealer undertaking any service, repair or warranty work on all Volkswagen vehicles. Colin Davidson, Business Manager, explains “For us this is an exciting addition to our business. Volkswagen is a quality brand that we are very proud to represent alongside Vauxhall’”. The management team at Davidsons have attributed the continual success to great customer service and strong values. “We treat all our customers like family. The second they come into the garage we ask ourselves – if this was our mother or father how would we treat them?” Colin Davidson states “This approach, as well as a relentless strive for a flawless experience, has allowed us to maintain and grow a loyal customer base as they trust our ethical approach.” He feels that the business is well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to

“Davidsons are well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to travel unnecessarily” travel unnecessarily, especially given the difficult times we currently face with the pandemic. Davidsons have robust and exemplary measures in place to reassure customers from a COVID perspective. They provide a contactless service throughout, in both the Sales and Service departments. The premises are methodically and regularly deep cleaned and sanitised. Likewise, each and every car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before customers come in to contact with them. Tony Waite who heads up the Service Department says “We have really worked hard to stand out from the crowd with the standards we offer to our customers. They are the lifeblood of the business. We receive endless thanks and compliments from our customers which really does delight and drive us. “ Colin and the team at Davidsons say “We’re excited to see what the future holds for us and our customers.” ■ To book call 01670512115

www.volkswagen.co.uk/retailers/75007/davidsons-of-morpeth-morpeth 40

Northumbria

Flooring & Furniture

www.northumbriaflooring.co.uk

01670 368811

e st fre intereance fin ble availa ly app T&C’s

FREE MEASURING & ADVICE · EXPERT IN HOUSE FITTING SERVICE

Winner of

Winner of Flooring Flooring Retailer Retailer the Year 2019 of theof Year 2019 North North East Division East

Division

Find Us at: Cowpen Road, Blyth, NE24 5SU (Next to Esso Garage) & Royal Quays Outlet Centre, Coble Dene, North Shields, NE29 6DW Can’t get to us? Book a FREE home visit where we can discuss the most suitable flooring for your room and provide a range of samples

41 41

LOCAL NEWS

Funding Boost for Seaton Delaval Park This month saw a welcomed grant to help restore a historic Seaton Delaval park.

Historic England has been awarded a grant of £316,000 towards the restoration of Seaton Delaval Park and Garden. It will fund the repair of one of four corner bastions and the ha ha wall (a sunken wall in a ditch) around the churchyard of the Church of Our Lady. These structures form part of the early 18th century boundary enclosing the Grade II registered pleasure grounds of Seaton Delaval Hall. The Grade I-listed church dates back to the early 12th century. For 700 years it served as the private chapel of the Delaval family but in 1891 it was gifted to the Church of England and has since served as the Delaval Parish church. While most of the boundary wall, the three other bastions and surrounding parkland are owned by the National Trust, the bastion and ha ha surrounding the churchyard are owned by Delaval Parochial Church Council. By rescuing the bastion from the risk of imminent

collapse, the repair project work will open up the historic churchyard as an attractive green space for public enjoyment. In addition, it will allow the grounds of the Church of Our Lady and the rest of the Seaton Delaval landscape to be enjoyed together. Trevor Mitchell, Regional Director for Historic England in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “During lockdown, we have rediscovered the value of our historic parks and gardens as places to exercise and lift our spirits. This repair project will do much to improve access to Seaton Delaval Park and Garden, providing clear mental and physical health benefits to visitors and locals.” Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member responsible for parks and heritage at Northumberland County Council said: “I am delighted that funding has been secured to restore this important heritage asset in Seaton Delaval and am pleased the County Council, working with Delaval Parochial Church Council, has been able to agree a programme of future maintenance that will ensure this area can be enjoyed by visitors long into the future.” Emma Thomas, National Trust General Manager of Seaton Delaval Hall said: “We’re thrilled that Historic England has supported the Church of Our Lady in this way. The Church of Our Lady is such a significant part of the history of the site and it is so important that the bastion and ha-ha wall is being conserved for all to enjoy and experience the grounds safely. We were delighted to be able to provide technical experience and support to the Church of Our Lady as a result of our own project.”

LOOK YOUNGER, FRESHER & FEEL MORE CONFIDENT with a range of medical aesthetic treatments at THE BATT HOUSE, Bedlington

Our treatments include: DERMAL FILLERS

lip fillers · cheek filler · jawline filler

BOTOX ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENTS We also offer beauty treatments including: BROWS · LASH EXTENSIONS NAIL TREATMENTS Find our full treatment list on Facebook or Instagram

To book your appointment, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram @batthousecc or email thebatthouse@yahoo.com

10%

OFF

ANY TREATMENT

WITH THIS MAGAZINE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Gardening Tips for April

As the weather begins to get warmer and our hedges and trees burst into blossom, April is always a busy month in a gardener’s calendar.

April Showers

Sowings are under way, there’s new pot and border schemes to plant and following the clocks ‘springing forward’ (Sunday 28th March), longer daylight hours in which to enjoy it. There are plenty of reasons to get your gardening gloves on this month. Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, Marcus Eyles, shares inspiration and ideas.

• • • • • •

• • • •

Refresh your tubs and baskets, pulling up any tired winter bedding plants that have come to an end, replacing with a cheerful display of colourful spring bedding plants such as Pansies, Violas, Bellis and Polyanthus. Plant new cottage garden plants, as these will grow quickly in warming soils. Plant in groups of three plants to make more impact from their foliage and flower. Put plant supports in place around herbaceous plants that are bursting into growth. By doing so early, the overall look is more natural and any plant damage avoided. Tie in stems of climbing roses and ramblers, positioning stems near to horizontal to encourage lots of flowers along their length. Give them a good feed and mulch well for the season ahead. Prune summer flowering shrubs, such as Buddleia or Lavatera and plants such as Lavenders can be trimmed back to prevent them getting leggy and woody. Lightly cut back to just above fresh new shoots. Weeds will be starting to appear in beds and borders with the warming temperatures. The easiest way to control them is to hoe them off, applying a thick layer of mulch over the surface to help keep any further weeds at bay. Mulching with organic matter such as farmyard manure also locks in moisture and over time helps to improve the soil, whilst also giving plants a well-needed boost. There’s still time to plant summer flowering bulbs, such as Dahlias, Lilies and Gladiolus. Plant now to prepare for a colourful summer garden filled with flowers and fragrance. Scatter easy to grow Wildflower mixes around your garden for a meadow feel and to encourage wildlife. Plant new container grown hedges, trees and shrubs to add structural elements to your garden. If you have been raising seedlings in the greenhouse, continue to prick out and pot on before they get too large. Ideally this should be done when the first pair of true leaves unfurl.

Now is a great time to install a water butt to harvest the rainwater from your roof, a great investmentfor the season ahead. Most plants prefer rainwater so collect it if you can and make your plants really happy.

Lawns

• • • •

Scarify lawns with a wire-tine rake to remove old thatch and debris from the winter, starving the lawn of light and air. Sow new lawns or repair bare patches from April if weather allows, on ground that has been preprepared, levelled and firmed. If you are laying new turf, leave undisturbed for a few weeks to allow time for new roots to establish. After a spell of dry weather, get the lawnmower out and cut your grass for the first time this year. Cut grass with the lawn mower blades set high for the first few times, then use a good lawn feed to help your lawn look its best. Tidy lawn edges using a half-moon edging iron and lawn edging shears.

Fruit & vegetables

Many vegetables can be direct sown now, from carrots to parsnips, spinach to peas. If you are short on space, containers can be used for many varieties. Raised beds are another alternative to grow small plots of vegetables, if current soil conditions aren’t ideal. They also mean less bending and kneeling, and soil tends to be warmer, meaning a longer growing season. ■ Find your local Dobbies at Heighley Gate, A697, Morpeth NE61 3DA. www.dobbies.com

HOM E

HARD TIMES?

A water softener might change your life By Kate McCarthy

You probably know that water can be rated 'hard' or 'soft’, but do you know what those terms actually mean? Water has varying levels of hardness based on calcium carbonate concentration. Water with less than 60 mg/L of calcium carbonate is considered soft, 61-120 mg/L is moderately hard, 121-180 mg/L is hard, and above 180 mg/L is deemed very hard. The water from your tap is safe to drink whether it's hard or soft. Hard water may even have a few health benefits by fulfilling your dietary needs of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. But while hard water is safe to ingest, the effect of hard water on hair and skin can be s different story. Hard water can leave behind a slight film making skin and hair feel less clean to the touch. It might cause dandruff in your hair and irritate skin problems such as eczema. Washing clothes with hard water can cause the clothing fabric to break down more quickly over time, leave spots on dishes, and residue on your work surfaces and shower screens. Over time mineral build-up in your pipes may cause them to clog, and you'll likely see build-up on shower heads and taps. A water softener solves these problems by processing the hard water to turn it into soft water. Water enters the softener and passes into the resin or media tank where it goes through a simple process that removes calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese, leaving only soft water to exit the softener and be used around your home. 46

“Washing clothes with hard water can cause the clothing fabric to break down more quickly over time, leave spots on dishes, and residue on your work surfaces and shower screens.” Plumbing a good water softener into your household supply is an investment for your home. It will eliminate the limescale caused by minerals which build up and leave that white powdery residue which clogs shower heads and pipework, makes surfaces appear dirty and reduces the efficiency of your appliances. Often, we don’t think about our appliances until they break down. The most common reason for early appliance failure is limescale build-up which corrodes the heating elements of your kettle, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine and heating system. By removing the limescale, you start to protect your appliances, they work better,

live longer, and cost you less money over time. Another benefit is no stains and marks on dishes, glasses, and pans. Your bathroom remains clean and shiny too with less scrubbing and harsh chemicals. You need less detergent in your washing machine and less salt in your dishwasher. Shampoo, soap, and conditioners will also last longer. Finally, over a period of time, your softened water will remove scale from the inside of your water pipes, hot water cylinders and shower heads…we all know how expensive an emergency plumber is, so arrange for a non-emergency plumber to fit a water softener instead and start enjoying the benefits.

NORTH EAST DIRECT

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

TRADE PRICES

Savings of up to 50% OFF Retail Prices FREE UPGRADE TO RIGID UNITS

SUPPLY ONLY OR FULL FITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS OVER 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

SHOWROOM NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHERE QUALITY COSTS LESS

Tel 01670 528 424

FREE PLANNING & 3D COMPUTER DESIGN www.northeastdirect.co.uk Unit 5, Lintonville Ent. Park, Ashington NE63 9JZ Next to

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

ke o p s be ains curt

Unit