ABC Magazine: North Shields & Tynemouth Edition, April/May 2021

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N O RT H S H I E L D S E D I T I O N | A P R I L - M AY 2 02 1

Calling all Knitters!

PUZZLES INSIDE

Seal Sculpture Helps Launch Anti-Plastics Campaign

Help raise funds for older people in need with Age UK North Tyneside

Welcome Aboard

UK excursions with United Group Travel N O RT H S H I E L D S

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TYNEMOUTH

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ROYA L Q U AYS

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AERIAL - SATELLITE

WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE

SPECIALISTS

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

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in North Shields, Tynemouth, Royal Quays and surrounding areas.

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

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LOCAL NEWS

Big Names Set to Headline Mouth of the Tyne Once Again LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE POPULAR TYNEMOUTH FESTIVAL

Image: visitnorthtyneside.com

After the postponement of last years event, the Mouth of the Tyne Festival is back this summer, and Keane and Lighthouse Family are the first artists officially confirmed for this year’s event.

Both acts were due to perform last year but, due to the pandemic, along with all festivals scheduled in 2020, the event was cancelled.

Multi award-winning British rock band Keane have sold over 13 million records worldwide and are best known for hits including ‘Everybody’s Changing’, ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and ‘This Is The Last Time’. Their album Hopes and Fears remains one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history. They will play Tynemouth Priory and Castle on Thusday 8 July 2021, plus special guests Cattle & Cane and Eliza Shaddad.

The Lighthouse Family was formed in Newcastle in the early 90s by Tunde Baiyewu and Paul

Tucker who met while studying at university and working at the same bar.

Their debut album Ocean Drive sold more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and they are known for huge hits like ‘Lifted’, ‘Ocean Drive’, ‘Raincloud’ and ‘High’. The pop duo will perform at Tynemouth Priory and Castle on Saturday 10 July 2021 along with special guests PP Arnold and Georgie.

The Mouth of the Tyne Festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year and, not only plays host to household names, it also gives local artists a platform to showcase their talents.

The festival, now in its 17th year, takes place in Tynemouth and features spectacular outdoor concerts at Tynemouth Priory and Castle, free world-class street entertainment, a jazz stage, children’s pageant, activities in Tynemouth Station and much more.

Tickets purchased for last years event remain valid for the new dates. Limited tickets for Keane and Lighthouse Family are on sale now and cost £49.50. They are available from www.ticketmaster. co.uk and www.seetickets.com.

For further information see www.mouthofthetynefestival.com.

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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.

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

RA Jackson & Son see a Boom in North Tyneside Coastal Real Estate As ambitious plans for the transformation of North Shields, including the Fish Quay, are given final approval by cabinet, North East real estate experts at RA Jackson & Son are already seeing increasing demand for commercial properties in the area. Here they share their view on what the master plan will mean for the local community and the wider coastal region.

The Ambition for North Shields master plan will aim to create a vibrant town centre destination, combining living, working and retail space with easy connectivity to the increasingly popular Fish Quay.

Included in the plan are housing developments at Northumberland Square, the redevelopment of Unicorn House and the restoration of the Wooden Dolly statue. This is in addition to a successful funding bid for the North Shields Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project from Historic England to revitalise Howard Street and Northumberland Square.

Richard Fenwick, Partner at RA Jackson, commented "We're delighted to see the approval of the master plan which will accelerate the re-imagining of North Shields into an increasingly desirable destination to live, work and play. RA Jackson & Son have proudly operated in North Shields for nearly 200 years and support the recent transformation of the area. We have been delighted to welcome some new and dynamic businesses and entrepreneurs who have chosen to locate here."

RA Jackson & Son manage many commercial properties in the local area which accommodate tenants who are making such a positive contribution to our community, including a war veteran who has recently opened a café, Operation Veteran in North Shields to support fellow veterans with a place to meet and re-train, Request a Guest offering creative prints and invitations for every occasion in Whitley Bay, 10

and the newly refurbished award winning kebabs and pizzas at Elder and Wolf on Whitley Road.

Fellow Partner at RA Jackson & Son, James Barlow, adds "We've been seeing an increased demand for residential and commercial property in North Shields, including the Fish Quay, as buyers and prospective tenants look beyond the more traditional hot spots of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth for a coastal lifestyle, surrounded by plentiful amenities."

He adds, "across all of our commercial and residential properties, both for sale and rent, we are witnessing a coastal boom with Zoopla documenting the larger North Shields area increasing by 16.82% and Whitley Bay increasing by 13.81% over the past 5 years. I believe North Shields and the wider coastal region has some of the highest potential to attract everyone from first-time buyers, families, retirees to independent businesses who will all benefit from the enhanced connectivity and quality premises together with a bustling riverside and coastal community."

RA Jackson & Son is one of the

oldest companies in North Tyneside, having been established in 1830 by Thomas Jackson Snr. The company, which originally traded as a Tailors business before becoming a firm of Chartered Surveyors and Property Management Agents, is located on Northumberland Square. Chartered Surveyors Richard Fenwick and James Barlow, who acquired the partnership in 2017 from Peter Jackson, the great great grandson of Thomas Jackson Snr, consider the company to be well placed as North Shields and the surrounding area continues to be a popular destination for both new residents and businesses alike.

RA Jackson & Son are Chartered Surveyors, residential and commercial property agents and RICS registered valuers that have been providing property advice since 1830. Based in North Shields, R A Jackson & Son specialise in the North Tyneside coast and the wider North East region.

■ For further information and

property enquires, please contact 0191 2571253 or email at sales@rajackson.co.uk.

Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents, Valuers

Here to help our landlords, tenant and homeowners during these uncertain times, the team at RA Jackson & Son are open for you, either over the phone or by appointment at the moment.

We are happy to discuss any property needs you have. We can be contacted on 0191 257 1253 or sales@rajackson.co.uk Stay safe we look forward to welcoming you to our newly refurbished agency just as soon as we are able to.

We are...

• Residential Estate Agents covering North Tyneside •

Commercial Property Agents covering the whole of the region

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Chartered Surveyors and ‘RICS Registered Valuers’ providing professional valuations of commercial and residential property, including; Probate, Matrimonial, Home Buyer Report and Valuation Reports across the North East.

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People proud of living and working in North Tyneside

LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Woolly Warriors Needed for The Innocent Big Knit The innocent Big Knit campaign has returned, and Age UK North Tyneside is calling on the knitters and crocheters of North Tyneside to get their knitting needles out to help raise urgent funds for older people most in need.

This is the 18th year that innocent has been running the Big Knit in partnership with Age UK, and woolly warriors are needed again this year to craft some little hats to sit on innocent smoothie bottles. For each behatted smoothie sold, Age UK receives 25p, which will help the Charity make a big difference to the lives of older people.

With many of us spending lots of time at home at the moment, it’s a great opportunity for stitching superstars to get crafting, or for knitting newbies to grab some needles and give it a whirl. The pandemic has had a huge impact on older people over the past year, so Age UK is in need of these little hats more

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than ever to help raise funds for its vital services.

Dawn McNally, Chief Officer of Age UK North Tyneside said: “We need the people of North Tyneside to join us and help knit as many miniature hats as possible to help us hit our 4000 target. It’s been a challenging time for everyone, but this is a really fun campaign to get involved in and it’s a great activity to do whilst we’re all spending more time at home.

“The money raised from these little hats will make a big difference to the lives of older people in our area, many of whom have been badly affected by the pandemic. Every hat knitted will help to fund our hugely important services, including telephone befriending.

Katie Simpson, Head of Brand at innocent drinks, said: "We’re delighted to be working with Age UK on the Big Knit once again. After a hard year, we want to make this campaign as big as possible so we can help more older people than ever. We’re incredibly grateful to all the heroic volunteers helping us get there”.

Hats will go on sale in February 2022.

For more information on The Big Knit contact Age UK North Tyneside on 0191 2877012 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/ about-us/news/articles/2021/the-big-knit-2021/ Completed hats can be safely collected by Age UK North Tyneside’s team Tel: 0191 2877102 or email: community. development@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk.

There are six exciting new hat designs for this year, including a rainbow, rabbit, cupcake, pom pom, fox and bird. These knitting and crochet patterns are available to download, to find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or www.thebigknit.co.uk

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

IT’S TIME TO REWARD YOURSELF WITH THE CONCEPT CARE PLAN There’s something about our coastal vibe that evokes a feeling of freedom from constraints imagined or real. Perhaps in this spirit, Concept in Tynemouth sets itself apart from traditional high street opticians. In a quaint building steeped with history, this place offers an advanced diagnostic eye examination and specialist clinical care for contact lens wearers, myopia control and dry eye sufferers, but it’s the unique frame collection here that also offers a beguiling and fresh perspective in eye wear.

A new pair of glasses is an emotional investment.

As we ease out of social restrictions, don’t we want to look like the best versions of ourselves? Our sense of wellbeing and feeling positive again about our lives is very much at the fore. With this in mind, the frame collection here is carefully chosen and designed to compliment our lifestyle, personality and aspirations. From the statement glamour of Tom Ford, to the minimal edginess of Gotti, bespoke spectacle styling is what the people at Concept Eye Clinic are rather good at.

Choosing the correct lenses is a ‘quality of life’ investment Lens technology has come a long way. The Concept Zeiss portfolio not just optimises visual need, but optimises performance in any frame by matching this with your unique facial anatomy. The coastal climate can be unpredictable. What does remain constant is a requirement for vision protection whatever the weather. UV and UVB permeates through sun and cloud. All the more reason for us to be vigilant in protecting our eyes. All Zeiss ophthalmic lenses offer a ‘higher level than standard’ complete UV Technology sun protection to block harmful rays.

The Concept Care Plan provides luxury eye care for spectacle and contact lens wearers.

We all have financial commitments determining what and how we prioritise our needs. This is why the Concept Care Plan, from as little as the price of a coffee and piece of cake, offers a tiered, interest free

payment scheme to help you enjoy premier eye care and beautiful eye wear and lenses as often as you like. The whole point of this is to give patients, both spectacle and contact lens wearers, the very best. You can now choose ANY designer frame, sunglasses and Zeiss technology lenses adapted to your visual needs.

“People have busy lives. At Concept, we understand this but also taketime to get to know our clients and understand their needs. Sarah and I take pride in this. It’s a wonderful feeling to help someone who is a first time glasses wearer, perhaps a little nervous and doesn’t know where to begin.. to someone who has worn glasses for years and now wants something different, who has the confidence to carry off a bold statement.

I love the people we see here at Tynemouth, patients or before lockdown, people coming in to browse and leaving with a pair of sunglasses they couldn’t find anywhere else.”

- Sam, Clinic Lead At Concept, we have every visual solution for life on the coast and beyond.

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25 Front Street, Tynemouth, NE30 4DX Tel: 0191 285 1603 www.concepteyeclinic.com

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Complete vision care and affordable luxury from £5.99 TYNEMOUTH:

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CROSSWORD Clues Across 1. Rip-off, hoax (4) 4. Twirling (8) 8. Foetus (6) 9. Be angry about (6) 10. Circle (4) 11. Striped feline (5,3) 13. Monty Python’s, ____ __ Brian (4,2) 15. Native American home (6) 17. Another word for aubergine (8) 20. Small round salty cracker (4) 21. Cavern, den (6) 23. Womb (6) 24. Supply, material (8) 25. Seize, grab (4) Clues Down 2. Mixing (9) 3. Phenomenon (7) 4. Crow, flaunt (5) 5. Welsh_______, cheese on toast (7) 6. Delicious (5) 7. Female member of religious order (3) 12. Dumbfounded (9) 14. The essence of a food (7) 16. Ardent, impassioned (7) 18. Paved garden area (5) 19. Accord, amnesty (5) 22. Fish eggs (3)

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

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

Acupuncture Teaching Clinic offering treatments at reduced rates

• Acupuncture for everyone from children to older people, including fertility and facial enhancement acupuncture.

• Pregnancy massage and traditional Tuina massage.

• Daytime and evening Yoga classes. Studio space available.

• Appointments at our daytime and evening clinics, open six days a week.

• A calm and friendly environment.

• The same practitioner to treat you every time you visit.

• Fully qualified practitioners registered with The British Acupuncture Council.

For the first time, Heaton Acupuncture Clinic will be transformed into an acupuncture teaching clinic. This new clinic will allow students from the Northern College of Acupuncture in York to complete their training in a well-established local clinic.

Acupuncture students usually complete their clinical hours at the NCA in York however, due to the current restrictions, many of the local students are unable to travel so will be offering their services at the teaching clinic under the close supervision of Feras Jerjis Dip Ad MBAcC. The teaching clinic will run every Wednesday between 21st April and 7th July 2021.

Acupuncture has been used for over 1,000 years in the Far East and is now recognised under the ‘Standard Occupational’ Classification along with Osteopaths and Physiotherapists, and now patients are routinely referred to acupuncture clinics for musculoskeletal conditions and back pain and many people find acupuncture supportive in maintaining their psychological wellbeing. Certainly during the recent lockdowns, acupuncture has helped many people to deal with their stress to ensure their symptoms do not spiral out of control.

Heaton Acupuncture Clinic is home to six practitioners with over 50 years’ combined experience in a variety of specialities, treating both children and adults and offering acupuncture, gua sha and Chinese herbal medicine.

If you are interested in having treatment at a reduced rate in the teaching clinic please text your details to 07808 867280. Alternatively, you can book into their private clinic by calling 0191 2871042.

Heaton Acupuncture Clinic,182 Portland Road Sandyford, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1DJ Full members of the BAcC and ATCM. 18

RAISE A GLASS!

A new book by local historian Eileen Burnett, gives a fascinating tour of North Shields’ and Tynemouth’s pub scene, charting the towns’ taverns, alehouses and watering holes, from past centuries to more recent times.

Burnett takes the reader on a journey through the towns’ watering holes.

Many of the pubs have retained features and traditions of previous ages, and she reveals the variety of North Shields’ and Tynemouth’s pubs, including the characters that have frequented or run the public houses over the years.

Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the history of North Shields’ and Tynemouth’s pubs.

Burnett lives in Tyneside and has written several books on the area, including the history of pubs.

The paperback is available from 15th April 2021.

For more information or to purchase a copy visit www.amberley-books.com/north-shields-andtynemouth-pubs.html

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

Davidsons of Morpeth add Volkswagen brand to their dealership Davidsons of Morpeth, located at Coopies Way, are proud to announce they have recently added the Volkswagen brand to the dealership and are delighted to be an authorised service dealer undertaking any service, repair or warranty work on all Volkswagen vehicles.

Colin Davidson, Business Manager, explains “For us this is an exciting addition to our business. Volkswagen is a quality brand that we are very proud to represent alongside Vauxhall’”.

The management team at Davidsons have attributed the continual success to great customer service and strong values. “We treat all our customers like family. The second they come into the garage we ask ourselves – if this was our mother or father how would we treat them?”

Colin Davidson states “This approach, as well as a relentless strive for a flawless experience, has allowed us to maintain and grow a loyal customer base as they trust our ethical approach.”

He feels that the business is well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to

“Davidsons are well positioned locally for Volkswagen drivers to enable customers to frequent the dealership without the need to travel unnecessarily” travel unnecessarily, especially given the difficult times we currently face with the pandemic.

Davidsons have robust and exemplary measures in place to reassure customers from a COVID perspective. They provide a contactless service throughout, in both the Sales and Service departments. The premises are methodically and regularly deep cleaned and sanitised. Likewise, each and every car is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before customers come in to contact with them.

Tony Waite 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 22

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

WELCOME ABOARD!

INTRODUCING 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

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John & Graham

£30

2021 COACH TOURS

DEPOS PER PERSITON SECURES YO UR BOOKING

Delightful Devon 30th June £595pp* Murder Mystery 16th July £225pp* Potters Resort All Inclusive! 17th September £389pp Three Shire’s 16th August £325pp* Lest We Forget 29th October £295pp* Christmas Markets Shopper 19th November £269pp* Turkey and Tinsel 3rd December £275pp* *plus single room supplement

See website or call for more tours / information

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

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LOCAL NEWS

New Initiative to help People Living with Dementia and their Families The lives of people with dementia and their carers are being transformed during lockdown – thanks to a new initiative involving specialist dementia nurses.

Age UK North Tyneside’s Admiral Nurses, who are experts in supporting people with the condition, are now being stationed at Memory Clinics at North Tyneside General Hospital.

This means people who have just been diagnosed with the condition can immediately be introduced to an Admiral Nurse, whereas previously they would have only been handed information booklets.

Admiral Nurses are then able to support both the person with dementia, and their carer, as they start their journey living with the condition, which aftects seven percent of over 65s in North Tyneside – more than 2,800 people.

This number is expected to increase by 53% to more than 4,000 people by 2030.

Age UK North Tyneside’s Lead Admiral Nurse, Betty Lucas, said: “If anyody is diagnosed with dementia they, and their carer, meet us staight away. We are there to give advice and support to anybody whose lives are affected by dementia.

“Our referrals have gone up in this past year, especially during the second lockdown. Now is arguably a more important time than ever for people living with dementia, and their carers, to receive our support.

“There are extra challenges for carers at the moment - for example the family member they care for might not understand what is happening with Covid-19.

“Also, people are more isolated – suppport networks that might normally be there, now may not be.

We provide that extra support to the people who really need it, which is especially important at this time.

“Having an Admiral Nurse who 28

PICTURED: Michael Rutherford, Clinical Team Lead for North Tyneside Memory Clinic, and Admiral Nurses Kirsty de Bono-Hume and Betty Lucas

you meet immediately after diagnosis and who you can reach out to when you really need it, could be invaluable.”

There are approximately 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

People who experience issues with memory are often referred by their GP to memory clinics, where they undergo assessment for the condition.

After diagnosis, Admiral Nurses provide specialist practical advice, as well as emotional and psychological support, through the dementia journey.

They offer assistance on referrals to other services and liaise with health and social care professionals to ensure people with dementia get the best care possible.

Age UK’s seven Admiral Nurses are one in which the charity supports people with Dementia.

Out of lockdown, it also provides

respite for carers through its three wellbeing centres located in North Shields, Wallsend and Killingworth.

It also provides information and advice as well as support to access benefit entitlement via its Information & Advice Officers.

Yvonne Probert, Head of Charity Services at Age UK North Tyneside, said: “This third national lockdown has taken its toll on many people but especially carers and those who have been shielding.

“We are now hearing of some people in desperate need of help and many more who are just fed up not seeing family and friends.

“I would like to remind you that our doors are open, so if you need support then please get in touch with us.”

To find out more about how Age UK North Tyneside could help you, call 0191 2808484 or email enquiries@ageuknorthtyneside. org.uk.

Are you affected by dementia?

Whether you’re living with dementia, or caring for someone with dementia, we’re here for you.

“

Patricia had this to say about Sarah-Jane, our Dementia Connections Co-ordinator.

Thank you Sarah-Jane. You always give good, solid advice and you are very, very understanding. You are worth your weight in gold and never fail to deliver on your promises!

”

Our Admiral Nurses and Dementia Connections team provide a holistic package of expert practical, clinical and emotional support to people living with dementia, and their carers.

To find out more, talk to our expert team.

Call 0191 280 8484 Option 1 or email enquiries@ageuknorthtyneside.org.uk Registered charity number 1049527. Company number 1763579.

NORTHUMBERLAND SQUARE’S £5.6M GEORGIAN REVIVAL IS COMPLETE

A landmark Georgian terrace has been transformed from a ‘derelict shell’ into a stunning residential development in North Shields.

The Grade II listed building, at Northumberland Square, has been converted into 10 apartments and two townhouses as part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for North Shields masterplan. A further 16 homes with courtyard parking have been created at Northumberland Close, on a vacant plot of land facing Albion Road.

The redevelopment was delivered by Aurora Properties, acting on behalf of North Tyneside Council, with construction work carried out by Compass Developments Ltd. North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE, said the project has given an immediate lift to the town centre, and sets the scene for further ambitious projects still to come. “I’m overjoyed to see the work complete,” she said. “The quality is superb and the views into Northumberland Square are something special too. These buildings were in a dreadful condition. They were left to ruin and it’s wonderful to see them restored to their former glory.

I have nothing but praise for everyone involved in the restoration. It’s been a wonderful venture and I hope it proves to everyone that exciting things are starting to happen here in North Shields.”

The properties overlook the Northumberland Square conservation area, which is considered 30

Image: North Tyneside Council

LOCAL NEWS

PICTURED: Graham Anderson, Chairman of Compass Developments, and North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE

the nearest thing Tyneside has to the celebrated Georgian squares of London, Bath, Edinburgh, and Dublin.

Graham Anderson, Chairman of Compass Developments, said: “The building was a derelict shell when we first gained access, so I’m very proud of what we have achieved and the way the unique character of the buildings has been preserved. It's been fantastic working with Aurora Properties and supporting the regeneration of North Shields town centre. We are also very aware of the importance of ‘local spend’ and we engaged early on with the business community to ensure that building materials and subcontractors could be procured locally to bring added benefit for all the community.

“Our ongoing relationship with a local charity also resulted in us adding another young person to our apprenticeship scheme, which we are particularly proud of, and is affording others a valuable work experience within the business. The project is one of the key elements of a plan to revitalise the town centre and Fish Quay in North Shields, and of the wider Ambition for North Tyneside strategy focussing on the whole of the borough."

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ADVERTISING FE ATURE

BOOKING A STAYCATION? TRY CRAWFORD HOUSE With 2021 being labelled the year for staycations in the UK, we have the perfect cosy getaway, Crawford House in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Crawford House is a two bedroom holiday home situated alongside the River Wansbeck.

We are Lisa and Mark and we started up Crawford House in the autumn of 2019, after moving out of the home due to our little family expanding. At the time we decided to keep the house on as a holiday home instead of selling, to see if we enjoyed the experience of being holiday home owners. Fast forward 18 months and, despite the pandemic, we still love the joys Crawford House brings us.

We have spoken to, and met some lovely guests over that time, and have had the pleasure of sharing our home with them.

We strive to ensure our guests have a 5 star experience when they come to stay with us, and the testimonials on our website demonstrate how our guests feel about their stay with us.

Morpeth is a great location to base yourself if you are wishing to explore what the rest of Northumberland has to offer you. Crawford House is perfect for those who want a good mix

of urban and rural experiences on their holiday. Morpeth has some great shops, restaurants, and bars to enjoy.

Crawford House is a 10 minute walk from Morpeth town centre, the train station and bus station. Although we have two bedrooms, we have the option to facilitate up to 6 guests, as we have a sofa bed available in the living space. The bedrooms feature a double bed in the main bedroom with two single beds in the twin room. You will find a smart TV with Netflix and Disney plus subscriptions included as standard for all our guests to enjoy. All linen, towels etc. are provided for our guests at no extra cost. We also have a travel cot and highchair for use by your little ones.

Crawford House is a dog friendly property, as we love to have your canine fiends as our guests too, at no extra charge.

The garden is fully secured so you have confidence in knowing the dogs are safe when you let them out to explore our outdoor space. Morpeth and

Northumberland have some great places to go with your dog, including a few pubs and cafés in the town of Morpeth itself.

We have all been apart from our family and friends for just over a year now and, there is light at the end of the tunnel that we will meet again. When that time comes, and it is safe to do so, think about Crawford House as a place for family and friends to stay if they do not live local to the area.

Our prices start from a £80 per night to book out the whole property and we operate a loyalty scheme where all returning guests get 10% of their next stay as a thank you for choosing us.

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook, @crawfordhousene. We do exclusive discounts for our followers on social media and run regular giveaways, including free stays and vouchers.

Look us up if you want to be in with the chance to win a free night.

For more information, visit www.crawfordhouse.co.uk 32

READY FOR YOUR UK STAYCATION?

Crawford House is a cosy two bedroom holiday home in Morpeth, Northumberland.

If you are looking for a home from home for a break, we have got you covered.

Morpeth is a great place to stay to explore the rest of Northumberland from, there are great attractions close by and stunning beaches to enjoy all year round.

• • • • • • • • •

Sleeps 6 people: Double Room, Twin Room & Sofa bed available Pets allowed; they stay for free Travel cot and highchair available for the little ones.

Smart TVs with Netflix and Disney Plus as standard Secure Back Garden with BBQ and Patio Furniture All bed linen, towels and kitchen amenities included Free Parking Located 15 minutes from Morpeth Train and Bus Station COVID Secure with enhanced cleaning between guests

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BOOK YOUR NEXT UK BREAK AT CRAWFORD HOUSE Prices start from £80 a night, no minimum night stay required.

10% discount on stays longer than 4 nights and 20% discount on stays longer than 10 nights.

Email: info@crawfordhouse.co.uk Telephone: 01670 516214 Mobile: 07919 332173

www.crawfordhouse.co.uk

★★★★★ 9.6 33

Little Learners

(N.E)

Childcare

Play, Learn & Grow Together High quality care for babies and children provided by a fully qualified and experienced team.

Our Private Day Nurseries are located in North Shields Centre and at the top of Rake Lane (next to Vets 4 Pets). We have access to great outdoor spaces on a daily basis as well as educational outings for all children.

Healthy balanced meals and snacks are on offer as well as ensuring any dietary requirements.

Our fees include your child’s personal Learning Journey file with photographs, all meals, snacks, outings, visitors into nurseries etc. We do not have any hidden charges.

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.

Please get in touch if you would like to look around our nurseries in a safe way Barnstaple Road, North Shields NE29 8QD Lovaine Place, North Shields NE29 0BU ( 0191 289 4047 or 07305 642 777 ( 07914 376 434

email: littlelearnerschildcare1@yahoo.co.uk

www.littlelearnersne.co.uk

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35

LO C A L N E W S

Seal Sculpture Highlights New Anti-Plastics Campaign A life-size seal sculpture made from litter collected from North Tyneside’s coastline has been installed in Whitley Bay, which sees the launch of a new anti-plastics campaign.

Plastic bottles, straws, empty food cartons, face coverings and plastic bags are just some of the items that make up the 6ft creation, which has been installed by North Tyneside Council. All-year round, the council, as well as community-spirited residents and local businesses, clear thousands of tonnes of rubbish, including single-use plastics, left on North Tyneside’s beaches.

In an effort to raise awareness of the issue and help people visualise the impact their actions have on marine life and the environment, the seal sculpture has been installed outside the Dome before it then tours the borough’s coastline. Its installation also launches a singleuse plastics campaign, which will see coastal water drinking fountains installed, the involvement of businesses and young people, and social media hints and tips, to encourage residents to minimise their use.

Speaking about the project, North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE said: “Making sure we have a clean, safe, attractive and sustainable borough is really important to the council and many of our residents and businesses. That’s why, back in 2019, we declared a climate emergency in the borough, to ensure we do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint – and this campaign is another feature of the many ongoing projects for a more sustainable North Tyneside.

Cllr Carl Johnson, cabinet member for Environment and 36

PICTURED: Young Mayor Suzie Mckenzie, artists Amy Welch and Beth Huttly and North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn Transport, added: “Single-use plastics create avoidable waste and the detrimental impact and damage to the environment and wildlife is huge. The sculpture reflects the unfortunate reality of litter left on our coastline, and like our residents, we are tired of the mess left behind. We hope its installation will open many conversations amongst visitors and residents alike, and lead to a cleaner and safer environment, free of singleuse plastics, that we can all enjoy.”

The campaign has the backing of North Tyneside’s Young Mayor, Suzie Mckenzie, aged 15, and the Youth Council. Suzie said: “Reducing our impact on the environment is something that the Youth Council and I are really passionate about – as are loads of young people. We’re really excited about being part of the campaign and looking forward to sharing our ideas and showcasing all the work we’re doing.”

The sculpture was commissioned

by North Tyneside Council and created by local artists Beth Huttly and Amy Welch. Beth said: "Environmental awareness is such an important topic to raise, and one which we are very passionate about.

We hope the seal will draw attention to this issue.”

It sits on a bed of sand inside a perspex cube, made by Killingworthbased Harper Signs. It will tour the North Tyneside coastline, moving to one of six locations every two weeks, starting outside the Spanish City Dome, to raise as much awareness as possible.

The news comes as North Tyneside Council continues to make big inroads in reducing its carbon footprint – which it aims to cut by 50 percent by 2023.

Building on previous success, the council is delivering a half a millionpound project to install LED street lighting and has allocated over £4m to convert the rest of its streetlights to LED by 2023. It has also installed low carbon heating in four of its most energy-intensive buildings and installed low carbon heating in homes across the Borough. Its depot in Killingworth is also being redesigned to be an exemplar in energy efficiency and generation.

An electric fleet of council vehicles has also been introduced, with aspirations to replace all its vehicles with electric ones in the future.

McGlone New Business Card.i1 1

14/08/2012 11:24:18

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND WITH A THERMOS ROOF If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot. Here, Thermos Roof explain how they have the answer

C

onservatories are a fantastic space to enjoy whilst looking out onto your garden, they are bright, spacious and give you a great sense of closeness to the outdoors. However, as most conservatory owners will know, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for two or three months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot.

At Thermos Roof, we have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, firstly to increase its insulating performance and secondly to enhance its internal aesthetic appearance.

Experience will have shown you that in the winter as soon as you open the door the heat is sucked out of your room into the conservatory and, during the summer, it becomes a dazzling sauna that’s so hot you need a fan to cool you down. At Thermos Roof we can transform your conservatory from a room you barely use into a room that you can enjoy all year round, because the temperature is comfortable and constant, you will even be able to watch TV or use a computer without sunglasses.

What is most impressive is that we can do this all in one day! With no mess!

We retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it from the inside, finishing it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly

38

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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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 39 PPE where suitable and, upon completion of each job, your Conservatory will be fully disinfected.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

BACK TO BASICS

WHY MAKE A WILL?

BY JACQUELINE EMMERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EMMERSONS SOLICITORS

I

have been writing about Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney for so long that I realised recently that I had not considered the absolute basics of Will Writing for quite some time.

I know why you should make a will and so do our award winning team at Emmersons. But the most important thing is to let you know, or to remind you, as to why you should make a will.

The most obvious reason is to make sure that the person who you would like to benefit from your estate does just that. A very sad case cropped up recently.

Two men had lived together as a couple for about twenty years. They were not married and neither of them had got round to making a will. One of them died suddenly and within days, as often happens in these situations, the family of the deceased turned up to the house, which was in the deceased’s name only, and advised that they wanted the house as part of the estate. As there was no will the next of kin are the family and not the long term partner of the deceased.

So now he has to deal with the death of his partner and potential homelessness.

Is this what you would want for your partner?

Or what about a couple who start living together who have both been married before and have children from their previous marriages. I have seen numerous cases where the house is in one name only, even if both have contributed a lump sum.

Let’s consider William and Meghan, I might as well stir it up a bit! William had already sorted out his divorce when he met Meghan. He had bought himself a three bedroomed property. About a year after the two met Meghan moved in with William. Some time later Meghan received her own divorce settlement and as the couple were talking about getting married she put a large lump sum into the house. A friend told her to make sure that her name was on the deeds to the house.

When Meghan rang her solicitor to attend to this she was told it would cost about £250.00. She didn’t want to spend that amount money and neither did William.

Three years later William died. He had not left a will.

So everything was to go to his children, and they said that as the house was in their father’s name they should inherit it as well. Could Meghan please find herself somewhere else to live.

If William and Meghan had made wills then they could have determined which of their assets were to 40

JACQUELINE EMMERSON

go to each other and which to their children. At the very least Meghan had to fight to recover her share of the property, and judges are not always kind on this point. How could she prove that this wasn’t just a gift to William, or that part of it wasn’t a loan she had repaid to William. That £250.00 would have been money well spent. Her court case would cost in the region of £10,000 to try to recover anything from William’s estate.

If Meghan could also prove that she had a financial dependency upon William then she also make a claim for Provision For Dependants. Again she would be at the mercy of a judge. Not only was Meghan stressed about all of this but so were William’s children. They hated Meghan and couldn’t see why their father would even have considered leaving her anything instead of leaving everything to them. All of this angst and cost because William did not make a will.

You could also decide to leave part of your estate to someone who has been a good friend. If your next of kin happens to be your cousin who lives in Winchester how long it since you last saw him or her? Twenty years perhaps. If you don’t make a will they are going to inherit your estate, all of it. If you want your friend or friends to receive items that are important to you then you should say so in your will.

A good friend of mine didn’t have a will. She didn’t want to leave her estate to her sister because once her sister died everything would end up with her sister’s husband’s family. I advised her that without a will that was exactly where her money would go. She said she would think about it. She died two weeks later without a will. The sister’s in-laws were actually quite nice people but between them they couldn’t come up with anything to say by way of a eulogy. My friend’s sister wasn’t at the funeral as she was too ill. Of course she died a few months later and so, as predicted, the family members who my friend disliked intensely inherited her estate.

I could provide you with dozens of examples from my cases over the years of the “wrong” people inheriting. But I assume you get the picture. Please think about your family carefully and don’t leave in the situations as described in this article. Extra stress, family disputes and expensive court proceedings are not a very pleasant legacy.

■ If you require any help then please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0191 2846989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

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7/12/15 08:39:13

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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.

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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.

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WORDSEARCH

Can you find all of the explorers hidden in the grid?

Amundsen Barbosa Bass Boone Cabot Cartier Columbus Cook Cortes Dias Drake Eriksson Fawcett Flinders Gray Hawkins Heriolfsson

Hudson Kingsley Magellan Park Raleigh Scott Shackleton Sturt Tasman Tenzing Vancouver Vasco de Gama Vespucci SOLUTION

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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

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.

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

SAMARITANS 116 123

BENEFIT ENQUIRY LINE 0800 882 200

To report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress

RAPE CRISIS 0800 035 2794

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 0800 9177 650 48

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

CARER’S UK 0808 808 777

DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE 0808 247 200 24 hours a day. Confidential helpline for children and young people.

MISSING PEOPLE 116 000

Confidential counselling and advice for anyone affected by gambling dependency.

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

CHILDLINE 0800 11 11

Help for anyone in debt.

GAMCARE 0808 8020 133

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER 0345 717 1100

Freephone 24 hours per day

NATIONAL DEBTLINE 0808 808 4000

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

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

AGE UK 0800 169 6565

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THE SILVER HELPLINE 0800 4 70 80 90

NEWCASTLE AIRPORT 0871 882 1121

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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.

GARDENING

GARDEN VIEW

Purple Sprouting Broccoli

By Rachael Leverton

P

urple Sprouting Broccoli is a beautiful, tasty addition to the dinner table, and the garden. It has a great flavour, a long harvesting season and is nutritionally beneficial.

A single portion provides half your daily requirement of carotenoids, plus high levels of folic acid and vitamins A and C. It’s definitely a ‘plan-ahead’ crop though. If you start planting now you will give yourself something to look forward to next January, and as it is a ‘cut and come again’ crop, that long season should keep you going until April or May! Purple-sprouting broccoli is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -12°C. You can actually start raising seeds in March, for even earlier crops. I usually start the new year with good intentions of staggering my planting like this (because it is one of my favourites veg), then forget and end up planting in April or May. One of the reasons I love it is that I garden on fairly alkaline soil, in which it thrives. It prefers a heavier soil than mine ideally but seems to do well enough in my garden. I dig in a fair amount of leaf mould and well-rotted manure to bulk it up.

Purple sprouting broccoli doesn’t like exposed sites, because the wind buffets the stems, so if your garden is more open it will need a bit of protection.

Sow seeds into small pots or multi-cell trays, using a good quality multi-purpose seed and cuttings compost. When the little plants are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out and transplant them into single 9cm pots. Watering them in well.

Once the plants have matured, fork the soil over. Remove large stones and perennial weeds. Even if your soil is heavier it’s worth digging in some organic matter to improve

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texture and moisture retention. I don’t need to add lime to my soil but if you garden on neutral or acid soil, you’d be advised to work some in. Transplant when the broccoli plants are 7-9cm tall. Water them well before removing from their pots, and plant them 50-60cm apart, with a similar distance between the rows. Brassicas dislike loose soil, so make sure you firm around the plants lightly with your foot. Water again after planting. Six plants will produce enough broccoli to feed a family of four. I grow more because

I love it.

Harvest when the flower shoots are well developed but before the flowers have actually opened. Cut the central spears with a sharp knife first, as this encourages the side shoots to develop quickly. Then crop the side shoots regularly to extend the cropping time.

January seems a long way away right now, but a little planning and preparation will ensure that deliciousness will await when we get there.

Happy gardening,

Tel: 0191 251 0439 Mob: 07976 644251

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

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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

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ADVERTISING FE ATURE

PLASTIC FREE SHOPPING

IN THE HEART OF TYNEMOUTH Buy The Kilo celebrates it’s second anniversary

L

ocated in the heart of the community, in units on Platform 1 at Tynemouth Metro Station, Buy The Kilo is is Tynemouth’s first zero waste, plastic-free dried foods and household products store. Having recently celebrated their secondyear anniversary, Jackie, Rachael and their super team are looking forward to continuing their mission throughout 2021 and beyond.

They sell everyday food staples like flour, pasta and cereals as well as a large range of herbs and spices. With over 300 products available, Buy The Kilo allows customers to do the bulk of their weekly shop plastic-free.

They encourage customers to bring their own clean containers to refill what they need rather than over-buying and potentially creating unnecessary food waste.

With a range of refillable cleaning products including multi-surface cleaner, liquid hand soap and

Jackie and Rachael 58

washing up liquid, customers are reusing plastic containers that would otherwise go in the recycling bin or to landfill. They have a large range of plastic-free toiletries such as soap, razors and dental products to start making those small changes that will help reduce single-use plastic.

The store’s art gallery shows artists’ work that highlights the blight of plastic waste on the environment. With interesting work always on show, it is another reason to pay a visit.

Jackie Sewell, co-founder, is an established artist that has worked in this area for a number of years.

Her ‘Retail Mat’ is on permanent display: a ‘clippy’ or ‘proggy’ mat made with colourful plastic bags recycled from previous artworks.

The work highlights an old form of recycling: repurposing unusable textiles into beautiful household mats.

The store is also a weekly collection point for The Paddock’s organic veg boxes.

Pick your own or select one of their seasonal boxes, their goods come in paper bags.

Buy The Kilo’s customers have saved tens of thousands of pieces of plastic being disposed of. The team hopes that more and more locals will use the store to reduce their plastic footprint.

Unit 3 The Sidings, Platform 1, Tynemouth Metro Station, Tynemouth, NE30 2TF

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At Redesdale Court, Residents are guaranteed a warm and comfortable stay in an inviting home-from-home environment, with a choice of tastefully decorated rooms for relaxing and dining.

The home is celebrating having recently received its second consecutive overall ‘Outstanding’ rating from an inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a rating which only the top 3% of adult social care services have achieved, making Redesdale Court one of the very best in the country.

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9.9/10 carehome.co.uk average user rating Short and long term care packages All en-suite bathrooms Welcoming hair and beauty salon Overall ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating Extensive wellbeing programme

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OUR FAMILY RUN BUSINESS, WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, CAN HELP YOU FURNISH A BEAUTIFUL HOME

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HEALTH

Kids and Uncertainty HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE COPE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

By Kate McCarthy

The COVID-19 pandemic turned out lives upside down. As adults we’ve had too many questions and too few answers, and many of us felt overwhelmed in the face of so much uncertainty.

Now imagine what it’s like to be a child or teenager in this environment.

Young people don’t have the cognitive development, life experience, and coping skills to deal with all the uncertainties we face. So even though we may be struggling, it’s up to us as the adults to help them manage these feelings.

It’s not unusual for young people to be anxious about the future, especially as they near the end of school, or transition from one school to another. They might be stressed about the uncertainty surrounding exams, or what might happen about their university place. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created more uncertainty than usual. As a parent, it’s hard not to have answers and reassurances.

If your child or teen is anxious it can help give them the sense of some control.

Help them to develop a plan A and a Plan B Plan A - The ideal plan they would have followed in normal times.

Plan B - An alternative if plan A isn’t viable right now.

Plan A may have involved taking a year out to travel overseas.

Plan B may be to complete some online training then volunteer for a charity, with the intention of switching to Plan A several months down the line.

The idea of Plan B is NOT to give up on Plan A, but rather to postpone it, while still moving forward in other areas.

·· ·· ·· ·· ··

Show your child how to be okay with uncertainty Tolerating uncertainty is a skill that can be learned by practising how to respond in the best way we can to what’s happening in the present. Try doing small things

WHAT IS TELEPHOBIA?

By Louise Addison

I would do almost ANYTHING to avoid speaking on the phone. For many people, 'telephobia' as it’s known, is real and is particularly common among those of us with social anxiety.

Lots of people dislike speaking on the phone, but it’s a real problem if it causes us to delay important calls, affects our ability to work or causes physical symptoms such as nausea, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath.

Humans are social creatures so speaking on the phone is daunting because we’re denied all social cues: gestures, body language, and eye contact. We rely solely on the voice and this can make us hyperaware of our own voice and choice of words.

Anxious people often rate texting as a superior form of 62

together differently, such as preparing a meal without a recipe using only what’s in the cupboard or picking a random film to watch or podcast to listen to without knowing anything about it.

Validate your child’s feelings and concerns.

Accept how they feel and resist the urge to “fix” them by minimizing their worries or making promises that are not within your control to keep. Instead encourage them to be kind to themselves and realistic in their thinking.

Listen to them and remind them that this is a very unusual situation; it would be weirder if they weren’t anxious!

Talk about the things they value It’s usually possible to find something, even a small thing that they value or appreciate. Help them to refocus on the good things in their life. Share some of the things you are grateful for.

It’s difficult for most of us to remain calm and focused at the moment, and we all have to accept that we can’t predict the future. It helps our kids to see us focus on the things we can control. We can model strategies and show them that whatever happens, we can cope with it together. communication. It allows time to think about responses, which takes the pressure off interactions. It also means we are not the sole focus of someone’s attention, which can feel unnerving, and pauses in the conversation can feel hostile and interminable.

Speaking on the phone though is a skill, and like any skill we improve the more we do it. The more practice you have, the less anxious and more confident you’ll feel. Start by making a list of the people or organisations you need to call and articulate what it is about the call that provokes anxiety. When you hang up, articulate what went well so you acknowledge your successes.

If telephobia is interfering with your life or threatening your job then consider seeking cognitive behavioural therapy. This is a highly effective treatment for social anxiety. Don’t suffer in silence.

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