ABC WANSBECK - March/April 2019

ABC

YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE

WANSBECK EDITION

Established

2008

MAR/APR 2019 ISSUE 5

GROW YOUR OWN

Start growing your own fruit and veg at home with tips from Plantsplus Garden Centre

INSIDE

LOCAL NEWS OFFERS EVENTS

UNTOLD STORIES SKY TV's Pete Graves uncovers the real life stories behind local National Lottery funding

ASHINGTON, STAKEFORD, PEGSWOOD & SURROUNDING AREAS

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WELCOME TO ABC Welcome to ABC Wansbeck, your bi-monthly local magazine. Established in 2008, ABC Magazines are distributed, free of charge, to thousands of homes across Northumberland and North Tyneside.

This Wansbeck edition is distributed across Ashington, Stakeford and Pegswood, as well as being available in over 200 outlets such as Cafés, Dentists, Hairdressers and Community Centres. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for details.

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If you’re interested in advertising in ABC, please call on 07526 522 272, email info@yourabc.co.uk or visit www.yourabc.co.uk Publisher: R Wilson Advertising, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL 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.

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FAMILY DAYS OUT

WITH THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ON THE HORIZON, WE HAVE PICKED 6 GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT...

CANNY CRAFTY

Let’s get creative at Canny Crafty in Gosforth, and bring out your kids creative side - and set yours free too!

Visit a family run craft centre for little kids and big kids who love to paint and create. With ceramic painting and

free-play your kids can get all sorts of crafty.

Paint your own pottery is available Tuesday - Sunday, drop-ins are welcome during weekdays and booking is recommended on weekends and during school holidays.

Free-play is great for those who love to get messy, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up afterwards!

You can get crafting even if you’ve got a baby.

Bring your baby along and get their hand or foot printed onto ceramics. Create a memento that you can cherish when their feet and hands have doubled in size, so you can remember just how tiny they were.

The centre also runs occasional workshops so make sure to look out if a new one is coming out soon You can also enjoy locally roasted Pumphrey's coffee or other refreshments plus sweet treats and snacks.

147 Salters Road, Gosforth, NE3 1DU www.cannycraftynewcastle.co.uk

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DINOSAUR ENCOUNTER ADVENTURE GOLF

Dinosaur Encounter is a thrilling 12 hole adventure golf course, complete with roaring and moving dinosaurs, artificial rocks and lush vegetation! All set within a 9,000 square foot site that charmingly recreates the mood of the land that time forgot!

Get your putters at the ready and keep your game face on as you sneak past 10 life size dinosaurs who guard the course! The Brachiosaurus and the Spinosaurus are easy to spot, they’re ones who are moving!

With tropical plants and palm trees, convincing boulders, and an actual waterfall, this is a great place to take kids whether they like golf or not!

And, if you’re tough enough for dinosaurs, you’re tough enough for a bit of drizzle: don’t let the weather put you off! Although they’ll have to close if it gets too treacherous, the course is open in most conditions and the weather rarely affects the quality of the course. If the weather is inclement though, it’s always worth phoning to check if the course is open before you set off.

And whenever you go, go early - because a second round on the same day is half price! So if you’re a sore loser in this morning, why not try and get revenge this afternoon?!

Heighley Gate Garden Centre, Morpeth, NE61 3DA www.golf-attractions.com/dinosaur-encounter-morpeth

BBC NEWCASTLE TOUR Why do some newsreaders only wear one shoe?

Why does the weather forecaster have an earpiece in their left ear, while presenters have theirs in their right? What’s the RATS alarm? Find out all this and more at the BBC Newcastle Tour!

Start your adventure and see what you discover at the hub of the BBC in the North East and Cumbria. Come see where many of the exciting shows you know and love are filmed, including the CBBC's hit shows 'The Dumping Ground' and 'Wolfblood'! There is also a treat for Dumping Ground fans part of the set is here ready for you to dress with props.

Fancy having a go at creating a show yourself, then why not? Get set to explore the whole host of interactive elements in their specially designed studio inviting you to make your episode of Newsround and star in a radio programme or, if you prefer a behind the scenes role, how about trying vision mixing or sound effects?

Broadcasting House, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2NE www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/newcastle

SEGEDUNUM ROMAN FORT

The Segedunum Roman Fort is the most excavated and developed Fort along the famous Hadrian’s Wall.

The site features a 35m high observation tower providing outstanding views across this impressive World Heritage Site, an amazing back drop for your family photo.

The site now also boasts a large interactive museum showcasing Roman artifacts found in the excavations, ranging from the only known surviving stone toilet seat, to accurate models of the Carpathia (the ship that rescued over 700 of the Titanic ships survivors) and HMS Comus, plus a recreated section of Hadrian’s Wall itself.

You can also step out and explore the Roman Garden and Colliery and, if you’re taking a group, you can book a guided tour.

Buddle Street, Wallsend, NE28 6HR www.segedunumromanfort.org.uk CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

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FAMILY DAYS OUT...CONTINUED

AIRBOX BOUNCE Airbox Bounce offers terrific trampoline fun for children and adults alike.

The venue is full of interconnected trampolines, angled walls, roll-over platforms, foam pits, battle beams and so much more!

The foam pits, battle beams, Ninja area and angled walls will have you literally bouncing off the walls... Your kids will love this place (and so will you)! There’s even a mini area with soft play and mini trampolines, especially designed for under-5's.

If your child is feeling anxious about making a large jump don’t worry, the patient and friendly staff at Airbox are there to make sure every little bouncer builds the confidence to take the leap and has the best time possible at the trampoline park.

Want to get fit? Warm up on the interconnected trampolines before having a go at wild slamdunk basketball. Then, if you still have energy left, get a good sweat on the cardio wall. Finally, once your workout is complete, take a break at the Box Café and grab a bite to eat and some much needed refreshments.

3 Atley Way, Nelson Industrial Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1WA www.airboxbounce.co.uk

GREAT NORTH MUSEUM The Great North Museum has lots of exciting and interesting things to do and discover, you can easily spend a few hours here with the kids.

There are a number of fascinating permanent displays covering topics such as Natural Science, World Culture, Archaeology and Geology. Be sure to check out the Living Planet display, which gives you the chance to investigate and study hundreds of cool creatures using a mixture of hands on investigation and interactive touch screens!

There are live animal tanks and displays which are a always a big hit with the smalls and a virtual aquarium, plus full sized models of an elephant and a great white shark!

Learn about Hadrian's wall on a large scale interactive model, see a life sized T Rex dinosaur replica and discover spectacular objects from Ancient Greece, plus there are mummies from Ancient Egypt.

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There are loads of interesting fossils to investigate and one of the largest collections of World Culture items in the North of England, which includes a complete Inuit kayak, a sealskin Parka, and aboriginal religious items and message tokens.

Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

SKY TV'S PETE GRAVES UNCOVERS THE REAL LIFE STORIES BEHIND LOCAL NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING Northumberland native Pete investigates how ÂŁ5 million of National Lottery funding is spent locally in new online mini-series

S

ky TV's Pete Graves, a Northumberland native, has fronted the brand-new mini-series which is all about amazing community projects that work tirelessly to improve the lives of local people across Northumberland. The project, called Untold Stories: Northumberland, films four National Lottery funded projects and looks at the stories behind the incredible people who make them happen, and those who benefit from them. This includes a project from Ashington.

Untold Stories: Northumberland lifts the lid on how National Lottery funding is spent locally to benefit the people of Northumberland. Each of the four short-form documentary-style episodes is dedicated to an initiative that has made a life-changing impact on its local community with the help of The National Lottery.

They include: Blyth Tall Ship, a pioneering project that sees young people in the area recruited to restore an original tall ship whilst gaining valuable engineering skills; Hauxley Nature Reserve, a stunning community space built and run entirely by volunteers; Museums Northumberland's bait, an art project and Hexham Youth Initiative, a safe space for young people across the Hexham area.

The documentaries are presented by Sky Sports presenter, Pete Graves. A passionate Northumberland native, Pete returned home and visited projects funded by the National Lottery to meet some of the driving forces behind each good cause and the everyday people whose lives have been transformed and enhanced since having access to these much-needed resources.

Among those featured in the mini-series are individuals 10

who have overcome anxiety, depression and struggles with employment.

Jonathan Tuchner from the National Lottery said: "We are passionate about supporting projects and initiatives that we know have a real, tangible impact on people's lives. Untold Stories: Northumberland sheds a light on the brilliant initiatives - and the local people behind them - that are using National Lottery funding to make a significant difference. " Pete Graves, presenter said: "I am so proud to call Northumberland home - and after visiting each of the incredible projects featured in Untold Stories: Northumberland, I'm even prouder. Having the chance to see first-hand the impact they have on the local community and people's lives, has been brilliant. I hope people across the area are as moved and inspired as I am after watching the series!"

The National Lottery has people at its heart, funding amazing projects that help local people in Northumberland. In 2017, the National Lottery invested more than ÂŁ5 million into local good causes in Northumberland, and since 1994 has funded more than 3,800 in the area, assisting with the enrichment and impacting thousands of lives.

Untold Stories: Northumberland are available across the National Lottery's social channels with a new episode uploaded every week.

Facebook: @LotteryGoodCauses YouTube: @LotteryGoodCauses Twitter: @LottoGoodCauses

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

DON’T LET AN INJURY STOP YOU EXERCISING TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING ON AN INJURY TO IMPROVE IT WITH ADVICE FROM MSK HEALTHCARE & PERFORMANCE CLINIC

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ongratulations to those of you who have secured a place in the 2019 Great North Run, also congratulations to those of you who have stuck to their New Year’s resolution of getting fitter and are still exercising.

As the nights are getting lighter more runners are taking to the streets, training for the GNR, park runs, Blyth 10K or just to get fit and perhaps lose weight.

However, staying injury free over the coming months can be challenging, we are always asked in clinic should I run / exercise if my ankle, knee, back or other joints and muscle are sore. For many the first sign of a niggle or pain can be enough to stop exercising, thinking it will make the problem worst.

It’s not always the case, as a rule, think of a pain scale between 0-10, with 10 being the worst pain ever.

With this is mind, it’s usually fine to run or train whilst the pain is below 4/10 however, if the pain begins to rise then stop once it reaches 4/10, this 0-4 region is an acceptable safe level to exercise and can help aid your own rehab and recovery.

Always wait until the pain receeds back below 4/10 before returning to that exercise, rest up, stretch or find an alternative way to exercise that day that doesn’t 12

provoke pain. The body likes to be challenged this is how we gain strength, lose weight and improve overall fitness but there is a tipping point.

Whether you’re an elite athlete or Sunday morning jogger, injuries can and do occur however, don’t let a

“

If we slowly and progressively increase the loads over time the body adapts and handles exercise loads far better, significantly reducing risk of injury.

simple injury deter you or worst still give you the excuse to stop exercising. Think of the injury as part of your training something that you need to work on to improve it, stopping all exercise seldom aids full recovery. Often the injury lays dormant only to return once you start to increase your exercise again.

Check out our research blog for weekly posts on various injuries and the best way to manage them, you can leave comments or questions www.mskhealthcare.co.uk/blog MSK-Healthcare & Performance Clinic, 22 Front Street, Guidepost, NE62 5LT. Tel: 01670 813939

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

GROW YOUR OWN With the increased interest in self sufficiency and organic produce, it’s a great time to try growing your own fruit and veg at home. Here’s some tips on how to start from PlantsPlus Garden Centre...

W

e’ve said it before and we’re going to say it again - growing fruit and veg is IN!

No longer associated with those in the countryside or who are naturally green fingered, GLEE 2018 (Garden, Leisure & Equipment Exhibition) referenced a study that revealed 43% of gardeners under 40 grow their own vegetables compared to 32% of over 60s. The benefits far surpass just having food on the table: You can keep it organic; it’s not space dependant; it’s healthy, both the physical nature of the task and the freshest nutrients you could put in your body; it’s educational and fun for all ages.

SIZE DOESN’T MATTER

Urban gardeners are bringing grow-your-own into the 21st century which means there are plenty of creative ways to plant and harvest them, even if you have limited space. So forget about thinking that you need a large patch of ground in a garden or an allotment, you can get started now even if you live in a small apartment.

START WITH HERBS

If you‘re having your first thoughts about dabbling in grow-your-own but are daunted about where to start,

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“

When you pick that first juicy, red tomato, you’ll be hooked!

” Nursery Production Manager, Mark ensures that the PlantsPlus Nursery is bursting with colour.

begin with herbs. They’ll be perfectly happy by your kitchen window and if you look after them well instead of treating them as disposable, they will keep rewarding you for months to come - trimming them will actually encourage more growth. Whilst they may look tropical with their bright and sculptural fruit, chilli plants can thrive on sunny window sills too!

DO A SWAP

Swap the flowers in your patio planters or window boxes for vegetables. Grow all of your salad greens in one container such as lettuce, spring onions rocket and spinach. Planted away from the ground you’ll have less problems waith pests such as slugs and snails, and if they’re on a balcony you’ll definitely not catch any rabbits or deer having a nibble of them!

Although great for restricted spaces, just be aware that smaller containers will need more watering. If you want to make things even easier, there are ranges of self watering systems on the market such as easy drip systems that you can place in your pots to relieve the fear of over or under watering your crops.

JUST DO IT!

We’ve saved our best tip for last and it’s a tried and tested one that works for most people… buy some seeds or some starter veg and just have the confidence to put them in the ground and give grow-your-own a shot. Like everything else, practice makes perfect and when you finally pick that first juicy, red tomato from your window planter and taste how much more flavoursome they are compared to the supermarkets, you’ll be hooked!

Nothing will beat being able to plate up the rewards of your own hard work.

Find out what is currently filling up Plantsplus Garden Centre’s nursery:

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Find more seasonal gardening tips from our team on our website, or sign up for our monthly newsletter in-store where you’ll also receive exclusive vouchers and Reward Card member events.

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LOCAL EVENTS

ASHINGTON

EVENTS EASTER SUNDAY

Sunday 21 April An Easter Celebration will take on Easter Sunday 21 April at Hirst Park, organised by Heart of the Hirst Tenant & Residents Group. Commencing at 11am, there will be an Easter bonnet competition for the children with a parade at 12noon as well as a best decorated egg competition. The event will also include a free buffet and a children’s face painter.

For more information on the event and the work of the group please find Heart of the Hirst on Facebook, call: 01670 457 751 or e-mail: heartofthehirst@outlook.com Hirst Park, Ashington NE63 9BA

ASHINGTON FAYRE DAY

Sunday 30 June The Fayre will take place at the rear of Wansbeck Square, on the car park and grassed area, and will include fairground rides, live music, market stalls and a range of family entertainment.

EASTER BUNNY

Friday 19th April to Monday 22nd April The Easter Bunny will be visiting Woodhorn Museum over the long Easter weekend between 11am and 3pm every day from Friday 19th April to Monday 22nd April. Find him on site to receive a small treat!

Visit museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/whats-on Woodhorn Museum, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, NE63 9YF

ASHINGTON MAY FAYRE

Thursday 9 till Monday 13 May The Fayre will take place on the Hirst Welfare field next to Ashington Community Football Club. here will be funfair rides for the whole family as well as food and refreshments.

Alexandra Rd, Ashington NE63 9EL

ASHINGTON TO ROCK ON NORTHUMBERLAND DAY

Sunday 26 May Northumberland Day 2019 will take place on and to celebrate there will be a day of great live music at the White House Unique Social Club, commencing at 1pm.

Top local bands KSVT, Percy & the Piglets, Growing Robots, Sticky Fingers, The Djooks and Cushion Creepers will all be performing at the event.

The event has been organised by local man John Emery with support from Ashington Town Council.

This is the third event John has organised to mark the day. Tickets are now available, call 01670 814 091 White House Social Club, Ashington, NE63 8PD 18

VINTAGE CAR RALLY

Sunday 14 July Enjoy a grand day out at Woodhorn Museum’s Vintage Car Rally. The North of England Classic and Pre War Automobiles (NECPWA) club will be back at Woodhorn with their amazing array of classic cars.

Enjoy viewing the cars, taking your picture with them and meeting the owners!

Visit museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/whats-on for details Woodhorn Museum, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park Ashington, NE63 9YF

DOG SHOW & PARTY

Sunday 4 August The event, organised by Heart of the Hirst Tenant & Residents Group and will run from 10am till 4pm. There will be 16 categories for the Dog Show at a cost of £2 per category.The event will also include market stalls, bouncy castle, refreshments and a children’s face painter. For more information on the event or to get involved please find Heart of the Hirst on Facebook Hirst Park, Ashington NE63 9BA

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Unit 19

LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN

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Sarah Howe is a Fitness trainer for women, Director of 3 Curves fitness facility’s in the North East and a mother of two. Here she explains why protein is an essential part of your diet

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I

often find that women don’t eat enough protein. We can be so focused on fad diets and losing a stone in a day that our protein intake is neglected. Instead of embarking on fad diets, we should be replacing some of the fats and carbohydrates in our diets with protein, as this makes us feel fuller for longer and in turn will helps us to lose weight.

Protein plays such an important part in every cell in your body, for example, your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein. Your body uses protein to make enzymes, hormones and other chemicals in the body and it is also plays a massive part in repairing muscle.

When you do strength training, you will retain muscle and also build new muscle. You should then eat enough protein to repair the muscle efficiently, and then your body will burn more calories, as it uses more calories to maintain muscle than it does to maintain body fat! Strength training doesn’t have to be lifting heavy weights but using the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction this can be done at Curves with the hydraulics and experienced coaches.

If you are exercising, you need to feed and refuel your body as you would your car, you need to give it enough protein to repair itself, You can’t expect to get results if you don’t give your body the right fuel and nutrition to do the job.

It is recommended that a female should eat approximately 1 gram or protein per pound of body weight. So, if you weigh 150lbs, are you eating 150g of protein per day to feed and fuel those muscles?

To help burn extra calories? If the answer is no then what happens? In the long term, not eating enough protein will make the body break down your muscles to make up for the lack of protein, this will lead to muscle weakness and energy loss and may even cause pain.

Increased intake of protein also helps to lower systolic blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and is important for the every day regulation of the body’s tissues, organs, building muscle, skin and blood.

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By Joanne Duggan, Principal Dental Surgeon at Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice

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would be confident in predicting that just about everyone reading this article will have suffered with a mouth ulcer.

They are usually painful and cause discomfort when eating, talking or brushing our teeth. Although most are uncomfortable, I must warn of an important exception and that is an ulcer associated with the early stages of mouth cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) which is often painless in the early stages. If you have any concerns regarding anything in your mouth it is vital you seek a professional opinion and it is important to visit the dentist regularly for a check-up to make sure your mouth is healthy.

What exactly is a mouth ulcer?

An ulcer is when there is a break in the outer surface of the skin anywhere in your mouth and the sores can look red and yellow/white in colour. Mouth ulcers can range in size, number and symptoms depending on what type of ulcer you have. Mouth ulcers cannot be caught by kissing, or by sharing drinks and cutlery etc.

Are there different type of ulcers?

Yes. There are many different types of ulcers, however, in this article I will discuss the most common ones as some are associated with specific medical conditions and there are also some unusual causes. Viruses, such as the herpes virus, chicken pox, hand foot and mouth disease, can cause ulcerations in the mouth too. Ulcers caused by a virus are different from cold sores.

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Ulcers caused by trauma

Trauma usually causes a single ulcer and you will be able to connect the ulcer to a specific incident. Sometimes the lining of your mouth, lips or tongue can be traumatised by something hard or sharp. For example, if you have broken a tooth or filing, the sharpness can cause a nasty ulcer on the side of your tongue or cheek. Also, if you have an illfitting denture and it is digging into your gum this too can cause a traumatic ulcer. Orthodontic appliances, (braces) can also traumatise the soft lining of our mouths. Once the filling or tooth has been smoothed or repaired, the denture or brace adjusted, the ulcer will heal.

If you have had toothache, then you will certainly know how horrendous it can be, and appreciate why people in sheer desperation will put a pain killer tablet, such as an aspirin, next to the tooth causing the pain. The aspirin tablet however can cause a chemical burn and ulcer on the gum, plus putting the tablet here will not ease the pain.

The good thing about traumatic ulcers is that once the trauma has been removed, the ulcer should heal. It is important for me to stress at this point again that if you have an ulcer that has not healed within 3 weeks then you must report back to your dentist.

Re-occurring ulcers

If you get repeated bouts of ulcers then you may have recurrent aphthous ulcers, or ‘recurrent aphthous stomatitis'.

The cause of recurrent aphthous stomatitis is not known, but they are not infectious. It is a common problem affecting both men and women. The sign of

“

COMMON CAUSES OF MOUTH ULCERS If you have any concerns regarding anything in your mouth it is vital you seek a professional opinion

these recurrent ulcers is the repeated appearance of mouth ulcers in otherwise healthy people. They are more commonly seen in children and young adults.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the UK will suffer from recurrent aphthous ulcers at some time in their life.

Trauma is one of the most common causes of ulcers.

You would know if you had a traumatic ulcer as they are usually single, and are next to the cause of the damage. A traumatic ulcer will heal and go away once the damaging factor has been removed.

The cause of recurrent aphthous ulcers however cannot be attributed to one specific thing. There are potentially a number of factors than can cause them.

Here is a list of some of the possible causes below:

• • •

Are there different types of re-occurring mouth ulcers?

Yes. For simplicity I will break these into 2 categories; minor or major.

Minor aphthous ulcers are the most common and there can be up to 5 or 6 ulcers at a time. They are relatively small, (5 to 9mm in diameter), about the size of the top of a pencil and can occur together in a cluster. They can affect inside the cheeks, the inside of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth and under the tongue. More rarely, they may appear on the roof of the mouth. These minor ulcers usually heal within 10 to 14 days without leaving a scar.

Major aphthous ulcers are more severe as they are larger and take much longer to heal. They can be over a centimetre in diameter, and usually affect the back of your mouth. For example a major aphthous ulcer may be near your tonsil region and be very painful, particularly when you swallow or eat. A major aphthous ulcer can take several weeks to heal and may even leave a scar. Any ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks should be checked by your dentist.

• • • • • •

A deficiency in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, or the vitamin B complex. It is therefore important to try to have a good diet with lots of vegetables and fruit.

Allergy or intolerance to certain foods. Try also to avoid some abrasive foods Irritation to an ingredient in toothpaste called sodium lauryl sulphate, SLS. This is the foaming agent in toothpastes and some patients are very sensitive to it, meaning it causes mouth ulcers.

SLS is also used in other products such as liquid soap or shower gel and can also irritate the skin in some people. You can try to use an SLS free toothpaste. Ask your dentist for specific brands that have enough fluoride in to protect your teeth, (1450ppm fluoride), but no SLS. Feeling tired, stressed or anxious can cause ulcers. For example students may get ulcers before examinations Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or certain time in the menstrual cycle Genes; some families get mouth ulcers more often. There is an increased chance of a child to suffer from recurrent aphthous stomatitis if both parents suffer from them.

Some medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease Medications. Some medications can cause mouth ulcers.

Stopping smoking. People may develop mouth ulcers when they first stop smoking.

Can cancer cause mouth ulcers?

One of the first signs of cancer in the mouth can be an ulcer that does not heal. It is vitally important that you must seek advice from your dentist if you have any ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks. Common areas for ulcers caused by cancer are the sides of the tongue or under the tongue, but they can occur in other parts of your mouth too. That is why your dentist will examine all the soft areas in your mouth at your routine check-up as part of your oral cancer screening. Cancer of the mouth is usually linked to heavy smoking and drinking, but if you are both a drinker and smoker then together the risk of mouth cancer is much, much greater.

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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE...

Cold Sores

What should I do if I think I have mouth ulcers?

If an ulcer lasts more than 3 weeks you should always ask your dental team or doctor for advice. Your dental team will be able to examine your mouth to check that the problem is an ulcer and not something more serious.

They may be able to tell you the cause and provide treatment, or they may arrange more tests or refer you to a specialist. If you suffer from ulcers that keep coming and going you should visit your dental team to check there is not an underlying medical cause.

What types of treatment are there for mouth ulcers?

The treatment of ulcers obviously depends on the cause of the ulcers. Traumatic ulcers are easier to resolve as usually all that is needed is to smooth a sharp tooth or adjust a denture.

Most ulcers will heal by themselves; however it is important to keep the area clean with either warm salt mouthwashes or chlorhexidine mouthwash. If your ulcers last for more than 3 weeks, or you are unwell, or the ulcers keep coming back then it is best to see your doctor or dentist. For some of the re-occurring aphthous ulcers then you may be prescribed a pain relieving mouthwash/ spray or steroid tablets/lozenges.

What can you do to prevent mouth ulcers?

You may be able to reduce the risk of mouth ulcers by:

• • • • • •

Keeping your mouth as clean and healthy as possible.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables Avoid abrasive foods Avoid acidic foods and drinks, especially fizzy drinks as the ingredient benzoate has been linked to mouth ulcers Use an SLS free toothpaste. Ask your dentist to recommend a SLS free toothpaste if you think you may be sensitive to this foaming agent Visit your dentist regularly

References Lewis MAO, Lamey P-J. A clinical guide to oral medicine. 3rd edition. BDJ Books. 2011 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317984.php https://www.dentalhealth.org/mouth-ulcers https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sores/ https://www.verywellhealth.com/stages-of-a-cold-sore-outbreak-4173005

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Cold sores are caused by a virus and usually present as a cluster of blisters on the outside of your lips or around your nostrils. Unfortunately once you have had a cold sore the virus will stay with you for life, hiding until it is triggered again. Unlike ulcers, cold sores are extremely infectious so you must be careful as they can be spread by touching, kissing and sharing personal items such as cups and straws.

Here are some other facts about cold sores: •A cold sore usually starts with an itching, tingling or burning feeling •Over the next day or 2 small fluid filled blisters appear •The blisters then burst and will crust over with a scab •A cold sore can appear anywhere on the face but the most common areas are the outside of your lips or nose •A cold sore should start to heal within 10 days, but may be painful while healing •Be careful as cold sores are contagious •There are usually things that trigger cold sore such as a cold, the sun or trauma. Some people will get a cold sore after dental treatment; even if we are very gentle!

•There are some treatments that can help with cold sores, (please ask your pharmacist for further help and advice).

•Antiviral creams can help to ease the pain and irritation caused by cold sores and speed up healing •Start to use the antiviral cream as soon as you feel the tingle or recognise the early signs.

•Antiviral cream may not always work after the blisters appear •Cold sore patches can cover the cold sore and protect the area whilst it is healing

Should I go to the dentist if I have a cold sore?

No, because cold sores are contagious and we do not want the risk of spreading the infection. A cold sore is contagious form the first tingling until it has completely healed. Even when it is crusted over, it is still contagious.

If you have an appointment at your dentist and have a cold sore, you may need to postpone until it has gone.

Your dentist will have their own policy about cold sores so ring to talk to them about it.

To make an appointment at Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice call us on 01670 828 402 or visit 30 Front Street East, Bedlington, Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice Northumberland, NE22 5AA www.bedlingtonshiredental.co.uk

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e’re all familiar with the feeling you get when you’ve just stepped out of a salon with a fabulous new haircut, shiny manicure or a pampering treatment and you feel fantastic. If you’re in need of such a pick me up, The Head Gardener, in the heart of Ashington, has all aspects of hairdressing and beauty available in their salon to make you feel brand new.

Salon owner Danielle Pringle took over the salon in 2016, having worked for the company for 5 years, and with 17 years’ experience in the industry altogether.

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The salon also has a therapy room currently available for rental. The room is suitable for all alternative therapies including aesthetics (Botox/ Fillers), reflexology, reiki, healing, hypnotherapy, holistic therapies, tattoo artist etc. The one exception to this is a beauty therapist as the salon already has Rebecca providing her wide range of beauty treatments. For further details on both of the above please ring Peter on 07714 398588.

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TASTY DATES The North East has a fast developing reputation as one of the most up and coming regions in the country for the quality and diverse range of its food and drink. The 2019 calendar is already filling up with culinary festivals and markets.

Here are just some of the regions events already confirmed for this year.

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PROPER FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

These festivals have already proved themselves a popular addition to the region’s gourmet calendar with outings in North Shields, Whitley Bay and Cramlington in recent years. This year’s confirmed events are: North Shields 4-6 May; South Shields 25-27 May; Whitley Bay 15-16 June; Gosforth 13-14 July Finally, the Great North Feast, South Shields August 24-26 a massive celebration of food and drink, bringing together the community for a social eating experience which has never been seen before in the North East. www.properfoodanddrinkfestivals.co.uk

TYNEMOUTH FOOD FESTIVAL

Tynemouth Priory and Castle hosts the annual festival on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May. Stalls include Papa Ganoush, Fat Hippo, Scream for Pizza, The Little Fishy and more. There will also be stalls selling local artisan products, a festival bar and live music. www.tynemouthfoodfestival.co.uk

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GATESHEAD BEER FESTIVAL

The tenth annual event is scheduled for 3 - 5 May at the ground of Gateshead Rugby Club at Eastwood Gardens, Low Fell. As well as ales and ciders produced locally and from around the country, hot and cold food will be available along with Cava, gin and whisky. There will also be a full programme of live music, with a mix of genres including soul, rock, indie, folk, irish, tibutes and even male voice choirs. www.gatesheadbeerfestival.co.uk

SEAHAM FOOD FESTIVAL

This year sees the first ever Seaham Food Festival taking place on 8 and 9 June. Set in the lively harbour town, the festival will bring a host of culinary delights to Durham’s heritage coast, with top chefs, fabulous traders and producers, and tasty demonstrations to get the taste buds tingling. www.seahamfoodfestival.co.uk

NORTH EAST CHILLI FESTIVAL

Since its inception in 2010, the Chilli Festival has grown from a one day event into a 3 day music and food celebration. This year the festival will take place at Meggies Burn Fields on Blyth seafront from 5-7 July, and, as the name suggests, will feature an array of spicy treats to tempt, and definitely tingle the taste buds! The main stage will play host to a variety of local and national bands, as well as the infamous chilli eating competition! www.chillifest-ne.co.uk

BERWICK FOOD & BEER FESTIVAL Now in its 12th Year, the Berwick Food and Beer Festival is taking place from 6 - 8 September, and is a must for anyone interested in great tasting food and beer. Organised by Berwick Slow Food, and held in the magnificent surroundings of the towns 18th Century Barracks, the entrance fee to the festival also grants you access to the museums many informative exhibits.

In addition to over 80 stalls of the finest local and regional produce and beers there is also a selection of wine, gin champagne and cocktails too. There are cookery demonstrations, information stands, an animal farm, foodie films and live music. www.berwickfoodandbeerfestival.co.uk

MORPETH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Scheduled for 5 and 6 October, it’s still early days but more than 50,000 people attended last year’s event so planning is already under way for the sixth annual event which is sure to be a big attraction in the town. www.moreinmorpeth.co.uk/events/morpeth-food-drinkfestival-2018

CRAFT BEER CALLING

This is to take place from 24, 25, 26 October at Wylam Brewery, Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Newcastle.

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NEWCASTLE GIN & RUM FEST

The UK’s largest Gin & Rum Festival tour is coming to Newcastle for the first time. The festival, held at the Civic Centre in Newcastle on 24 and 25 May will showcase over 60 different Gins and 60 different Rums in an amazing venue. A guide will be on hand to showcase you all the products on offer, and their own award-winning resident DJ will keep you entertained, playing music from all genres.

Search ‘The Gin and Rum Festival Newcastle’ at www.eventbrite.co.uk

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

RACHEL TO TOP THE BILL A

shington & District Male Voice Choir is delighted to announce that it’s giving a Northumberland up and coming young soprano the opportunity to ‘star’ in its forthcoming Annual Celebration Concert.

Rachel Bird is a 20 year old from Hexham and is currently studying music at Durham University and her reputation encouraged the choir to invite her to be its special guest at its concert on Saturday 18th May in Holy Sepulchre Church Ashington.

The choir, under the direction of Neil Morton and accompanied by Derek Brett, will perform a wide range of songs of different genres many new to the recently used repertoire with Rachel bringing her exciting singing into the program.

Rachel spent six years as a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain performing in many of

the nation’s leading venues including the Royal Albert Hall before taking up her studies in Durham University where she is a member of the Durham Opera Ensemble. Most recently she was a featured soloist in the recording of Ben Parry’s latest piece ‘One Equal Music’. Ashington & District Male Voice Choir is looking forward to its Annual Celebration Concert and having Rachel as its special guest.

The choir loves singing in Holy Sepulchre Church, which it sees as its ‘Home Base’ having had so many concerts and other events in the church. There is always a warm welcome from the vicar and members of the church and usually a large knowledgeable audience and it is hoped that this will be the case for the return visit on May 18th.

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815534, Holy Sepulchre Church, Al’s Superstore, Station Road Ashington, and you can pay at the door.

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New members are always welcome at Ashington & District Male Voice Choir. Go along and give them a try on Thursdays at 7.00pm in Stakeford & Bomarsund Welfare.

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LOCAL NEWS Computerised image of the multi-use play area which is to be developed on Peoples Park, in Ashington. Image provided by Kompan Ltd

NEW PLAY AREA FOR PEOPLES PARK Work is soon to commence on the development of a new multi-use play area on Ashington’s Peoples Park, to be completed in time for the busy summer months.

W

ork is soon to commence on the development of a new multi-use play area on Ashington’s Peoples Park, to be completed in time for the busy summer months.

Following the demolition of the former Ashington Leisure Centre and related premises and further to the granting of planning permission for new housing on the site, Ashington Town Council accepted an invitation from Northumberland County Council to be the lead organisation in the development of a major new replacement play facility.

The development will take place on a specified area of Peoples Park, formally identified and agreed as part of the planning process, to be situated close to the location of the former play area.

The Town Council has now developed plans for an inclusive children’s play facility that will include a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) as well as an outside gym on the identified site.

The Town Council has committed funds to the £210,000 project as well as securing significant external financial support from the Ashington Leisure Partnership, Ashington Town Team, Northumberland County Council’s Housing Developer Fund, Scottish Power’s Windfarm Development Fund and Gleeson Homes Ltd. Ashington’s County Council members have also contributed through their Local Members Improvement Scheme funds.

In developing the plans the Town Council asked local schoolchildren, from the nearby Bothal Primary School, what they would like to see in the park as well as consulting with a Parent & Toddler Group and young people from YMCA Northumberland. The ideas and views from this 36

work have been incorporated into the final plans.

The play area will include swings, roundabouts, seesaws, climbing frames and slides. The design features ‘zoned areas’, based on age groups, with equipment that will help develop and challenge the young people both physically and mentally. The inclusion of the MUGA and outdoor gym will also encourage physical & social activity for other members of the community and encourage greater usage of Peoples Park for positive physical activity.

County and Town Councillor for the Bothal Ward, Councillor Lynne Grimshaw, said ‘We are sure the development of this play facility will be welcomed by residents. The Town Council has worked with a number of partners to secure additional monies for the project to provide a more inclusive facility for the town. The play area, in the west of Ashington, will complement the regeneration work that is now taking place at Hirst Park and will give the young people of our town excellent new facilities where they can spend their pastimes in a positive and healthy way’.

Mr Brian Storey, Chair of the Ashington Leisure Partnership who have made a £25,000 contribution to the project, adds ‘The Leisure Partnership are delighted to be able to support the ambitious play area scheme at People's Park. The play equipment previously located at the old Institute site was popular but limited. The Town Council are to be congratulated for looking to provide robust play and activity facilities for a range of different age groups that will be used and enjoyed by generations to come'.

Work is planned to start at Peoples Park in April with a planned opening in June.

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Saturday May 18th 7.00pm at The Holy Sepulchre Church, Ashington NE63 8HZ Tickets £7 Available From Holy Sepulchre Church, ADMVC Choir Members, Al’s Superstore ADMVC Secretary Colin Prow Tel 01670 815534 Or Pay On The Door 37

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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.

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I

n recent decades, the domestic flooring trade has seen the market flooded with Luxury Vinyl Tile products (LVT). The most popular, trusted, and well known of these being produced by two companies, namely Amtico and Karndean.

There has long been an interest in alternatives to carpet, particularly in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and entrance hallways from both a practical and an aesthetic point of view. There was a period of time when many people had their original floorboards sanded flat and varnished to produce a natural ambience to their surroundings. This however was found to reduce the warmth and thermal efficiency of their homes and to increase heating bills. Then laminate was introduced which solved this problem, later being replaced with real wood plank installations, and after that, engineered wood.

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Combine the look and feel of wood or stone in combination with the practical benefits of vinyl flooring: warm, durable and sound absorbent.

Certainly over the last twenty years however, the trend and fashion is lending toward LVT. The advantage of this product which is made of tough vinyl is that it can be produced with a massive range of designs and colours to complement anyone's particular chosen style, furniture, or installed kitchen or bathroom. This can be selected either during the process of interior design, or indeed following a decoration or new kitchen due to the vast array of choice and availability.

It was popular up until recently to have these tiles arranged with borders around the perimeter though most installations now are without borders. Luxury vinyl tiles mainly are available in three different configurations, namely to resemble either wooden floorboards, slate, or ceramic tiles. As ceramic tiles too seem to be fading out of fashion to a degree, most present day installations of LVT are in the floorboard format.

The quality of the tiles themselves is determined to a large degree by the thickness of the tough clear vinyl wear layer which covers the coloured layer underneath, and usually a minimum of a 0.50mm wear layer is considered preferable. Amtico is manufactured in the UK and is generally considered to be the toughest and the best choice of vinyl tile. Karndean do not actually manufacture, but as with most other suppliers of these products, source them from the far east. This however does not mean that they are not excellent products, because the manufacturing process is highly regulated due to the market being mainly in the UK and Europe.

What is not usually readily understood by the consumer though, is the absolute importance of the installation process. All Amtico and Karndean products are of a superb standard, and to complement this, both companies insist on strict procedures when it comes to having them fitted in one's home so that they will last for many, many years. Installations often fail due to the trade guidelines being ignored, and incorrect or inferior materials being used under the tiles during the sub floor preparation process.

Your local experts Michael Metcalf Carpets have over 20 years of experience in the installation of Amtico and Karndean. They offer a complete, personal, and free onsite survey and estimate where advice can be supplied and any questions answered. Their installer works to the highest standard possible, and achieves 100% successful customer satisfaction.

In addition to Amtico and Karndean, the showroom at 69 Bridge Street Morpeth, also displays LVT from Distinctive Flooring, another top class company with a beautiful range of modern tile and plank. In all, around 400 variations of colour and design are on display in your local Morpeth high street studio.

Cormar Gemini Carpet

WHY CARPET IS STILL KING While the above products presently reign supreme in kitchen, hallway, bathrooms and toilets, only a few families choose to cover the entire ground floor of their home with vinyl tiles, and almost everyone prefers carpet in the bedrooms. So why is carpet such a dominant floorcovering in the UK? The main consideration is insulation. Carpet with a good quality underlay cannot be beaten when it comes to comfort and warmth, providing a great choice for any home, and they also reduce noise levels. Studies reveal that older people are over three times more likely to suffer a fracture when falling on vinyl floors than if they landed on a carpeted area. Carpet, especially with a good quality polyurethane high density underlay has been shown to help cushion a fall and minimise injuries. It is also for the same reasons, child friendly.

A significant point to note is that wool is naturally flame resistant due to its unique chemical structure which has a high nitrogen and moisture content, and this is one reason why wool carpets are used on cruise ships and in major hotels.

Additionally there has recently been a huge growth in demand for soft, silky, deep pile carpets, and they have become a firm favourite with homeowners. These carpets are even more akin to cushion a fall. Carpet companies have responded to demand in the market for softness underfoot at an affordable price by launching various ranges that can be found at Michael Metcalf Carpets by the manufacturers Cormar, Cavalier, and Associated Weavers.

Michael Metcalf Carpets, 69 Bridge Street, Morpeth

NE61 1PQ. Tel: 01670 513 868 www.michaelmetcalfcarpets.co.uk

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Michael Metcalf Carpets “Because we do it better”

For the finest bespoke service quality carpets and flooring

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69 Bridge Street, Morpeth, NE61 1PQ Tel: 01670 513 868

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Introducing Team Sublime Come & join us in our warm friendly salon where we can we cater for your needs

We have a new stylist, Faye Jones in the salon as well as an independent make up artist - KBeautique and a independent beautician - Style Beautique by Rachel!

Owner & Stylist Chloe

Junior Stylist Megan

Junior Stylist Price List Blow Wave £13 All over colour £32 Roots £28 Curls £10

New Stylist Faye Jones

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LOCAL NEWS

FAMILY FUNDRAISING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN MEMORY OF THEIR SON GLENN DIXON Glenn Dixon, who grew up in Morpeth, Northumberland, was battling mental health problems - now his family are helping to raise awareness of the issue and say "it's OK not to be OK".

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lenn was caring and compassionate about the welfare of others. He gave the impression of being OK by laughing and joking. But, unbeknown to his family and friends, he was masking mental health problems.

And to the shock of his loved ones, the 32-year-old took his own life in November.

Now his family has spoken of their heartbreak in the hope that other people who may be suffering can get help.

His mum Jill, of Morpeth, said: "Glenn was always happy, always laughing - the life and soul of the party. He was a really kind, generous person who literally would not hurt a fly. He managed to convince everybody that things were fine. But his mental health had been deteriorating."

Glenn, a Celtic FC fan, grew up in Morpeth and went to Liverpool John Moores University where he gained a degree in history. After that, he returned to the North East but struggled to find work. He went in and out of lowpaid jobs before he moved to a flat in Percy Main, North Shields, and became a carer for Age UK. In August last year, but unknown to his family, Glenn came to the attention of the authorities after there was a disturbance at his flat. He had been drinking and had harmed himself, he also threatened to take his own life.

Glenn was taken to hospital where he had a mental health assessment. He was then given an appointment 3 months later in November to help deal with his mental health issues. However, Glenn took his own life before that.

Jill, 59, said: "He was waiting for his appointment but he never managed to get any help. If he had received the counselling and support he so desperately needed, there is a chance he would still be with us today."

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Glen Dixon

Now the family, including Glenn's dad Richard and friend Phil Morrison, are helping to raise awareness of mental health and are trying to raise funds for charity.

An eight-day sponsored walk is being organised from the Tyneside Irish Centre, in Newcastle, to Celtic Park (aka Paradise) in Glasgow, in aid of Tyneside and Northumberland Mind and Celtic FC Foundation.

The 150-mile walk will be held from August 24 to 31, and members of the public are being invited to sponsor a walker or make a donation at JustGiving.com/fundraising/ ToParadiseforGlenn. The organisers are also seeking donations to support the walkers en route and raffle prizes for a music event to be held in August. In particular, anyone who can supply the use of a van and/or minibus to use as support vehicles during the event, would be hugely appreciated. They can be contacted via email: To_Paradise4Glenn@hotmail.com Celtic Park was Glenn’s "happy place" - he was a fanatical supporter of the team and tried to get to matches whenever he could. His family says it is fitting for the walk to take place between these two places.

Jill added: "Glenn did not feel able to reach out when he was in trouble. That is part of the stigma around mental health. It is easier for people to say they have a physical illness. It's hard for them to say they need help for mental health problems. And yet there should be no distinction between the two.”

Funds raised from the walk will be shared equally between Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, who work at a local level, providing mental health support services throughout the Tyneside and Northumberland area and Celtic FC Foundation.

For more information about the walk or to help, visit Facebook page ‘To Paradise for Glenn’.

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CLEARING THE CLUTTER Clutter can have a major impact on health and wellbeing. Cath Hindle helps people regain space and organise their belongings as a professional declutterer and organiser.

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his time last year, Cath Hindle was living a very different life.

The 44 year from Cullercoats explains “I had a busy job, two small children and not much time for anything else.” A period of stress and anxiety forced her to revaluate and use the considerable skills she’d acquired over the past 20 years in organisational and corporate services to her new business Clear the Clutter.

“I used to spend my days delivering change management coaching and support people to move forward and get organised within the business. I still do this but on a much more personal level helping people regain space and organise their belongings as a professional declutterer and organiser.”

Cath started Clear the Clutter last July but thanks to the recent Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, the concept of decluttering and living with less stuff has really captured people’s interest. Cath says: “I don’t work like Marie Kondo but I do encourage clients to really think if an item creates a positive emotion for them and encourage them to get rid of those that don’t. I also love the way she folds clothes and use that method with clients all the time. “ Cath is a member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers and has recently completed training with the Senior Move Partnership specialising in helping older

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Cath Hindle Clutter creates anxiety when people feel that they are unable to get on top of it or get to the bottom of the pile

people downsize and move. Her clients range from busy families, people who struggle to let things go, small businesses who want clearer workspaces, house movers and anyone looking for support in sorting spaces that have got on top of them.

Clutter isn’t often recognised as a source of stress but it can have a major impact on health and wellbeing. As well as overtaking physical space, clutter can overtake

the mind as it causes the senses to work overtime to try to process what needs to be done. This makes it difficult to focus on tasks.

It causes frustration when items can’t be located quickly or easily and can make people feel guilty or embarrassed that they are not able to “get organised” or invite friends round because of the mess. Clutter creates anxiety when people feel that they are unable to get on top of it or get to the bottom of the pile.

Cath says: “Decluttering and organising is immensely satisfying. Think about how you feel when you’ve had a wardrobe clearout – the sense of satisfaction and pleasure at an organised space and the virtue of being able to hand stuff to a charity shop. I get this everyday working with clients and the feeling grows with each new space we tackle.”

One highlight from the past year has been a partnership with St Oswald’s hospice. “Unless the client supports another charity, the stuff I declutter goes to St Oswald’s.

Each full charity bag raises, on average, £20 for the hospice, so I’m proud to be working with such a worthy cause. It also means that I operate my business very ethically as I always try to find a good home for things rather than sending it to landfill.

Over the next few editions, Cath will be providing decluttering tips and tricks of trade.

For more information visit www.clear-the-clutter.co.uk or contact Cath on 07982044 639, email cath@clear-the-clutter.co.uk

Kitchen Xchange Ltd MADE TO MEASURE KITCHENS & BEDROOMS DIRECT FROM OUR FACTORY A warm welcome from Kevin & the team

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