ABC Magazine: North Edition - September/October 2020

Established

2008

N O RT H E D I T I O N | S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 02 0

w w w.yo u ra b c . co . u k

MAXIMIZE EDUCATION TUTORING WITH PROVEN RESULTS

THE ALNWICK GARDEN WELCOMING

VISITORS BACK AGAIN

THE BATT HOUSE

OFFERING MEDICAL AESTHETICS & BEAUTY TREATMENTS IN BEDLINGTON

DELIVERED

FREE

B I- M O N TH

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

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

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WELCOME TO ABC MAGAZINE Welcome to the North edition of ABC, your bi-monthly local magazine.

ABC is distributed free of charge to thousands of homes in Bedlington, Cramlington and Morpeth and is available in hundreds of outlets such as Cafés, Dentists, Hairdressers, Health Clubs, Community Centres. You can also read it online, visit www.yourabc.co.uk for more information.

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If you’re interested in advertising, please call Richard on 07526 522272 or email info@yourabc.co.uk Publisher: ABC Magazines, PO Box 225, Bedlington, NE63 3FL www.yourabc.co.uk Email: info@yourabc.co.uk Facebook: @yourabc Twitter: @abcmagazines 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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LO CA L N E W S

THE ALNWICK GARDEN Ready To Welcome Visitors Back Again

T

he Alnwick Garden is back open, and all the staff are looking forward to welcoming guests back to the multi-award winning visitor attraction once again.

However, in keeping with these unprecedented times, there have been some changes to the Alnwick Garden experience to help keep all visitors safe, whilst making your visit as enjoyable as possible.

The garden will open from 9am – 6pm every day, and all bookings must be made online or by telephone. The site will also be cashless.

Visitors will be required to book their tickets online and, whilst booking, you can select the day and the time that you wish to arrive. All Friends of The Alnwick Garden will receive a letter or email with a dedicated phone number and web URL to allow you to book your visit slot.

The Garden have also got the official seal of approval from VisitBritain to say that they are following government and industry Covid-19 guidelines.

Check out the list of safely measures on the opposite page for all visitors over the coming months to ensure everyone has a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience.

Keeping the garden in order and clean has been the teams priority. Your safety is their top concern and they

6

have taken the time over the last few weeks to make sure they are ready for your return.

Alnwick Garden is the brainchild of The Duchess of Northumberland, and is a multi-award winning visitor attraction based just south of Alnwick Town Centre, clearly signposted off the A1.

The Garden boasts 12 acres of meandering and magnificent Gardens, and is home to the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets, and the worlds largest Treehouse Restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant is currently closed due to Covid restrictions but keep visiting their website for details of it’s re-opening.

The Garden is a peacful and tranquil haven to spend hour after hour wandering amongst the Roses, the Ornamental Garden and the Cherry Blossom or just kicking back to take it all in on one of the 50 swinging benches.

The Garden is a registered charity, and any surplus from it’s running is re-invested into improving and developing The Alnwick Garden for the future through one of their charity programmes, helping people in and around Northumberland from a variety of social backgrounds. www.alnwickgarden.com

Here are some of the safely measures, restrictions and rules in place for all visitors over the coming months to ensure everyone has a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience:

·· ··

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Images: Alwick Garden

·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ··

·· ··

Please ensure you arrive at your selected time with your booking confirmation. The staff will not be able to admit you into The Garden without it, or if you arrive earlier/later than the time specified on your booking confirmation.

If you are driving to The Alnwick Garden, please be considerate of those around you whilst parking, leaving or returning to your vehicle. Paying for parking will be via contactless card payment only, and you are able to park anywhere other than the first tier which is reserved for Blue Badge holders only.

After you have parked, please maintain a distance of 2 metres or more from other visitors and adhere to any signage and guidelines you see across.

Please follow the one-way routes where applicable.

If you need to double back, please do so at the earliest juncture instead of turning around as this compromises the safety of other visitors.

The Gift Shop and Plant Centre have temporarily relocated. You are able to visit these areas even if you do not have a ticket. Please follow the signage on the one-way system to access these areas.

The Gift Shop and Plant Centre will only be accepting card payments.

Masks must be worn inside the Gift Shop, Pavilion Kitchen (unless seated inside) and The Bakery.

There will be limited toilet facilities available, these will be cleaned every 20 minutes for your safety.

Within The Garden you are free to move around at your leisure, however, the onus is on you to ensure that you and your family exercise the 2 metre rule.

Please be respectful of others space and safety.

There may be some areas within The Garden that are too narrow for two-way traffic. If this is the case please utilise the one-way system that will be clearly signposted.

The Garden will have hand sanitiser available across the site. Please feel free to use this as and when you deem necessary.

The Garden will be allowing picnics on site. If you have any litter please make sure you dispose of it responsibly or take it home with you. Littering puts both visitors and staff at risk.

The Poison Garden will be open, but unfortunately there will be no guided tours. Instead, you can learn about what’s in the Poison Garden using a QR code reader app on your smart phone, or by purchasing one of our Poison Garden books available in the Gift Shop.

The swinging benches are being thoroughly sanitised twice a day. If you do wish to use the swinging benches please utilise the sanitisers available at the top of the Cherry Orchard before and after use.

At this time our children’s tractors will be unavailable. This will be used as an opportunity to send them off for an MOT and a full valet so they’re all set for next season!

7

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IS HALLOWEEN CANCELLED?

By Sarah Davey Trick-or-Treat is either a fun chance to dress-up and claim free sweets from neighbours, or it's an antisocial American travesty which has infiltrated these shores. I happen to fall squarely in the latter camp, my kids, the former. They start planning their outfits in March. I don't want to rain on their scary parades, but what should we do about Halloween in the face of a global pandemic?

It's not certain that any of our neighbours will actually welcome my young visitors (or plague-bearers as I’ve come to think of them of them since their return to school) to their doorsteps, no matter how cute their costumes or beguiling their manners.

And frankly I'd freak out about them grabbing handfuls of potentially COVID-coated Crunchie bars, so I'm not exactly devastated that I won't have to accompany them door-to-door and smile apologetically as they beg for treats. But neither am I a total killjoy, so I've come up with some ideas for alternative activities: Hang a spooky piñata for your children in your own back garden.

Create a haunted house for your kids at home. Let them dress up and be scared in a fun-but-safe way.

Create a spooky scavenger hunt inside and out.

Leave clues, or a trail of blood, or spiders.

Snuggle up and watch a 'scary' movie...something like Monsters Inc or The Corpse Bride (depending on age). Read age-appropriate ghost stories in the dark in front of the fire, or if the weather is favourable, go outside, snuggle under blankets, light pumpkins and toast marshmallows on a camping stove or fire pit.

That’s the sort of trick-or-treat night I could get behind.

I suppose we should also leave a bowl of Quality Street and bottle of hand sanitizer on the doorstep and wave at the hardcore trick-or-treaters from the safety of the upstairs window.

Whatever you decide, have a Happy COVID-safe Halloween!

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LO CA L A DV E RT I S I N G F E AT U R E

Beauty at The Batt House

THE BATT HOUSE IS A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS BASED IN BEDLINGTON, OFFERING A RANGE OF MEDICAL AESTHETICS AND BEAUTY TREATMENTS

C

laire Battista is an experienced Independent Nurse Prescriber who decided to venture into medical aesthetics by setting up her home based medical spa - The Batt House.

Claire said “As an experienced nurse I was looking for a new challenge. I felt aesthetics was an amazing opportunity to combine my nursing expertise with my love for beautification”.

The Batt House, located in Bedlington, always prides itself on ensuring a high-quality service. All their aesthetics treatments are based upon a medical model ensuring that all patients have thorough consultations, including taking a detailed medical history to ensure a patient’s suitability for treatments, with full aftercare provided. Claire is fully trained, qualified and insured to offer medical grade skin treatments, basic and advanced dermal filler treatments such as lip fillers, cheek filler and jawline filler, along with Botox anti-wrinkle treatments.

When patients are booked in for a treatment such as dermal filler or Botox, Claire works in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct to ensure patient safety and suitability before a treatment is carried out.

Claire stated “As a nurse, when treating my patients, their safety and ensuring they have a good understanding of the treatment is of the utmost importance to me”.

Claire regularly travels the country carrying out training to ensure her knowledge and skills are up to date.

Claire has her next training course booked so, from December, will be offering patients advanced Botox treatments such as neck lifts, underarm sweating, and treatment for migraines.

Claire explains “We have been privileged in The Batt House to be able to meet and treat our fantastic patients and clients. I get such job satisfaction from treating my patients whether it be a skin treatment, Botox or filler. Being able to boost my patient’s confidence and make them feel better about themselves through a treatment is so rewarding”. It’s 10

“For anyone unsure about which aesthetics treatments would best suit their needs, Claire is happy to arrange a consultation to discuss treatment options.” clear to see Aesthetic Nursing is an absolute passion for Claire.

For anyone unsure about which aesthetics treatments would best suit their needs, Claire is happy to arrange a consultation to discuss treatment options.

Claire’s daughters Charlotte and Jessica joined her in The Batt House to offer their beauty treatments too.

They are highly skilled and trained brow, lash and nail technicians.

Claire said “It’s been great for us to build a business together; we love

working together because we are such a close family and are all so motivated and just love the positive impact a treatment has for everyone we meet in The Batt House.

“Charlotte and Jessica, like me, have travelled the country to train in the latest brow, lash and gel nail techniques. We are constantly looking at new trends and treatments. Our focus is always on high quality treatments, that’s why we do so much research and training for any treatments we provide.”

You can find a full treatment list and gift cards on The Batt House Facebook or Instagram: @batthousecc Bookings can be made through direct message on social media or via email: thebatthouse@yahoo.com

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

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

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TUTORING WITH PROVEN RESULTS • •• •• ••

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TUTORING WITH PROVEN RESULTS If you have any concerns over missed education this year and are considering tuition, Morpeth based Maximize Education can help

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ndividual tuition can make a huge difference to a student’s confidence and academic success, but finding the right tutor is not always easy.

However, the answer might be right here in Morpeth, in the shape of Christine Jamieson and the Maximize Education team!

The Maximize Education concept began over 15 years ago, when Christine wanted to professionalise out-of-school tuition services, so that parents could be assured that tutors were fully qualified, DBS checked and had undergone safe recruitment procedures. This would also ensure professional tutors could work within a dedicated, fully-equipped environment with access to ongoing training opportunities and personal development.

She wanted parents and students to be able to access as many subject tutors as they needed for individual tuition within one place, so that subjects could be alternated or rotated as required to ensure convenience and best use of time and money.

But, most importantly, Christine wanted students to enjoy their tuition, reduce their learning or examination anxiety, build their confidence, and nurture their learning journey so they could achieve their absolute best.

The first centre opened in Gosforth, shortly followed by the Morpeth Tuition Centre, based at 32a Newgate Street. Maximize Education is now a team of twelve highly qualified educators, covering an extensive range of subjects from Key stage 2 through to A-level, in addition to undergraduate support and adult learning and alternative education

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provision for home-schoolers.

Tutors deliver both supportive and examination focused tuition using proven methods, developed and perfected to ‘Nurture Knowledge and Maximize Success.’ All tuition is delivered 1:1 with an individual learning programme put in place for each student whether you attend the centre in person or take online tutorials.

The events of 2020 have provoked dramatic changes in the way education is delivered. Maximize Education have spent lockdown gaining further qualifications themselves, and developing their online learning platform to compliment individual tutorials.

The centre has also undergone an extensive refurbishment to ensure COVID19 safety for their staff and students. They have put in place individual (self-contained) tuition pods, complete with 2 metre distancing between student and tutor, desk screens and hand sanitising stations. Stationery and resources are provided for each student individually and all staff wear face shields and masks. Tuition pods are sanitized after each student and timetables are staggered to assist social distancing.

Individual tuition is available at the Morpeth Centre or online, between 9am – 8.30pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 4pm Saturdays.

If you have any concerns over missed education this year and are considering tuition, get in touch.

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k an Boo ment int appo day to

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FE ATURE

Luxury Living in Stannington

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON EXECUTIVE BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT

H

usband and wife team Alan and Victoria, of Altoria Development, are returning to Stannington Station to build more of their stunning, executive bungalows.

The couple began their development venture in 2016 with a passion to build bespoke bungalows in the North-East. From Morpeth themselves, they found their first development in Stannington Station and obtained planning permission for fourteen bungalows at Furrow Grove, all of which were snapped up and sold off-plan. Since then they have expanded their portfolio to Oakfield Grove, Blyth, an intimate development of four bungalows.

Alan said “We are delighted to be returning to Stannington Station to build a sister site to Furrow Grove.

Ridge Grove will maintain the high quality and executive specification that is expected of Altoria Development. This development has three different bungalow types and are all three-bedroom homes; each home is fully adaptable and provides all of the benefits of one-storey living.”

Ridge Grove offers each buyer the opportunity to design their new home without the responsibility of 14

“Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of the exceptional homes. ” managing a self-build. With bespoke Kitchens including choice of stone worktop, co-ordinated cabinetry and all integrated appliances included as standard. Villeroy and Boch bathroom and ensuite both fully tiled. Flooring is included throughout and there is a choice of internal oak doors and finishings. Farrow and Ball colours throughout and all offering double garages with electric doors.

Victoria explained “Ridge Grove will be a gated private development and offer luxury before you even step into one of our exceptional homes. The bungalow’s have been designed to compliment the nearby surroundings of the Northumberland countryside and has been placed delicately into the heart of the wonderful community that is Stannington Station.”

Stannington Station has the luxury of a wonderful Farm Shop and cafe with facilities for young children to

play, garage and convenience store all a few minutes walk from Ridge Grove. Slightly further afield is the village of Stannington with a quaint pub and village hall. The historic market town of Morpeth is only a few miles away which provides an abundance of shops, boutiques, excellent schools, doctors and dentists.

Alan and Victoria have begun the initial construction of what will become a beautiful development, with completions taking place from early 2021. Prices from £445,000 onwards.

To request the sales literature please contact Altoria Development on 01670 432603 alternatively email info@altoriadevelopment.co.uk

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BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT, STANNINGTON

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

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

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RE CIPE

CINDER TOFFEE

Part science experiment and part sweet treat.

This is fun for the kids and perfect for Halloween and bonfire night.

Tip!

Pour melted chocolate over the shards for the ultimate cinder toffee treat.

Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes (plus cooling) Serves: Depends how sweet your tooth is!

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INGREDIENTS 165g demerara sugar 165g caster sugar 60ml golden syrup 4 tbsp water 15g butter, diced, plus extra to grease Pinch of salt 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda

3.

You will also need a kitchen thermometer

5.

METHOD 1. Generously grease an approximately 24cm square tin.

2. Put the bicarbonate of soda within easy reach of the hob.

6.

4.

Place both sugars, syrup, water, and butter in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan with a pinch of salt. (Make sure it is a deep pan or the 'science bit' will go horribly wrong!).

Heat gently, stirring, until the sugars and butter have dissolved, then turn up the heat slightly and bring to the boil. Simmer until it reaches 138C turns amber and bubbles - this will take about 10-15 minutes.

When the mixture gets to temperature, remove it from the heat and quickly and thoroughly whisk in the bicarb. It will foam and grow alarmingly. The kids will love it!

Pour the foamy mixture into the tin and leave to set. When cold get the kids to smash it into pieces.

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SUDOKU

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

Watch out!

Sudoku is highly addictive.

WORDSEARCH Can you find all of the species of apple hidden in the grid?

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Alkmene Beryl Bismark Braeburn Cameo Crispin Elstar Empire Fiesta Forge Fuji Gala Gavin George Cave Golden Delicious Harvey Idared Jazz Jupiter Kanzi Katy Kent

Lemoen Liberty Lodi Margil Mother Nonpareil Pearl Polka Queen Rival Saturn Spartan Sunset

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Give Gum Disease The Brush Off Joanne Duggan, principal dental surgeon at Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice, explains the perils of gum disease

WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?

When your gums are sore, inflamed, swollen, bleed or infected this is gum disease. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?

Gingivitis means ‘inflammation of the gums'. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the inflamed gums bleed when you clean your teeth. Some people are scared to keep brushing if their gums bleed, but it is really important to continue to do so. Spitting blood out is certainly not pleasant but if you stop cleaning you will not remove the harmful plaque and bacteria that cause the gum inflammation.

So persevere, keep brushing, and with good oral hygiene at home the gum inflammation should improve.

It is however important to visit your dental team to get the correct advice about your gums and how best to clean your teeth at home and monitor your gum health.

WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

Teeth are held into place by the jaw bone which is under the gum. When healthy there is usually a very small space where the tooth meets the gum. If there is gum disease, this space between the tooth and gum gets bigger forming a deeper space called a pocket.

The deeper the pocket or space surrounding the tooth, the less the tooth is attached to the gum and the more difficult it is to clean; harmful plaque and bacteria can get under the gum and destroy the gum attachment further but also destroy the bone anchoring the tooth.

This bone loss leads to the tooth becoming loose and if periodontal disease is not treated can ultimately lead to the loss of a tooth.

Gum disease has been linked with other medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, poor pregnancy outcomes and dementia. Although more research is needed to understand the exact link, there is evidence that having a healthy mouth and gums can help improve your general health.

Continued on next page 23

...continued

COMPLICATIONS OF PERIODONTAL DISE ASE

• Bad breath or halitosis • Blood on your toothbrush or in the toothpaste you spit out after cleaning your teeth • Bad taste in your mouth • Abscesses • Receding gums • Loose teeth • Loss of teeth

WHAT CAUSES GUM DISEASE AND HOW DO I TRY TO PREVENT IT?

All gum disease is caused by plaque due to the harmful bacteria it contains. There is also a link to periodontal disease with a family history (hereditary), stress, hormonal and diabetes. Smoking too has a strong link with periodontal disease and the advice to all smokers is to stop smoking.

To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you attend the dentist for regular examinations and also for any necessary treatment.

However treatment at the dentist or hygienist will not be successful unless you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. I'm afraid there is a lot of homework for you to do in between dental appointments; you cannot rely on your 3 monthly hygienist visits to do all the work for you.

Treatment of periodontal disease will not be successful if you don't clean the plaque off your teeth; your plaque removal at home must be impeccable to remove the harmful bacteria to prevent the disease process progressing. I cannot stress the importance of this enough! Without good plaque removal at home then the disease process will continue. So you must: 1. Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, especially before bed 2. Clean interdentally every day. Your dental team will advise you of the best products for you to use for every area of your mouth. Examples of some of the products are floss, interdental brushes and single tufted brushes.

SMOKING AND GUM DISEASE

There is a definite link between smoking and gum disease, so if you are a smoker, stopping is one of the best ways to improve your gum health. Smokers tend 24

to have more hard calculus and plaque, plus smoking reduces the blood supply to the gums. This means infected gums do not heal as well and the reduced blood supply could mask the symptoms of gum disease (bleeding gums in particular). So, if you are a smoker it really is worth the health benefit for your gums if you quit.

WHY VISITING YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR GUM HEALTH

When you visit the dentist, they will screen you for any gum disease by performing a basic periodontal examination (BPE). The dentist will gently feel around your teeth and gums and assess the pocket depths (looseness of the gums), and if there is any bleeding, plaque and calculus. The dentist will then have a score for your gums that will indicate both the condition of your gums and also the treatment that is needed. X-rays may also be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can be prescribed for you.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

If you have gum disease you may need multiple appointments with your dental team. They will remove all plaque and calculus, (hard deposits) from your teeth and show you how to remove plaque successfully yourself, so you can thoroughly and effectively clean all the surfaces of your teeth. A good oral care routine at home with brushing and interdental cleaning is the most important thing you can do to help prevent gum disease getting worse.

Once your teeth are clean, your dental team may need to treat the roots of the teeth, under the gums. This would involve cleaning under the gums to flush out any

Bedlingtonshire

Dental Practice

bacteria deep in the pockets. Your gums will then be reassessed to see if there has been improvement. If there is improvement then you will need to have a maintenance treatment plan, but if there is no improvement or worsening you may be offered more specialist treatment or even a referral to see a dentist whom specialises in periodontal disease for further help.

WHAT HAPPENS IF GUM DISEASE IS NOT TREATED?

Unfortunately, if you do not go regularly to the dentist you may not notice the destruction caused by gum disease until you have an abscess or loose tooth or bleeding/sore gums. Over a number of years, disease progression can lead to loss of the bone supporting the teeth, leading to tooth mobility, infections and tooth loss. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can also be more difficult. It is vital you visit your dentist/hygienist regularly whom will monitor your gum health and advise you of the best treatment needed for you. Periodontal disease treatment is not a quick fix; it needs a lot of motivation and commitment from you the patient. Without good plaque removal at home, gum disease will not improve.

Even after gum disease treatment, your gum health will need to be monitored regularly and maintained.

IF I HAVE IMPLANTS, CAN I STILL GET PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

You can still get gum problems around implants that can lead to loss of the bone surrounding and supporting the dental implant. This bone loss can lead to the failure of an implant and it may need to be removed. This condition is called peri-implantitis. It is really important with implants that the surrounding gum health is good with excellent removal of plaque at home every day. It is important to visit your dentist/hygienist to get the appropriate advice on how best to clean your implants and to receive the correct maintenance.

IN CONCLUSION

“Brushing your teeth and cleaning interdentally every day will help to keep gum disease at bay”.

References www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/caring-for-teeth/gum-disease www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gum-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx British Society of Periodontology; Basic Periodontal Examination(BPE). Mar 2016

There is no cure for periodontal disease, but it can be controlled as long as you keep up the home care you have been taught by your dental team. The success of gum disease treatment and maintaining stable gum health relies very heavily on good plaque removal and oral hygiene at home to remove the harmful bacteria that drives this disease process. This message is so important; I'm sure you are sick of reading it but I don't think I've repeated myself enough!!!! Yes I do encourage (nag) my patients just as much to brush their teeth twice a day and to use interdental cleaning products every day. (If they do it, they get the benefit of good gum health plus I stop nagging!)

■ If you’re concerned about gum disease and you’d like to book a dental examination, contact Bedlingtonshire Dental Practice on 01670 828402. www.bedlingtonshiredental.co.uk 25

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LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Bring your Polaroid Camera back to life

Do you have an old Polaroid camera languishing in a cupboard? Now is the perfect time to bring it back to life.

Polaroid Originals is the company that rose from the ashes of the discontinuation of Polaroid instant film in 2008 and is dedicated to analogue instant photography in the original, iconic format.

Back then, a number of chemical suppliers that existed solely to provide Polaroid with chemistry for film production went out of business. And over the course of the last decade some of the chemistry used in film production became unavailable for commercial use. Polaroid Originals faced the challenge of reinventing analogue instant photography with the chemistry available, and over the past nine years has been gradually improving the processing and quality of instant film.

Launched on September 13th, 2017, the 80th anniversary of the founding of Polaroid, Polaroid Originals makes instant film for Polaroid cameras, and refurbishes vintage cameras so they’re good as new.

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and a powerful flash to give you great photos every time, and this newly improved Viewfinder model makes framing your photos even more intuitive than before. Plus with its long-lasting rechargeable battery, you’ll always be ready to shoot, whether you’re on a brief excursion or a journey round the world.

Now is the time to reacquaint yourself with instant analogue photography in an increasingly digital world.

Photographic retailer, FotoSnaps are your local stockist for Polaroid Originals products.

The Wallsend retailer offers a range of colour and black and white film for your vintage Polaroid camera, and they also have the new Polaroid OneStep 2 instant cameras available if you’re interested in starting a new hobby!

Call the shop or pop in store for more details.

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H E A LT H

OBESITY AND COVID-19 WHAT IS THE LINK?

By Louise Addison

COVID-19 and its effects have scared us all, health professionals and public alike.

We’re still learning about the virus, but one fact has been all over the news in the past couple of months.

Obese people (people with a BMI over 30) are more at risk of complications. Why is this? Most of my friends with BMIs close to, or greater than 30, seem perfectly healthy individuals. Should they be worried?

In order to answer this question, we need to look at the immune system.

When we catch a virus our body’s defence system is triggered, and inflammation occurs. This is due to our all-purpose innate immune response, which serves as the first wave against foreign invaders. Blood flow increases to the infected area causing redness and swelling. When your nose blocks and becomes red when you catch a cold, that’s inflammation.

This reaction is caused by white blood cells called macrophages and the proteins they produce called cytokines. It’s the cytokines which trigger inflammation. Usually this inflammation is simply a sign that our body is releasing the hormones and proteins which activate our white blood cells to kickstart the recovery process, and ultimately defeat the infection. No inflammation means no defence… and that’s bad.

SO WHY IS OBESITY A PROBLEM? Well it turns out that white blood cells aren’t the only type of cell that have the ability to produce those inflammation-inducing cytokines.

Fat cells (adipocytes) can also do this. Scientists have learned that fat is an active endocrine organ, one that can secrete a whole host of proteins and chemicals, including 30

“Back in 2009, doctors in Spain noticed that overweight and obese patients were being admitted to intensive care units in disproportionate numbers and took longer to recover than nonobese or overweight individuals.” inflammatory cytokines.

When your body keeps adding adipose tissue (fat) cytokines are released by your fat cells, triggering inflammation. Researchers even characterised obesity as ‘…a state of low-grade, chronic inflammation.’

This means that an obese body has its immune system permanently switched on and is therefore in a constant state of inflammation.

Over time this can lead to the development of both minor and major illness and conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO COVID-19?

Back in 2009 the H1N1 Swine Flu was at its most virulent, doctors in Spain noticed that overweight and obese patients were being admitted to intensive care units in disproportionate numbers and took

longer to recover than non-obese or overweight individuals. Their increased risk was attributed to the excess number of pro-inflammatory cytokines in their bodies.

Researchers in Canada then analysed the flu records for the previous 12 years and found that people who were obese were statistically more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory diseases than those whose BMI was in the normal range. They concluded that obese people were an “at risk” population during flu seasons due to their compromised immune response.

As we go into the winter and the risk of a second wave of coronavirus, if you have a BMI over 30 it makes sense to try to bring it down and minimise your risk. Talk to your GP.

LOCAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Singing Comes To The Fore During Lockdown

Ashington & District It seems that for the last few months was there have Male Voice Choir been weekly reports or programmes on television about groups coming together through the various formed around the social media apps to enjoy singing and even forming choirs and this has also been so in some of our own time this picture of local areas and communities. One significant result of this has been the expression of enjoyment and fun High byMarket experienced many of thosewas who hadtaken never even publicise when it’s about to resume and then hopefully a thought about joining in a ‘sing along’ and who then said few more gents who have been inspired by the publicity c1916. that they hope it would continue. It’s been recognised for that choral or community singing has received will be many years that singing is good for the body and mind willing to come and ‘give us a try’. Rehearsals are on The Choir has a long and recent experiences both locally and nationally have Thursday evenings at 7-00pm in Stakeford & Bomarsund shown this to be case, Social Welfare Centre. This is a community choir open and proud heritage and looking for more Unfortunately choirs have not been able to meet tois now to all gents and there are no auditions or a need to rehearse and concerts have not been possible but this read music, just a desire to give it try and enjoy the hassingers not stifled enthusiasm and hopefully thisand will soon to rehearse perform repertoire athelped friendshipaof new the choir which over the years has begin to change but social distancing is obviously difficult to raise many thousands of pounds for local and regional forvenues choirs of all sizes.

Ashington & District Male Voice throughout the County. charitable and voluntary organisations. Newcomers Choir has unfortunately had to suspend operations but is are given the opportunity to join us on a six week trial anxious to resume rehearsals as soon as the all clear is be basis just to see if we’re for you. Why not visit us on All ages and abilities will made welcome, there’s no given and members can enjoy singing again but having www,ashingtonmalevoicechoir.org or on Facebook. You to be one meter apart and is not easy.

The choir will certainly able to find on ‘Youtube’. audition, you don’t needmight to even bebeable tousread music.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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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.

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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.

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LOCAL FE ATUR E

Combat Academic Losses from Lockdown with Art

Jenn Diaz, Director at Turpentyne Fine Art Classes, discusses how the Arts can enrich child development during Covid and beyond 2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenge and devastating losses. These past few months have turned our adult worlds upside down.

Imagine for a moment the distinctly different challenge this has been for young people. Our children are living through this whilst their bodies and minds are undergoing essential physical and cognitive development. The upending of their routines has for many led to a significant drop in educational and social stimuli. Four months on, and our children are desperate to see their friends, to return to their familiar routines, and to find an outlet for expressing everything on their minds.

Gerhard Richter once said “Art is the highest form of hope” For Turpentyne Fine Art Classes, located on Ashburton Road in Gosforth, this sentiment has always been amongst our guiding principles. Now, in the world of 2020, access to the arts has never been more important.

Our children are experiencing an event that will transform their lives, for better or worse. Art equips them with the tools to process and express their thoughts and feelings as they develop healthy emotional responses to our ever-changing world.

Not only is art a way to express oneself creatively, but it is also an essential tool for learning and cognitive development. Studies have shown that children who participate in the arts are more likely to achieve and excel academically.

Educators understand that the critical and abstract thinking processes used in art lead to the better understanding of academic subjects such as languages, science, and maths.

At Turpentyne, we aim to provide this enrichment. We understand that art is essential for our growth and development as emotionally healthy human beings. Art is particularly important for children, as additionally they are developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Creating a drawing or painting requires visual 34

measurement, an understanding of line, form, and composition. It requires fine motor skills to manipulate mediums and accurately execute the process of putting pencil to paper.

At Turpentyne we have always offered a calm and soothing environment where our students can be creative as they learn the “how to” of art. That still holds true, but the new challenge of Covid has inspired us to adapt, so that we can keep our students safe whilst still completing our mission of providing the highest quality art instruction.

We are truly thankful for the unique opportunity we have to continue making a difference in the lives of so many children in the Northeast. We are looking forward to seeing all our students creating art in the Turpentyne studio again! www.Turpentyne.com

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

ENJOY YOUR CONSERVATORY ALL YEAR ROUND

If you’re fed up with your conservatory being either freezing cold or blistering hot, then Thermos Roof have the answer

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onservatories have become synonymous with the traditional English home. The first ever Conservatory in the UK was constructed in 1825 and to date there are now approximately 4 million. It is estimated that they can add up to 5% to the value of your property, which makes it a significant asset to your home.

Conservatories 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 that, whilst they bring all of those benefits, it is usually short lived and can only be enjoyed for 2 months of the year, the rest of those months being either freezing cold or blisteringly hot.

Thermosroof have been insulating conservatory roofs since 2005 for two main reasons, the first 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 Thermosroof they 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 they can do this all in one day! With no mess!

They retain your existing polycarbonate or glass roof and insulate it form the inside, finishing 38

it in an attractive gloss white tongue and groove PVC cladding that matches perfectly with the rest of your conservatory construction. The materials they use are lightweight therefore no roof strengthening is required, no planning application is necessary and no long periods of mess & upheaval in your home. in addition to this the look and finish of your Thermosroof will be as fresh in 10 years as it is now.

The performance of their 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.

They can install a Thermosroof 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 the Thermosroof 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 they guarantee that you will be amazed with both the improved appearance and the insulating performance of your new roof.

The team offer a free quotation service for the installation of your Thermosroof 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.

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

GARDENING

GARDEN VIEW

BEAUTIFUL BERBERIS

By Rachael Leverton

Berberis thunbergii are deciduous shrubs which look particularly fabulous at this time year, producing highly coloured leaves, and often berries which last well into winter. These berries are actually edible and rich in vitamin C though, because they are very acidic, they are not widely consumed by people. They are an important food for many small birds though. They get their other name of 'barberry bush' because of their vicious spines. This makes them useful as an impenetrable barrier hedge and may be another reason why the berries aren’t harvested much!

Like the colourful Japanese Maple, they originate from Eastern Asia. Berberis vary in colour according to the cultivar and variety. The common Berberis thunbergii have green leaves in spring and summer which turn rich burgundy in autumn. If you'd like the purple colour all year round choose Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea, which has purple leaves in spring that turn rich mahogany in autumn. Though Berberis are generally grown for their autumn colour, they are a hard-working shrub, and produce a mass of tiny yellow flowers in spring, providing interest at either end of the year.

40

There is a Berberis for most gardens: They can grow to a maximum height and spread of 1.5m, but there are now dwarf forms which grow to just 50cm, try 'Tiny Gold' or 'Lutin Rouge'.

They grow best in full sun but also tolerate partial shade. They do well in most soil types, and even do well in drought, but will thrive particularly well in well drained moist soil. Their easy-going nature extends to aftercare, as they are generally pest-free and require little attention, other than a trim to tidy them up periodically. If you don't

have much space or mainly grow in containers on a balcony 'Lutin Rouge' does very well in a pot.

Mid-September to October, and mid-March to April are the best times to plant so now is the perfect time. Dig a hole double the width of the root ball. Sprinkle in a handful of blood, fish and bone and work into the ground. Place the plant into the hole, fill in with soil around the root ball and firm the soil down gently but firmly, finish by watering well. They will appreciate being mulched with well-rotted organic matter in late spring, but they aren't fussy; grass cuttings will do fine.

My absolute favourite is Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration'. This lovely plant has extremely attractive orange-red foliage, edged with yellow, and forms an attractive mound shape.

Its masses of small yellow flowers in the spring followed by purplecrimson berries in autumn make it the most perfect Berberis in my opinion.

Happy gardening.

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BOOKS

A GOOD READ

By Willow Coby

SALVAGE THE BONES

by Jesmyn Ward

It was a storm that made headlines around the world. In August 2005 Katrina hit the Louisiana coast causing great loss of life and destruction to New Orleans and the surrounding area. This award-winning novel, set over a period of 12 days, tells the story of the Batiste family who live in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage.

Esch is 15 years old and lives with her three brothers and their father. Isolated from the rest of the small town due to the location of their house, they live in extreme poverty, with a largely absent father who, seven years after the death of his wife, still relies on drink to get through the day. So, with the news of a category 5 storm is about to hit they begin to prepare what they can and stockpile a small amount of food.

Each chapter is one day in the build up to the storm.

Randall, the eldest is trying to do what he can to hold his family together. Skeetah is preoccupied with his pit-bull fighting dog, China, who has just given birth to puppies.

Junior, the youngest, is trying to hold his own against his older brothers. And Esch has just discovered that she is pregnant.

A captivating story with engaging characters, immerses you in their world, illustrated by a touch of Greek mythology thanks to a book that Esch (the narrator) is reading for school. The penultimate chapter will have your heart racing but ultimately this is the story of family love that survives despite the poverty and deprivation.

CALL THE MIDWIFE

by Jennifer Worth

If in lockdown you re-watched the entire wonderful BBC series Call the Midwife, you might want to take the time to read the books on which it’s based. Jennifer Worth’s bestselling memoirs recall stories of life, birth and death in London’s East End during the 1950’s.

It opens as Jennifer – then fresh-faced young Jenny Lee – arrives at Nonnatus House, a community of nuns who provide midwifery and district nursing for the close-knit families of the dockers of Poplar, and follows her as she lives and learns amongst them.

Jenny is an honest and sympathetic narrator, quick to point out her own failings. The nuns, from calm, steady Sister Julienne,w to mischievous Sister Monica Joan are 46

characterised beautifully, and Jenny’s fellow midwives are a memorable bunch. But it is the people of the East End who burst from the pages – from terrified runaways to hardy mothers of four (and even twenty four!), from seedy pimps to rough and ready dockers, all are described so vividly that they practically step out to meet you.

The backdrop is almost a character in itself. As the book progresses, the reader begins to understand something of the history of the area – bombed heavily during the war, it has not recovered by the time Jenny arrives, and many families are caught in limbo, unable to do anything about their appalling living conditions. This element is explored in further detail in the subsequent volumes of the trilogy, particularly in ‘Shadows of the Workhouse’.

And, of course, there are the birth stories. Every birth is different, and the book contains comic, tragic and poignant experiences. Worth balances human interest and medical detail deftly, never talking down to the reader but never baffling them with complex terminology, as she guides us through the emotions as well as the technicalities. For anyone with an interest in birth, midwifery, social history or just a good story, this is a must read.

THE CAT IN THE HAT/ DR SEUSS’ SLEEP BOOK

by Dr Seuss

You can never have too much nonsense in your life – especially not if you are under eight years old – and if you want nonsense, then Dr Seuss is the absolute master.

These two classics are a must for every child’s bookshelf.

The Cat in the Hat is a cautionary tale of sorts – never let strange felines into your home. One wet and cold day, the narrator and his sister make the mistake of opening the door to the eponymous cat, only for him to wreak rhyming havoc on their home. Children delight in each new calamity, and the rollicking rhythm carries you along to the end.

Dr Seuss’s Sleep Book is a calmer tale, ideal for bedtimes, but still with the same humour and pizazz.

Featuring an array of strange and sleepy creatures, from the Chippendale Mupp to the Hinkle Horn Honkers, the ‘Who’s Asleep Score ‘ gradually grows until the very last sleeper is needed – you!

Illustrated in the author’s bold and distinctive style, these books stand repeated reading. Which is just as well, as you’ll be asked for them again, and again, and again....

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