Dec2013

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DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE 31

FREE www.affinitymag.co.uk

December 2013

MILLMAN

JEWELLERS OF DISTINCTION 2 Church Arcade Bedford Tel: 01234 354026 Sunday opening and extended weekday hours during December

AFFINITY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Hair & Beauty Look gorgeous this festive season

WIN! WIN! WIN! Giveaways galore

The Christmas Special BEAUTY - FOOD - DRINK - HEALTH - FITNESS - STYLE - INTERIORS - MOTORS - WHAT’S ON

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PRESENTS

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BOOK BO B OO O OK O K NOW NO N OW O W

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MURDER MYSTERY MYSTERY EVENING AT AT MOGGERHANGER PA PARK ARK T he o wner, Max V alentine, and staff staff of the acclaimed acclaimed Introduction Introduction Agency Agency - Love’s Love’s Great Great The owner, Valentine, A dventure – a re ho sting a celebration celebration dinner for for past past couples couples who met through through LGA LGA and Adventure are hosting po tential singles who a re thinking of joining the most most dedicated dedicated introduction introduction agency agency in the potential are rregion. egion. atching L GA’s su ccess with e nvy, spite spite and malicious intent. intent. Max H owever, someone is w However, watching LGA’s success envy, ork as a ‘ho st’ ffor or De stiny D ating. “…A rather rather more more ‘inferior’ ‘inferior ’ dating dating agency.” agency.” used tto ow work ‘host’ Destiny Dating.

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FOR ALL STAND BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT JANE 01234 215523 - 07507 602401 - jane@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk

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Anglia Interiors Trading since 1974 Members of the KBSA

NEW SHERATON SHOWROOM NOW OPEN!

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WE OPERATE OUR VERY OWN EXCLUSIVE “NEVER UNDERSOLD” POLICY WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON A TRUE “LIKE FOR LIKE” PACKAGE A FAMILY COMPANY Installing quality, affordable kitchens, bedrooms and home offices since 1974

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OFFERING UNRIVALLED SECURITY FROM DEPOSIT THROUGH TO INSTALLATION www.kbsa.org.uk

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Welcome...

Hi everyone I love Christmas and this month Affinity is full of festive joy, we have a sack full of Christmas present ideas to suit everyone, lots of festive fun in our ‘What’s On’ pages, dresses that will make you look like a movie star at all those Christmas parties you’ll be attending, tips on how to have a stress free Christmas and loads more, you’ll be spoilt for choice what to read first.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime and we have TWO - Snow White and the Seven Dwarf’s at Milton Keynes Theatre and Sleeping Beauty at The Royal & Derngate in Northampton, you’ll be spoilt for choice what one to attend. We have a family ticket for both of them to giveaway turn to page 71 and page 75 to enter.

We have your Christmas chocolate indulgence all wrapped up with our Hotel Chocolat Christmas Giveaway turn to page 45.

Ladies don’t forget to book your ticket for our Ladies night on Thursday 30th January at one of our favourite places The Embankment, you won’t be disappointed page 11 gives you all the details and page 22 gives you tips on party style hair so you can WOW on the night.

Finally, I want to raise a glass of bubbly to all my family, friends, readers and advertisers and wish them a wonderful Christmas and Thank You all for your support in 2013 – Merry Christmas!

See you in 2014

Jane x

Jane Fry Editor jane@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 215523 07507 602401

Julia Crofts Advertising Manager Julia@affinitymag.co.uk O1234 215523 07966 696784

Vadisoro Design dave@affinitymag.co.uk 01234 215523 @vadisoro

Cover Image Olvi’s www.olvistrend.com All adverts are printed in good faith.

Affinity cannot take responsibility for the content of adverts.

Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are accurate.

@affinitymagz facebook.com/AffinityMag

Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

linkedin.com/pub/jane-zita-fry

Printed in the UK by Regal Litho 01908 270400 www.regallitho.co.uk

www.affinitymag.co.uk

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CONTENTS 14 Christmas party lips 18 Xmas fitness list 25 This month’s hot picks

48 52 55 62 66

Perfect Xmas pudding Bubbles by Taittinger Tis the season All about....

Subaru supreme

26 Glitz & glamour 33 Christmas gift guide 42 Festive family learning

45 WIN! Hotel Chocolat goodies

68 Winter wonderland 74 What’s on

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Ladies Night

Bubbles Butlers in the Buff Canapes Fun & Games Ultimate Still Life Male Drawing Raffle Goody Bag

Thursday 30th January 2014 7.30pm – Late

The Embankment, Bedford, MK40 3PD For Tickets please contact: Jane: 01234 215523 / 07507 602401 jane@affinitymag.co.uk

Tickets £30 per person

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Spices to Protect your Health over the

WINTER MONTHS

Ginger Fresh ginger is a spice that really needs to be in every kitchen. Whilst fresh ginger suits everyone, once it’s dried its character changes and it becomes hotter and more astringent. But as a warming spice it really is the best winter warmer and unsurpassed as a cold and flu remedy. Fresh ginger lemon – 1 tablespoon of each and honey on a cold winter’s night Wonderful! But, how about adding a clove of garlic to increase its potency in fighting cold bugs, or even some cayenne pepper to help increase circulation! It really is a positive power house of antioxidants and phyto-chemicals to boost your immune system.

countries can be highly toxic, whilst the Chinese variety is considered safe. It can also be used for rheumatism, as it warms the body internally.

Cinnamon Cinnamon and honey is a great remedy for your child when they go down with a cold. It’s a lovely warming and sweet tasting spice, which children will love. 1 teaspoon of local honey mixed with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon taken straight from the spoon at the first sign of a cold. However, do not give children under one years of age honey. Also make sure you have Cinnamomum zeylanicum and not Cinnamomum cassia (the really thick bark).

Cardamom Cardamom is a lovely aromatic spice grown predominantly in Southern India. It is very helpful for asthmatic, productive coughs, and chronic mucous. It is added to tea throughout the winter as part of a spiced chai and all dairy drinks and puddings to reduce the mucous building effects of dairy products.

Turmeric This is a powerhouse of nutrients and anti-oxidants that help in the fight against many diseases, including many cancers, it is also good as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis sufferers; as well as helping to reduce the harmful LDL cholesterol. It is great for digestion and heart health. Taken in warm water (up to 3 teaspoons with added cinnamon and honey), if you don’t like the taste. However, for cold and flu bacteria virus it contains manganese and potassium for immune strength to fight the virus Added to food, rice dishes, casseroles, lentil dhals, meat tenderiser. The health benefits have been known for thousands of years in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese health systems. Including this spice into your food during the whole year is an absolute nobrainer for your health.

Asafoetida Is a plant resin with anti-viral properties which contains shikimic acid, which is one of the constituents of Tamiflu. In China they used it to kill the Spanish flu virus during the 1918 epidemic. It has many other uses. In Ayurveda, it’s used as a treatment for colic, elevated cholesterol levels and Irritable Bowel syndrome, to name but a few. Although it has a very potent smell, once cooked it becomes sweeter and is valuable as an alternative to onion and garlic.

So, instead of reaching for over-the counter flu remedies, here is a fantastic store-cupboard alternative: Star anise, ginger, peppermint leaves, cardamom pods and orange zest boiled. When cooled, add some honey (which is astringent and helps to dry mucous) Take 3 cups per day. Add some lemon juice before serving.

Star Anise Also contains a smaller percentage of shikimic acid and is commonly used as an anti-viral protection and treatment for colds and flu throughout the harsh winter months. It is delicious added to stewed fruit and can easily be brewed as a tea to drink regularly. Make sure you buy Chinese Star Anise as those sourced from other 12

Carolyn Wood - Herbalist and Naturopath 07944 886502

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This Party Season’s Must Have………

Lips

Gloriously Glossy

For luscious plump lips, top a pale lipstick with gloss – With a clear waxy pencil trace lips just outside the lip line this helps to prevent colour bleeding. Apply lipstick then use a brush to dab on clear gloss. DON’T rub your lips together or the colour will separate.

Magnificently Matt

When applying a matt lipstick, always exfoliate and then rub in a lip balm, blotting away any excess. Apply the lipstick with a brush and then go over it with a lip pencil in the same shade - colour-wise orange always looks good.

Superbly Stained

Purple/Pink stained lips are all the rage, they should look like you’ve eaten too many blackberries! Prep as for the matt look and blot. With your finger dab the lipstick in the middle of your lips and rub it in then blot it gently, fading towards the lip line , blur any remaining edges with a soft flat topped brush.

Glistening Glitter

Make sheeny red lipstick last by lining and filling in the lips with a pencil in the same red tone first. Then apply lipstick with a brush, for the glitter look with your finger pat on red makeup glitter.

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Affinity Calendar Girls 2014 Available to buy check our facebook page for a list of stockists Affinity Calendar Girls Help us support Breast Cancer Awareness

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Midlife Madness Festive Madness Although I hate the fact that it seems to begin in September, which in my mind is simply wrong, I must confess to loving Christmas and all its crazy traditions (what other time of the year would we deliberately put a coin in our cooking!), the busyness and the general stress and mayhem of it all.

presents bought and wrapped. But my experience over recent years has been that when I do buy presents before Christmas week, I invariably put them in a safe place. Yes you are right, a very safe place, so darned safe I can’t find them till mid-January – and it’s hard to be convincing when you try to tell someone that you did buy them a present, you just…..lost it …somewhere…in the house!

But if I wrap the early bird presents, so that they don’t need to be hidden I either find inquisitive family members sneaking a good feel of the shape and squishiness of said present – or I forget what on earth it was and end up opening it and re-wrapping it just to reassure myself that it was something they had always wanted!

I am firmly in the ‘keep Christmas in December’ camp and have for years wondered what on earth the smug ‘I had all my presents wrapped in October’ folk DO on Christmas Eve. I mean, if they aren’t racing around like mad men, or more usually women, buying and wrapping presents, sending emails and making a list of people to phone or skype on Christmas day because they didn’t quite buy, write or post the cards, wishing they had ordered a turkey earlier and swearing blind that they thought the relatives from the Outer Hebrides were arriving AFTER Christmas as they blow up the spare, spare guest bed, what on earth are they doing??

So I guess this is another year when I won’t be shopping early. I did buy all my Christmas cards and wrapping paper in the January sale, so providing I can remember where I put them I will be well ahead on the card front.

But one of the big Christmas stresses for me is the parties.

I love the eating, drinking and socialising but as I get older it is hard to strike the right note with regard to the outfit.

Next to the challenge of trying to look sophisticated and elegant (which seems all I have left if I accept that sexy has probably gone and isn’t likely to make a comeback for me) the challenge of all the other Christmas stuff seems to pale into insignificance. I mean let’s be honest somehow on the 25th December dinner always appears on the table… somehow, most folk get a present ….of some sort and before you know it we’ll be eating cold turkey, nursing hangovers and buying cards for next Christmas - in the sales - which we’ll put in a safe place and never see again!!!

Rumour has it the organised October crew relax, drink mulled wine with friends and watch the TV with the satisfaction of knowing the cards WERE posted, the Turkey WAS ordered AND collected and the guest room(s) are definitely ready. But let’s be honest, where’s the fun in that???

Surely Christmas Eve is made to be a frantic, shopping, wrapping, organising, cooking and fretting fest! Have I made some gigantic mistake? I thought that was the whole point.

And don’t even get me started on the food shopping. What does actually possess us all – the shops are usually only closed for one day, one day – and let’s be honest even then there is probably a corner shop open somewhere within a 5 mile radius. But we take on this siege mentality, buying far more than any vaguely normal, if festively extended, family could eat or drink without risking a heart attack!

Trollies piled so high we can hardly push them, cupboards bulging, food hidden in all sorts of weird places, and of course, that is without counting the foodie presents, tins of biscuits, boxes of chocolates, port and cheese, liqueurs, cupcake packs, wine, bubbly, crisps, nuts and snacks.

Don’t get me wrong I always start December thinking I will get everything done BEFORE Christmas Day. You know, cake made, pies made, beds made, cards sent,

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CHRISTMAS all wrapped up!...

65A-67 High Street

SHARNBROOK Bedfordshire MK44 1PB Tel: 01234 781077

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YOUR CHRISTMAS FITNESS LIST

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The ultimate Christmas gift for any fitness fanatic must be a Power Plate. They range in price from £1,195-£4,995 for the home versions, so perhaps you will have to have been very, very good this year! The Power Plate is a fantastic fitness tool that helps increase strength, shape, tone and flexibility, not to mention helping to reduce cellulite too!

If your own plate is out of the budget then you could always choose some Power Plate gift vouchers instead (contact me at jules@hollgroup.com for more information on this)

Yippee it’s that time of year again when we send our lists off to Father Christmas and hope that we’re on the ‘good list’. If you’re struggling for ideas for yourself or your loved ones then why not treat them to something that will help them get fitter and healthier?

Here is my Fitness Christmas List to help you:

Insanity DVDs. Insanity is a home training DVD set, it takes 60 days to complete, with a different workout each day (there are rest days too). Each workout focuses on a different area of the body. It’s a high intensity workout where they guarantee results. Have a look at www.beachbody.co.uk then click on the Insanity link. The whole set of DVDs costs £99 + £6.95 p&p.

If your loved one enjoys yoga then you can’t go wrong with a Lululemon yoga mat. These mats are perfectly comfortable, stylish and have an antimicrobial finish to avoid nasties growing on your mat! Lululemon also make the most wonderful gym and yoga clothing, so you might want to have a nosey there too.

For the techie fitness lover then the Fitbit Flex will be a winner. The Fitbit is a wrist band that tracks your sleep pattern, your calories burned and the number of steps you’ve taken in a day then at night it monitors your sleep and silently wakes you in the morning. It syncs all your stats wirelessly to your computer or smart phone then shows you graphs of how your sleep is improving or your fitness is increasing. Prices start at £79.99, visit www.fitbit.com/uk for more information.

BPA free water bottles are all the craze now. The more we learn about the effects of plastic on our bodies the more popular the BPA free bottles are becoming. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics, especially food and drink containers. Some research has shown the BPA can seep into our food and drink which is a concern, as there are links to negative health effects on the brain, behavior and prostate glands, particularly in children and infants. There are literally hundreds of BPA free water bottles available to buy but I particularly like the Brita Fill and Go bottle (£14.99) as it filters tap water as well as being BPA free.

07808 739651

Jules@hollgroup.com

Happy Christmas Shopping!

Julie Holl

Personal Trainer

www.hollfitness.co.uk

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This Party Season’s Must Have..........

....NAILS Tangerine dream

Chanel Nail Polish Holiday £18 Nars Nail Polish Madness £14 OPI Nail Lacquer Cajun Shrimp £11.50

Purple Princess

Chanel Nail Polish Vendetta £18 Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish £11.95 NARS Nail Polish Purple Rain £14

Green Goddess Jesica Nail Polish Standing Ovation £9.75 Mac Nail Polish Jade Dragon £11 Revlon Nail Polish Emerald City

Blue Hues

Estee Lauder Midnight Metal £14.50 Essie Nail Polish Aruba Blue £7.99 Jessica Blue Blast £9.75

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STOCK TOC OC CK KU UP YOUR UR R STOCKINGS OCK KIN Visit Hotel Chocolat hoccolat in Royal Victoria ctoria Place Shopping Shoppin Centre . ellpers ar e perf ect stocking tocking gifts this his Christmas.

Ch Our little helpers £77 h b 3 re f or £6 each. h.

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Time to

The party season is practically upon us, so it’s time to start thinking about your hair and the style that is going to have you the envy of everyone at those Christmas parties.

Curls & Waves

Curls and waves are great party hair styles, not only are they versatile and stylish, they can also be adapted to suit almost any hair type or length.

1. Add a heat protection spray using a large round brush, blow dry.

2. Split into four sections – one on each side, one from the crown to the nape of the neck and one at the top 3. Use tongs to curl 4. Once tonged leave untouched for 30 minutes then put head upside down and brush into waves

Add accessories to jazz up your style

Headband £26 Glitzy Secrets

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The Sleek Ponytail

There are many ways to wear your ponytail, high or low and is everywhere on the catwalks 1. Add a heat protection spray using a large round brush, blow dry.

2. Backcomb the roots 3. Brush the rest of the hair into a ponytail 4. Secure with a hairband 5. Spray hairspray onto your hands and smooth down any flyaway hair

Deco Hair Slide ÂŁ24 Glitzy Secrets Daisy Crystal Alice Band ÂŁ12 Accessorize

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Let’s Shop!

Christmas Shopping with 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty Spa at Mercedes Benz

N

ovember saw the Annual Fifth Avenue Christmas Shopping Evening, normally held in the Fifth Avenue salon, this year was a little different with the venue being moved to the showroom of Mercedes Benz in Ampthill Road, Bedford.

As usual a fabulous night was had by all. The Mercedes showroom looked amazing with over 200 people attending the evening that offered guests drinks and canapes, professional photography, FREE treatments, competitions, product promotions, Christmas packages, wish lists, vouchers, a fantastic car simulator, musical entertainment, firemen and so much more!

Monies raised on the night from the lovely firemen washing cars and the raffle made £400 for the Firefighters Charity – so well done to Kerry Cash and her team for making this happen!

If you missed this great event don’t worry you can still take advantage of some of the Fantastic Christmas Packages they have available and remember Gift vouchers have a 6 month expiry date from date of purchase and all Christmas offers are available until Christmas Eve. Why not take a look on their website or pop over to the 5th Avenue FB to see what sparkly Christmas offers they have.

01234 341377 www.5thavenuespa.co.uk

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Eyesential Under Eye Enhancer £39.95 www.eternalcosmeceuticals.com

Janjira Therapy Candle £34 www.janjira.co.uk

Pixley Cranberry & Apple Cordial £3.69, www.pixleyberries.biz

Nicole Farhi Alphin Goat Short Coat £840.00 www.nicolefarhi.com

Betsey Johnson Women’s Stainless Steel Watch £135 www.watchshop.com

Flame Thrower Bag £130 www.sampsonandchristie.co.uk

AFFINITY HOT PICKS Silver Feather Cuff £85 www.cleasilk.com

Atkinsons of London Scented Candle £56 Harrods

Thomas J Fudges Bakery Assorted £2.25 - £4.50 Major Supermarkets

This month’s must have gifts and accessories

Baby Girl/Boy Gift Set £14.50 www.oliverbonas.com

Nanokeratin Systems Hair Mask Treatments £57.29 www.nanokeratinsystem.co.uk

BLOOM Gin & Fentimans Tonic £3.50 Sainsburys

Bloomin’ Marvellous Shoe Collection £195 www.Yull.co.uk ( from March 14)

Luu Guiness iPad Holder £125 House of Fraser

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All that glitters Teardrop Earrings £12 Next

Metallic Overlay £55 The Vestry

Dress £89 Miss Selfridge

Ben De Lisi £80 Debenhams

Dress £60 Dorothy Perkins

Per Una Necklace Marks & Spencer

Julien McDonald £45 Debenhams

Lulabelle £130 Phase Eight

Sequin Dress Very

Gem Clutch £35 Next

Gold Sequin Dress £72 The Vestry

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Lady in Red Earrings £12 Next

Dress £55 The Vestry

£89 Monsoon

Dress £325 Phase Eight

Maxi Dress £90 Wallis

Crossover Dress £60 The Vestry

Red Herring Sequin Dress £85 Debenhams

Clutch £26 Next Necklace £10 Next

Ruby Embellished Dress £199 Monsoon

Dress £59 Very

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Little black dress Earrings £15 Accessorize

Lace Midi Dress £10 Primark

Callula Dress £225 Phase Eight

Dress £65 Dorothy Perkins

Necklace £32 Accessorize

Dress £65 Wallis

Lace Back Maxi Dress £65 The Vestry

Lace Skater Dress £10 Primark

Dress £125 Next

Peplum Jumpsuit £65 Very Dress £48 Yumi

Sequin Cut Out Back £55 The Vestry

Box Clutch £45 Accessorize

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Free Christmas

Have Yourself a Merry Stress Bupa.co.uk

Christmas cards often depict idyllic scenes of cosy log fires, decorated trees and piles of perfectly wrapped presents, but the reality is that Christmas can quite often be stressful. All the organising, shopping, travel arrangements, choosing the perfect party outfit and dealing with family feuds can leave you frazzled and tempted to jet abroad until New Year.

And yet, with some careful planning and learning a few stress-busting secrets, you can enjoy a merry and stress-free Christmas with your loved ones.

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Make a list Write down all your plans in a notebook – whether it's seating plans for the big day, gift ideas, Christmas card lists or train times if you're travelling – jot it all down and have it all in one place so it's easy to refer to and cross things off your list. Also, identify when you’re at your most productive – for example, if you know that you’re a morning person, plan to do some of your most important jobs then.

birds, take out the rubbish or nip across to your neighbours to deliver a card, or simply retreat to your bedroom for a few calming deep breaths.

Look after yourself Throughout the festive season, make sure you look after yourself – go easy on caffeine and alcohol, keep hydrated, make time for doing some things you enjoy, such as having a hot bath or reading a book or seeing friends. Eat well, try to make sure you’re well rested and getting enough sleep and do some exercise – physical activity is a great stress-buster. At such a busy time of year, being in good health will help you keep your stress levels down.

Conquer the Christmas gift list The closer it gets to Christmas, the busier the shops inevitably become – if you know you won't be able to get to the high street before the hoards of shoppers descend, or the idea fills you with dread, think about shopping online or get creative and make some presents instead. If you have an interest in craft, combining your hobby and spending time making some decorations or gifts can give your brain some much needed time-out.

A conventional or quirky Christmas dinner?

If you're cooking at home, get everyone involved – ask them to set the table, peel the sprouts and spuds or wash the dishes. That way everyone can be involved and you’ll certainly all feel like you’ve earned it when you sit down to dinner together!

Alternatively, who says dinner has to be traditional?

Why not opt for a buffet and ask everyone to bring a dish?

Or if you're feeling decadent, you could eat out at a hotel or restaurant and avoid any kitchen stress altogether. Just make sure you book well in advance.

Write your Christmas cards early Pick a date in your diary in early December to write them, or alternatively, do a few each night to spread the load.

Managing relationships High expectations of all being together can cause tension, or it may be that you just don't get on well with someone in your family. If this is the case, seat yourself away from them at meal times, avoid known conversation killers or topics that spark conflict, and learn some relaxation techniques. Above all, accept that no one's perfect and family bickering is normal, regardless of what time of year it is.

Ask for help If you're hosting Christmas this year, there can be so much to organise. Cleaning the house from top to bottom, making up extra beds, catering for more people and their possible dietary needs and checking everyone is happy can feel like mammoth task. Think ahead to what you need to do and remember that you don't have to do everything by yourself. Get the family involved and ask them to pitch in.

Savour the day Remember to have fun on the day – take photos, enjoy watching your loved ones open their gifts, savour that glass of champagne, enjoy a winter walk after dinner followed by a family film, and – if you're lucky – maybe even a kiss beneath the mistletoe.

Give yourself a breather If you know that Christmas is going to be a house-full or you know you're likely to feel stressed by your situation, think about some quick escapes throughout the period where you can take a few deep breaths or have some precious time to yourself. Take a short walk, feed the

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Affinity christmas gift guide

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Just for Her Big Bag of Christmas £45 Hotel Chocolat

“V Jewellery pendant £100 Millman Bedford Peach Pink Nell Card Holder (assorted colours) £12 Claytons, Bedford

Moet House of Fraser

Signature Xmas Collection £25 Hotel Chocolat

Shabby Chic Mercury Perfume Bottle £25 House of Fraser

ROBERTS Revival DAB Digital Radio £199.95 John Lewis

Joan of Arc Boot £160 sorelfootwear.co.uk

Bag £35 Pensieri, Bedford

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Body Beautiful Box £40 Hotel Chocolat

Assorted Diamonte Glassware £4.50-£9 Pensieri, Bedford

Penhaligons Quercus Fragrance Collection £65 John Lewis

Handmade with Love & Care £9.99-£14.99 Pensieri, Bedford

Somerset By Silk Floral Lingerie Bra £45 Alice Temperley Ted Baker Hat £49 House of Fraser

Untold PJ's £150 House of Fraser

Peach Pink Emerald Tote £155 Claytons, Bedford

Real Radiance Xmas Kit Murad

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Kids World Sebastien Christmas Bear 2013 £24.95 Harrods Dasher the Reindeer £7 Hotel Chocolat

Monster Onesie £22 Next

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack in the Box £22 Debenhams Rosebud Ice Cream Van £20 ELC

Christmas Stocking £10 Hotel Chocolat

Jacques + Sienna Little Owl Necklace (3+ to adults) £29 Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, Sharnbrook

Sew your own Gingerbread £3 ELC

Monsters Inc Set £7.50 Marks & Spencer

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Baking Set £7 Next Make your own Monster Kit £8 Next

Teapot Teaser £19.50 Marks & Spencer

Hatley Bear Hat £15.95 Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, Sharnbrook

Percy Pig Money Box £12 Marks & Spencer

Jacques + Sienna Angel Wings Bracelet (3+) £29 Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, Sharnbrook

Magical Christmas Stories £8 Marks & Spencer

Lip Shimmer £3 Marks & Spencer

Hatley Ice Monster Slippers £15.95 Twinkle Twinkle Boutique, Sharnbrook

£18.40 Debenhams

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Just for Him Johnnie Walker Blue Label & Alfred Dunhill £182 Harrods

Bluebeards Revenge Privateer Collection £114.99 shavingshack.co.uk

Hat £18 Next

Scalextric Mug £9.95 Claytons, Bedford

Zambujeiro Wine £75 hotelchocolat.com

Rum Punch Chocolates £8 hotelchocolat.com

Best of British Bag £199 Marks & Spencer

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Aagaard Leather Bracelets from £46.00 Steel Beads all £19.50 Millman Bedford

Robert Graham Flowerpot Shirt £169 Claytons, Bedford

Scrabble Coasters £12.95 Claytons, Bedford

Subbuteo Wash Bag £15 Marks & Spencer Silk Dressing Gown £145 TimGarner.co.uk

Tic, Tac, Toe Cufflinks £9.95 TimGarner.co.uk Simon Carter £45 House of Fraser

Ralph Lauren Bear £35 House of Fraser

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Festive Foodie The Christmas Star Gift Hamper £37.50 Whisk Hampers

Champagne Truffles Set £15 Sainsburys at Home

Lyme Bay Double Chocolate Cream Liqueur £14 John Lewis

Gourmet Wok Set £20 Tesco

Christmas Tin £10 hotelchocolat.com

Gingerbread House £15 John Lewis Marks & Spencer

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Luxury Christmas Hamper £150 hotelchocolat.com

Jar of Italian Treats Marks & Spencer

Cappucino Set £14 Next

Sharing Board Set £16 Next

Personalised Wine £19.99 gettingpersonal.co.uk

Tape Shortbread Tin £9 Debenhams Joe & Seph's Popcorn Jars £14 Debenhams

Shotglasses with Cranberry Shot Mix £16 Next

Tape sweet Tin £12 Debenhams

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Festive Family Learning

practice, seeing how much paper it takes to cover a present, especially if the present is an unusual shape.

Christmas for many families involves a lot of very real mathematics as they try to stretch limited budgets, but it is always worth involving children and teenagers in thinking a bit about how much things cost or giving them a small budget and letting them choose certain presents for people - sometimes they can come up with some very original ideas!!

We all know that Christmas can be a crazy time, full of the busyness that goes with the season, shopping, cooking, decorating the house and tree, writing and sending cards and letters, wrapping presents - the list can seem endless.

Add a good dose of stress and it can seem like a recipe for disaster.

It is a time for lots of gatherings with family and friends, often parties with work colleagues, children and young people can have a hectic social calendar as well. So can it possibly be a time for learning?

Almost all children and young people love to cook and of course, one of the dominant features of the Christmas period is food. So as you have to DO a lot with food anyway, involve them in the shopping, the storing, the cooking AND all the stories that go with the food we eat at Christmas. Why do we eat sweet mincemeat, or Christmas cake or pudding, all those special Christmas treats that we rarely eat any other time of the year? If you don’t know yourself, then it can be a great way of you learning and that is a very powerful message for your children, that as adults you still enjoy learning new things.

We are so lucky with the internet, as that makes it all so quick and easy. But if you haven’t time then set them off on a ‘search’ to find out why and they can even enjoy teaching you!

The answer of course is yes and during any holiday from school it is helpful to encourage children to read a bit, especially if this is something they find difficult, but a lot of other activities are great for encouraging learning.

Christmas cards are probably one of the few occasions when people still put pen to paper so it’s great to involve children. If you do have friends and family living elsewhere in the UK or maybe abroad, then it can also be a time for a bit of geography. They may enjoy ‘skyping’ relatives in Australia or America but its also good to show them on a map where these places actually are.

Lots of children find estimating size quite tough, wrapping presents can be a great way for them to 42

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Remember that children and young people will be learning when you are not expecting them too. Many of us will have had the experience of a small child announcing to a relative something we said earlier – “Mummy says grandad always snores when he has a nap!” Or “Daddy says you (mother-in-law, aunt or any other relative) always interfere in the kitchen.”

wait up to collect teenagers from parties, because the party was important for the teenager, we sometimes travel a long way to spend time with friends or relatives, or we make the food we know they will love or we think long and hard about a present they will enjoy. It is what people do when they care about the people in their family and circle of friends.

In fact almost everyone will acknowledge that families can be one of the most trying parts of Christmas, so why not use the opportunity to help younger members learn valuable lessons about coping with others. It’s ok to acknowledge that we can be irritated by people even though we love them and of course, it is not just biological families that can create difficulties. One of the features of many families these days is that there may be step parents, step siblings or half parents or siblings, or both. That can certainly add a richness to the tapestry of life but it can also add a bit of festive tension. There are the practicalities of maybe accommodating more than can be comfortably fitted into the house, which might involve sharing rooms, toys and TV. Maybe there are several days when long journeys are necessary, which can be tough on small children and of course, teenagers will hate missing events with their friends. But all of these occasions, while they may give rise to tensions can also be good opportunities to talk about why sometimes we do things we aren’t so keen on, because it is important for someone else. Just like parents may

These are important lessons in life because relationships are important in life. It’s so important not just to talk about the good things but about the tensions, the stress, and the irritations that can so often be part and parcel of families and loved ones. It is so important to give them a chance to see how you cope with these emotions, essentially that’s how they will learn to cope with such things in their own relationships. What is more, it is ok to be honest about your own feelings, that Christmas is busy and stressful maybe, or that you miss people who used to be part of your life but aren’t any longer.

Often what can make Christmas a trial is putting on a big pretence, so this Christmas determine to be honest with yourself, and use the festive opportunities to help your children learn, not just about Maths, English, Science or Geography - but also about families, relationships, love and life.

If you are unsure how to talk to children or young people about emotions, or if you, a child or young person need help with any emotional issue contact:

Attuned Education by phone, 07921193479 info@attunededucation.com www.attundededucation.com

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:46 Page 42

Welcome to the musings of Yummy Mummy. Living in Bedford she is married to ‘The Husband’ and together they have 4 children, Rafferty 9, Violet 7, Roman 5 and baby Clementine 1 All my views are my own and are not intended to offend anyone but alas I may frustrate you as I certainly do myself and no doubt those around me at times. I would love to hear from you, your views, questions or indeed just to share your experiences of trying to be a Yummy Mummy. Email me at info@affinitymag.co.uk

Christmas Present Dilemma!

I

t’s that time of year again – the massive drain on your finances!!! Now don’t get me wrong – I absolutely LOVE Christmas! I love the trees, decorations, sparkly lights, the excited feeling and of course the annual opening of the Baileys on the 1st December!

have a little Christmas party with games and exchanging of gifts.

We then have to think about our own children and we post a little note to the North Pole in order to make sure Santa is on our wavelength too! Our children rarely get gifts at times other than birthdays and Christmas as I am firm believer in not spoiling them too much. Back in the day when I was young, we never got anything out of these times and we only had 4 TV channels, no fancy electronic games – we were so excited to get an Atari! Oh dear I am starting to sound like my parents, something I swore I would never do!!

However in these continuing austere times you really have to question yourself about how generous you should be. Once the numbers of offspring started increasing, my side of the family have mainly stuck to presents just for the children. Grandparents get a token gift as we’ve all agreed it’s really a time for the youngsters. However the in law side of the family started reproducing long after my side so despite me nagging ‘The Husband’ we stuck to presents for adult siblings for quite a while. Once the first baby was born on their side I tentatively hinted that we approach Christmas differently (and it wasn’t just because I was once given a shopping trolley as a present and this was before the retro shopping trolleys came back into fashion -although I remain unconvinced they actually did)! Thankfully an easy compromise was reached with presents for the children and a grown up ‘Secret Santa’.

In all seriousness, expectations these days seem to be ever increasing and it’s a society of children that need to be constantly entertained, so we try and ensure our children have ‘down time’ without the reliance of gadgets and extra-curricular activities. Nothing beats making your own entertainment just using imagination!

The children will get their stocking fillers which will include character pants, socks, pyjamas and usually a DVD and of course some chocolate! They will get one main present, and if it’s something big like a games console then it has to be shared, and then a couple of other little things. Even though we have cut back on the non-Santa presents, they still get plenty and it’s quite nice as it is usually spread out over a couple of weeks. There is nothing worse than seeing a child rip off the wrapping paper, throw the present to one side without a glance before they start on the next one! My children also have to sort out a couple of toys that they no longer play with to give to charity.

Next was the scenario with different groups of friends.

Some naturally evolved that we never bought presents for each other but then you get the issue when you start having children and the non-parent buys your child a gift.

What do you do? I’ve always stuck to not buying the adult a present but I know some friends start to exchange adult gifts so they end up with a massive shopping list!

Of course once friends started having their own children, I started buying the little ones a gift. However as none of us are getting any younger, the amount of children within your different circles of friends can grow quite large. So to overcome this we now do a ‘Secret Santa’ and the names of all the children go into a hat and you pick out however many names to match how many children you personally have. Of course if you get your own child’s name then you swap it (the name, not your child – although that is sometimes quite tempting!) We then

Of course all this cutting back has nothing to do with ensuring I have enough to buy the necessary amount of Baileys! MERRY CHRISTMAS! xx

Yummy Mummy

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WIN! WIN! WIN!

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Luxury British chocolatier and cocoa grower, Hotel Chocolat has a magical 2013 Christmas Collection.

Prepare to be whisked away to an elegant, exuberant world focused on the pleasure of giving and receiving. Giddy, playful laughter and the tinkling of crystal emerge from a dazzling Christmas whirlwind of jazz, ballet and champagne.

Christmas from Hotel Chocolat is energetic, high-spirited and carefree – indulgently wrapped up in a resplendent festive wreath.

We have TWO hampers full of Hotel Chocolat goodies to giveaway, each hamper contains:

1 x Large Christmas Cracker 1 x Mini Christmas Crackers 1 x Signature Collection 1 x Sleekster Dessert Collection 1 x Big Bag of Christmas 3 x Ho Ho Pillow Packs 3 x Magical Christmas stocking

All your Christmas gifts in one go – this is a truly magical prize

To enter just tell us “One of the products in the new Hotel Chocolat Christmas Range” and send to info@affinitymag.co.uk – Good Luck!

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Ham with Boozy Mushroom & Cranberry Sauce 46

“

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“

Use up the leftovers from Christmas ham with this simple but delicious dish - Happy Boxing Day!

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 250g chestnut mushrooms, halved 4 tbsp port or red wine Large knob of butter 2 tbsp cranberry sauce 150ml hot water 2 clementines, satsumas or mandarins, juice only 1 tsp bouillon powder or ½ chicken stock cube, crumbled Splash of soy sauce Approx 350g leftover cooked ham, cut into chunky slice

Buck's Club

Method Fry the mushrooms in the oil and butter for 4-5 minutes until they're golden.

To make the sauce, pour the port or wine into a pan, then lower the heat and stir in the cranberry sauce until dissolved. Pour in the hot water and fruit juice and sprinkle in the bouillon powder or stock cube. Splash in a spoonful or so of soy sauce and stir well. Turn up the heat and boil the sauce rapidly for a few minutes until it reduces slightly.

Add the ham and heat through for a minute or two. Taste for seasoning and serve.

With a good champagne and juice of half an orange, there are few finer celebratory drinks than a Buck’s Club or Buck’s Fizz as it is now known, perfect for any pre Christmas dinner tipple.

According to rumour the original Buck's Fizz recipe has a couple of secret ingredients.

Lanson White Label Non Vintage £37.99

Gin 30ml Cherry brandy 5ml Fresh orange juice 45ml Fresh tangerine juice 15ml Champagne 90ml

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Bollinger Vintage Champagne, Grande Année Brut £64.99

Dom Pérignon 2004 Vintage Brut Champagne £113.99

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Christmas Pudding Ingredients for the sponge 450g white breadcrumbs 350g golden caster sugar 225g vegetarian suet 100g self-raising flour 50g almonds, roughly chopped 225g currants 225g sultanas 225g raisins 175g mixed peel 1 tsp each mixed spice, ground ginger and grated nutmeg 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 eggs 2 tbsp treacle zest and juice 1 lemon zest and juice 1 orange

This sweet is brought to you by the Chef at The Millhouse Hotel Riverside Restaurant, Sharnbrook, Beds

Method Place all the ingredients, except the eggs, treacle and lemon and orange juice, into your large bowl with 1 tsp salt, then mix.

Add the remaining ingredients along with 700ml water, then mix to a consistency that drops off your spoon. Cover and leave in a cool place overnight. The mixture will become firm.

The next day, add enough water to bring the mix back to a workable consistency (it should drop off the spoon like yesterday), then spoon into greased pudding basins – we used a 2 litre and a 1 litre. Cover with greaseproof paper and foil, and tightly secure with string.

Lower the puddings into a saucepan with upturned saucers or scrunched-up bits of foil in the bottom (so the puds don’t touch the bottom), then fill with boiling water from the kettle until it comes halfway up the sides of the pudding basin. Simmer the smaller pudding for 2-2½ hrs and the larger one for 3-3½ hrs.

Cool the puddings on the side, then wrap well in foil and chill for up to 3 days before eating them. If left in the fridge, these will last up to a month! (You can also freeze them at this stage to enjoy at a later date!)

Before serving and eating, you can steam them again to warm back up for approx 15 minutes, or microwave for 3-4 minutes.

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Tis the season to be jolly...

Join us this December for a real Christmas treat!

Remember we are serving lunch on Christmas Day and Boxing Day so book in ASAP! Christmas Party Nights Book a table on any Friday and Saturday in December and a disco is included!

Pensioners Christmas Lunch Wednesday 18th December 2 course Christmas Dinner, Sing-a-long entertainment and Christmas games!

All for only £14.00 New Years Eve Fizz on arrival, 2 course hot buffet and live music from the V.I.Peas!

Only £25.00 per person *Remember we are still doing “Buy 1 get 1 free” on main courses every Tuesday all day, 12pm- 9pm!*

01234 781678 info@millhouse-riverside.co.uk www.millhouse-riverside.co.uk millhouse_hotel Millhouse Hotel and Riverside Restaurant Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1NP

Every Saturday 10am - 1pm To join contact us: 01234 782414 Email: Bedford@theatretrain.co.uk St Marks Church Halls, Calder Rise, Brickhill, Bedford, MK41 7UY

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:46 Page 48

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Summerhill Farm Shop

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@SummerhillFShop

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Seasonal Celebrations with

Champagne Taittinger

1

The festive season is traditionally a time to catch up with friends and family, attend parties and celebrations and to give gifts to those we love.

And what better way to celebrate and share these seasonal moments than with Champagnes from the family run House of Taittinger!

2

Taittinger Nocturne Sec NV

A perfect champagne for “After Dark!” Taittinger Nocturne is an exceptional “Sec” champagne made from 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The finished blend includes over 35 “crus” from several different harvests, perfectly matured.

Taittinger Brut Reserve NV

Using fruit from only prime vineyards throughout champagne this wine is the signature cuvee of Champagne Taittinger.

Made with 40% chardonnay for delicacy and finesse.

This dosage, combined with the rounded quality and maturity gives it a highly distinctive body and smoothness.

The bubbles form a delicate necklace of fine mousse. Its nose is subtle and fresh, suggestive of the delightful aromas of white blossom and ripe fruit, with overtones of yellow peaches and dried apricots. The first impression on the palate is soft and mellow and remains fresh and soft with a subtle sweetness

3

£47 John Lewis, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason Taittinger Prelude Grands Crus NV

This blend comprises 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir thus obtaining the finesse and structure which a great champagne requires if it is to be laid down for any length of time.

The colour is brilliant, pale yellow with silvery highlights, evidence of the high proportion of Chardonnay. The bubbles are fine and form a lasting and delicately creamy ring of mousse. The nose is subtle and fresh. The initial mineral aromas quickly develop into green, floral scents with hints of elderflower and spicy cinnamon overtones.

On the palate, its flavours are dominated by intensive fresh citrus fruit. These then give way to a much fuller, well-bodied and mellow taste with flavours reminiscent of white peaches in syrup. The finish is long, rich and expressive £49 www.ocado.com, Fortnum & Mason

A brilliant golden straw-yellow colour. The bubbles are fine. On the nose, very expressive and open. It is both fruity and bready, exuding aromas of peach, white flowers and vanilla pod.

4

On the palate, this lively fresh wine is at once in harmony. This is a delicate wine with flavours of fresh fruit and honey. £38.99 Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco

Taittinger Folies de la Marquetterie NV

This is a blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir. Slow aging for 3 years in bottles brings the flavours of this champagne to perfect harmony. The colour is deep yellow with golden highlights. The bubbles are fine and delicate.

The intense, highly fruity bouquet releases scents of peaches and apricot jam with subtle hints of toasted brioche and vanilla. On the palate this full-bodied, fruity and graceful wine develops dominant golden peach flavours. The finish is distinct and evocative, with light, woody notes.

A full-flavoured, harmonious champagne distinguished by its immense richness and complexity. £55 Harrods, www.champagnedirect.co.uk

1

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5

2

Taittinger Vintage 2005

This exceptional vintage Champagne comprises 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay which creates delicacy, elegance and finesse. Pale radiant yellow with an abundant of fine bubbles rising to form a delicate persistent necklace.

The first impression on the nose combines flintiness with yeasty bread aromas. This quickly gives way to a fine, intense, sweet fruitiness, of crystallized fruit scents of lemon and mandarin with a flowery touch of acacia honey.

The exceptional intensity of the finish is long, generous and complex. ÂŁ53 Majestic, www.winedirect.co.uk

5

3 4

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Tis the Season

Wreath ÂŁ20 John Lewis

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Gisela Graham Peacock Feather Wreath £54.00 tch.net

Gisela Graham Red Shiny Berry Wreath £26.00 tch.net

Gisela Graham Peacock Feather Wreath £54.00 tch.net

White Glit Berry Leaf Wreath 45CM Selfridges

Glitter Berry Wreath £30 House of Fraser

LED Twig Heart £14.95 livelaughlove.co.uk

Heart Cone Wreath £19.50 Marks & Spencer

Gisela Graham Frosted Wreath £20.00 tch.net

Gisela Graham Red Shiny Berry Wreath £26.00 tch.net

56

Gold Berry & Spruce Wreath £15 Marks & Spencer

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 55

Lit Eucalyptus Wreath £40 Next

Mini Red Berry Wreath £15 John Lewis

Natural Twig Heart Wreath 30cm £9.95 Selfridges

Wool Pompom Wreath £30 House of Fraser

Pre-Lit Pine Wreath £35 John Lewis Paper Rose & Mistletoe Wreath £17.95 papertree.co.uk Heart Shaped Sprout Wreath £31.00 tch.net

Leaves Wreath Green Copper 53CM Selfridges

Wreath House of Fraser

Red berry wreath 45cm £43.95 Selfridges

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 56

54a, Caves Lane, Bedford, MK40 3GN

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 57

FAMA ESPANIA NOW IN STORE

COME AND VIEW ALL OUR NEW FURNITURE RANGES

With over 50 years experience as specialist furniture manufacturers and stockists of Oak and Pine furniture Visit our bespoke furniture showroom Handmade in our workshop Creating your own design, colour and ďŹ nish

PRE CLEARANCE CHRISTMAS 127 BARKERS LANE, BEDFORD MK41 9RT MON - SAT 9.30AM - 5PM

Like us on Facebook

SUN 11AM - 4PM

01234 355525 info@carlofurnishers.com www.carlofurnishers.com

TAKE THE GOOGLE VIRTUAL TOUR

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 58

Christmas Crackers Dinner Party Crackers with Name Cards (set 6) £7 Tesco Luxury Crackers (set 12) Debenhams

Crackers (set 6) £15 BHS Crackers (set 12) £20 Debenhams

Luxury Crackers (set 12) £20 Debenhams

Platinum Crackers (set 6) £15 BHS

Musical Cracker £39.50 Marks & Spencer

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Talking Tables Bingo Crackers(set 6) £10 John Lewis Luxury Cracker £15 Marks & Spencer Silver Luxury Cracker £15 Marks & Spencer

Scandi Crackers (set 10) £25 House of Fraser

Snowflake Crackers (set 10) £25 House of Fraser

Honeycomb Crackers (set 6) £25 Marks & Spencer Vintage Text Crackers (set 6) £12 John Lewis

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 21/11/2013 12:16 Page 60

Gifts for the

Gardener Thoughtful Gardener Flask £16.95 urbancuckoo.co.uk

Herb Seeds Starter Pack £30.49 Seed Pantry

Grow your on Tomatoes £10 BHS Recycled Leather Garden Belt Pouch £19.95 Sting in the Tail

Gardening Kit £10 BHS

Grow Your Own Personalised Christmas Tree Kit £9.50 ellieellie.co.uk

Scrumpy Cider £12 BHS

Personalised Garden Shed Desk Tidy £35 Bombus

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 61

G.Butler

Loft and Garage Conversion Specialist Loft conversions

We will provide a service from planning to completion

█ █ █ █ █

Over 23 years experience Free quotes Professional advice Design, planning & construction available All work fully insured Local business

01234 327205 07801 880557 www.loftconversionsbedfordshire.co.uk █

The space above your head is the room you have always dreamed of

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 25/11/2013 16:34 Page 62

All about...

Luke Levitt Age: 24

Occupation: Personal trainer

You can’t leave the house without?

Clothes! This would be highly embarrassing especially when training clients!

Describe yourself in three words?

Energetic, Fun, Talented

What makes you stand out in a crowd?

My dancing skills!!

If I take a look in your fridge what would I find?

Lots of meat, vegetables… pretty boring really

Your top three movies?

Any Given Sunday, Anchorman and Despicable me

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

Banksy, love his creations and I'd ask what inspires you

What do you do to relax?

Go to the gym or walking dogs

If you were a biscuit what would you be?

Oreo, they are amazing

Your most extravagant purchase and why?

My new computer and for work purposes, sad I know!

Who is your inspiration/role model?

Has to be my Dad. He runs 2 successful salons in London and has always been there for me, especially on those miserable Sunday mornings playing rugby as a kid

If you could be anyone or anything what would it be?

Ryan Renolds (man crush) Describe your ideal woman?

I guess the right answer is my Girlfriend…

What is the one gadget you couldn't live without?

My brothers Iphone recharge, as I’m constantly on my phone making sure my clients are being good

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?

Flip flops (I live in these), a barbell and a shirt in case it got a little chilly What would you do if you had a time machine?

Something stupid I’m sure!

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Hopefully owning my own gym and helping people lose weight and gain muscle nationally not just in Bedford 62

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Fry’s

footie corner

I

t is a pleasure, a privilege and an honour to be on the panel of the League Manager’s Association that picks the Performance of the Week award. I sit on the panel alongside the greatest football manager the game has ever seen in Sir Alex Ferguson and Howard Wilkinson, the chairman of the board, who have both been great supporters of Graham Taylor’s idea to have a League Manager’s Association.

Also on the panel are former Everton manager Joe Royle and the vastly experienced Dave Bassett, so I am delighted that me, Small Fry, makes up the numbers. Olaf Dixon, or a member of the board of the LMA, makes contact on a Thursday to all of us and we give our opinions on the performance of the week.

The sponsors F&C Investments have been great supporters of the award and it is also well supported by Sky Sports News.

It is an honour to win the award, not only for the manager, but for the players as well. The winning manager is always interviewed by Sky and it appears on Soccer Saturday.

The League Manager’s Association have come on leaps and bounds in my opinion. We have had seven Chief Executives during that time including John Barnwell and each year, there has been improvement, but since Richard Bevan has brought his expertise in so many fields to the LMA, in my opinion we have gone through the roof. The LMA is a worldwide recognised union and quite rightly so.

The LMA give enormous help behind the scenes to managers that have either fallen on hard times financially or healthwise. As an organisation, they have been in existence since 1992 and have become a respected part of the football industry.

They have six major aims which are: 1. To represent the interests of the professional football managers to the Football Association, the Premier League, Football League and all the games other governing bodies and stakeholders.

2. To promise and publish the views of the professional managers on key issues within the game.

3. To protect the rights and privileges of its members.

4. To deliver and grow a range of support services to the managers, both professionally and personally.

5. To embrace and deliver strong commercial relationships with the game’s sponsors and partners.

6. To encourage honourable practice, conduct and courtesy i n all professional activity.

When a manager is sacked, the LMA try to achieve a quick settlement. I have my own views on this. I feel that the governing bodies in football should not be allowed to appoint another manager until they have paid the one they have dismissed. I know the Premier League have something in place regarding this matter and the LMA were successful in only one season to get all 72 league clubs to agree.

During that year, Port Vale decided to sack John Rudge and that caused World War III and cost Port Vale a lot of money.

The league clubs have not agreed since then.

www.theposh.com Howard Wilkinson, the chairman of the board, believes the LMA have a vital role to play in today’s world of football management. ‘The LMA was established to be the collective, representative voice of the professional football managers. It aims to protect the interests of our members, promote their views for the benefit of the game and deliver a range of support services to assist them in all areas of their professional and personal life. The LMA strives to be constant in the volatile world of football management.’

It is the last line of that quote that rings so true. I feel with the turnover in managers, which is a disgrace, the LMA is very much needed and they have a vital role to play. Some common sense needs to come into play with the number of managers losing their jobs.

I think all clubs should look at working together on this one.

I personally believe managers, like players, should have a transfer window. Clubs should only be able to appoint managers at the start of the season. You shouldn’t be able to fire managers so quickly. They should be given time.

It really is the craziest business in the world and unfortunately it is getting worse, not better. A lifespan of a manager is getting shorter and shorter, which cannot be good for the game, particularly financial, because every club in the Football League are struggling financially and sacking managers and management teams only adds to the financial problems.

The LMA are doing a great job protecting their members, they are widely respected by the managers that they protect. Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager in the game, said of the LMA: ‘Football managers perform one of the most important roles in the game. It is vital that our views are properly communicated and that we have a powerful voice at the top level of the games administration. In addition, the guidance, advice and extensive range of support services it offers makes the LMA indispensable to its members.’

Ithink that Sir Alex sums up the LMA perfectly.

Barry Fry 64

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Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 66

SUBARU

LAUNCHES RUGGED XV BLACK LIMITED EDITION

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 67

L

ast month Subaru announced the launch of the Subaru XV Black, a new limited edition variant of the manufacturer’s popular compact crossover. The ‘XV Black’ models will be available with either Subaru’s 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or the 2.0-litre Boxer petrol unit and a Lineartronic automatic transmission.

Exclusively finished in Crystal Black Silica paint, the XV Black offers a number of visual additions unique to the special edition model, which are designed to boost the car’s rugged, go-anywhere appeal. These include front, rear and side silver-resin underguards, front and rear mudflaps, a cargo step panel and a foldable cargo tray.

Inside, the Black model is fitted with heavy-duty rubber floor mats.

The All-Wheel-Drive XV Black is priced at £24,495 (onthe-road) for the 2.0i Lineartronic and £24,995 for the 2.0 Boxer diesel, and is based on the existing SE model.

Motorists will pay just £1,000 for all the extras fitted as standard to the XV Black, which – if fitted separately as options to other models in the range – would total over £1,600, meaning the new Limited Edition model offers both exclusivity and value for money.

The XV enjoys a class-leading five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating and at 90%, one of the highest scores for child occupant protection ever recorded, making it ideal for young families.

Perfectly suited to everyday use in an urban or out of town environment, the ‘go anywhere’ XV combines the highest ground clearance of any vehicle in its segment with the lowest centre of gravity. Efficient engines and lightweight body mean the XV is able to return a 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and emits only 146 g/km CO2 (2.0litre diesel models).

The new XV Black Limited Edition features Subaru’s typically generous standard equipment levels, including Subaru’s standard-fit Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, providing world-class hazard avoidance capabilities. Other standard features include front, side, curtain and knee airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, heated front seats, wiper de-icers, cruise control, folding door mirrors, dual-zone air-conditioning, rear view safety camera, Bluetooth, HID headlamps, and rear privacy glass.

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 15:47 Page 68

Christmas!

The Wonder of Milton Keynes this

F

or the first time ever Campbell Park in Milton Keynes will fall under a magical, festive spell and come alive to play host to Winter Wonderland MK this December. This fantastic festival, which is free to enter, will include an exciting range of activities for children, including ice skating, live music, Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas market and food stalls.

with, and learn all about, our Husky dogs and if you are really lucky, you may even get the chance to have a ride on one of the sleds that will also be on display!

• Get your skates on at the fabulous ice rink. The undercover ice rink will be large enough to accommodate up to seventy-five skaters and will be suitable for young and old alike, with stability aids for children and skate hire included in the ticket price.

• Circus. Watch your childrens eyes light up in the big top circus arena. One of the oldest circus acts in the UK will be performing daily for your entertainment in the big top.

• Live music for everyone. Enter via the Live Music Marquee, in which several local bands will perform, as well as professional groups and artists.

• Meet Santa, his Elves and Reindeer. Santa will be in residence with his reindeer every day. He will be reached via a fabulous enchanted woodland, where children will delight in the moving, magical creatures they’ll see along the way.

• Fabulous Festive Fairground. Other popular attractions will include a fairground with all the usual favourites, including Dodgems, Big Wheel, a Victorian Carousel, Swings, games and activities for children of all ages.

• Festive Food and Drink. There will be a number of stalls providing a wide range of delicious food and drinks, plus a wonderful Christmas market with stalls selling many unusual gifts and crafts.

• Learning through Fun. This unique, free family event will combine the magic of the festive season with the opportunity for visitors to learn about community organisations and the invaluable, local services they offer in our Community Marquee. Visitors will also have the chance to find out about the History of Crafts in the Craft Tent, and even have a go at creating Christmas decorations, edible gifts and other handmade objects themselves.

Festival organiser Lorenzo Franco said, “We are proud to announce the first ever Winter Wonderland MK. Come and experience all the magic of the holiday season right here in Milton Keynes! If you’re looking for fun things to do with your family during the run up to Christmas, make sure this festival is in your diary. We are also pleased to announce that the disability charity Papworth Trust is the official charity partner of Winter Wonderland MK. They do brilliant work helping older and disabled people with essential support and care.”

“We are thrilled to have been chosen as Winter Wonderland MK’s charity partner,” said Annette Angell, Fundraising Manager at Papworth Trust. “It promises to be a fantastic festive event for all the family to enjoy.”

win win win

• Meet The Huskies. There will also be the unique opportunity at Winter Wonderland MK to make friends

Entry to Winter Wonderland MK is free, and you only pay for the attractions you would like to visit. For more information about the event, please visit www.wwmk.co.uk

Affinity Magazine has 5 family tickets* to give away which will include a visit to Santa, entry to the Ice Rink and also the Circus!

To be in with a chance please email your name, address and contact telephone number to info@affinitymag.co.uk putting Winter Wonderland in the email header by December 10th! Please also like their Facebook page:

www.Facebook.com/WinterWonderlandMK * Family tickets are for 2 adults and 2 children and are for either 15th or 22nd December, please email your preferred date, however we cannot guarantee it.

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Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it’s off to panto we go!

Some well-known faces will march onto the stage at Milton Keynes Theatre in this year’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Prince Charming is Shaun Dalton (fresh from Les Miserables in the West End) and he will be wooing singing sensation Kate Stewart in the title role.

This will be Shaun’s third production at Milton Keynes Theatre, but is 18-year-old Kate’s professional debut.

One of the UK’s ‘biggest’ exports, Hollywood superstar Warwick Davis (Star Wars, Harry Potter) leads the 2013 cast – he is both directing and starring in the panto.

Multi-talented entertainer Kev Orkian is back by popular demand following his comedy turn as Buttons in Cinderella last Christmas.

This Christmas extravaganza is set to delight the whole family as seven hardworking dwarfs (Walt Disney has copyright of the dwarfs’ names, and so in this production Warwick plays ‘Prof’ (Doc) and others include Grumbly (Grumpy) and Cheeky (Happy), and a handsome prince do their utmost to save Snow White.

This fun packed fairytale is full of fun and laughter with lavish sets, gorgeous costumes. loads of audience participation and seven hard working dwarves and a handsome prince trying to rescue the beautiful Snow White. Will they be abe to save her?

West End and TV favourite Jennifer Ellison plays the very boo-able baddy, the wicked Queen. She said; “I’m really looking forward to being a baddy for the first time.”

Let’s hope the answer is a resounding ‘oh yes they can!’

Currently making the most of playing mum to her two little boys, aged three years and four months she said: “Panto is such a great family tradition. It’s such a great moment when the Queen gets Snow White to take a bite of the apple, the kids get really involved.”

Milton Keynes Theatre Fri 6th December – Sun 12th January 0844 871 7652 www.atgtickets.com/milton keynes

WIN! WIN! WIN! We have a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) for the 7pm performance on Monday 6th January to giveaway just tell us “Who is playing the wicked Queen?” and send your answers to info@affinitymag.co.uk – Winners will be drawn on 31st December 71

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A quiet night in Calling Mrs Christmas

C

assie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; treedecorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.

Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children, so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time.

Thank goodness she can rely on her loving partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.

When millionaire Carter asks Cassie to join his family on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go . . . Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.

Join Cassie as she takes you on a romantic and emotional rollercoaster ride in a novel to get you in the mood for this festive season.

Angels Sing (DVD)

H

arry Connick Jr. stars as Michael Walker, who, as a child, wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit.

Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife (Connie Britton) and well-intentioned parents (Kris Kristofferson, Fionnula Flanagan). But when his young son (Chandler Canterbury) faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick (Willie Nelson) gives Michael a gift and instills in him the courage to find the joy that he lost.

Release Date: 10th December

72

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A night at the movies American Hustle

C

hristian Bale leads an amazing ensemble cast in this jawdropping crime thriller based on the real-life story of a conman recruited by the FBI. Bronx conman Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) is a brilliant hustler who works in tandem with his British lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams). But the criminal duo aren't cunning enough to escape the attentions of deranged FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). He forcibly recruits them into a seductive, dangerous world where government and the mafia intersect. They're tasked with organising a sting centred on political operator Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). But the wild card is Irving's volatile wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence). Inspired by a true story from the late 1970s, David O. Russell's extraordinary thriller reunites the leading players from two of his most acclaimed films.

Release Date: 20th December

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Wonderful Life

C

hristmas wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be Christmas without this classic Christmas tale, a despairing man is saved by an angel who shows him what a difference his life has made. All-time classic Christmas film It's A Wonderful Life (1946) will be lighting up Cineworld screens this December. The film, which regularly tops polls of all-time greatest feelgood movies, stars the great James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who wants to end it all until a guardian angel named Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) is sent to help him. Through a series of beautifully-constructed flashbacks, Clarence shows George how his life of selfless good deeds has actually made an amazing difference to his family, his friends and to the entire town.

Directed by the legendary Frank Capra, It's A Wonderful Life is one of the funniest, most touching, heart-warming and ultimately lifeaffirming films you'll ever see. And, it's presented in a new digital restoration, which makes it even more unmissable...

Release Date: 16th December

Kill your Darlings

D

aniel Radcliffe stars in a compelling true tale of obsession and murder that kick-started the Beat Generation. It's 1944 and fresh-faced young student Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe) has just arrived at Columbia University. He swiftly falls under the spell of handsome, charismatic Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan), who sees himself as the architect of an artistic 'New Vision'. Carr introduces Ginsberg to Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William Burroughs (Ben Foster), bringing together the founding fathers of what was to become known as the Beat Movement. But Ginsberg's love for Carr proves to be destructive. Their relationship is further complicated by David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall) - an older man who has become obsessed with freespirited Carr. And thanks to the film's prologue, we already know that his corpse winds up floating in the Hudson river!

Release Date: 6th December

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your guide to .........

What’s On December 2013

Sat 30th November – Sun 1st December Santa’s Magical Adventure at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre The fun starts the moment you arrive! You will be shown to your reserved seats on the steam train where you will be joined by Santa himself. One of Santa's pixie helpers will pull your gifts, which are age-and-gender specific, from the huge toy sack and the magic begins! Your Magical Adventure includes: soft drinks and biscuits for children, seasonal refreshments for adults, 25minute live magic show, Miniature Train ride on the Old Station platform BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL on 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org

Sun 8th December Dickens of a Christmas in Olney Bring the fun back into Christmas by joining the local residents of Historic Olney as they celebrate this annual event. 2 Markets, loads of stalls, themed entertainment and shopkeepers will try to bring the Victorian atmosphere back into town and make this a Christmas shopping experience to remember. A bird of prey exhibition, plenty of food outlets, story time for the youngsters and Father Christmas in his grotto make this a fantastic day out.

To help you get that truly unique Christmas present for the person who has everything, visit the 3 Lions Club Craft Fayres where for only £1 admission, your eyes will be opened to fantastic range of gifts which you can buy direct from the people who make them.

Most attractions are free although some events attract a small fee.

Sun 1st December Sharnbrook Upper School Christmas Fair 12pm – 3pm Lots of Christmas cheer and fun for all the family. Over 50 craft stalls, Father Christmas, raffles, refreshments and loads more

Sun 15th and Sun 22nd December Family Christmas Lunch with Santa The Waterfront Restaurant, Wyboston Lakes Hotel Includes a delicious four course festive lunch in a lakeside setting, a visit from Santa at 3.00 pm with a gift for each child, carols with carol singers come and celebrate this Christmas with the whole family Adults and over 12s £27.50, 3-12 year olds £10.95 and under 3s eat FREE 0333 7007 667 (option 4) www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Mon 2nd – Fri 24th December Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Wine Festive Luncheon at Wyboston Lakes Enjoy a festive lunch in a picturesque lakeside setting, why not bring the office, treat the family or gather your friends £19.50 for our two course menu, £22.50 for our three course menu Contact our Christmas Elf to book your Festive Feast on 0333 7007 667 (option 4) www.wybostonlakes.co.uk

Sat 7th December Charity Advent Carol Service Audience participation, especially by children, has been a popular feature of these Christmas Concerts for many years and we look forward to sharing the stage once again with young voices under the ever genial direction of our conductor, Ian Smith.This year they will also be joined by the rousing sound of Bedford Town Band in this evening’s performance.

01234 718044 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

Sun 8th December Keech Hospice Santa Run The Embankment, Bedford – 11am This is your chance to kick start the countdown to Christmas as santa running by dressing up as Santa (suit provided) and joining hundreds of others for a fun run in aid of our children's hospice.

The course is 5km and suitable for all abilities, whether you want to run, walk or push a buggy along the route!

Entry is just £15 for adults and for that you'll be given your very own Santa costume to keep and at the finish line, a medal and a goodie bag. Entry for the under 15's is £7.50 and they will be given santa hats to wear!

Sign up for the Bedford Santa Run and help us care for more families this Christmas - it's all in a good Claus! www.keech.org.uk

Sun 22nd December Family Fun Night 5.00pm – 8.00pm Frosts at Willington Enjoy a fun filled evening of ice skating, entertainment and food.

Included in the ticket price; welcome drink and mince pie on arrival, unlimited skating for the evening, family magic show, unlimited rides on our carousel (under 7’s only), games on the ice rink for everyone to enjoy, a BBQ meal and dessert plus a goodie bag for all children to take home. It’s the perfect family treat to get you ready for Christmas!

Family Fun Night Individual Ticket £30.00 Family Fun Night Family Ticket (4 persons) £100 www.frostsgardencentres.co.uk Sat 28th December – Fri 3rd January Puss in Boots Bedford Corn Exchange Fun for all the family - This year Puss in Boots is being given the Bedford Pantomime Company treatment, with a live band, every child invited on stage and lovely lighting, costumes and sets.

01234 718044 www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk

74

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Sleeping Beauty at Royal & Derngate this Christmas!

F

ollowing the huge success of Cinderella last Christmas, Royal & Derngate will this year stage an unmissable production of the traditional fairytale Sleeping Beauty, which features an array of superb 3D special effects.

Sleeping Beauty combines all of the traditional elements of a family pantomime with stunning visual effects, including for the first time this year a fantastic 3D enchanted forest and journey through the Giant’s castle. This is pantomime at its best!

Spinning the magic this year are husbandand-wife team Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane.

Sleeping Beauty marks their 16th Christmas season performing together. The couple last took to the stage of Royal & Derngate four years ago in the record-breaking production of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.

Linda plays the role of Carabosse, the Wicked Fairy, and Sam takes on the dual role of performing as the Henchman and also directing the production. Shinead Byrne plays Princess Beauty whilst Andy Jones provides the comedy in the role of Muddles.

Linda has enjoyed a 25-year career spanning the world of stage, film and television. Her many stage roles include Funny Peculiar, Bedside Manner, Not Now Darling, Pygmalion and Rock With Laughter. As well as many summer seasons and performing in every major pantomime around the country, Linda has appeared on countless television programmes including Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Dancing On Ice, Loose Women, The Bill, Brookside and Emmerdale.

Sam Kane has been a stalwart of musical theatre for many

years. He has appeared in numerous stage shows including Popstar, the West End production of The Rat Pack, Hot Flush!, Simply Ballroom, Carousel, Boogie Nights and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers to name but a few. On television he has appeared in programmes such as Brookside, Night Fever, Hollyoaks, The Royal, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Friday 6th December 2013 to Sunday 5th January 2014.

01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

WIN! WIN! WIN! We have a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) to giveaway for this fun family pantomime to be in with a chance of winning tell us “Who is Linda Lusardi married to?” and send your answer to info@affinitymag.co.uk 75

Affinity DEC 2013.qxp_Layout 1 copy 20/11/2013 16:08 Page 76

Purple Rain

O

r, as they say, winter is a-acumin in. Although I’m sure that’s not what Prince had in mind when he wrote his song!

We take colour for granted these days. Any colour you want, well, it can be “made” by mixing the appropriate amounts of other colours, if it’s not a primary colour.

Purple is a case in point. Purple can be very hard to mix.

The common wisdom is that if you mix red and blue you will get purple; but as many of us artist-types have found, that ain’t necessarily so. You will often get a muddy blue or a flat red – or something in between which STILL isn’t purple.

In “ancient” times – i.e. a long time ago – purple was regarded as the “Royal” colour. It was made by crushing the shells of certain types of sea snail. It was called “Tyrian Purple”, and cost a fortune to make. The shells were literally worth their weight in silver.

Early sumptuary laws often forbade anyone but aristocrats from wearing purple cloth because of that. Roman Senators and the Emperor were among the few classes of Roman allowed to wear purple clothes.

And, in fact, colourful clothes for everyone are a relatively recent occurrence. Until the early 20th century, most dye colours were dull, and well, boring. But chemists in the late 19th Century began to experiment with various combinations of chemicals and got some colourful results which were quickly adopted by cloth manufacturers. We all benefit from this today – no colour is off limits although, perhaps, some should be!

So the next time you’re looking at brightly-coloured cloth or paper or … whatever, be amazed that it exists.

Oh, and mixing a purple colour?

Easy – mix magenta and cyan!

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PRESENTS

Wedding Showcase SUNDAY 23rd MARCH 2014 11am - 4pm HARPUR SUITE at the Bedford Corn Exchange MK40 1SL FREE ENTRY - Canapes and BuBBles on arrival

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR PERFECT WEDDING FASHION SHOW AT 1pm BY BELLE OF THE BALL CASTLE ASHBY FOR ALL STAND BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT JANE 01234 215523 - 07507 602401 - jane@affinitymag.co.uk www.affinitymag.co.uk

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DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE 31

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December 2013

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