SK Bramhall & Woodford March 2023

- Interior Refurbishment Specialists

- Plastering & Joinery

- Interior & Exterior Decorating

- Wallpaper Hanging

- Experienced Craftsmen

- Professional & Reliable Service

- Insured & Accredited

“Alex and his team decorated a large area of hall, stairs and landing. They were thorough, professional and I’m delighted with the result. I would highly recommend.”

M: 07874 188 050 • T: 0161 439 9195

A: 17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE

E: info@springdecorating.co.uk

W: www.springdecorating.co.uk

Spring Decorating Limited, registered in England and Wales No. 11658913

Welcome to SK Bramhall & Woodford

Welcome to the “Spring” issue of SK Bramhall & Woodford. I know it’s still cold out there but the 20th March is the official start of spring so fingers crossed it comes a little early.

This month we have loads of great articles. Fiona from Bramhall Osteopathic Practice investigates one the secrets of good health…sleep. The full reveal is on page 34 in Health & Wellbeing.

Sharon from Tigermoth is looking into the new Home Décor Trends for 2023, all her top tips can be found in Interior Design on page 26.

We have our usual pages of events and activities in and around the area, to help get you out and about within the community.

All the best

This month

Interior Design page 26

HOME DÉCOR TRENDS FOR 2023

Simon Hemsley SK Magazines

T: 07952 005518

E: simon@skmagazines.co.uk

W: www.skmagazines.co.uk

Contents

Welcome - Page 3

Events - Pages 5,6, 10 & 12

Under the Hammer – Page 14

Community Care – Page 16

Club News – Page 18

Community News – Page 20 & 28

Business Spotlight – Page 24

Interior Design – Page 26

Mind Matters – Page 30

Financial Matters – Page 32

Health & Wellbeing – Page 34

In Stitches – Page 36

Food & Drink – Page 38

Wellbeing Pilates – Page 40

Ad Index - Page 42

To advertise in SKBramhall & Woodford please contact Simon Hemsley on 07952 005518 or e-mail simon@skmagazines.co.uk for further information.

SKCheadle Hulme & Cheadle: September Deadline: April / May issues is 10th March

SKBramhall & Woodford and SKWimslow & Alderley Edge May / June issues is 10th April. (please allow two extra days for ad design). Printed by Stephens & George ©SK Magazines. All rights reserved. No reproduction can be made without permission.

EVERY MONDAY: THE LINDOW SINGERS

Wilmslow Academy Primary School, Handforth Road, Handforth 7:30pm. For more information

contact Ann Epton, on 0161 485 2231 or Email Harry.Epton@ntlworld.com or visit https://www. lindowsingers.org.uk/

EVERY MONDAY: BRAMHALL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

75th Anniversary Season. Presentations, Workshop’s, Competitions. 7.15pm. Bramhall Village Centre, Lumb Lane. New members welcome. Email: info.bramhallps@gmail.com www.bramhallps.org

EVERY MONDAY: THE ROBINS SINGERS

Email sec.robinssingers@gmail.com for more information.

EVERY MONDAY AFTERNOON AT 2 PM:  ART AND CRAFT GROUP AT BRAMHALL METHODIST CHURCH

Call the Church Office for information 0161 439 1204

EVERY 3RD MONDAY OF THE MONTH: THE CURRY CLUB

Contact Hazel Hiley, 0161 439 1281 Email hazelhiley@gmail.com

LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH: GATLEY & CHEADLE DIABETES GROUP

Contact Jean 0161 485 1628.

EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

OVER 60’S MEN’S KEEP FIT

Contact John on 01625 877549 or Graham on 0161 483 7631

EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY: CHEADLE HULME FITNESS

Contact Penny on 0161 440 8059 or Email mail@cheadlehulmefitness.org.uk

EVERY FOURTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH: THE TREFOIL GUILD

Further details from Secretary.BramhallTG@gmail. com or 07887 950298.

EVERY TUESDAY (TERM TIME ONLY):

BROOKDALE YOUTH THEATRE

Email BrookdaleYT@outlook.com

EVERY TUESDAY: HEALD GREEN COMMUNITY CHOIR

For fun and friendship at 10-11:30 am, term time St Catherine’s church, Outwood Road.

EVERY TUESDAY: BARNBY CHOIR

8pm til 8.45pm at Wilmslow Methodist Church, Water Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5AR

Contact Shan Bristow, 01625 520193 or shan@shanbristow.co.uk www.thebarnbychoir.co.uk

EVERY TUESDAY: MACCLESFIELD LIGHT ORCHESTRA

Do you play a musical instrument? We always keen to attract new members, especially string and brass players. If you enjoy playing music and would like to join a friendly orchestra, please contact: Rosemary Jones 01625 529313 or Lawrence Beard 01625 572324. 7.45 pm in the Salvation Army Rooms, Roe Street, Macclesfield SK11 6UT. www.macclesfieldlightorchestra.co.uk

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH:

CHESHIRE LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB

Contact: Lesley Cox 07534471782.

EVERY TUESDAY: MAGIC VOICES CHEADLE

Meet at 7.45pm Trinity Church Hall, Massie Street, Cheadle SK8 1DU We are a non-audition, open choir. Contact Mike at mike@magicvoices.co.uk

EVERY FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH: BRAMHALL & WOODFORD SEWING & CRAFT CIRCLE

Contact Karen on 07860 458260

EVERY TUESDAY: BRAMHALL WORLD CIRCLE DANCE GROUP

Contact us through web site

www.bramhallcircledance.wordpress.com or ring 07713 681439. First session free with SK booklet.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY:

THE DAY CENTRE - FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Provides activities and a freshly cooked 2 course lunch.  Transport could  be provided.  Contact Jane on  07706796471. Grove Lane Baptist Church from 10.30 -2.30pm

FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH:

CHESHIRE LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB

Contact Joan Fitzgerald on 0161 428 2515.

EVERY SECOND & FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH: STOCKPORT SYMPHONIC SOUNDS

Contact Liz Pennington on 0161 439 7484

FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY EVERY MONTH: KNIT AND KNATTER GROUP

Contact Jean on 0161 439 8241

EVERY WEDNESDAY: TODDLERS

Contact 0161 485 1605 for details.

EVERY WEDNESDAY: POWNALL PROBEX CLUB

Email pownallprobexclub.org.uk

EVERY WEDNESDAYS:

(DURING TERM TIME) COMMUNITY CAFÉ

open 9am-2pm serving breakfast and lunches. All Hallows Church, allhallows.cheadle@gmail.com Tel: 0161 428 9121   Mon, Wed, Fri 9.00-1.00 www.allhallows-church.org.uk

EVERY WEDNESDAY:

LINE DANCING AT BROOKDALE CLUB Bridge Lane, Bramhall at 2.00 pm. Details J ean 0161 439 8241

EVERY WEDNESDAY:

STOCKPORT BARBERSHOP CHORUS

We sing as Harmony Revival and rehearse at 7.30 each Wednesday evening at Wesley Street Methodist Church in Hazel Grove and can be contacted via our website - harmonyrevival.co.uk, or by email to info@harmonyrevival.co.uk.

EVERY WEDNESDAY: THE LAURENCE SINGERS

Email: enquiries@thelaurencesingers.org.uk or call Cliff on 01625 527204 or visit www.thelaurencesingers.org.uk

PLEASE CHECK MEETING IS ON BEFORE ATTENDING

EVERY WEDNESDAY: STOCKPORT COMMUNITY CHOIR

Email info@stockportcommunitychoir.org.uk or ring Phil on 07771 730 810.

STOCKPORT LADYBROOK SPEAKERS CLUB

Contact Gaynor Dennett 07722 166605 visit www.stockportladiesspeakers.co.uk

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY: ROTARY CHEADLE & DISTRICT DEMENTIA GROUP

Contact Rita Kumar 07899951600.

EVERY WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH –PARKINSON’S UK – STOCKPORT BRANCH

Check out our web page www.parkinsons.org.uk/local-support-groups/ regions/stockport-branch for a full list of our programme.

EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH: THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH EAST CHESHIRE

Contact Maggie Schofield on 0161 427 9451 or inf0@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH: THE ART SOCIETY NORTH EAST CHESHIRE

Talks start at 10.30am at Brookdale Club, Bridge Lane, Bramhall. Contact Maggie on 0161 427 9451 or email info@theartssocietynortheastcheshire.org.uk

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY: STOCKPORT LADIES SPEAKERS

For more information go to www.stockportladiesspeakers.co.uk or email sixdennett@aol.com

LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH: SOCIAL NIGHT AT ALL HALLOWS

Play pool, table tennis or just call in for a chat from 7.30pm until 9pm. All Hallows Church, Cheadle. www.allhollows-church.org.uk

EVERY THURSDAY:

BRAMHALL THURSDAY CLUB

Contact Carol Sargent g.davidsargent@btinternet.com, 0161 439 1779 or Facebook page, Bramhall Thursday Club.

EVERY THURSDAY: BRAMHALL COMMUNITY CHOIR+

An advanced a cappella group. Thursday 11am12pm term time, Bramhall URC.

EVERY 1ST THURSDAY: CHEADLE HULME U3A MONTHLY MEETING

No longer working full time or raising a family? U3A gives you the chance to develop interests and make new friends in the local area. Find out more about the wide range of groups we offer on our website and attend your first monthly meeting and/or group with a view to joining our U3A. Starts 2pm. Contact: Neil Rackham, admin@chu3a.org.uk Website: www.chu3a.org.uk

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY:

PROBUS CLUB OF STOCKPORT SOUTH

contact Chris Ward 0161 483 5174 or email: chrisward@vistech.plus.com.

Contact Elaine Noden 0161 355 1459

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH: WOODFORD WI

Contact Cheshire Federation of WIs at www.cheshirewi.org.uk or call 01244 347462.

EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS

EACH MONTH LINK WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP AT BRAMHALL METHODIST CHURCH

AT 2.30 PM

Call the Church Office for information 0161 439 1204

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH (EX SEPTEMBER):

Contact Jean Tudge 0161 487 1324

EVERY THURSDAY: LADYBROOK SINGERS

Contact Mary: 07777 646828 if you want to find out more. You’ll find us on Facebook too. www.ladybrooksingers.co.uk

EVERY 1/2/3/4TH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH (EXCEPT DECEMBER): PHD PATCHERS PATCHWORK AND QUILTING CLUB

Contact: 07761 447063.

EVERY 4TH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH (EXCEPT FOR DECEMBER): RETIRED TEACHERS CLUB

Contacted on 0161 4398794. SK8 7AA. Call 0161 486 9226.

EVERY FRIDAY:  WOODFORD COMMUNITY

CENTRE BRIDGE CLUB

Contact Judith Fletcher on 0161 439 5310

EVERY FRIDAY: BRAMHALL COMMUNITY CHOIR

For fun and friendship 2pm-3.30pm term time at Centrepoint, Bramhall Methodist, also Fridays 12pm-1pm term time at Bramhall URC. Bramhall Beginners’ Choir.  Learn how to sing and build your confidence.

EVERY FRIDAY: MINDFULNESS FOR WELLBEING

All Saints Parish Rooms, Church Road, Cheadle Hulme. 12 - 1pm.More info from Katie Sheen www.soulnutrition.org, katie@soulnutrition.org  Tel: 07703 342 781

LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH:

BRAMHALL GOLF SOCIETY

We have male and female members. We play the last Friday each month at local courses.  We are based at the Victorian in Bramhall. Email: bramhallgolfsociety.com It contains all the fixtures for this year or contacted 07563512555.

EVERY SUNDAY: BRAMHALL BAPTIST CHURCH MORNING SERVICE

For more details www.bramhallbaptist.co.uk or call 0161 440 9091.

EVERY SUNDAY: “HUNGRY FOR HELP”

Contact Suzi: 07876 152 630. www.oagb.org.uk

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH: THE BROOKDALE CLUB QUIZ NIGHT

Contact Roger Salt on 0161 439 0371

WEDNESDAY 8TH - SAT 11TH MARCH: BROOKDALE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’

by Shelagh Stephenson. ‘Something happened… The wrong place, the wrong time, the wrong choice…’A mesmeric psychological thriller. Curtain up 7:30pm. Book online www.thebrookdaleclub.com

FRIDAY 10TH MARCH: CHEADLE HULME GARDENING AND SHOW SOCIETY

Quiz Night --- 7.30pm. All Saints Parish Rooms, Church Rd, Cheadle Hulme SK8 7JB

Raffle and Refreshments. We welcome members and non-members - £5 entry. If you would like to book a table for 6 please contact Kate on 01614854322

SATURDAY 18TH MARCH: CHARITY MARKET Cheadle Hulme Shopping Centre, 10am until 4pm. All the markets will raise money for various charities. Also on April 15th, same time, same place.

MONDAY 20TH - SATURDAY 26TH MARCH: PLAYERS THEATRE CHEADLE HULME

’One Man Two Guvnors’ by Richard Bean. Presented by Players Theatre Cheadle Hulme. Curtain up 7.45 pm. Book online at  www.playersdramatic.co.uk

SATURDAY 25TH MARCH: STOCKPORT

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto, SchubertUnfinished Symphony & Brahms – Symphony No 4. Stockport Town Hall. For tickets go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/sso For 10% off use the code SK10 in check out.

SUNDAY 26TH MARCH: THE BARNBY CHOIR

Bruckner Mass in D Minor, Haydn Nelson Mass Starts 7.30 pm at St. Michael’s Church, Robins Lane, Bramhall, SK7 2PG Tickets £12 from Shan Bristow 01625 520193 or email: shan@shanbristow.co.uk

FRIDAY 14TH – 16TH APRIL:

BRAMHALL ART SOCIETY

54th Annual Exhibition at Bramhall Village Club, Lumb Lane, Bramhall, SK7 1LR. Open 10am-6pm Fri 14th April and Sat 15th April ,10am-5pm Sun 16th April. Free admission and free car park. Tea, coffee and cakes served each day in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support 10am-4pm. Enquiries to June Broadhurst, junebroadhurst@yahoo.co.uk or follow us at www.facebook.com/bramhallartsociety

SATURDAY 15TH. APRIL: CHEADLE HULME

GARDENING AND SHOW SOCIETY

Coffee Morning & Plant Sale. 10 – 12pm at Parish Rooms, Church Rd, Cheadle Hulme SK8 7JB Admission £1.50, includes refreshments, also Books, Cakes, Cards, Jigsaws and a Raffle For further details  www.cheadlehulmegardenandshowsoc.org.uk

T:- Kate 0161 485 4322

SATURDAY 22ND APRIL: WILMSLOW GUILD

GARDENING CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE. The sale will be held in the main hall at the guild from 10am to 12 noon. The plants for sale are donated by members of the gardening club and there is always an eclectic mix of plants from some quite common ones to rare treasures. Gardening club members will be on hand to give advice about plant care. For more information contact 07421 350155.

MONDAY 24TH - SAT 29TH APRIL: BROOKDALE

THEATRE PRESENTS ‘CALAMITY JANE’

The whip-cracking comedy musical based on the classic film starring Doris Day. Curtain up 7:30pm . Matinee Sat at 2.00pm. Book online www.thebrookdaleclub.com

SATURDAY 29TH APRIL: LADYBROOK SINGERS

Spring Concert with guest soloists, Organist: Carolyn Hawkins and Flautist: Gemma

Breteche.7.30pm at Norbury Parish Church, London Road. Hazel Grove. Stockport, SK7 4RF Tickets £10 incl. refreshments. Proceeds to Norbury Parish Church Roof Fund

Contact: 0161 485 6642.

BRAMHALLS REPAIR CAFE

Do you love to mend things, are you or someone you know good at repairing things?

Bramhall’s Green Network hope to set up a monthly Repair Cafe, starting in the spring, it will be on a Saturday for a couple of hours at Bramhall Methodist Church. Can you help us?

The aim of the Repair Cafe is to Repair not Replace things! We hope that this will reduce waste going into landfill, reduce carbon dioxide from the manufacturing of new goods and reduce our demands on the planet’s finite resources. It should also mean that people are able to save money.

We also hope that the Repair Cafe will be an opportunity for people to learn how to repair things themselves, a skill which it seems may have been lost over the last generation. Many people comment on how their grandparents always seemed to be able to repair things!

So, maybe someone has a bicycle puncture and doesn’t know how to fix it, or they don’t know why their toaster is not working. Perhaps someone has lost a button from a shirt or has torn their favourite skirt or trousers and they have no idea how to mend them. They can bring them along to the Repair Café.

We would like to create a community of local volunteer repairers who will share their repair skills, in a friendly social environment. Repairs could be of household objects, bicycles, clothing, electronic, electrical or mechanical devices, perhaps wooden items or items that repairers can fix. Therefore, if you can fix things we would love to hear from you.

If you are able to volunteer please email ecobramhall@gmail.com

Spring clear-out beckoning? Your vintage toys could net you hundreds of pounds

Nostalgia is a comfort blanket that cloaks us all, and happy memories have fuelled a recordbreaking start to the auction year, all thanks to toys.

Treasures from our formative years are in demand like never before with items from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s in vogue. And that’ great news for the people of Cheshire because Hansons’ toys expert Janet Rawnsley hosts valuation days in Knutsford - and she can’t wait to see what the new year will bring.

Janet specialises in dolls and teddies but has a broad toy knowledge. She loves to make finds that exceed expectation at auction and 2023 looks set to be an exceptional year.

Hansons’ two-day January toy sale was a record breaker. Almost 900 lots achieved a selling rate of 99.2% and the hammer total was £87,562 – a new toy department record.

A single-owner diecast model collection achieved nearly £40,000. Ferraris were particularly sought after. For example, a 1:18 scale model of a Ferrari 312P Berlinetta RennsportCoupe, raced to £820. In addition, a single owner Dinky vehicle collection raised more than £25,000. So what else should you be looking out for?

According to Janet, vintage Sindy dolls and Action Man can spark strong results. A 1963 Sindy in good condition, boxed, sells for £250 or more.

Launched in 1963, Weekender Sindy was a new teenage doll made for Pedigree dolls in Canterbury, Kent. Helped by a range of outfits including creations from Tuffin and Foale –cool designers of their day – the toy was a huge success.

The three eras of Sindy collecting encompass early 1963 dolls and clothes, 1968 New look Sindy dolls and outfits and the 1972 Trendy Girl era with retro maxi dresses and ensembles.

Action Man toys, made by Palitoy from1966, can deliver impressive results too. A good boxed example can exceed £200, plus rare outfits like the Judo set and other 1960s versions, boxed with clothing, can achieve more than £200. Other dolls in demand include Palitoy’s Pippa doll from 1972. These 6in dolls are hugely collected as are Pippa Friends and outfits. A single-owner collection achieved £250 at auction.

Rarity value ensures Palitoy’s Blythe eye-colour-change dolls do well. They were only made for nine months in 1972. This oversized-head doll has gained cult status with collectors. A boxed example in good condition can net £800.

Other toys of the 1970s and 80s to look out for include Sylvanian Family collections, Playmobil, Playpeople and Lego boxed sets. Free toy/general antiques valuations will be available at St John’s Knutsford Church Centre, Church Hill, Knutsford, WA16 6DH on March 3, March 24 and April 21, 11am-1pm. Alternatively, email: jrawnsley@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.

Twitter: HansonsUK

Facebook: HansonsAuctioneersUK

Instagram: hansons_auctioneers

Vintage Sindy doll from 1960s

A Dinky vehicle collection sold for more than £25,000.

A scale model of a Ferrari 312P Berlinetta Rennsport-Coupe, sold for £820.

Action Man toys

Palitoy Blythe doll

SPRAY KITCHEN UNITS AND FURNITURE PAINTING

Maria Clayton Interiors specialises exclusively in upcycling kitchen units, bedroom units and all free-standing furniture. We o er all colours from both Little Greene and Farrow and Ball.

Kitchen units and bedroom units sprayed to the colour of your choice.

We take all the hassle out of the process by dismantling the units ourselves, collecting and re assembling.

We have many year’s experience and our customers are always left satis ed.

“We o er quality over quantity”

Bankswood Treecare is a friendly run business based in the SK area. We have £5 million public liability insurance and all our work is carried in accordance with guidelines set out in the British Standards for tree works (BS3998).

We follow strict guidelines in relation to birds nesting and roosting or hibernating bats as well as other wildlife, we will liaise with the appropriate authorities if the need arises.

You can be sure that we will not harm or damage the surroundings as we work with complete respect for the environment and the trees themselves. Contact an experienced tree surgeon if you want a quotation, consultation or even advice.

We have the expertise you need. We have extensive knowledge about how to care for trees. If you want a reliable tree surgeon we are ready to help you. We have excellent service at affordable prices.

For a free quote or consultation, or even if you are just looking for some advice on any aspect of our tree surgery services:

n Tree Felling - Free Estimates

n Small & Large Conifers

n Crown Reduction & Thinning

n Stump Grinding

n Hedge Trimming & Shaping

n All Waste Removed

n Tree Assessments and Reports

A TALE OF HOPE & HAPPY ENDINGS

Have you ever lost something that is precious to you, something that can’t be replaced because of the sentimental value, not necessarily the material worth? If you have you will know that overwhelming sense of panic when you realise it is missing and the helplessness not knowing if it will be found. I imagine that if this were to happen most of us would feel that the item is gone forever with little chance of it being returned safely. I think that is a natural reaction, it might be hard to be entirely optimistic, especially if the item had value.

However, we should remain hopeful and remind ourselves that there are kind and principled people out there. Carmel, a local woman, is one such person who safely returned three treasured rings having found them in the street. It may sound a little strange to have lost such valuable items but on any given day it could happen to anyone, just as it did to Lucy, a vet from Heaton Moor.

Lucy was left heartbroken when her engagement ring, 21st birthday gold ring and vintage diamond ring, inherited by her late gran, were lost. The accident happened after she had taken them off and placed them on her lap to apply hand cream, she then quickly left the car to attend her wedding dress appointment with her mum, Margaret. The rings fell from her lap as she headed to her appointment and she soon realised the rings had gone. It was only a few

minutes between leaving the car and realising what had happened, they retraced their steps and despite searching for hours Lucy and her mum did not find the rings.

The rings were reported missing to the police and Lucy posted a reward on social media for their safe return. She waited anxiously for days to hear some positive news, either the rings had been handed to the police or a reply to the online post. With no response Lucy began to give up hope, her fiancée suggested putting up a large sign outside Margaret’s house, close to where the rings had been lost.

It was this sign that Carmel saw while walking her dog, having found the rings earlier. Initially reluctant to reach out on social media or knock-on doors seeing the sign gave her the reassurance she had found the rightful owners. The rings were returned to Lucy, in a gift box and without the need for the reward.

I’m pleased Lucy’s story had a happy ending.

Karen Perry Founder, alice chilton In-Home Care Services www.alicechilton.com

CHANGE OF THE GUARD

Early February at Bramhall Golf Club brings about the change of the President and Captains.

The weekend follows the clubs Annual General Meeting and fills the membership with excitement for the golfing year ahead.

It signifies the new captaincy year and brings with it the first large scale members social event of the year, The Captains Welcome.

This year the club will welcome Mr Roger Attwater to the role of Mr President, Mr Paul Mizen to the role of Mr Captain, Mrs Kath Ince to the role of Mrs Lady Captain and Master Daniel Hayes to the role of Junior Captain.

Fun and frivolities are always assured on the evening of the Captains Welcome Party and with this year’s Captain and Lady Captain having the proclivity for a little Singing, the party was sure to be one to remember. The social events here at Bramhall Golf Club have a real feeling of community about them, with all patrons invested in the same goal, to have fun and enjoy the moment.

The Sunday following the Welcome party the new dignitaries take part in the drive in. Each hits a drive from the first tee surrounded by the onlooking eyes of their golfing fraternity. There are hearts broken and lives forever changed on the wagers made as to how far each will advance the ball. This tradition always makes for a fun and tense few minutes after which the members are invited to join the newly elected custodians for a light lunch.

The club has an action-packed golfing and social calendar ensuring one thing is for sure, 2023 looks to be a fantastic year at Bramhall Golf Club. We hope to deliver a show stopping year for our new dignitaries and we wish them all a fantastic 2023.

Mr President

Captains Welcome Party

Mr Captain Serenading the members

The New President and Captains of Bramhall Golf Club

STAINED GLASS CLASS

Iread a Wendy Perriam novel years ago, where one of the characters designed and made stained glass windows. It had stuck with me, so, when I came across a weekend course in Manchester I jumped at the chance to experience it for myself.

The studio was in an old mill in Ancoats. I was nervous as I wound my way up the stone spiral staircase, I needn’t have been.

Sharon Campbell, the artist who runs the workshop, settled us all in. She exuded patience and passion. As Sharon talked us through the basics, my eyes wandered over her creations that hung from the windows and the walls. I was in awe.

We began by choosing glass from a vast array of colours and textures. We then traced shapes on the smooth side of the glass, scored and snapped it. The sound of the glass breaking as we carefully applied pressure, was a satisfying clunk, like chocolate straight from the fridge. This was relatively easy,

compared to cutting the lead and fitting the glass into it. This required precision (not my strong point) before pinning it ready to be soldered. With guidance, we all managed to combine the flux and the heat to secure our first attempts.

I was very proud of myself. It took a while to get the hang of the different skills required, but the satisfaction in taking something home after the first day was immense.

After lunch we started something bigger and more complicated. Sharon oversaw us, offering advice, help, tea and biscuits. This piece was completed on the second day.

I was hooked and decided to make a window for my house where the original Victorian glass was missing. After many hours in the studio, sometimes independently, often with help from Sharon, it was finished. My pride and joy.

Jane Ashworth Local resident www.manchesterstainedglass.co.uk

Janes Window

DOMESTIC LIFTS FOR SK READERS

We are pleased to announce the introduction of Avery Home Lifts to our SK readers (See their Advert on page 27)

Whether travelling standing, seated or in a Wheelchair, there’s an easy, personalised, smart compact design solution to enable you to move smoothly and safely between floors in your home.

‘Here’s a few of the many positives to having your own Through Floor Lift’

n Stay in the home you love

n Future proof your home and enjoy your continued independence

n Avoid the upheaval & expense of moving house

n Wheelchair access if required

n Added Value

n Easy to operate One-touch controls

The whole process is Project Managed from initial visit to completed installation, ensuring real peace of mind from start to finish.

Any Building and Electrical Work required to create the ceiling aperture, will comply to Building Regulations as required.The design and build quality of all lifts has been developed and proven locally for over 50 years.

The Advice and Quotation service is completely free (well, it might cost a Cup of Tea and a Biscuit (smiley face imoji)

For more information contact John on 07900 588140

LATEST MODELS

LOWEST PRICES

• STEEL • WOODGRAIN

• GRP • SIDE HINGED

• MANUAL OR ELECTRIC

• DOOR REPAIRS

CALL: 0161 477 3391

SHOWROOM: Horton Street, Higher Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3LR

OPEN: Monday-Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday: 9am - 12pm

www.carringtondoors.co.uk/garagedoors

HOME DÉCOR TRENDS FOR 2023

With the Spring season approaching it’s a treat to refresh your look with a new pair of shoes or a brighter hair colour, it’s no different in the home. Out with just so many throws and in with a refreshed paint colour or more, updating your décor is fun. Looks evolve all the time, often governed by our lifestyle, so here are a few of the top home décor trends this year. Home Entertaining. Not surprisingly with the squeezes on finances

currently, there’s a big surge in cooking at home. Matt Siberry, Head of Home at Pinterest UK agrees, having noticed an increase of 25% for ‘dining tables’ search on Pinterest. ‘People will be cooking with the intention of sharing meals’ he states. Make this area as beautiful as your favourite restaurant with warm colours, interesting art, invest in gorgeous furniture, and it will be a place you will want to spend time.

Soft lines. In 2022 we saw a trend for rounded edges, fluid material and that’s set to continue this year. We have been spending more time in our homes these last couple of years and we want them to be comfortable, tactile and homely. Even painting with a curved pattern at the top or the sides looks great, particularly in a child’s room. Layering soft fabrics with cushions on the

sofa or bedding is a great way to achieve this. Add a rug with fluid lines or plain but with texture, pop a plant on the shelf, all this helps to soften the look and are naturally calming. Multifunctional rooms. A spare room for guests is a luxury but often a wasted area in the house. Living trends in 2023 dictate lots of working from home and expensive house prices. Versatility is key. Have a fold away bed that magically appears when you need, or if you’d rather work at the dining or coffee table, then storage can be tucked away in the spare room for your files and samples or anything you need to work. Affordable to luxury storage is plentiful and with some style and imagination can look fantastic.

Enjoying your space is key, let me know if I can help, Sharon.

Facebook: Tigermoth Home

www.tigermothhome.co.uk

Sharon@tigermothhome.co.uk

Instagram: @tigermothhomeinteriors

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EXCITING NEWS FROM BRAMHALL OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE

2023 is going to be an exciting time of change at the practice. After 33 years of evolving Bramhall Osteopathic Practice into the wonderful place it is, I have decided to take a different role in it! From 30th January, Chris Heywood, one of our osteopathic team, will be taking over the practice and I will become his associate!

I have known Chris’ family well since I first moved up to Manchester and they have been a very special and supportive part of my life here. Over the years I have seen Chris grow into an exceptionally lovely man. As an osteopath, he

is an extremely good practitioner and gets on really well with the rest of the BOP team. I know he will do a great job of running the practice and I wish him every happiness and success. I certainly couldn’t have asked for a better career myself and a better team to work with.

I will still be around Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday at the practice, so your care will continue as and when you need it. Thank you to all our amazing patients and SK Magazine readers for their support over the years.

Jo Cheaney

GETTING THE BALL ROLLING FOR ST ANN’S HOSPICE

Last month Sarah Wolstenholme, Events Fundraiser for St Ann’s Hospice call in at Bramhall Golf Club to pick up a cheque for over £6,000 raised in 2022 by the Captain’s charity events. St. Ann’s was chosen mainly because the captains father-in-law died in the hospice several years ago. Margaret, the captains wife, has been a volunteer there for 16 years and is very passionate about it. It is also a Charity close to Lady Captains heart. Funds were raised by the following events: Lady Captains Charity Day (Comp fee donations/Cake Stall/Tombola/Raffle) Captains Am-Am, Fines for hitting ball into pond, Raffle for the men on Ladies Bowl Day, Ladies

Christmas Hampers, Mr Captain ‘rented out’ his car parking space on Ladies day each week, Sale of home-made Jam, Marmalade and also Duck Eggs and finally our Afternoon tea party.

St. Ann’s are planning a new purpose-built hospice on the site next to the current one in Heald Green. Although some funding has been secured, they still need to raise more and are currently running a campaign ‘Build it Together’. They have recently reached their first target of £500,000. The money raised from Bramhall Golf Club 2022 is the first donation towards the next target.

SPRING IS AN IMPORTANT SEASON

As Spring approaches once more, seemingly 5 minutes after the last one, and only about 10 minutes after Boris first said “hands, face space” a couple before that, we could be forgiven for thinking time is accelerating right now.  Well, it isn’t. And we’re not here for small talk anyway so let’s move on. You can save discussing the rapid passage of time for people who you meet and don’t have much to say to, it’s a sure winner.  So, back to business, I have an important message regarding Spring: It is a golden opportunity for change.

We cannot underestimate the importance of Spring (along with the other three seasons) in making life changing decisions and transforming our physical and mental health.

In fact, some recent fictitious research found that Spring emerged as a CLEAR joint winner as the best time of year to change your life, tied only with Summer, Autumn and Winter.

So there can be no doubt that now is a possible time for change.

In other entirely made up research, Spring emerged as the winner of the longest perceived season category, meaning that whilst it is technically the same length as the others, a few people felt it seemed longer. Based on these findings, it cannot now be clearer that Spring is the season to take action!

Joking aside, I find we can unhealthily fixate on what is the ‘right time’ or the ‘best time’ to make changes to our lives. It’s not helped by the amount of ‘special months’ we have… If we’re not doing a Dry January, we’re having a Stoptober, failing that there’s always someone growing a moustache for some reason, it’s really quite confusing.

The problem with trying to find the ‘best time’ to start improving our health is that these beliefs about when that is stop us far more than they start us off!

For example, when Spring comes, the time we’ve been waiting for… and we sprain our ankle on the first day or get the flu, we’ve missed our chance.

We could then start in summer, but NO! Summer is too hot, Spring is the time to change, so we

wait another year… and so on.

We can rinse and repeat this cycle for any season or month chosen as the imaginary best time to make changes, and soon we find that years or even decades have flown by.

The Solution

The solution in my eyes is that we need to stop kidding ourselves. Stop playing the “when then” game and start the “right now” game.

Instead of saying “I’ll start running once the nights are lighter and the weather is warmer”… just get some layers on and run at lunch time.  Instead of saying “it’s too hard to eat salads when it’s cold, I’ll eat them in summer”, simply eat what is required for your desired goal whatever the weather.

Humans are sophisticated animals and we are quite capable of conquering our impulses to make rational decisions for the betterment of our health, longevity and happiness. We don’t have to let arbitrary rules govern our eating and exercise patterns, such as saying it’s too cold to eat a salad, or too dark to run. It really is just nonsense.

So today your homework is to have a think about how you’d like to improve health and fitness. How long you’d like to live, how you’d like to look and feel. Then, start acting to achieve those goals.

There really is absolutely no better time than RIGHT NOW to start a new life, and that statement is true 365 days a year.

Do the research, read the books, get a coach, get a gym buddy, get as much help as you need but for goodness sake decide what you want and then go and get it.

By the time you are reading my next article, you can have a different life, or be well on the way to one, there is no time to waste!

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MAKING TAX DIGITAL DELAYS

The self-employed and landlords will have more time to prepare for Making Tax Digital following a government announcement on the 19 December 2022.

This is a very sensible delay and demonstrates that the government and HMRC recognise that many self-employed people and landlords are facing a tricky economic environment and to continue with the slated changes from 6 April 2024 could be too great a burden.

The plan had been that from 6 April 2024, MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) commences for the self employed and landlords with an annual turnover of over £10,000. The date has been pushed back to 6 April 2026 and the turnover limits refreshed. From 6 April 2026, MTD will only apply to sole traders and partnerships with a turnover greater than £50,000 and from 6 April 2027 the turnover threshold falls to £30,000.

The overall intention remains that the annual requirement for submitting a self-assessment tax return will become a quarterly one (which will be rounded off with a final reckoning called an End of Period Statement). Under this new regime, all paperwork and invoices must be maintained within a digital system.

In readiness for the move to MTD, HMRC also has plans from 5 April 2024 to change the basis period which determines when business profits are taxed. For many years, the ‘current year’ basis has been in force which means that a sole trader is taxed on profits in the tax year that their year-end falls;

eg a sole trader business or partnership with a year-end of 31 May 2022 must report those profits on their 2022/2023 tax return, (because their year-end of 31 May 2022 falls between

6 April 2022 and 5 April 2023 and therefore falls in the 2022/2023 tax year, often abbreviated to simply 2023).

From 5 April 2024, there is going to be a horrible overlap with the 2023/2024 tax return needing to report the profits shown in the year-end accounts that finished part way through that 2023/2024 year plus the profits made between the business’ year-end accounts date all the way up to 5 April 2024.

There are going to be reliefs offered to help with this transition which includes the fact that the additional tax can be paid over 5 years. Sole traders and partnerships who do not have a 31 March or 5 April year-end date (these dates are loosely regarded as the same), and made profits in their first year of trading should consult with their accountant because they may find that there is ‘overlap relief’ available to them. This really is a technical area, but HMRC are certainly saying that ‘overlap relief’ will help with the transition.

So if you are a sole trader or trade as a partnership and you do not already have a 31 March or 5 April year-end date for the preparation of your accounts, start talking to your accountant now about the process involved in changing to one of these dates.

Peter Bevan Bevan & Co, Chartered Accountants peter@bevan.co.uk

announced, but sole traders and partnerships still have the change of ‘basis period’ to contend with

ACUPUNCTURE FOR INSOMNIA

“The secret of good health lies in a good and restful sleep. One who sleeps well restores his energy, revitalises his inner system and tones up his muscles… Is not sleep the infallible miracle drug, not just a cure for one illness but for a hundred a cure that saves a thousand lives.”

So said a 17th century Chinese sage. And it holds just as true today. We know that a good night’s sleep usually leaves us feeling refreshed and raring to go whilst a night of tossing and turning can lead to a day of feeling ill and out of sorts. When we just have an occasional night of poor sleep, our bodies recover quickly. However, poor sleep over an extended period of time will affect our health adversely.

Insomnia is a very common problem, with 29% of adults reporting sleep problems. And it’s more common in women (34%) than in men (24%). Lifestyle advice to help encourage good sleep habits includes creating relaxing evening routines, avoiding stimulants and late night mobile phone use.

Acupuncture is also a successful treatment for many insomniacs and many trials have shown acupuncture to be significantly more effective than sleeping tablets. It is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemicals which promote physical and emotional well-being.It can also affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to

pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for insomnia and anxiety. And acupuncture is thought to increase the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that controls the body’s sleep cycle.

Acupuncture treatments start with a thorough consultation where we take details of your general health, as well as specific symptoms. We also have our own diagnostic tests that we use to find out what’s happening with the flow of Qi (energy) through the acupuncture channels, including pulse-taking and tongue-reading. This helps us to identify underlying imbalances that might be causing seemingly-unrelated symptoms and then to devise a treatment plan. Patients then come for a series of treatments, initially a week apart, and we monitor progress week by week.

If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture could help you with insomnia, please contact Fiona Bullock at Bramhall Osteopathic Clinic.

Fiona Bullock Lic Ac MBAcC

Zero Waste Sewing and Sustainable Sewing

Zero Waste Sewing and Sustainable Sewing is a growing trend with emphasises on using environmentally friendly, ethically sourced materials, tools and techniques for making clothes, home goods and accessories.

We can make a creative impression on fabrics out of fashion clothes and vintage clothing locked away in cupboards. The key principles is set around the use of natural and recycled materials; up-cycling and repurposing textiles. Youtube and online blogs teach us methods of reconstructing garments, adding cool new features and you can find repair techniques to fix absolutely every part of a garment, upholster a chair or even completely repurpose a pair of men’s trousers into a lovely ladies jacket (I’m not sure about this one).  Sometimes, it can’t be helped and we might need, or want to buy new fabrics.  Think about what you buy and its purpose. Will it be a keeper?  Buying natural fabrics, cottons, linen, silks means you will have a strong, long lasting garment, easily be repurposed. Use natural dyes, you can find easy methods online to create your own, unique style.

A great tip to help you choose ethically when buying clothes, look online to see if the store you visit has any of the following assurances for their fabrics. GOTS (Global Organic and Textile Standard) OCS (Organic Content Standard) BCI (Better Cotton Initiative).  These assure us to know that the companies are following good standards.  Harvesting to manufacture, shipping

and retail methods are following methods to minimise negative impact on the environment while ensuring workers are working safely and paid a fair wage.  The fabrics are safe to use and you can happily choose these knowing the garments are been produced in an ethical and responsible manner.

If you have ever spotted the OEKOTex mark, this assures us that the garment or fabric is safe for human use.  It does not address fair labour practices or sustainable methods in production.

Zero Waste Sewing uses a piece of fabric wholly in the construction of a garment, without the use of printed paper patterns.  Drawing out pattern pieces for a garment, on a small sheet of paper and upscaling directly onto your fabric. It takes a bit of thinking, but that’s it.  Start with a simple bag and work up toward making garments. Ann Ladbury and Betty Foster often drew patterns on a grid to upscale onto fabric without the need for making a paper template first,

Have a look at my YouTube videos for Zero Waste designs to help you get started.

Keep smiling, and happy sewing

Spring Recipe

Yay Yay Yay!! Spring is here!

That’s all I want to say right now apart from I hope you enjoy this luscious tart which is perfect for a light lunch with a salad – yes it’s salad season again!

Rhubarb and Cheddar Tart

Sheet of ready rolled puff pastry

– use the all butter stuff it’s much better.

1 egg beaten

250g mascarpone

2 tbsp grated parmesan

400g pink rhubarb

1tbsp caster sugar

130g grated cheddar

A few sprigs of thyme leaves picked

Preheat the oven to 180c and line a baking tray with baking parchment. Unroll the pastry onto the tray and then using a sharp knife score a border around the edge about 1cm wide. Then using a fork prick the inside area thoroughly to ensure this bit doesn’t rise. Brush the edges with the egg

then line the centre with baking parchment and then baking beans. Blind bake in the over for 10mins until dry to the touch and then leave to cool slightly. It should be lightly golden but not brown.

Combine the mascarpone with the parmesan and season then spoon the mixture into the tart base, spreading it out as evenly as possible. Cut the rhubarb into pieces about 16cm long and arrange side by side onto the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with the sugar and then the grated cheddar and finally the thyme leaves.

Cook in the oven for 15 -20 mins until cheese is melted and the rhubarb is tender. Serve warm with a lightly dressed salad.

Making our home your home

Situated close to the village centre and benefiting from excellent public transport links, Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home is a place where you can enjoy full and independent living with the benefit of care and companionship all around you. Our ethos is about creating a compassionate, caring and supportive environment, and a fresh lively atmosphere.

Founded in 1952, Hillbrook Grange is run as a not-for-profit registered charity and is managed by a small team, all of whom live in the Bramhall area. The team has two key objectives: delivering high quality, long stay, holiday, and respite care in a friendly and homely environment, and provision of this care at cost effective, competitive rates.

To discuss your care needs with a senior member of the Hillbrook team please contact us:

WHY PILATES IS SO VALUABLE THROUGHOUT THE MENOPAUSE

Improving your health during the menopause is essential but it’s just as important to prepare your body for menopause as well as looking after it post menopause. Exercise is the perfect way to improve your physical and emotional wellbeing but as your body experiences the changes that come with menopause you may be unsure what is safe and effective for you. Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals and why Pilates is so valuable.

Two significant factors for women going through the menopause is health risk to our cardiovascular system and bone strength. Maintaining physical activity not only helps address but also protect against these conditions. It’s important to mention that menopause isn’t the cause of cardiovascular disease but often the lifestyle changes that commonly occur in this period of life that increase your risk. Cardiovascular activities can be tricky during the menopause if you are experiencing hot flushes. This should not put you off exercising though as 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week can improve your health risks.

The benefits of exercise are maintaining bone mass, improving strength and flexibility, and improving balance which in turn reduces the risk of falls and therefore risk of fractures.  Weight bearing (3-5 times per week) and resistance/strength exercise (2-3 times per week) help increase Bone Mineral Density by stimulating bone growth.

Pilates is a great form of exercise for bone loading due to the positions used and the action of muscles. We often don’t use our upper body sufficiently in our daily lives so four-point kneeling exercises on the mat will help you safely and effectively load your wrist bones.

During menopause the body experiences hormonal changes, loss of oestrogen has an impact on collagen which is important to maintain joint lubrication and tendon repair. You may also have noticed your muscle tone changes which can be frustrating when you have continued to exercise as normal. Softening of the muscles through hormonal changes not only means less strength but also less control over your movement. The reduction of oestrogen also leads to redistribution of body fat particularly to the abdominal area. Pilates is proven and evidence based to build core strength and muscle tone.

Women often mention brain fog this is when they lose their train of thought as they are going through menopause. Pilates focuses on the mind-body connection which means that your concentration will start to improve as well. Learning a new task has been scientifically shown to help brain health.

Menopause is inevitable so whether you are perimenopausal, menopause or postmenopausal, now is the perfect time to take a health audit, join a Pilates class and realign your future health.

To find a qualified teacher, visit the Body Control Pilates website Jules Hardman Body Control Pilates Teacher www.jules-pilates-alderleyedge.co.uk

SKBramhall & Woodford enjoys fantastic support from local businesses. If you do contact someone as result of reading about them in SKBramhall & Woodford, please mention this. Thank you.

If you would like to advertise your business in SKBramhall & Woodford, please contact Simon Hemsley on 07952 005518 or e-mail simon@skmagazines.co.uk.

Next issue: May / June 2023

Deadline: 10th April

Invisalign offers throughout March

This patient came to see us because he was unhappy with his smile. He wanted them to be straighter, and had actually been told previously that there would be a long wait and that he’d actually need jaw surgery to get his teeth straight. So, he came to see us, and we gave him the beautifully straight teeth he’d always wanted using Invisalign. You can see from the pictures how this treatment has completely closed the patient’s bite, and brought all of his teeth perfectly into line.

Invisalign is a system of clear, removable aligners that are changed every few weeks in order to shift the teeth  and move them to their final position over time. They are practical because they can be removed for cleaning and are discreet because they are almost invisible.

His new smile was then finished nicely with teeth whitening, to give it the ultimate glow-up, which is complementary with all orthodontic treatments here.

If you would like to know about which options are available to you, or if you have struggled to find a solution to your individual dental needs in the past then please get in touch. In addition, if you want any more information about the treatments we have on offer, including Invisalign, please speak to our friendly team on 0161-486-0743 to book in for a complementary consultation with one of our smile advisors.

Cheadle Hulme Dental & Cosmetics, 20a Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 7AB

SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE PATIENT’S REVIEW OF THIS TREATMENT