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06
CONTENTS 09 N OO M S W OOOOD E N WRNTW ON BRE H S GI
AMAZON
www.amazonwindows.co.uk
IN EN P Angela Watkinson O Political Update
10 Around Town Sports Focuses on Boxing
14 Recipe
Vegetable Lasagne
20
Martin
16
Amazon Windows are one of the areas largest windows, door and conservatory companies Lewis serving Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Essex.
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everyone else who was on duty during the festive period to keep the rest of us safe. It is too easy to take them for granted but people who locked themselves out, got stuck in lifts, had a road accident, were taken ill or needed help in other ways owe them a debt of gratitude, as do we all.
Angela Watkinsons
Member of Parliament For Upminster & Hornchurch Most people have enjoyed a break over Christmas and the New Year, but we should all spare a thought for the police officers, firefighters, health service personnel and
The Supreme Court is about to decide if parliament should vote on Brexit. A one day Bill might have to be rushed through parliament, but provided that the House of Lords does not block it, negotiations for the UK to leave the EU will start by the end of March and will continue for an estimated 2 years. People who are still pressing for a second referendum, those who regret not bothering to vote and those who, like me, who voted to remain have to accept that the decision
has been made and hope for a successful outcome. Progress on the redevelopment of the St George’s Hospital site has stalled. Back in June last year, Havering Council gave planning permission for a new health facility and a development of 300 new homes on the site. However, NHS Property Services, who own the site, appealed and put forward their own plan. This alternative proposal has not been approved by the Greater London Authority and has been challenged by our local CCG and Havering Council. This delay is frustrating but our CCG is still hopeful that the original application will succeed.
With every good wish for a peaceful, healthy and contented 2017.
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ON O M W OOOOD S E N WRNTW RE O B SH G IN
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BOXING
Boxing is at an all time high here in Britain who boast World Champions in so many different weight divisions. From Anthony Joshua to James DeGale, Britain has eclipsed the Americans when it comes to World’s best boxers! Wembley Stadium is prepared to host one of Boxing’s biggest fights in the last 20 years as Wladimir Klitchko the great Ukrainian tries to take back one of his belts from Anthony Joshua! Gone are the days where England’s solitary world title hopes rested on Frank Bruno’s heavyweight success and Chris Eubank’s dazzling skills. I wanted to focus on the local scene of boxing. We know that if taught right, Boxing is another great way for people to exercise and more importantly have the sense of belonging to a club and also can teach people to act with a certain level of discipline and control in their everyday lives. While I think we as a country we are happy for our children and family members to train and perhaps partake in amateur boxing bouts, like at the Olympics, I feel that fighting events for adults on the local scene have a huge stigma attached to them. I asked a local boxing enthusiast and amateur boxer, Paul Tredgold some questions about the local fighting scene. Paul trains at The Locker Room in Southend and competes in local events. How did you get into boxing and why did you choose Boxing when you obviously played other sports? I got into boxing through a friend of mine that boxed locally. I have great memories of watching the boxing with my Dad from a young age, watching guys like Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, and Herbie Hyde, when it was on terrestrial television. My uncle and one day my Dad took me down to his boxing gym. My uncle put a pair of 8oz black boxing gloves on me and left me on the heavy bag, I didn’t move it much, but gave it a good go. Boxing appealed to me because it brought out a personal motivation in me that other team sports failed to do as much. It was a nice balance doing both, but as I have grown older it has helped me stay in shape and has made me work harder than I thought was possible to achieve certain goals.
What would you say to someone who likes boxing, but does not get down to local fight nights? I would say give it a go. Boxing teaches respect, self discipline and much more, and this is carried into the boxing shows. Most local events lay on a nice meal, a good view of the boxing and allow you
to be surrounded by your own family and friends, in your own area. Everyone I speak to after the show, talk of how inspiring it is to see the fighters in action and give it their all. Some guys who train with us today got involved through watching the shows. Some just train and some compete. Unfortunately, there seems to be a stigma about boxers, and boxing shows, I believe they are incorrectly labelled. People think that the shows are full of intimidating fans that are just as aggressive as the loud brash boxers who want to fight everybody all the time. But the truth is most boxers that I know are the nicest people you could meet. Outside of the ring boxers are usually very calm, respectful and humble people with an inner self confidence about them, which leaves them with a feeling of nothing to prove in a macho sense. Those with the most to say have the most yet to learn. Is it conducive to everyday life? How does your boss feel about going to work with a black eye? The philosophy of boxing can actually shape your everyday life and definitely can go hand in hand with your current lifestyle whoever you are. It’s like my trainer and good friend James Chisholm often says, “We can’t make life any easier, but we can ourselves tougher” what he means by that is by making us fitter and tougher mentally, life becomes easier, which is very true in my case. Where I work people are very supportive of what I do. My superiors always ask how I got on and see it as a very positive thing that I box, which is understandable, I don’t know too many lazy boxers, do you? Boxing teaches a very ‘can do’ attitude and that it always welcome in any workplace, I wouldn’t suggest fighting on an evening before an important client facing meeting where millions of pounds are at stake, but common sense should hopefully prevail. It is hard to sometimes look past the brutality of the sport and it is not going to be for everybody, however skill, courage, etermination and agility are all things to be admired and Boxing is second to none in all of these. Also, I feel it is understandable that there is a bit of fear when attending a local event; however it seems as though a family atmosphere and intense support for their friends and family is most of what you will encounter, like any local sporting event. If you like Boxing give it a go. See below some local gyms and establishments in the area that I am sure would welcome new members that either wish to compete or train as well some places that hold such events mentioned above. The Locker Room - http://www.thelockerroom.biz Billericay and Wickford Boxing Club - http://billericayabc.blogspot.co.uk/ Belhus Park Boxing Club https://www.facebook.com/belhus.park.5
Put the spotlight on your local sports team, contact Zaki Hasan, via email, zaki@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk
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RECIPE Vegetable Lasagne
Tastes so good... Vegetable Lasagne (4 Servings) Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped 75g carrots, sliced 75g courgette 3 tbsp. vegetable oil 75g aubergine 50g button mushrooms 50g sweetcorn 1 small garlic clove, crushed 225g can of chopped tomatoes pinch of mixed herbs 8 tbsp. grated cheese 3 tbsp. butter 3 tbsp. plain flour ½ pint milk 4-5 sheets pre-cooked lasagna pasta Salt & pepper
Method:
chop lasagne, the onion andwith carroty and until for theamixture he usualFinely meat based packed healthy vegetables filling andthickens and boils. Stir dice the courgette and aubergine. in half of the grated cheese and some at lunch or dinner time. Serve with a fresh green salad and bread of your choice. Thinly slice the mushrooms.
salt and pepper for taste.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the vegetables until softened.
Spoon about a third of the vegetable mix into a shallow oven proof dish, add Oven: Pre-heat to 180C/350f/Gas 4 a little white sauce, the add a lasagna ervings Add the garlic, tomatoes, herbs, sheet and continue to layer in this way and sweetcorn andthe bring thecarroty boil. anduntil thecourgette last layerand is white sauce. Finely chop oniontoand dice the Then cover and simmer for about aubergine. Thinly slice the mushrooms. Heat the oil in a frying five minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on l pan and fry the vegetables until softened. garlic, top Add andthe cook for around 50 minutes Melt the butter in aherbs, pan and then stir and bring until to browned on top. Serve with fresh tomatoes, and sweetcorn the boil. Then oms in the flour, add the milk slowly, stirring herbs on top. cover and simmer for about five minutes.
crushed Melt the butter in a pan and then stir in the flour, add the milk ed tomatoesIf you would like your recipe to appear in Around Town Magazines then contact our sales team on: slowly, stirring until the mixture thickens and boils. Stir in half bs 01277 658444 of the grated cheese and some salt and pepper for taste. or email: sales@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk se Spoon about a third of the vegetable mix into a shallow oven
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CHILD SAVINGS This Christmas, instead of piling present after present many parents, and especially grandparents, have switched to opening savings accounts for little‘uns and giving cold hard cash instead. So, I want to give you a kid’s savings masterclass - the best ways to save for your child or their future. Before I start though, a thought. Don’t do this all for children. Instead do it with them, get them involved as early impossible. Everyone knows I’ve campaigned for years to get financial education taught in schools, but it can be taught at home too. It’s not just about saving, but also where to save to get the most from their money. So, if they’re old enough, sit down with them, and pick the savings account together, running through the pros and cons of each. Turn it into a fun financial game. And make them responsible for monitoring the rate afterwards in case it drops, and you need to ditch and switch. Which are the best-paying savings accounts?
children’s
to open it for them, and you can only do that if you’ve your own Santander current account. - Alternatively, www.HSBC.co.uk’s My Savings account pays 2.75% AER on up to £3,000. Any child aged over 7 can manage this on their own. - For larger sums, the www.Nationwide.co.uk Smart Limited Access account pays 2.25% AER on savings up to £50,000, though it only allows you to withdraw cash once a year. Are there any accounts grandparents can open? For younger children, an adult needs to open the account on the child’s behalf and be a trustee or signatory. (Children don’t usually need to be present but you’ll need ID for them, such as a passport.) Your name will then be on the account with the child’s, but it’ll be your signature that controls it, not theirs. Some accounts are parents only, but grandparents can do this with the Santander, Halifax and Nationwide accounts.
The www.Halifax.co.uk Kids’ Regular Saver pays 4% AER fixed for a year, but you can only pay in between £10 and £100 per month, and can’t withdraw any money until the year’s up. The www.SaffronBS.co.uk’s Children’s Regular Saver is similar and lets you withdraw from it whenever you want.
What about Junior ISAs (JISAs) – should I open one of these?
After a year, the rates on both accounts will drop, so get your child to set a diary reminder to move their money to a better account when it does.
“YOUR CHILD WILL EARN MORE THAN £16,000...”
I need to save a lump sum though?
The money is locked away until your child’s 18th birthday. After that though, it’s theirs to do what they want with – so if you’re thinking it’s a ‘uni fund’, they may prefer to spend it on a car, a holiday, or following One Direction round the world.
The regular savings accounts don’t suit if you want to put in a stash of cash in one go. - The top payer is the www.Santander.co.uk 123 Mini current account at 3% interest on between £300- £2,000. Any child over 11 can open this and they get a debit card to use in shops. However, if they’re younger, you’ll need
JISAs are special savings (or investments) that let you save £4,080 with tax-free interest for under 18s.
If you’ve got a JISA already, check its rate. If it’s poor, you’re not locked in, you can transfer it to a new provider – just open it
and fill out their transfer forms. The paying JISAs for savings come from CoventryBuildingSociety.co.uk, which 3.25% AER variable. The next best is Nationwide.co.uk paying 3%.
bestwww. pays www.
So, is there any point in a Junior ISA? For most people, no, unless it’s paying higher interest than standard savings. Yet there are some exceptions…
My children have a Child Trust Fund instead?
- You want the cash to be locked away until your child is 18.
Children currently aged roughly aged 5 to 14 got a Child Trust Fund (CTF) instead of a Junior ISA. These are now defunct products, they don’t offer the best rates, yet since 2015 you’ve been allowed to transfer these into a Junior ISA. Just follow the ‘how to transfer’ info above.
- You’re going to give your child enough money that they go over the £100-a-year interest threshold, in which case these taxfree savings accounts stop that.
Aren’t kids’ savings tax-free anyway? No. Children pay tax just like adults. Yet unlike most adults they don’t earn from work, if they have any income it’s only from savings. And if anyone, child or adult, only has savings interest and has under £17,000 a year then no tax is taken. (This is made up of the £11,000 personal allowance, £5,000 starting rate for savings and an additional £1,000 personal savings allowance.)To put that in perspective, to earn £17,000 in savings interest in the top accounts, you’d need over £1,000,000 saved. However, there is a rule that says kids can only earn £100 interest a year from money given by each parent – so that’s about £4,400 saved in the top easy-access account. Above that, it’s counted as the parents’ income and taxed at their rate. Though as most parents don’t pay tax on savings anymore either, that isn’t such an issue (unless they’re higher rate taxpayer or have a shedload).
martin L E W IS Money Saving Expert
- They’ll save enough cash over the years that they’d have more than the £15,480 adult cash ISA limit when they hit 18 (though it’s rising to £20,000 from next April). When that happens, the money automatically converts into an adult cash ISA. - Your child will earn more than £16,000 in savings interest and income in the tax year and earn more than their £1,000 personal savings allowance and will pay tax.
Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 11 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert. com/latesttip
Barron Sumner
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day A5 2017.qxp_Layout 1 11/11/2016 14:48 Page 1 come and enjoy a romantic Valentine’s meal on
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come and enjoy a romantic Valentines Tea with us on Saturday 11th February 2017 | 12pm - 5pm | £15.95 per person ADULTS Mothers day A5 2017.qxp_Layout 1 11/11/2016 14:48 Page 1
£37.50 PER PERSON CHILDREN UNDER 10
£20 PER PERSON
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Spoil your mum early for Mother’s Day with Afternoon Tea! ON SATURDAY 25TH MARCH 2017 - 1PM - 6PM Price £15.95 per person
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MOT CHANGE There goes a minister, I must remember to thank him. But why? Well, ministers are proposing an act that could save drivers an estimated £100 million a year. Admittedly, it is a saving that only 2.2 million drivers will reap the benefits of. This is because they are in the market segment that buy new cars and keep them for 3 or 4 years before looking for alternatives. So what is this proposal about? It is actually something that has been discussed for a number of years, but it has, at last, moved closer to reality. At present new cars don’t need to have a Ministry of Transport Test, an MOT to you and I, until they are 3 years old. If the
new proposal goes through it’ll change to 4 years. This act will bring England, Wales and Scotland in line with Northern Ireland and many European countries, including France and Spain. The proposal has been brought about by the Transport Minister Andrew Jones, “new vehicles are much safer than they were 50 years ago and so it is only right we bring the MOT test up to date to help save motorists money where we can.” With an average cost of £50, the potential extra years grace will be a welcome one. The only downside is that if not checked properly, there will potentially be some illegal tyres and faulty lights not being discovered as soon as they might have been.
This article was supplied by Torque Magazine.
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Chelmsford & District Welsh Society Membership is open to anyone with Welsh origins or connections, or to anyone with an appreciation of Welsh heritage and traditions. Visitors and guests are warmly welcomed to attend our meetings. The Society’s monthly meeting is held in St Cedd’s Hall, Cathedral Chapter House, Chelmsford, CM1 1NX, and is usually on the fourth Thursday of every month. The next meeting is on Thursday 16th February 2017 at 7.30pm. All new members are welcome, come along to our meeting for a fun and sociable evening. Throughout the year there are also fund raising events such as coffee mornings, musical evenings and a Garden Party. For more details please contact Gwenno on 07724144432 www.chelmsfordwelsh.org.uk www.facebook.com/ chelmsfordwelsh Euromedical Ambulance Service A volunteer led charity serving Upminster and Havering providing first aid cover at sporting,social and school events with weekly training sessions leading to recognised first aid qualifications for members.Meetings are held at the Rush Green Community Assn Social Club. For more information contact Melvyn Gallagher 01708 224167 or e – mail magallagher@mgnet. freeserve.co.uk
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Friends Of Upminster Mini Golf Course We are a recently formed group with the aims of promoting the Mini Golf Course in Hall Lane, Upminster and working in partnership with Havering Council to improve amenities and to encourage people of all ages to participate at the course. Find us on Facebook. Why not come and give it a go. Equipment is supplied and the course suits all abilities from novices to experienced golfers looking to improve their short game. More information on the Councils website: www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ ServiceChild/Hall-Lane-golfcourse. Keep Fit 50+ Exercise, Movement & Dance for 50+ & Active Retired Wednesdays during term time 2pm St Laurence Church Hall (next to library). Upminster RM14 2AJ Friendly group/tea/social break. Why not give it a try Chrisbannister104@ btinternet.com-01277 211050 MOTR® Core, Cardio & Strength Training Neil Carpenter brings the MOTR® fitness machine from the US for pre-booked ‘drop-in’ classes on Monday evenings in Cranham (maximum 8 to a class for close supervision). The MOTR® and its resistance bands will challenge your strength, core stability, stamina, control and agility in a full body athletic workout that will burn fat, tone and condition your body like no other workout.
This is a fast paced class so you must be injury free with a basic level of fitness. Flexible online booking is ideal for those with unpredictable schedules. Want to try out the MOTR® for free? Book a free class via our website www.upminstersportsmassage. co.uk or email us for further information upminstersportsmassage@gmail. com MummyNatal with Your Natal Way MummyNatal antenatal classes supporting mums-to-be to tune into what their birth experience is, focusing simply on the present moment and finding confidence and acceptance. Weekly classes include mindful meditation exercises, breathing practice, birth ball exercise, exercises for encouraging baby into optimum position for birth, managing intense sensation exercises, birth physiology and birth choices education. Classes at The Sanctuary, Upminster, Tuesday 8-9pm – yournatalway@outlook.com 07738572554 OASIS - A ‘disability-friendly’ meeting for adults On the second Sunday of each month, from 3.00 to 4.30 pm, we have our ‘disability-friendly’ meeting at Cranham Baptist Church, Severn Drive, Upminster, RM14 1SN. A traditional Sunday Service is not for everyone! Oasis meetings are aimed at people with disabilities and their carers. The meetings are accessible, informal and fun
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where Jesus is worshipped through Bible teaching, singing, prayer and fellowship with others. We provide a safe environment and loving support for adults with disabilities and their carers. For more information contact the Oasis Team on 01708 223551, 07714 853545 or the Church Office on 01708 224851. Pilates for a Healthier Spine Experienced Sports & Remedial Massage Therapists Charlene & Neil Carpenter teach traditional Pilates in private sessions and also to small groups in Upminster & Cranham. Improve the mobility of your spine & joints, increase strength, stamina & muscle elasticity, improve balance, co-ordination & enhance the way you look, feel & move. Levels: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Men Only, Post Natal, and Gentle Pilates for Seniors. Group classes are Tues-Fri mornings and Mon-Thurs evenings.
e mail shirley@shirleytours.co.uk for full list of trips. Tennis 4 All Hylands is delighted to engage with the JW Tennis Academy (JWTA) offering tennis lessons from mini tennis tots to squad level. All abilities welcome 4 -18 years old. A great way to help children improve their co-ordination, balance and listening skills in a fun and social environment. Also available, Cardio Tennis and Tennis Xpress for adult beginners. For more details please visit: www.hylandstennis.co.uk or contact us at hylandsclub@gmail. com The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is excited to be kick-starting its spring season of entertainment with the spine-tingling witch-hunt thriller, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible – running from 17 February – 11 March. Tickets: £12.50 - £30 Box
For further information or to book a course or trial class please visit www.upminstersportsmassage. co.uk or call Charlene on 07411 826721, or email upminstersportsmassage@gmail. com
The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is set to launch a very exciting audio and visual exhibition inspired by local voices, Women’s Stories of Ford Dagenham.
Shirley Tours Trips Coach trips, and short breaks in aid of fund raising for Hall Mead and James Oglethorpe Schools, All Saints Church and All Saints Scouts.
The exhibition will tour to local venues, starting at the Havering Museum from8 – 17 February and finishing at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurchfrom 16 – 29 May.
Departures from Cranham, flyers on holidays and day trip leaflets available. Please call Shirley Ward 01708 227884 for more details or
The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QTTube: Hornchurch Office: 01708 443333 Website:queens-theatre.co.uk
Upminster Park Towns Women’s Guild We are a friendly group of Ladies enjoying a chat over tea and biscuits listening to a good speaker or entertainer. Going on outings/theatre trips and promoting friendship and well being. We meet at St.Lawrence Church, Derham Hall, Upminster on the fourth Wednesday each month at 1.45 - 4 pm. For more information contact Deborah Pryor 01708 226127 or Anne Monk 01708 226305 or simply come along. UPMINSTER U3A Upminster U3A - University of the Third Age - meets at 1.00 pm on the third Tuesday monthly (except December) in the Methodist Church Hall, Hall Lane, Upminster. For further information about membership and current interest groups, come along to a meeting or email info@ upminsteru3a.org.uk or check out our Facebook page - www. facebook.com/upminsteru3a/ Upminster Wine and Social Club We are a fun group of people with an interest in wine appreciation and enjoying many social events. We hold meetings every month with a variety of speakers and a wine tasting. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 8.00 o’clock in the Cranham Social Hall, Front Lane, Cranham. For more information contact Maureen Jasper on 01708 223956, or simply come along on the night. You would be made most welcome.
If you would like to promote your club or event then please email a maximum of 70 words to:
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