It's Beautiful Summer 2023

Welcome

Welcome to the summer issue!

We’ve had some beautiful weather across the county so far this summer, so how are you planning to spend the remainder of the season?

If you need some ideas, we’re here to bring you some great options. Summer is a great time to take a closer look at your skin and haircare. We are blessed with some fantastic experts so visit pages 10, 12 and 18 for tips.

If you’re taking this season to sort out your home, shopping for new interiors is easy when you have it all in front of you. From page 27, we have you covered.

In 60 and Me (page 56), we have some great features about body maintenance including yoga and physiobased care. Have a wonderful summer.

It’s Beautiful

7 Lower Brook Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2HG Telephone: 07986 293294

Joint Managing Directors David Lee-Birch david@oswestrylife.co.uk

Tracy Leonard tracy@oswestrylife.co.uk

Editor Victoria Jane McKenna victoria@oswestrylife.co.uk

Production Designer Aileen Selkirk aileen@oswestrylife.co.uk

Advertising info@itsbeautiful.co.uk

Editorial info@itsbeautiful.co.uk

www.itsbeautiful.co.uk

Victoria McKenna EDITOR

HeAveN SKINCAre collagen pRoducts

“Collagen is found in abundance in our skin when we are young, but as we get older the amount diminishes — in fact, by the time we’re 50 we’ve already lost up to a third, and this leads to a dry complexion and signs of ageing,” explains Deborah. “Thankfully, my new Collagen Drops help boost that lost collagen... and then some. I’ve been working on these new supplements for a number of years now and because I am using high levels of collagen the results so far have been just amazing.”

She suggests adding a few drops in a glass or water each morning, mix in with Heaven’s Age Defiance Cream, or if you have a blemish on your face, then add a drop directly to your skin and massage in.

Recognised to help with:

• Hair growth

• Increasing thyroid function

• Anti-ageing

• Skin elasticity

• Brighter eyes

• Improvement of aches and pains

Katie has been using the new Collagen Drops for a month and has been delighted with the results: “I started using the drops every morning and evening. By week two I started to see the change — it literally happened overnight. I noticed that my skin was glowing when I woke up and later that day a relative ask me what skincare products I was using as she noticed the difference too.

“Since then, I have noticed the shine on my hair is amazing. I have long dark hair and it can often look dull it is now so shiny that I’ve received so many compliments. Once I completed my month’s supply of drops and I stopped taking them and more or less straight away I have seen a massive difference — my skin doesn’t have that extra glow and my hair has started to look dull again. It’s definitely time to reorder; I’ve realised I can’t live without my Collagen Drops - I want my glow back!”

• Deborah has been busy researching, creating and testing these potent skincare supplements since 2016 as part of her Inner Beauty collection.

• Available in Heaven salons and online, these new drops contain high levels of marine collagen to leave you looking and feeling — fabulous.

• Thanks to their super skinboosting collagen and hyaluronic acid content, they can also promote healthy, shiny hair.

• Simply add a few drops to food or drink; use to supercharge your favourite moisturiser or apply directly to the skin to tackle blemishes and break-outs.

Collagen Drops can be purchased in-store. You can also buy them online per box of 4 phials or as a bi-weekly subscription online at: www.heavenskincare.com - great savings per box.

• Strengthening the immune system

• Boosting the metabolism

• Healthier, heart, bones, joints & tendons

• Nail strength/growth

• Memory

• Sleep

• Hormone support

• Aiding in weight loss

• Preventing and reversing Arthritis

• Stabilising blood sugar levels

Get ready to say hello to smoother, plumper and more radiant skin with collagen! Its ability to improve skin hydration and elasticity make it a must-have in any skincare routine

Collagen Body & FaCe Mist

In warm weather hydration is key to keeping skin happy and healthy. Heaven’s collagen face mist provides an extra boost of moisture and you can spread throughout the day to keep cool.

Heaven’s Collagen sHaMpoo and Collagen Conditioner

Use Heaven’s Collage Shampoo and Collagen Conditioner for healthy happy hair. Collagen contains amino acids that are needed for the production of keratin, improving hair density and growth and protecting hair from environmental stresses.

Heaven’s Collagen seruM oil

How to use Heaven’s Collagen Serum Oil: Apply after cleansing or add a little to your favourite Heaven moisturiser or foundation. You can layer it with other serums, allowing 30 seconds in between each for the ingredients to soak into the skin. www.heavenskincare.com

Come Fly with Me

There’s been a fabulous injection of dresses into the high street stores. Online or in town, midi and maxi lengths are flying in with wonderful patterns and rich colours. These are bound to make you feel all summery and on warm days, are perfect at the park with the kids or in the garden with a G&T.

Above : Green Floral v Neck bias Cut Midi Dress £37.99, www.newlook.com

dresses from top l-r: Green floral V Neck Bias Cut midi dress £37.99, www.newlook.com; f&f pink stripe linen shirt dress £27.50, www.tesco.com; f&f pink stripe linen shirt dress £27.50, www.tesco.com; lucy mecklenburgh Jersey mini dress in Green floral £25, www.very.co.uk; red textured Button through midi dress £45.99, www.newlook.com footwear: Khaki andrea weave sandal £45, www.fatface.com; Gigi leather trainer £75, www.crewclothing.co.uk

Summer Offer

That Summer Glow: Embracing Sun-Safe Treatments at Elite Skin Studio

As the sun graces us with its warm embrace, our team at Elite Skin Studio understand the importance of safeguarding your skin against its harmful rays, but also ensuring your skin remains healthy, vibrant, and glowing throughout the season. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our incredible sun-safe treatments that will not only protect your skin but also rejuvenate it to reveal a radiant and youthful glow. Join us as we explore the transformative powers of our carefully curated treatments, ensuring your skin remains healthy, safeguarded, and glowing.

Dermalux LED Therapy: Experience the gentle and non-invasive Dermalux LED therapy, utilising various light wavelengths to address sun-induced skin concerns.

Stimulating your skin’s natural rejuvenation process, this advanced technology combats fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Suitable for all skin types, Dermalux LED therapy promotes collagen production and cellular repair, offering a sunsafe treatment that brings back your youthful radiance.

Environ Facials: Indulge in our luxurious Environ facials, where science meets skincare. Our team employ Environ’s scientifically formulated products to protect your skin from sun damage. Packed with powerful vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides, these facials enhance your skin’s overall health and appearance. Experience the reduction of pigmentation, improved texture, and a youthful glow with our Environ facials.

▲ ENDYMED Radiofrequency: Say goodbye to sagging skin with our ENDYMED radiofrequency treatment. Utilising controlled heat, this cutting-edge technology targets deep skin layers, stimulating collagen production and remodelling. The result is a firm and rejuvenated complexion.

▼ CACI Non-Surgical Facelifts: Seeking a non-invasive facelift solution? Look no further than our CACI nonsurgical facelifts. CACI uses microcurrent technology to lift and tone facial muscles while stimulating collagen and elastin production. This treatment provides a naturallooking lift while strengthening your skin’s defence mechanisms against sun damage.

Elite Skin Studio specialises in a tailored approach to every skin and can help all matter of aesthetic concerns such as age management, problematic skin, and permanent reduction of unwanted hair. If you are interested to see how we can help you with your personal skin goals, book in for a skin analysis to begin your journey today. You can give us a call on 01952 814200 or book online at eliteskinstudio.co.uk

Hair

Summer Revamp

by Lucy Murphy

As the sun shines brightly and the warm breeze caresses our skin, it’s time to revamp your hair game and embrace the carefree spirit of summer.  From natural-looking sun-kissed highlights to chic French bob cuts, summer 2023 is all about embracing effortless elegance and letting your hair do the talking. Ensure you’re on-trend and enjoy the carefree vibes all summer long. Get ready to turn heads and make a statement with your fabulous locks!

Sun-Ki SS ed Light S

When it comes to summer hair, everything is at least a shade lighter, there’s nothing quite like naturallooking sun-kissed highlights to create a radiant and glowing effect. This summer, warm tones take centre stage, Think soft caramel, honey, and golden hues that seamlessly blend with your base colour. This low-maintenance technique, such as balayage or babylights, adds depth and dimension while maintaining a natural and sun-kissed appearance. Embrace your inner beach goddess and let your hair shine with these warm and inviting highlights.

Embr A c E Your c urv E s

Summer is the perfect time to celebrate your hair’s natural texture and let it shine. Embrace those bouncy, loose undone waves and let your hair flow with effortless movement. Whether you have naturally curly, wavy, or straight hair, this trend is all about enhancing what you naturally have. Embrace the air-dry method, scrunching in some sea salt spray for added texture and volume. It’s a perfect excuse to leave in a nourishing conditioning treatment for extra frizz control. Say goodbye to excessive heat styling and embrace the effortless shape of your own unique hair texture.

French Bo B

For those seeking a chic summer look, the French bob is your go-to hairstyle. This timeless and versatile cut has an aura of charm and sophistication. This style is a favourite in destinations like St. Tropez, the Amalfi Coast, and the Italian lakes. The French bob is chin or cheek length and features soft layers, movement or a fringe that beautifully frames the face. It’s a stylish and lowmaintenance option that exudes confidence and class. Pair it with a breezy summer dress and you’re ready to take on the world with a touch of European flair.

Mid-Length Butter FLy

If you’re looking to make a bold statement this summer, the mid-length butterfly cut is the trend for you. This hairstyle is all about creating lots of texture by adding face-framing layers for a voluminous and playful look. With its flirty and feminine vibe, the mid-length butterfly cut adds a touch of va-va-voom to your summer style. Whether you wear it bouncy, straight or embrace natural waves, this cut guarantees head-turning results and allows you to express your inner confidence with a playful feminine feel.

Wee KLy n ouri S h M ent

The summer season brings activities that can damage hair, therefore keeping your hair nourished is essential during the summer season. Excessive sun exposure, chlorine from swimming pools and saltwater from the beach can strip away its natural oils and leave your hair dry, damaged and brittle.

It’s the perfect time to adapt your hair care routine by adding a weekly nourishing conditioning treatment, this will help repair and restore your hair’s health by providing essential nutrients to your hair, keeping your locks looking beautiful all summer long.

Set in the heart of the Welsh Countryside, at the  foothills of the Brecon Beacons, Glansevin is a beautiful Georgian mansion which was built during the Napoleonic war as a family home

We are a licensed wedding venue, and will be exclusively yours for the day, We can accommodate parties of up to 80 guests (with 40 guests staying in the property itself) and for larger numbers a marquee for up to 100 guests can be hired on our back lawn.

We are a self-catering venue but we can recommend some excellent local caterers or you are welcome to bring your own caterer. We have a fully equipped industrial kitchen. We do not charge an extra fee or corkage for alcohol, so you are free to bring your own refreshments and use the bar facility and fridge in the main lounge and kitchen at no additional cost.

We want to provide you with an environment that you can truly make your own.

Derwen College’s awardwinning charity shop offers shoppers a range of preloved bargains. Our customers enjoy browsing and buying stylish clothing and accessories, homewares and books, whilst our students gain valuable skills working in retail.

Relax in the warm, friendly atmosphere for morning coffee, light lunches or afternoon snacks at the Walled Garden Café.

During the warmer months, you can also enjoy our outside seating area, and children’s play area, as well as enjoying a stroll through our awardwinning Walled Garden.

Derwen Marketplace offers students fabulous real-life work experience opportunities – and you, a fabulous shopping experience.

Open daily Come and visit us!

The Orangery restaurant is located in the historic Edwardian house – originally purchased for Agnes Hunt’s rehabilitation training centre – The Derwen Training College. Here, physically disabled young people could learn a trade suitable to their disability to become either partially or wholly selfsupporting.

The Orangery now serves as a training restaurant for our hospitality and food students, offering quality meals for customers.

Our garden centre offers a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees along with advice and tips on care and planting. We are also honoured to be one of the specially selected outlets to sell the exquisite David Austin Roses.

Sun for the summer

Some are flying abroad, some are taking a week in the UK. Wherever you go, sun is forecast! When you’re off for a break, it’s nice to find a comfortable outfit to arrive at your destination. You want to start relaxing the minute you arrive, so try these combinations for an easy start to your break.

Baggage

Multi-function Workbag £45, www.accessorize.com

Haittie Ochre Yellow Stripe Weekend £62, www.oliverbonas.com

Petite Khaki Animal Floral Pleated Skirt £35, www.roman.co.uk

Cool

Everyday Ruffle Button Through Rib Midaxi Dress £18, www.very.co.uk

Gold Floppy Hat £11 www.matalan.co.uk

Black Faux Croc Strappy Espadrille Wedge Heel £37.99, www.newlook.com

Cotton Broderie Insert Shirt £25, www.very.co.uk

Distressed Hem Relaxed Short £25, www.very.co.uk

Green Square Frame Sunglasses £9.99, www.newlook.com

Tan Espadrille Sandals £15, www.matalan.co.uk

Stay Safe in the Sun

by Caroline Louise Beauty and Makeup

Despite the common misconception that the sun is not strong enough to cause damage in the UK, the truth is that UV rays are still present and can cause serious harm. In fact, skin cancer rates in the UK have been steadily rising over the past few decades, making it more important than ever to protect our skin. Sun protection can help prevent not only skin cancer, but also premature ageing, sunburn, and other skin damage. It is especially important for those who spend extended periods of time outdoors, such as construction workers or gardeners, but people who work indoors also need protection as UVA rays can penetrate through windows and cause skin damage.

Sun protection is important for individuals of all skin tones, as while darker skin may have a lower risk of skin cancer, it is still possible to experience sun damage and other negative effects.

Sunscreen is a crucial part of protecting your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can lead to skin damage and skin cancer. There are two different types of sunscreen, which work in different ways: Mineral and Synthetic-Filter Sunscreen.

Mineral sunscreen contains active mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals create a physical barrier that reflects UV rays away from the skin like a giant mirror. Mineral sunscreen is typically thicker and can leave a white residue on the skin although formulations have much improved in recent years and they are nowhere near as gloopy as they used to be.

Synthetic-Filter sunscreen contains chemical ingredients that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Synthetic filter sunscreen is usually thinner and easier to apply, but some chemical ingredients may cause skin irritation, prickly heat or allergic reactions in some people and many synthetic sunscreens contain an ingredient called oxybenzone which is a chemical compound shown to have harmful effects on coral reefs.

When oxybenzone enters the ocean, it can be absorbed by coral, causing DNA damage, deformities, and ultimately death. It can also lead to bleaching, which is a process in which coral loses its colour and becomes more susceptible to disease. Oxybenzone can also disrupt the reproduction of coral, making it difficult for

reefs to recover from damage. To protect coral reefs, it is important to use reef-safe sunscreens that do not contain oxybenzone or other harmful chemicals. Countries such as Mexico and Hawaii and areas along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia have now banned the use of sunscreens containing this ingredient.

Both mineral and synthetic sunscreens can effectively protect the skin from UV radiation, but mineral sunscreen is generally considered safer for people with sensitive skin or allergies. It is also better for the environment since mineral sunscreen does not contain harmful chemicals that can harm marine life.

Here are my Top Tips for staying safe in the sun this summer:

1) Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours or after swimming/ sweating. Choose one which does not contain oxybenzone.

2) Seek shade during peak sun hours (10am4pm) and wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

3) Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary or alcoholic beverages.

4) Be aware of medications and skincare products that may increase sun sensitivity and take extra precautions if needed.

5) Check your skin regularly for any unusual moles or changes and seek medical attention if necessary.

By taking these simple steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of sun damage and promote long-term skin health.

For more information visit www.caroline-louise.co.uk email caroline@caroline-louise.co.uk or call 07814 442041

“Wearing sun protection is crucial in the UK for several reasons.”

Community

Aico host Family Fundraising Festival in support of local charities

Aico are hosting a Family Fundraising Festival this summer in support of two amazing local charities, The Movement Centre and Little Stars.

The day will be fun filled, with various activities and attractions for all ages, live music, circus acts, local food and drink suppliers and so much more. The fundraising day is taking place at the picturesque Brynkinalt Estate from 12pm until 7pm on Saturday 15 July 2023 with all proceeds going to two incredible charities.

The Movement Centre, a specialist treatment centre, helps children who have Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome or other diagnoses, to achieve new skills through increased strength and control of their movement. They do this using Targeted Training, a specialist therapy that is currently only provided by The Movement Centre, within the UK.

Fundraising and Marketing Officer, Curtis Langley can’t wait to get involved, commenting, “The Movement Centre are delighted to be involved in the upcoming Aico Family Festival, and we can’t thank Aico enough for their kind support once again. Being a part of the organising committee has been great, seeing this event grow from a concept idea, to now being two months away. The staff at Aico have done a fantastic job in securing bands, a circus, some great local food, and drink vendors, and we can’t wait to be involved in this awesome day. Having events like this really boosts awareness of both charities, and the great community work of Aico. Make sure you get your tickets and come and join us for a great day of family fun.”

Little Stars, an Aico charity of the year supported since 2021, provides families who need support with essential items to help keep babies and children clean, clothed, and safe. Launched in 2020, the charity has directly supported over 400 babies and children throughout Shropshire by providing the essentials they need. Through its Santa’s Little Stars Campaign, it has also supplied Christmas presents for 500 children in the county.

Little Stars Founder, Leanne Simcoe is really looking forward to the day, commenting, “For Little Stars this is a huge moment in the charity’s history, having the support of Aico since 2021 has enabled us to grow beyond our expectations and for them to hold this event in aid of us is fantastic. Raising money in the charity sector is critical to ensure we can continue our vital services. Having this event not only to raise funds but also raise awareness of our work means so much to the Little Stars team and the families we support.”

Through their CSR initiative, Aico in the Community, Aico make supporting local causes a key priority. This latest collaboration will be a chance to not only raise funds for these two local charities in a fun family environment but also raise awareness of the vital work they do.

Community Liaison Lily Ellis is excited for the festival, adding, “Organising this festival has been a great experience and it has been amazing to see all the local businesses within Shropshire support us to deliver a fantastic day for two amazing charities. I hope that local families can enjoy the day while raising some needed funds for Little Stars and The Movement Centre, buy your tickets now!”

To find out more about this fun filled event and to get your tickets, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Family Fundraising Festival.

Visit Shropshire’s New Flower Field

Shropshire Petal Fields is set to open this August. The experience will be held at the home of Shropshire Petals, a biodegradable petal confetti business in Newport. Visitors can walk amongst acres of stunning flowers, and Shropshire Festivals will be providing their usual dose of extra fun.

The flower field will only be open for a limited time while the flowers are in bloom, giving visitors exclusive access to a field usually reserved for petal confetti production. Delphiniums, sunflowers, cornflowers, and wildflowers will provide the perfect photo backdrop.

The organisers have confirmed the field will be open from Friday 4 August until Sunday 13 August daily.

“We’re excited to give Shropshire an amazing flower experience,” said Beth Heath from Shropshire Festivals. “Shropshire Petals are renowned for their exquisitely colourful petal confetti. Once I saw the flowers in person, I knew we had to share their beautiful setting with our community. As well as being immersed in the gorgeous blooms, families can follow the wildflower pathway to

the forest of fun, where they’ll find some characters hiding amongst the trees. We’ll also have a café, so bring a picnic blanket and make a day of it.”

Ashley Evers-Swindell, marketing manager at Shropshire Petals said, “To get completely immersed in our stunning fields will be an unforgettable experience for flower lovers and families, and a great location to capture special memories with loved ones.

“There will be a myriad of bright pink, blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers, that will enchant visitors of all ages. You’ll also be able to buy your own freshly cut flowers. The field will make the most stunning location for any photo, so you can take the beauty home with you.”

To find out more and purchase tickets visit shropshireflowerfield.co.uk.

August 2023

shropshireflowerfield.co.uk

Our People, Your Team

Meet the tea M: Lanyon

Here to Help

Bowd L er fami Ly L aw specia L ist, Laura Jones

training and were ranked by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Top quality training really does set you up well once you qualify.

We continue to offer meetings via telephone and video and where necessary we are able to offer face to face appointments, please use our letterbox when dropping off documents.

Laura is a recently qualified solicitor working within the family department at Lanyon Bowdler in Shrewsbury, helping people deal with divorce, separation and matters involving children. Here, she gives some tips on getting into law - and sheds some light on a secret garden in Shrewsbury!

What has been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment so far has to be qualifying as a solicitor. The feeling of being notified that I had been admitted to the roll of solicitors is like no other and definitely makes all the time spent studying and training completely worth it.

How do you relax away from work?

Legal services including:

What’s your favourite thing about living and working in Shropshire?

• Agriculture

• Business Law

• Family Law

• Clinical Negligence

How would you describe your job?

• Court of Protection

•

•

I enjoy playing netball and going to the gym in my spare time. Shrewsbury also has plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from so there are always lots of great options for food and drink.

Where is your favourite place to visit in Shropshire?

•

I grew up in Shrewsbury and have always felt lucky to have stunning countryside views on my doorstep but also the opportunity to be able to get to Birmingham and Manchester easily. I am based in our Shrewsbury office so have the added advantage of being able to enjoy a walk along the river during my lunch break.

• Personal Injury

A day trip to Ironbridge is hard to beat, especially when the weather is nice, and you can walk around with an ice-cream whilst taking in the incredible views.

• Property & Planning

I find my job extremely rewarding. It sounds cliché but I decided to pursue a career in law because I wanted to help people and I feel that practising as a family solicitor at Lanyon Bowdler allows me to do this.

• Disputes

Our People, Your Team Here to Help

• Wills, Trusts & Probate

What are your favourite events that take place in Shropshire?

I am usually faced with clients that are going through a particularly difficult and emotional time in their lives and I feel fortunate that I am able to provide them with legal advice and support them through it. I am also very lucky to be surrounded by so many supportive and knowledgeable colleagues.

We continue to offer meetings via telephone and video and where necessary we are able to offer face to face appointments, please use our letterbox when dropping off documents.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in law?

I really enjoy the Shrewsbury Food Festival as it is always a great day out and provides an opportunity to try some amazing food. The Shropshire Oktoberfest is also a lot of fun too!

Do you know of any hidden gems which more people should know about?

The blueBAR in Shrewsbury is my go-to for a summer drink with friends. It is located in a secret walled garden that can be accessed through the Wyle Blue World shop on the Wyle Cop!

•

I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to research the firm that you are applying to for your training contract. This not only includes looking into the location of the firm (and all of their offices) but also the areas of law that they offer and the level of support you may receive during your training. One of the reasons I applied to Lanyon Bowdler was because they had received awards for their

Do you need to file a tax return for 2022/23?

Taxpayers that need to complete a Self-Assessment return for the first time should inform HMRC as soon as possible. The latest date that HMRC should be notified is by 5 October following the end of the tax year for which a Self-Assessment return needs to be filed.

The list of taxpayers that are usually required to submit a Self-Assessment Tax Return include:

The self-employed (earning more than £1,000);

Taxpayers who made profits from selling assets such as shares, a second home or other chargeable assets and need to pay Capital Gains Tax (please note there is now a requirement to file a 60-day Capital Gains Tax Return on property sold that is not your current residence); Company directors – unless it was for a non-profit organisation (such as a charity) and you didn’t get any pay or benefits, for example a company car;

The latest date that HMRC should be notified is by 5 October following the end of the tax year for which a SelfAssessment return needs to be filed.

Taxpayers whose income (or that of their partner’s) was over £50,000 and one of you claimed Child Benefit;

Taxpayers who had income from abroad that they needed to pay tax on;

Taxpayers who lived abroad and received a UK income; or

Taxpayers who have income over £100,000 including those employed.

HMRC must receive your tax return and any money you owe by the following deadlines:

• Paper tax returns are due by midnight 31 October 2023

• Online tax returns are due by midnight 31 January 2024.

• Payment of the tax you owe by midnight 31 January 2024.

• Second payment on account by 31 July 2024 (if your liability is over £1,000)

If you need to file a tax return and you miss the deadline for submission or don’t pay your tax liability on time you will get a penalty.

The late filing penalty is £100 if your tax return is up to 3 months late, but you will have to pay more if it’s later. You’ll also be charged interest on late payments.

If you are unsure on any of the above or need help completing and submitting your self-assessment tax return, please contact us for a free consultation.

Interiors

by Stephanie Dhillon

For a while now checkerboard and gingham have been dominating the patten scene but now stripes are an increasingly popular alternative. As a timeless graphic statement, stripes can be anything from bold and distinctive to subtle and classic. Used as an accent, to create a sense of drama or a way to draw the eye to highlight certain spaces, stripes are found on every product out there. And with so many different ways to use stripes in your own homes; curtains, wallpaper,

Wallpaper in Navy White,

from Woodchip and Magnolia www. woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

Ray Vase Yellow, £33 from Spicer and Wood  www.spicerandwood.co.uk

▼ Mono Stripe Set of 4 Large Placemats, £34.50 from Portmeirion  www.portmeirion.co.uk

▲ Awning Stripe

£85

▲ Bluebell Chaise Armchair in Prism Stripe, £1460 from www.sofa.com

Soho Stripe Carpet, Kingston, £41.99 form Carpetright  www.carpetright.co.uk

▲ Fluoro Abstract A2 Print, £75 from Cult Furniture www.cultfurniture.com

▼ Black & White Stripe Floor Lamp, £95 from Rockett St George www.rocketstgeorge.co.uk

▲ ▲ Black and White Striped Lampshade, £40 from Mint and May  www.mintandmay.co.uk

▲ Oscar Cushion Orange, £65 from Sweetpea and Willow  www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

Neapolitan Porcelain Black Tiles £78 from Hyperion Tiles  www.hyperiontiles.co.uk

YOUR MOVE... YOUR CHOICE!

Discover our amazing new offer and choose between:

• Home deposit contribution of £10,000 + full flooring

• 100% Part Exchange + £5,000 worth of home extras

Take a tour of any of our prestigious developments of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes built to award-winning quality. Book your appointment today to view our beautiful show homes and speak to our friendly sales consultants for more information.

Did you know you could save up to £1410 on your energy bills compared to a Victorian property* by purchasing a new Bovis Home. So why not make the move to one of our many stunning developments in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond.

Have you heard about our Deposit Assist scheme?

When a friend or relative contributes to your deposit for a new build Bovis home, we’ll say thank you with £2,000. We’ll also give you £5,000 to spend on moving costs*.

All part of making your home easier with our new Deposit Assist scheme.

Quality Homes for Quality Homeowners

As one of the UK’s leading new home builders, we complete all of our developments to the highest specification. As such, each of our new build houses comes with the following as standard:

• Top-quality fixtures and fittings

• Energy-efficient design helping you save up to £1410 on energy bills compared to older homes*

• Purchase assistance schemes to help you move in such as Home Exchange & Smooth Move

• A 10-year ‘Buildmark’ warranty provided by the National House Building Council (NHBC)

To find out more about our new homes for sale, download our brochure. If you have any questions, simply pop into our Sales Experience Centre, or get in touch with our helpful sales consultants.

T&Cs apply. Reserve one of our selected homes to redeem this offer and speak to a Sales Consultant about further details on specific incentives, plots, and prices.

Your Move Your Choice

Move in and enjoy your home in style when you choose from:

• Home deposit contribution of £10,000 + full flooring

• 100% Part Exchange + £5,000 worth of home extras

A Cool Nights Sleep

…NEWPORT BEDS HAVE GOT YOU COVERED

Can’t seem to fall asleep at night during the warm summer months? Then you are certainly not alone. No matter how many covers you kick off or how high you blast your fan or air con unit, it can feel impossible to cool down your body temperature to finally sleep comfortably and soundly.

Bed linen is key to keeping cool. Bamboo & Copper fibres are winners here as they are naturally cooling due to their thermo-regulating fibres & have a touch cool feel. They are naturally light weight & when combined with cotton, which is moisture wicking, they are the perfect bedding mates. These come in mattress protectors, fitted sheets, flat sheets, pillowcases & also duvet covers too

For the whole of summer we have 10% off all Cooling Bedding range products when visiting our Newport Beds showroom quoting Cool10

Raj Blend Modak

Golden Fossil Rippon

Light Grey Buff Old Black

Interiors

by Stephanie Dhillon

retro garden

Give your outdoor space a nostalgic feel with a 70’s inspired aesthetic. Keep it modern and fresh by avoiding the clash of brightly coloured patterns and keep to neutral earthy tones with one colour to pull through. That sepia tone that dominates those old family photos, is the perfect 70’s neutral to play with in the garden. Use natural wood furniture with wicker and rattan, simple steppingstones in gravel, functional trellises and a restricted playful pop of colour in the textiles and you’ve nailed a laid back style that is familiar and fresh at the same time.

Traditional Screen Trellis Panel w2.44m x h0.6m £21 B&Q www.diy.com

Natural Beauty Beach Umbrella £365 from Bøde Living www.bodeliving.com

Retro Floral Enamel Mug, Navy £10.50 from Enamel Happy Limited www. enamelhappy.co.uk

Blooma Golden Brown Large 22.5kg bag, £13.50 from B&Q www.diy.

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Bistro

▲ ▲ Fornax Outdoor Chimenea Fireplace - Rust £399 from Lime Lace www.limelace.co.uk

York Brown Stepping Stone £7.70 from B&Q www.diy.com

Table, Natural £179.99 from JYSK  www.jysk.co.uk

Bamboo Daybed £595 from Rose and Grey  www.roseandgrey.co.uk

▲ Tufted Memphis Cushion Cover £25 from Walton & Co  www.waltonshop.co.uk

Recipe

Avocado, orange and sea vegetable salad with sprouted seeds

A simple vibrant salad, easy to assemble and delicious served on its own as a light meal or as an accompaniment to seafood, feta or pan-fried tofu.

Ingredients

30g mixed sea vegetables

Two large handfuls of rocket leaves

1 ripe avocado

1 orange, peeled

½ red onion, diced

Handful of sprouted seeds (alfalfa, mung bean etc.)

Dressing

1 tbsp white miso paste

½ tsp grated root ginger

1 tbsp sugar or xylitol

3 tbsp mirin

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes

Method

• Mix all the dressing ingredients together, season to taste and set aside.

• Soak the sea vegetables in water according to the packet instructions, then drain.

• Place the rocket in a bowl with the sea vegetables. Drizzle over a little of the dressing and toss gently.

• Divide the leaves between two plates. Thinly slice the avocado and arrange the slices on top.

• Cut the orange into thin slices then cut into quarters. Scatter the orange, red onion and sprouted seeds on top of the salad.

• Drizzle over additional dressing just before serving.

Nutrition per serving: 322kcal, fat 24.3g (of which saturates 4.1g), carbohydrates 16.6g (of which sugars 13.7g), protein 8.6g

Coffee Lounge, Restaurant and Bar

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

SERVING BREAKFAST

MONDAY-SATURDAY

EXCITING NEW SUMMER MENU Serving

DISCOUNT FOR NHS STAFF (ask for more info)

Opening Hours

Monday & Tuesday 9am-8pm

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-9pm

Saturday 9am-10pm

Sunday 9am-6pm

Food Service

Breakfast: Monday-Saturday 9am-11am Lunch: Monday - Saturday 11am - 4pm

Dinner: Monday & Tuesday 4pm-7:30pm, Wednesday - Saturday 4pm-8:30pm

Sunday: Traditional Lunch served 12-4pm.

Coffees, refreshments and cakes served from 9am. Cheese & biscuits and snacks served until 6pm.

“We look forward to welcoming you” Emilio, General Manager.

Arscott Farm

A fantastic place to go with the family for a morning or an afternoon. Visit the farm animals, eat and drink, pick strawberries or find your way through Shrewsbury’s biggest and best maize maze.

Arscott Farm SY5 0XP

We will open at the start of the summer holidays 10am-5.30pm daily until end of August Visit www.Arscottfarm.co.uk

Arscott Farm

SWAN HOTEL

HOUSE | DINING | ROOMS

2

COURSES £15 3 COURSES £18

The Swan Hotel stands proud on Eccleshall Road just 4 minutes from Newport town centre. The Swan is a beautiful Georgian building with the hotel accommodation being fully refurbished in 2021. Our selection of ensuite rooms are perfect for weddings, events, a treat whilst travelling for business or a weekend away with the family.

We Pride ourselves on using as much locally sourced meat and produce as possible by using local suppliers. Our meat comes from Buttercross farm in Market Drayton, pies from Shropshire and of course Joules ales and lager from Market Drayton.

+ Steak night on a Thursday

+ Live Music

+ Sunday Roasts

+ Great Vegan menu

+ Accommodation available

Email:

#supportlocal

TAP

Recipe

Gluten-free cherry cobbler

A perfect warming dessert to make the most of fresh cherries. You could use any berries for this cobbler.

Serves 2

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Fruit

500g mixed berries or pitted cherries

1 tsp cornflour

1 tbsp caster sugar

Cobbler

125g gluten-free

self-raising flour

60g ground almonds

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

Pinch of salt

60g dairy-free spread

4 tbsp non-dairy milk or soy yoghurt

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C / 160C fan / gas mark 4.

• Place the fruit in a large bowl with the cornflour and sugar. Toss to coat thoroughly.

• Place the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, soda and salt in a separate bowl. Mix well. Rub in the dairy-free spread to form crumbs then stir in enough dairy-free milk or soy yoghurt to form a soft dough.

• Put the fruit in a baking dish. Take spoonfuls of the dough and drop on top of the fruit.

• Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.

summer sets

You can’t beat these – no rushing around in the morning to find an outfit that works together. They’re cute, they’re functional and great for the summer weather. Plenty of reasonably priced accessorises in the shops and online to keep the kids nice and cool.

All The frills

ABOVE: Frill Denim Jacket £18.00, www.matalan.co.uk Straw Bow Hat £4, www.primark.com

BELOW: Stacey Solomon Blouse and Shorts Set £13, www.primark.com

Kids Lumy Sandal £45 (sizes UK9-2), www.dunelondon.com

Viscose Dress (ages 0-36m) £3.50, www.primark.com

ABOVE: Jurasic World Tie Dye Set £14, www.primark.com

Jurassic World Sunglasses £2.50, www.primark.com

Kids Camo Clogs £11, www.marksandspencer.com

BELOW: Lucy Mecklenburgh Tie Dye Sweat & Short Set £14-£16, www.very.co.uk

Kids Clogs £7, www.marksandspencer.com www.dunelondon.com

BELOW: Bunny Embroidered Top,

Interested in becoming a Foster Carer?

There will be days when you think “why am I doing this”. There will also be days when you’ll know why. You will just “get it” and the breakthrough you make with the child in your care and the feeling of satisfaction and achievement is immense.

‘’So, you’re thinking of becoming a foster carer’’. We’ve been foster carers for over twelve years. It has certainly affected our life in a positive and life affirming way. Becoming foster carers with New Chapters is one of the best decisions we have ever made.

There are highs and lows and everything in between.

Helping a child whose had a life full of pain is a job worth doing. We know some people don’t like the term job in relation to being a foster carer, but it is a job. You will receive training, support and you will be paid. But they’re not the important aspects. You will be able to make a difference in a child’s life; a child who finds themself in care through no fault of their own; a child whose experience of family could be very different to your own.

Children in care need all the same parenting, nurturing and love that birth children have, but often the first thing they need is a chance.

Start your fostering journey today visit: www.newchaptersfostercare.co.uk • T: 01952 463251 or e-mail: info@newchaptersfostercare.co.uk

Pat & Mike: Foster Carers for New Chapters Fostercare.

American drama students step into the limelight on exchange trip with Ellesmere College

American students have been wowed by Shropshire after visiting as part of a school exchange trip.

Year nine to 13 pupils from the Tabor Academy in Boston, Massachusetts, visited Ellesmere College as part of a drama exchange which has been running for more than 20 years and performed the thriller The 39 Steps at the college theatre. The team were in Shropshire for one week and also boarded in the school facilities.

Ashley Li, a student at the Tabor Academy, said: “I loved getting a tour of the campus, especially when we all got to listen to the choir rehearsal, that experience was truly mesmerising!

“I also enjoyed learning about different routines that students at Ellesmere experience daily, I discovered some interesting similarities and differences.

Most of all, the hash browns and British candy bars were amazing, thank you all for a great trip.”

Fellow student Anna Ambarik added: “I think my favourite part of the trip was when the girls in St. Oswalds awarded us the Ossies of the week.

“All the people in the dorm were really welcoming and it was fun to talk about our different cultures with them.”

The pupils were joined by Charlie Babbitt, Technical Manager, and Jesse Hawley, Drama, English and Performing Arts Coordinator at Tabor Academy.

She added: “The value of this exchange programme for our students that they not only have the opportunity to be immersed in the culture of another school, but they are called on to stick their necks out and share work they’ve done—which can feel quite risky and vulnerable, but which can open the door to a deeper form of communication than just by simply paying Ellesmere a visit.

“It also builds some real-life skills they’ll need such as being adaptable and flexible in the face of uncertainty.

“They performed in a new theatre with unfamiliar faces, fitting in with Ellesmere’s rules and norms.

“My favourite parts of the trip were seeing Tabor and Ellesmere students meet and interact and talking with them about what and how they learn about theatre at school and a question and answer session for the younger audience which was a great moment of cultural exchange.”

The Tabor students also enjoyed a tour of The Storyhouse Theater in Chester and had a sightseeing tour in and around Ellesmere campus and town.

Jesse added: “It might seem like nothing special to you, but the sights, sounds and even smells were new to us, and wonderful to learn about!”

Each of the schools produces a play that they perform in their home country, and then bring it over to the exchange school - ready to perform in front of audiences at a number of schools.

Rachel Schubert, Director of Drama at the Artsmark Platinum Awards school Ellesmere College, said: “Both schools have benefitted hugely from the relationship.

“There are so many advantages to these trips, the chance to soak up the culture of a different country, enjoy an open and frank exchange of views and ideas and how contemporaries are using the wonderful medium of drama in an educational setting.

“We have a unique relationship with Tabor Academy and we were delighted to welcome the students to Ellesmere, we believe it is still something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“We very much look forward to our return trip to Massachusetts in 2024!”

For more information on Arts & Drama provision at Ellesmere College visit Ellesmere Arts.

Health To tell or not to tell: that is the question?

Harry’s Hamlet dilemma

Harry didn’t see much of his sister at school – it just wasn’t cool to be seen with your little brother – or your big sister for that matter. They often walked the last bit home together when their friends had all gone their own way and Harry, secretly of course, enjoyed talking to his big sister. But now he had a problem: a puff of smoke had emerged from around a corner and when he looked to see where it came from there was his sister and two of her friends looking like a trio of steam engines. They were vaping.

She hadn’t seen him so he could have ignored the scene – but that was difficult. “I saw you vaping yesterday,” he announced as they walked home. Her look was ambiguous: slightly worried at having been caught, slightly angry for being put on the spot. “What is it like?” he continued.

“They can have a nice taste and it’s not as bad as smoking, and it’s cheaper – the one I had was even free,” she said, “and a lot of my friends are doing it so I thought I’d give it a try,” she continued. “Are you going to tell Mum and Dad?” she came straight to the point.

“I don’t think so,” said Harry, “I’m not sure it’s a good thing to do though,” he added and they walked home. In silence.

Harry didn’t know a lot about vaping: apparently teenagers – and he was in that group now – were doing more of it despite the fact that it was technically illegal; breaking rules was sort of a teenage thing he’d been told. It was illegal to sell nicotine-based vapes but apparently not all vapes contained that and shops often gave away samples to kids. He was told this was a “loss leader”. That meant giving you something at a loss because the

shop keeper thought you’d come back and buy more. “Crafty” he thought.

“Maybe it’s not too bad” he thought. Somehow breathing chemicals into your lungs did not seem like a great idea. He read it took about 400 years for them to work out smoking was bad for you so might vaping go the same way? He read that there were loads of chemicals in vapes and some of them were definitely harmful and others, even more scarily, were not really tested. A lot of the vapes sold varied widely in how much of all this they contained so, if he was a lung, he would definitely not vape!

He’d already decided smoking was not for him and it was interesting that smokers could use vapes to get off cigarettes. But then there was this stuff called nicotine in those vapes and it was addictive. It was even more interesting, and quite sinister really, that the people who made vapes were encouraging kids to start vaping in the hope they’d move onto nicotine vapes, become addicted, and make them lots of money. The grown-up world he was moving into was a bit scary at times.

The next time he was walking home with his sister he was surprised when she brought the subject up. “Thanks for not telling on me about vaping,” she started. “What you said made me look at it a bit more and I think I won’t do it any more now. Little brothers can be helpful at times – who’d have believed it,” she grinned. “Well, this must be a bit of a first,” replied Harry and his sister looked at him a bit puzzled. “We have both agreed on something,” he added with a chuckle. “It might be a while before that ever happens again,” she said. He let her have the last word - this time anyway.

He read that there were loads of chemicals in vapes and some of them were definitely harmful and others, even more scarily, were not really tested.

Dr Paul Middleton

Join in the fun this summer at Mini Pro Golf!

Eva the Wolverley Angel Saintly golfers who pray for a Miracle 'hole in none' on this short par 2... will only be rewarded by the golfing gods if their shot is pure good and true. Others will be cast asunder by Eva's powerful flowing robe and sent to the bunkers of hell.

Minefield!

Under new orders from Mini-Pro High Command the minefield has been strengthened and deepened for 2023.To protect the 11th green from further attack Tella land mines have been layed and extra grenade booby traps lie in wait for all our Mini-Pros.Try to get through without losing your ball or your life!!

Eagles Nest!

Play your first chip to avoid the large new fairway bunkers on this hole … ..the highest point on the golf course!!! Land the ball softly onto the receptive

green below on this tough par 3 and your looking at a great chance for a Birdie..

Crocodile Alley!

Avoid the new 6 ft long steel Croc patroling the fairway. He’s Raring to Go to gobble up YOU and your ball.

The Birds…

The Birdies have gathered to ruin your round. Play your final shot if you dare to leave the protection of the Tee and complete your journey to the safety of the Clubhouse! And much more...

Health & Wellbeing

Yoga has been practised for thousands of years. Modern yoga mainly focuses on Asanas (postures or poses) and Pranayama (breathing).

Stressed? Achy? Stiff joints?

You need some yoga in your life…

What benefits do you get from yoga?

Yoga can help to improve your flexibility, balance and muscle strength. It can also be a great stress reliever and may help to ease anxiety, lower your blood pressure and help you to get a better night’s sleep.

Who can practise yoga?

Yoga is a low-impact exercise that’s suitable for most people. No one will care that your downward dog pose isn’t perfect or that you wobble a bit doing standing balances. You’re never too old to start and there are even chair-based classes for people with limited mobility.

Are there different types of yoga?

There are several types of yoga. Hatha is the one most commonly practised in the UK. If a class just says ‘yoga’, it’s likely based on Hatha principles. Other styles include Vinyasa, Iyengar and Sivananda. Bikram and other forms of hot yoga takes place in a studio that’s been heated to 33-41°C.

Is yoga the same as pilates?

Pilates often incorporates yoga poses, but it’s also influenced by other exercises and tends to involve more movement. Pilates is less spiritual than yoga and places more focus on improving core strength.

What should I wear for a yoga class?

You’ll want to wear comfortable clothes that won’t restrict your movement, trip you up or fall over

your head when you’re bending down. You can invest in exercise clothes designed specifically for yoga, but a T-shirt and pair of leggings will do fine to start with. Yoga classes often end with students lying still for a mindfulness or breathing exercise, so you might want to bring a jumper or light blanket in case you get cold.

What equipment will I need?

For most types of yoga, you won’t need any special equipment other than a yoga mat. This provides a bit of cushioning from the hard floor and helps prevent your hands and feet from slipping when you’re moving through the poses.

Your instructor might suggest using other equipment, such as yoga blocks and straps, but these will usually be provided by the studio. If you’re planning to try hot yoga, you’ll need a towel and a water bottle.

How can I learn yoga?

It’s best to join a beginner’s class led by a qualified yoga instructor who can check you’re doing the moves correctly. Not only will this help you to get the most out of the poses, it’ll also reduce any risk of injury.

Can I learn yoga online?

If you can’t afford to sign up for a class right now or want to practise yoga more often, you could try a class on YouTube. Adriene Mishler is probably the best-known online yoga instructor and has hundreds of free videos on YouTube, many of which are suitable for beginners. Search for ‘Yoga with Adriene’.

The 1st Ear Wax Removal Clinic in Shropshire to become regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

New care services and career opportunities

Bluebird Care Shropshire is set to support even more communities across the county, as the award-winning home care provider opens new offices in Telford. This expansion will enable Bluebird Care Shropshire to reach an additional 35,000 homes across the county providing home care, living care, and complex care services to those who wish to maintain their lifestyle from home.

The local provider is keen to make the introduction to home care as supportive and accessible as possible. To help individuals who are embarking on their care journey to make a fully informed decision, Bluebird Care Shropshire is therefore offering all new customers across Shropshire their first week of care for free.

Described by customers as hard working, extremely kind, empathetic, gentle and thorough, the local provider’s growing reputation for excellent care has seen the demand for its services rocket. This has also led to the purchase of two new vehicles, allowing the provider to extend its network of community care into more rural

areas and localities not serviced by public transport. Not only will the new office located on Rampart Way, enable a dedicated team of care assistants to support more members of the local community, but it will also bring up to 20 new jobs to the local area. The new office will also be collaborating with Telford College to provide career advice and training opportunities to local students who are considering a rewarding career in care. Bluebird Care Shropshire hopes to create a long-lasting legacy of excellent care and career opportunities throughout Telford.

Claire Flavell, Director of Care at Bluebird Care Shropshire said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our services to Telford and can’t wait to offer our expertise to even more people in the local area. We know first-hand that care can open up amazing possibilities. As such, we are excited to make a difference to even more lives across Telford by providing enhanced home care services and new career opportunities.”

£165,000

Sarcoma Awareness Month: Would you know?

“I had a lump on my leg for three months before I got it looked at – if it was on my breast I would have been to the GP the next day – I never thought it could be cancer”

This July is Sarcoma awareness month. Many people only know about this rare form of cancer if they know someone with a diagnosis or have been diagnosed themselves. However, the importance of knowing what to look out for is so important as early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment and management.

In 2019 in the UK, approximately 1,100 people a day were diagnosed with cancer. Sarcoma is rare, with only 15 people, or 1.5% of these being a sarcoma diagnosis. That’s about 5,300 people a year.

The Musculoskeletal Oncology Service at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, Oswestry, is one of the lesser-known specialist services that the hospital offers. It provides service for the diagnosis, surgical treatment, rehabilitation and surveillance of patients with musculoskeletal tumours. Since 2005 it has been one of only five centres that are specially commissioned by NHS England for the management for primary bone tumours. As a specialist centre, patients travel to the unit from as far North as Preston and the Isle of Man, Manchester, North Wales and down to Hereford. Receiving approximately 1600 new referrals a year and that number is increasing.

A cancer diagnosis can devastate plans, causing disruption and devastation to lives and generally cause chaos. It is the job of the team here – which consists of Consultant Surgeons and Doctors,

Physiotherapists, Healthcare Assistants, Booking Teams, Tracking Teams, Specialist Nurses, Radiology Teams, Ancillary Staff and Histopathology Labs to try and enable the patients pathway is an efficient, faultless and supported one.

When that cancer diagnosis is rare, there is even more uncertainty. By working closely with their partners Macmillan Cancer Support and more specialist charities, Sarcoma UK and The Bone Cancer Research Trust, they provide patients with information and support.

There are around 100 different subtypes of sarcoma. The two main types of are soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma. A primary bone sarcoma can affect any bone in the body and at any age but most commonly affects children, teenagers, young adults and elderly people. There are approximately 560 new cases of primary bone cancer each year in the UK and symptoms can be similar to sports injuries, growing pains, or common conditions such as arthritis. So, it’s important to know that if the picture doesn’t fit, then to get it checked out by your GP. Symptoms can include:

• Bone pain; it can be constant (there all the time) or intermittent (comes and goes). Painkillers might not help and it can often be worse at night.

• A lump or swelling might be seen or felt if the tumour is near the surface of the body. In other places (e.g., the pelvis) a lump or swelling will not be visible.

• Problems with mobility such as stiff joints or reduced movement.

Spreading the word

• Easy bruising.

• Tiredness, sweats/fever, weight loss, or fractures. These symptoms are less common but are still experienced by some patients.

Soft tissue sarcomas commonly affect the arms, legs and torso, as well as more rarely internal organs. If you have a lump which is growing, changing, or bigger than a golf ball, it is important to get this assessed by a health professional. It is also important to remember most lumps and pains are not sarcomas. A consultation and referral through our two weeks wait service can often quickly deescalate concern.

If you would like further information or you would like to support vital fundraising into this under researched area, please head to any of the following:

www.sarcoma.org.uk/get-involved/ or https://www.bcrt.org.uk/get-involved/ or https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ cancer-information-and-support

Fundraising for Sarcoma

Health and Wellbeing

How can Custom Orthotics

By Scott Gormley

Orthotics or Insoles as they are sometime referred to, are inserts placed into the base of a shoe to help reduce the stress on joints. Many shoe manufacturers produce flat unsupportive shoes that don’t aid or support our joints. Whilst NHS England is rightly recommending that we should be aiming to achieve 10,000 steps per day, for some feet, knees, hips and spines this isn’t comfortable.

Shoe manufacturers have made a range of changes to shoes in the last few years designing ‘supportive’ ‘stabilising’ ‘pronating’ footwear. Although these may suit some people, because they are still a generic shoe, we often find patients aren’t getting the support they think they are. Ultimately, although the shoe may be better than a neutral shoe, it’s not enough to correct their specific problem.

The difficulty with feet is there are no pair the same, we do stock a basic off the shelf insole, but we find much more successful results with custom made pairs. For many of our clients we find that they once wore insoles, then just one day stopped wearing them. This is a common theme, they often come to our clinic with knee or back pain, and we trace this

They often come to our clinic with knee or back pain, and we trace this back down to their feet.

help me?

back down to their feet. So how do they help? Each person will be helped in a slightly different way; however, here are four points which will relate to many readers.

1.   Improved Body Alignment: Custom orthotic insoles can help align your feet, ankles, and lower limbs, which in turn promotes better overall body alignment. By providing proper support and correcting biomechanical imbalances, they can help reduce stress and strain on the lower back.

2.   Enhanced Shock Absorption: Orthotic insoles offer cushioning and shock absorption properties, which can help absorb the impact forces that occur during walking or running. By reducing the impact on your feet and lower body, orthotics can indirectly minimize the jarring forces that can contribute to back pain.

3.   Reduced Overpronation or Supination: Excessive pronation (inward rolling of the feet) or supination (outward rolling of the feet) can disrupt the natural alignment of your body and place stress on the lower back. Custom orthotics can be designed

to address these specific issues, helping to stabilize the feet and reduce the associated strain on the back.

4.   Improved Foot Arch Support: If you have flat feet or high arches, it can impact the way your feet absorb shock and distribute weight. Custom orthotic insoles can provide the necessary arch support, helping to improve foot function and subsequently reducing the strain on the lower back.

When assessing patients, often what we hear the most is patients are surprised at the level of detail we use to decide exactly what they need. Assessing all your joints and articulations of the foot and lower limb is vitally important to achieving a successful outcome with orthotics.

What remains important for us is that you receive an orthotic that is robust, long lasting and fits in every shoe. Orthotics often prevent and relieve discomfort by correcting biomechanical discrepancies.

For a full assessment, we charge £45. If you think that you may require orthotics, please get in touch on 01952 825042 or info@shropshirephysiotherapy.co.uk  We have more information on our website  www.shropshirephysiotherapy.co.uk

Madeira: the pearl of the Atlantic

Blessed with year-round sunshine, lush botanical gardens and world-famous levadas, Madeira is so much more than a sun, sea and sand destination –although it certainly has its fair share of beaches too. Geologically dramatic and bursting with colour, this subtropical archipelago is a hit with holidaymakers from all over.

Set off the west coast of Africa, Madeira is made up of four Portuguese islands, but the largest – Madeira Island – is the one the world knows and loves. Diverse, safe and packed with culture and history, Madeira truly has something for everyone. In case you needed any more persuasion, here are just some of the reasons to put Madeira on your travel wish list, and what not to miss while you’re there.

It’s a hiker’s paradise

Hiking Madeira’s levadas is one of the island’s top activities. These irrigation canals were built to bring water from the north slopes to the south side of the island. Although still in use, they now have another purpose, providing a route for hikers to explore the island’s most dramatic landscapes.

With more than 2,000km to explore at heights reaching 1,861m, there are walking trails to suit every experience level. If you’re up for a challenge, why not take on Madeira’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo?

Sample city life in Funchal

Set against a backdrop of beautiful hills, Funchal has to be one of Europe’s prettiest capital cities. The perfect balance between laid-back and bustling, it’s known for its fascinating museums, botanical gardens, lively shopping scene and charming street cafes.

If you’re a foodie, don’t miss a visit to Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal’s vibrant fruit, vegetable, fish and flower market. A trip to Maderia’s capital also wouldn’t be complete without exploring Madeira Botanical Garden, the city’s latest botanical garden, with the most varied collection of flora from around the world.

Visit a black volcanic beach

Madeira’s volcanic origin has not only gifted the island with rich and exuberant gardens, but some fantastic black beaches too.

One of the finest is Praia do Porto do Seixal, a

stunning stretch of black sand with an incredible mountainous backdrop. Since the beach faces east, it’s also considered one of the best spots for watching the sunrise in Madeira. Admire dramatic ridges and waterfalls as you swim before drying off in the morning sun. Unlike many of the beaches on Madeira Island, the sand is soft too!

Take a boat trip

Did you know: Madeira is one of the best places for dolphin and whale watching in Europe? A boat tour here will give you the chance to witness a staggering variety, some of which are extremely rare anywhere else on the planet.

You could also take a boat trip to Porto Santo, the archipelago’s second largest island. Nicknamed the ‘Golden island’ after its gorgeous 9km-long beach, Porto Santo is the perfect destination for a spot of sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling. Head to the translucent waters of Zimbralinhos beach for a chance of seeing octopus, cuttlefish, sea urchins, hermit crabs and more.