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Local Times April Issue 2011
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How to contact us: Editor: Fiona Pennington 08456 199 038 editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Contributors: Steve Gould Trevor Kirton Sue MacLusky Des Taylor Advertising: Sales Team advertising@yourlocaltimes.co.uk 08456 199 038 Bob Cooper 01299 402094 Sue Maclusky 07810 578075 Studio Team studio@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Credit Control 08456 199 038 Accounts: Ken Bell accounts@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Published by Your Local Publisher Ltd Bridge House, Severn Bridge Riverside North, Bewdley DY12 1AB 01299 406 095
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Forward
Welcome…
Spring is finally here and I feel elated that the magazine has been accepted in the new format. This month has been one of our best months for letters and feedback from both readers and advertisers but a little disappointed that the newspaper for the community had a poor response. Perhaps the community isn’t ready for its own publication yet. On the other hand we might be satisfied with everything that affects our lives and we have no need to champion any causes. We all like a good wedding and this month should see Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot, which should be a great boost to all those involved in providing services to those getting married. It is your chance for readers to send in photographs or ideas for our front covers and I shall look forward to receiving them. Now the spring is here we shall be running a number of competitions and this month is your chance to get free tickets for the West Midlands Safari Park. Doesn’t the weather make you feel better?
Fiona
Fiona Pennington - Editor editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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your
Community News
Local Times
Wichenford Open Gardens Visit 20 Beautiful Gardens set in the glorious Worcestershire Countryside
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th June 2011
Adults £5.00 Children FREE Ticket includes both Saturday & Sunday All proceeds to St. Richards Hospice, Worcester and Local Wichenford Organisations St. Richards Hospice is registered under the Charities Act No. 515668
Lunches and Teas • Home Grown Produce • Plants for Sale Wichenford is 7 miles north-west of Worcester City Centre between the A443 and B4204
Saturday 23 April
St Georges Day Market on the riverside, Bewdley Come and join in the fun St George and the dragon will be very welcome and we hope there will be lots of red and white flags and bunting both on the riverside and around the town. As this is also the Saturday before Easter Sunday we would also like to see lots of EASTER BONNETS. We will give a prize to the best one. If you would like to have a stall (either charity or trade) or would like to provide entertainment please contact us as soon as possible… 4
Ann 01299 404226 / email lymanhughes34@aol.com Maggie 01299 404065 Lynne 01299 400563 / email hazelynne@sky.com Bewdley Chamber Maids
Far Forest school delighted with bulbs Far Forest Lea Memorial CE Primary School PTA, staff and pupils are delighted after being donated literally hundreds of bulbs by Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold. The bulbs, donated through Webbs’ Spring Flowering Big Bulb Give-way, have been planted in class gardens and flowerbeds throughout the school’s grounds. Headteacher, Mrs Tara Collins-Bullock, stated: “I would like to thank Webbs
for their kind donation and also our PTA, who have worked hard and organised the bulb planting around the school. The children have had such a wonderful time taking part in this activity and will continue to enjoy nurturing and watching the flowers as they grow.” Children from every class have had the opportunity to don gloves and get planting. Organised and supported by the school’s PTA, everyone is now waiting for the bulbs to spring into bloom.
L to R: Far Forest pupils with Headteacher, Mrs Tara Collins-Bullock (back 2nd from L) and parents Mrs Kerry Beard, grandparent Mrs Sandra Edwards and Miss Kelly Westwood delighted with their bulb donation.
Would you like to make a difference in 2011?
Interested? Volunteer as ... Befriender, Mentor or Advocate in Worcestershire Offer 1-to-1 support Make a real difference to someone’s life Gain new skills •Free Local Training •Expenses paid •Ongoing Support provided Find out more about volunteering with Onside… Contact: Claire or Sarah
Phone: 01905 746556/27525
E-mail: volunteering@onside-advocacy.org.uk
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Local Politics
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Local Times
Mark Garnier Writes‌ Westminster continues apace with a full agenda of new legislation and reforms. The coalition government has, over the last few weeks announced its plans on welfare reform, the new carbon plan, education reform, health reform, pension reform, the Localism Bill, the Big Society and a whole host of other new measures introduced to modernise the way we run our country. And it is a huge rate of change but one that addresses many of the issues that have been raised with us before the election. Of course, one of the big issues locally was the consultation on the forestry estate. With the Wyre Forest being the third most important forest in England, this was an issue that was of major interest to not just me but also my neighbour Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow. Philip and I share the Wyre Forest and so we were very keen to make sure that public access, preservation and biodiversity
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were maintained within the 6,000 or so acres of the Wyre Forest for perpetuity. The government, after two weeks of the 12 week consultation, reacted to the strong voice of opinion regarding some of the proposals and so the proposals were dropped. That is a good thing, but Philip and I are still closely involved with the activities of the Forestry Commission locally. Interestingly, however, this has raised a number of issues locally as the Wyre Forest is owned by many different owners, not just the Forestry Commission. Also, it is managed by both the Forestry Commission and Natural England and this highlights the less than simple ownership of our national forestry estate. However, the status quo will be maintained and that is a good thing. Another important development is the passing of the Electoral Reform Bill. This is not the right forum for me to express my views, but I would urge everyone to look at the arguments and to vote on this referendum in May. After all, some people are expecting that turnout might be very low indeed and it would be one of the greatest ironies of modern politics if a referendum seeking to require 50% plus support for one candidate is passed with a support of little more than 10% of the voting population! As ever, I am always available to speak to constituents who may have issues they would like to raise and I can always be contacted through the methods below: Email mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk Telephone 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771 Write 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU Or House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
Your Life, Your Style ‌for the life you lead
f a s hion * wedding * beauty * health * glamour 7
Local Health & Beauty
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Local Times
Taking Shape Without Surgery • Have you tried dieting but found the weight piles back on? • Are you unhappy about the tone & texture of your skin? • Have you worked hard in the gym but you are still left with stubborn areas? • Have you ever wondered how Cheryl Cole & Tamsin Outhwaite look so good? The answer is HYPOXI-Therapy! A new HYPOXI–Studio has opened in Kidderminster (on Mill Street, above Lisa Shepherds). What is HYPOXI-Therapy? Special gym equipment is used so that persistent fat & cellulite is put ‘under pressure’ by creating a vacuum. Pressure therapy then manipulates the targeted area – dissolving the fat. HYPOXI-Therapy is based on proven scientific research and new technology.
How do you get fast results? By visiting the HYPOXI studio 3 times a week for 30-60 minutes of fat burning you will rapidly drop up to two dress sizes. How much does it cost? It’s a lot cheaper than surgery but a bit more than the gym! Why does it work better than diets or exercise? HYPOXI-Therapy targets specific areas to allow you to reshape by reducing fats in areas where circulation isn’t naturally strong (bums & tums). How do I keep the weight off? Once your body has lost its fat it works more efficiently. Most people find they can easily maintain their fat loss purely through an ongoing healthy diet and exercise.
For immediate, natural and noticeable results, HYPOXITherapy offers a simple and effective way to target reduce and eliminate unwanted fat and cellulite to help boost body confidence.
HYPOXI® Studio-Worcestershire Town Mills, Mill Street, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY11 6XG
Tel: 01562 740840
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HYPOXI-studio Worcestershire, 2nd Floor, Town Mills, Mill Street, Kidderminster DY11 6XG. Tel: 01562 740840 www.hypoxiworcestershire.co.uk
Boost Your Body’s Ability to Heal Itself the Natural Way Unfortunately today’s society has With the 3 R’s … conditioned most of us to rely upon medicines and drugs to keep us feeling well and whenever we do feel a bit ‘off colour’ we unconsciously pop pills and supplements, even though we know many of them have possible harmful side effects.
For some illnesses drugs are a necessity and have delivered amazing life improving results, but ingesting them for just a quickfix over-rides the body’s ability to heal itself naturally and if you are anything like me then I’d do almost anything to avoid putting chemicals into my body. There are a wide range of gentle and relaxing treatments available that stimulate and assist the body’s natural healing ability, and all of them without having to ingest any chemicals. Through stimulating pressure points on the feet Reflexology can speed up the elimination of toxins from the body and help the body to balance itself. Rhythm Mobility improves flexibility and loosens any tight muscles and joints through gentle rocking movements and stretches. Whilst Reiki will have a cleansing effect on the whole body, healing areas that need it the most. All of the above will also leave you feeling calm and relaxed but also revitalised and full of energy. Although they require a bit more time and effort than just ‘popping a pill’ they are undeniably a far more enjoyable and healthier experience.
Sue Heavey cares for her clients in a private therapy room set in peaceful surroundings in Stourport On Severn; she has many years of experience and professional qualifications and is governed by the Federation of Holistic Therapists code of conduct. Sue can be contacted on 07887 657496 and would welcome answering any queries you may have on any of the above, or any of the other therapies that she offers.
Treat Yourself to a Deeply Relaxing Holistic Therapy & Enjoy Many Natural Health Benefits Reflexology, Massage, Reiki, Indian Head Massage Rhythm Mobility & Chakra Balancing Choose from a stand-alone treatment or mix & match to achieve maximum results Prices start from £10 for 15 minutes - £40 for 1 1/2 hours
50% off ANY treatment when quoting this advert
Contact Sue on 07887 657496 www.be-harmony.co.uk
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Local Health & Beauty
Local Times
Easter Eggs and Easter Bunnies This month plays host to the spring festival of Easter, a time associated with chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies. These two seemingly different Easter delights however are strangely connected through a story involving the Saxon Goddess of the spring, Eostre. Walking through the woods one day, Eostre found an injured bird lying on the ground and, in order to save its life she changed it into a hare. The change however was incomplete and the hare retained the ability to lay eggs. Nevertheless, so grateful was the hare to the Goddess for saving her that every year on Eostre’s annual festival, the hare would lay eggs, decorate them and leave them as a token of thanks at the Goddess’ shrine.
Christine Fletcher Embroidery
For All your Embroidery & Printing Needs
Even today in modern day Germany, many children still believe that their Easter eggs have been laid and delivered by the Easter hare. Carole Carlton is a writer, lecturer and author in ancient spirituality and complementary medicine. She runs workshops and courses at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley, in all levels of Reiki and the history, folklore and legend behind our well loved annual festivals. She can be contacted via her website at www.arcanus.co.uk Or you can visit her blog at www. mrsdarleyspaganwhispers.blogspot.com
Amazing offers on
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No Needle and Cotton Phone / Fax 01562 752419 Mobile 07711 955818 14 Kenilworth Drive, Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 1YD chrissief@hotmail.co.uk 10
Hair & Beauty Treatments
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Blakedown
Call 01562 700660
“FAB NEWS” Sue is back in Kidderminster
Do you remember the ‘FAB’ Beauty Salon above Lisa Shepherd on Mill Street? (yes it really was ‘fab’ !). Well Sue is back there again! (it’s no longer called FAB, it’s now the home of ‘HYPOXI’ & it’s beautiful ! Sue’s luxurious new therapy room is situated on the top floor of Town Mills on Mill Street, Kidderminster. (For those who don’t know it; it’s a beautifully converted mill building.) Being set back from the town with easy parking, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind and experience an incredible, ‘out of this world’ massage! Do you feel fed up, lethargic, full of aches and pains with no energy? Well then you need to see Sue – for an energy boosting ‘holistic’ massage. The word ‘holistic’ means whole. Sue never uses set routines but tunes in to you to deliver a massage which is tailored to meet your needs. Oils are blended for you and you choose from a wide range of massage styles and treatments. Sue is highly experienced and is qualified in everything from Reflexology to Sports to Thai Massage. An experienced Massage practitioner or ‘Bodyworker’ is someone who is highly experienced and gifted. ‘Gifted’ in the sense that s/he will work intuitively, sensing exactly what you need to feel completely rejuvenated. When you walk out, you will feel quite amazing and different. Yes different. You will feel happier, lighter and deeply relaxed. Sue MacLusky of ‘Soothe Out Stress’ is a highly gifted massage practitioner. Check out www. sootheoutstress.co.uk and click on ‘Testimonials’ to see what her clients say. Sue has trained in Sports Massage Therapy but offers a wide range of treatments and is 100% client focused. She works with intention and intuition to deliver massage therapies which are tailored to meet your needs. Sue’s therapy room is clean & warm, with soft lighting and a truly luxurious feel. She uses warm
towels and hot stones to enhance your massage. Sue is also a qualified Aromatherapist so blends essential oils specially for you, to meet your needs. Sue also teaches her own advanced massage techniques, known as ‘Hands Off Massage’ training in which she uses her forearms and body weight. Sue blends the best eastern and western techniques to make her massage really outstanding and unique. Sue has travelled far and wide to seek out the best teachers. As a Massage specialist, she has honed her art. “I am committed to making a difference and am passionate about the work I do.”
Relax and let go with Sue Call 07810 578 075 BESPOKE MASSAGE THERAPIES
• Isn’t it about time you felt great? • Would you like to relax at a deep level? • Do you want to let go of all your stresses & strains? “Once you’ve had a Massage with Sue you won’t want to go anywhere else! Unbelievable.”
Richard, Stourbridge
website: www.sootheoutstress.co.uk
Sue works in Stourbridge & Kidderminster 11
your
Local Health & Beauty
Local Times
Miss Birmingham Finalist Local girl Katie Homan, 19, has reached the final of Miss Birmingham 2011. After competing in the semi finals last week she has been selected along with nine other girls for the final which will be held at the Burlington Hotel on Saturday 30th April. The event which is hosted by Modelzed promotions, involves wearing two different outfits, club wear and evening wear, is judged on looks, personality, confidence and deportment. The winner of Miss Birmingham is automatically entered into the Miss England Grand Finals. There are three other awards for charity winner, public text vote winner and personality award.
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Kate would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported her so far, including family and friends, A-Z Bridalwear, Stourport on Severn, for providing a spectacular dress to wear in the pageant and Bushwackers, Worcester, for sponsorship and advertisement.
Or call 08456 199 038 for more information
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Local Health & Beauty
your
Local Times
Don’t go it alone – LighterLife supports you all the way! The battle to lose weight can be lonely and disheartening. Anyone familiar with dieting knows that after a while, we get bored and fed up. So we give up. The before and after photo’s belong to Marion Wilson. Marion lost three and a half stones with LighterLife. Now she’s a LighterLife Counsellor helping others to do the same! “Before joining ‘LighterLife’ I’d tried various diets including the Atkins diet, the F Plan diet & the cabbage soup diet! The weight loss was slow and I felt isolated because I was doing them on my own. Even when I lost some weight, I could never keep it off.” LighterLife is refreshingly different from other slimming programmes
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because it offers counselling and support in a small, close-knit group. Marion joined LighterLife when she realised that she was eating in order to curb her emotions. “Like many women, I’m an emotional eater and I just needed someone to help me switch something off in my head because I knew my weight problem was connected to my emotions.” LighterLife shows you how to stop mixing feelings with food. According to Marion, constant encouragement and the on-going support of a small group as well as a qualified counsellor, is the key to success. With six years of experience as a LighterLife Counsellor, Marion Wilson has helped and supported hundreds of men and women lose
two to three stones, or more, in weight. Her office is on Lion Street, Kidderminster. Call Marion: 07766 694 182. www.lighterlife.com
Treat Your Mum this Mother’s day
This package includes 4 hrs of pure relaxation:
• • • • • •
Deluxe facial Eye lash and eye brow tint Brow reshape Full body polish Deluxe Manicure Deluxe Pedicure
All this for only £70.00 that’s a saving of over £20.00 Book now with Jenny
www.notionsbewdley.co.uk
07871 073 866
Dance yourself fit whilst having fun with Zumba Contact Debbie - 07792 723 213
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Local Health & Beauty
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your
Local Times
Karen Butler Health Professions Council
Registered Chiropodist
01299 871272
Reiki Training at the
Ramada Hotel Kidderminster 1st, 2nd, Master, Master/Teacher Degrees Small classes Comprehensive manual Lunch and refreshments For 2011 courses please contact
Carole Carlton
(UK Reiki Federation Teacher )
www.arcanus.co.uk Telephone 01299 841540 17
Local Health & Beauty
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your
Local Times
Holy Trinity happy to support Noah’s Ark charity Students at Kidderminster’s Holy Trinity International School (HTIS) helped raise and amazing £350 in support of children’s charity Noah’s Ark Trust by taking part in an ‘Orange Friday’ where everyone dressed in the theme of orange. HTIS Head, Mrs Pam Leek-Wright said: “As part of our pastoral programme we invited the Noah’s Ark Trust charity to take part in presenting at our Senior School assemblies to talk to the students about the bereavement counselling work that they do. “These talks were then supported by a series of presentations and workshops to students from years 7 - 13, which helped them to develop an understanding and an awareness of how to deal with issues of bereavement on a personal level and how to support someone who had suffered a loss. It’s not an easy subject to discuss but one that we all face. The partnership between Holy Trinity and Noah’s Ark has proved to be an invaluable one.”
increasing demand and we heavily rely on fundraising and donations to continue to offer our services free L to R: On behalf of Holy Trinity International School, Graham Hurrell of charge. We presents the cheque to Noah’s Ark School appreciate Bereavement Advisor, Alison Kane. Holy Trinity International School’s support with the money they’ve raised going directly to help children who need our support.”
Working throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire, Noah’s Ark Trust offers a free service to all children and young people affected by the death of someone close to them, with the aim being to relieve the distress experienced through group work, ‘one to one’ support, personal mentoring and residential weekends. Noah’s Ark School Bereavement Advisor, Alison Kane, stated: “Our services are in
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your
Mother’s Day
Local Times
In praise of Mothers everywhere By Sue MacLusky Although my Mum is in her 80’s, whenever I go to stay with her, she still manages to sneak upstairs and put a hot water bottle in my bed! Yes, it’s the little things like that which really matter. When we were children we would ask to be ‘tucked up in bed’ which made us feel all loved and secure! You see, you never really stop being a mother. People say that everyone needs a bit of mothering; and I think that’s the reason why Mothers Day lives on. The aim of Mothering Sunday or Mothers Day is not only to celebrate Mums everywhere, but also, to recognise that motherhood and maternal bonding in general make such huge positive contributions to our wider society. In America Mothers Day is an annual holiday and Mothering Sunday used to be celebrated as a Christian festival right across Europe on the 4 th Sunday in Lent. But it goes back further than that. In Roman times the Hilaria Festival was held in honour of the mother goddess Cybele. But Mothers day here was developed from the Christian festival of Lent. In the sixteenth century people returned to their ‘mother church’ or cathedral for a special service to be held on Lectare Sunday. In the nineteenth century people would say they had gone “a mothering” which meant they had been given leave to visit their mothers or family home. Then in Victorian
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households, domestic servants were given the day off to visit their mothers. When I was a full time, or ‘stay at home’ Mum, a wise older woman once asked me what I did. At that time I felt it hard to answer her, even though it was a harmless question “And what do you do?” To which I bowed my head and answered “Oh, I’m just a Mum!” But my wise old friend smiled at me, then looked at me knowingly and said, “Just a Mum !! – No you’re not! No one is just a Mum! Being a Mum and everything you do as a Mum is THE most important job in the world!” Well now I’m older I realise the true wisdom of her words. Never underestimate the value of good mothering! Oh, and don’t forget, that when you’re a Mum you still need mothering too! Mothers Day is Sunday 3rd of April. So why not come and say hello to me and/or bring your Mum to Wolverley Holistic Health Fair where I’ll be offering relaxing pampering massages specially for all those hard working mothers out there! Wolverley Health Fair is at The Memorial Hall, Wolverley near Kidderminster 10am 5 pm. I look forward to seeing you there!
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Books We Like
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Local Times
Books We Like ‘The Poison Tree’ by Erin Kelly
A psychological thriller about a dark secret between siblings that comes to light with dramatic consequences. A shadowy tale of passion, friendship and murder.
‘Water for Elephants ’ by Sara Gruen Opens with a day of disaster at the circus and Jacob Jankowski admitting he kept a secret from that day for over 70 years. As the older Jacob fights to survive the indignities of old age he recounts the story of his life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on earth.
‘Three Cups of Tea ’ by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Is the true story of Mortenson’s work building schools in remote villages in Pakistan. Mortenson moves from a lost climber who promises a school to one small village to a major player in promoting peace through education in Pakistan and Afghanistan this story is too crazy to be made up.
‘The Secret Life of Bees ’ by Sue Monk Kidd
The book centres on Lily’s search for a connection to her mother who died in a tragic accident when she was a toddler. Taking place in South Carolina in the 1960s and explores race, love and the idea of home in turbulent times.
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Places to Be ‌for the life you lead
a t t ractions * events * sounds * theatre * cinema 23
Local Attractions
your
Local Times
Five Family Tickets are up for Grabs to West Midland Safari Park West Midland Safari Park is now fully open for the summer and we have FIVE fabulous family admission tickets to give away in our easy to enter COMPETITION. Voted the most popular Tourist Attraction in the Midlands by children and parents, West Midland Safari Park has some of the coolest animals around in the amazing fourmile safari. There’s a fantastic exhibit called ‘Realm of the Indian Rhino’. And, Cheetah - the fastest land animal on earth; along with the UK’s largest pride of rare and mysterious White Lions; Stunning White Tigers; Giraffe as tall as a double-decker bus; famous Elephants that can paint and play football; African Rhino that freely roam the animal reserves; Mischievous African Wild Dogs; North American Timber Wolves and a mob of pure white Wallabies, to name just a few. The amazing self-drive, all-weather, safari covers an area of four miles and you can even drive around as many times as you like! There’s a Discovery Trail with a variety of splendid all-weather attractions like Twilight Cave to see free flying bats, jumping rats and the extraordinary Aye aye;
Seaquarium to view wonderful creatures of the deep; TV Star Mark O’Shea’s Reptile World with its incredible collection of snakes and reptiles from all around the globe – who knows you may even meet Mark O’Shea when he presents his special Reptile Encounters! There’s Creepy Crawlies - home to creatures that haunt the night and friendly animal encounters along with a Sea Lion Show performed several times each day to packed audiences. You can also visit the Hippo Lakes, home to the largest family group – or pod - of Hippo in the Country, with its wonderful viewing platform high above the lake. The Safari Express Train ride takes the direct route from the car park to the Amusement Area, which is packed with all kinds of fun rides and attractions, including some awesome rides like the Black Fly! Twister! Wild River Rafting! Rhinocoaster! Zambezi Water Splash and Venom! Each ticket admits a family of up to four people into the Park, before it closes for wintertime on 4 November 2011. Whilst amusement rides are not included as part of the prize, multi ride wristbands and ride tickets are available to purchase on the day. Further information may be found on the Park’s website: www.wmsp.co.uk
HOW TO ENTER Simply answer the following question and send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to: Your Local Publisher Ltd, Bridge House, Severn Bridge, Riverside North, Bewdley DY12 1AB or Email your answer to: winner@yourlocaltimes.co.uk or Text A, B or C and your contact details to 07736540136. What has a viewing platform: a) Cheetah Plains b) Sea Lion Show c) Hippo Lakes
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Food for Thought ‌for the life you lead
e n t e rtainment * wining * dining * restaurant * deli 25
Local Recipe
your
Local Times
Incredible
Baked Lamb Shanks Recipe supplied by The Deli at Bewdley
Ingredients
• 6 sprigs of fresh rosemary • 150g cold butter • 15 fresh sage leaves • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 lamb shanks, • 12 cloves of garlic, unpeeled • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely sliced • 1 onion, peeled and finely sliced • 1 leek, washed, halved and finely sliced olive oil • 2 wineglasses of white wine
Main Courses / Serves 4 Many people have a real affection for lamb shanks, thinking of them as a bit of a treat. I’ve cooked them for years and really love this particular style of baking them because it’s so easy and comforting – almost like wrapping up a jacket potato to put on the bonfire. By using simple root veg and a flavoured butter, and by tightly squeezing the tinfoil around each shank, the most is made of the flavour of the meat without having to cover it in spices or tomatoes or anything like that. It’s very easy to prep the shanks for this dish and I think they look cool enough to be a lovely main course for a dinner party. The shanks should be eaten with all the veggies and any buttery juices. They’re really good served 26
with creamy mashed potato and steamed greens to contrast with the roasting stickiness of the lamb. Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Pick the leaves off 2 sprigs of rosemary, whiz them with the butter, most of the sage and the thyme in a food processor and season with salt and pepper. Using a small knife, take one of the lamb shanks and cut between the meat and the bone from the base of the shank upwards. You want to create a hole big enough to put your finger in, making a sort of pocket. Do this to all the shanks and divide the flavoured butter between them, pushing it into the pockets. This will give a wonderful flavour to the heart of the shanks. Tear off four arm-length pieces of tinfoil and fold each in half to give you four A3-sized pieces of foil. Divide the garlic and veg between them, making a pile in the middle of each square. Rub the lamb shanks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then put one on top of each pile of veg and a sprig of rosemary and a few sage leaves on top of that. Carefully pull up the sides of the foil around the shank and pour a swig of wine into each. Gather the foil around the bone, pinching it together tightly. Any excess foil can be torn or cut off with scissors. Repeat for all 4 shanks, then place the foil parcels on a baking tray with the bones facing up. Put in the preheated oven for 2½ hours or until the meat is as tender as can be. Serve the parcels in the middle of the table so that your guests can open them up themselves.
BELL’S FARM SHOP & P.Y.O.
Simon Cook
Full of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Locally produced Milk, Bread, Cheeses Cakes, Free Range Beef, Lamb, Pork, Bacon and Sausages from Castlemoor Farms and Buttercross Meats plus lots more for you
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The Sun & Slipper Inn Mamble, Worcs, DY14 9JL Off A456 between Clows Top and Newnham Bridge
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For Reservations 01299 832018
27
Local Issues
your
Local Times
New Tesco Store Looms… Inevitable as it may be the Tesco store will be built in Stourport on Severn. What this will mean for the town is any ones guess but developers are now completing the apartments around the canal basin area and the “marina” style aspect is now taking the town into the twenty first century. This will bring visitors to Stourport where many businesses should benefit. The high street has a variety of shops, Blunts Shoes, Gift shops, WH Smiths, Estate agents as well as the usual charity shops and eating establishments, pubs and a fun fair. The river is a draw to visitors, which has grassy open spaces along its banks, and a park with climbing apparatus for the children. Bewdley needs to catch up and take the example from its neighbours, including Bridgnorth. With the Severn Valley Railway and the Safari Park on the doorstep, a museum and many pubs and restaurants the town needs to encourage people to open alternative shops such as a furniture store, Shoe shop, model railway and toy shop, instead of more curry houses, and maybe to get the Severn Valley Railway to open a ticket office, perhaps in conjunction with the Safari Park and any other possible attractions. We have many enthusiasts with classic buses and cars who would be only too willing to show them off if someone were to organise it with them. From my experience, this would certainly bring people from far and wide. A Market should become a regular event and perhaps this could be themed such as a Victorian, with the stallholders and helpers dressing up in period costume. There are many societies around the country who I am sure, would participate, if invited to do so. This summer the town could have a real buzz about it.
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Well these are just a few ideas, which could raise the profile of this historic town and start it on the road to prosperity and I would like to hear from the readers who would like to take part. This is your magazine for local people, as the title suggests, with features and content promoting the town, completely free of charge. Take time to contribute your ideas for a prosperous future in our region. Bob Cooper, Publisher and resident of Bewdley. I live in Stourport on Severn & do not want a Tesco store. It has already caused a wellestablished business to move. We have good small shops & a Co-op store. Areley Kings has an excellent Londis store often prices beat the large supermarkets. I also shop in Bewdley at the Deli, a lovely shop, & at the farm shop. We go to the Merchants House once or twice a week, the Mug House & The George. Trev A couple of years ago there was a great movie “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner, if you saw it you will remember the key line “If you build it they will come.” This is true. Bottom line – they will ONLY come if there are no parking charges or severely reduced charges i.e. one rate of 50p. No intimidating parking wardens. The shopkeepers will return, then the shoppers Do not take away the market on Saturday have it in Load Street outside the shops like in Bridgnorth NOT by the River If these are not implemented the town will not flourish. Jeff Hull (long time Bewdley resident)
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Homes ‌for the life you lead
k i t c h e n * property * conservatory * interior * garden 30
31
Local Business
your
Local Times
How Pete from Rathbone Cleaning saved the day !
“We spent thousands on a new Axminster carpet, but it shrank and soon looked like a shabby mess... until Pete came along!” “We paid thousands of pounds on a beautiful new Axminster carpet throughout the house. You can imagine our horror when the carpet shrank. It was a complete mess and had to be ‘re-stretched’. We’d spent so much money yet our carpet looked shabby.” Rathbone Cleaning is an independent family business which offers an old fashioned
For all your carpet & upholstery cleaning please contact us for a free survey & no obligation quotation We cover the midlands area including the towns of Stourport, Kidderminster, Bewdley, Halesowen, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Ledbury Gloucester, Cheltenham, Worcester, Malvern, Evesham, Morton-in-Marsh and Burford
Tel: 01299 878082 Mobile: 07751 123289
email: enquiries@rathbonecleaning.co.uk
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By Francess Tetstall of Bewdley
personal service. Pete Rathbone says carpets often shrink after they’ve been ‘over wet’. “What happens is when drying out the carpet pulls off the grippers, and then you have to get someone to try to re-stretch the carpet back on to the grippers.” “It’s not worth playing Russian Roulette with your carpet. A professional carpet cleaning will remove stains and clean, fastly and efficiently without over-wetting.” Francess Tetstall didn’t want to take any more risks with her Axminster. So she called in the experts. “Pete from Rathbone Cleaning is excellent. It was just perfectly done. We’ve got a dog, so you can imagine the mess. We also had this ‘mystery stain’ which we couldn’t get rid of, we’d tried everything. Pete used a cleaning method which was quick to dry and gave us extra protection. The ‘mystery stain’ vanished and the whole house looked beautifully clean again. He is fast, efficient and reliable and offered an unbelievable service. We’re just so pleased we called in a real professional.” Mrs Tetstall is one of many of Pete’s delighted customers. More comments can be seen on his website: www.rathbonecleaning.co.uk Call Peter Rathbone: 01299 878082 / 07751 123289 Rathbone Cleaning – CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SPECIALISTS – domestic & commercial.
Outdoor Living Asbourne Pack Cotswold, York Brown, York Gold 5.67 m2 (3 sizes) Circle kit also available
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Mon - Fri 7.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday 8.00am - 12.00 noon 33
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your
Local Gardening Calendar
Local Times
Whitlenge diary April by Fran Southall
www.whit-lenge.co.uk
April showers and warmer soils provide ideal growing conditions but the nights can still be very cold and tender plants will still need protection against frosts.
Revitalise soil with well-rotted farmyard manure or garden compost and water plants in their pots an hour or two before planting for extra hydration.
At Whitlenge gardens we are still dealing with the effects of the extreme winter frosts and snow. We may have lost a number of old favourites but are still giving them the benefit of the doubt. Plants’ powers of revival can be quite astonishing, so we will cut them back and wait till summer to see what has survived. Looking on the positive side plant deaths allow us to make changes and update the garden, bringing in new varieties and themes. We are still removing frost damaged shoots from tender shrubs such as Choisya ternata and may even leave some pruning a little longer as we are in a notorious frost pocket and can suffer frost well into May. The hardy old Forsythias will cope and we will prune after flowering to stop them getting too leggy and out of shape.
Mowing has started again, first cuts on a higher setting, lowering the blades as we go into the season. Established lawns can be fed if not done last month.
As if this is not enough to deal with the milder weather brings the usual onslaught of slugs and snails. We prefer to deal with these with organic pellets or the old and successful method of beer traps, at least they go happy! This is the best time for new planting, although with container grown trees and shrubs you can plant at any time of year so long as you water regularly in the first year. Planting at this time of year gives the plant time to establish while the weather is hopefully mild and wet, so they put on good growth during the growing season.
Deadhead daffodils so that energy is diverted into production of next year’s flower bulb not making seed heads. To thank them for all their hard work give them a feed and leave foliage for about six weeks before cutting down. “ …daffodils, That come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty;”
Even in Shakespeare’s time English summers were tricky “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summers lease hath all too short a date” so lets be ready when and if it arrives to enjoy every minute. 36
Lickhill Road North, Stourport, DY13 8RU
01299 828988
(100 yards from Burlish Crossing)
B
FULL BASKETS OF COLOUR
HANGING BASKET ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN
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£15 £12 £13 £10 £11 £8
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16’ REFILL WIRE £13.50 16’ REFILL RATTAN £10.50 14’ REFILL WIRE £11.50 14’ REFILL RATTAN £8.50 12’ REFILL WIRE £9.50 12’ REFILL RATTAN £6.50
Fencing Lap panels 6x6 £14.50 6x5 £14.00 6x4 £13.00 6x3 £12.00 Turf £2.50 per roll
6ft patio circles £115.00
ournewood NURSERY
Tubs, planters & window boxes prices on request
ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR ALL Bedding and basket plants
Marigolds, Dahlias, Gazanias, Geraniums, Fushias, Snap Dragons, Petunias, Stocks, Busy Lizzies, Begonias
Wide selection of evergreens and flowering shrubs Specialising in David Austin roses
Patio pack approx 7.2 metres £135.00
3 X 75L COMPOST £10 3 X 60L COMPOST £8.80
Aggregates available as 1 Ton, 1/2 Ton & in 25Kg bags
Open 7 Days 9-5
ALL AGGREGATES AVAILABLE 37
We have advertised in the Local Times for a few years now, and the publication has really helped us grow our business. It’s a great way to show our customers, new & old, ideas for beautiful flooring in their home or how to compliment a room with one of our stunning rugs.. As the publication is free and delivered to thousands of local homes and business, we are confident that The Local Times is a great place to advertise. Alison at Justin2 Carpets and Rugs
38
Trust the Professionals SLATING TILING FELT ROOFING LEADWORK GUTTERING
RMG Roofing Services have been serving customers in Kidderminster for over 20 years and has grown to cover the whole of Worcestershire and surrounding area.
Visit
www.pjagardens.co.uk or ring Peter on
07766 727900 to discuss all your garden maintenance needs
Call us now on 07837 939382
for a free no obligation estimate
www.rmg-roofing.co.uk 39
Feeds & Needs for Chickens Layers Pellets eds Equimix for Chickens eeds for Chickens Feeds Mixed Corn Feeds & Needs for Chickens Equimix Feeds
Layers Pellets Mixed Corn Poultry & Water Feeders Chicken House Layers Pellets Feed Advice Mixed Corn Hen Care Products
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Layers Pellets Mixed Corn Poultry Feeders Poultry&&Water Water Feeders Chicken House Chicken House Feed Advice Feed Advice Hen Care Products Hen Care Products
17 Severnside South Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 2DX
Poultry & Water Feeders Tel: 01299 402960 Chicken House Fax: Feed 01299 Advice 405143 Hen Care Products Opening times
Feeds & Needs for Chickens Mon-Fri 8.30am-6.30pm Equimix Feeds
Your pet deserves the best
GRANDEE PET MATTRESS
HOLLOW FIBRE FILLED INNER WITH A REMOVABLE WATERPROOF OR FABRIC OUTER COVER
Now available from Bewdley Pet Supplies
01299 400 832 For Kavel’s other products go to www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk/kavel 40
LayersSaturday Pellets 9.00am-11.30am Mixed Corn Poultry & Water Feeders Chicken House Feed Advice Hen Care Products
Bewdley Pet Supplies Bewdley’s New Pet Store Family Owned Business
Big Brands at Low Prices
Huge Supply of Stock
Food, Supplies, Accessories
Free Local Delivery Service 27a Dog Lane, Bewdley
01299 400 832 07540 399 431
A Local family run business at Dog Lane, Bewdley DY12 2EF
Established 1989
Be inspired Be unique • Carpets • Brand new KARNDEAN display in store • Vinyls • Professional planners & fitters • Rugs and Runners • Excellent customer service guaranteed
TEL: Alison or Justin 01299 404014 : 07767 206433
www.justin2carpetsrugs.co.uk 41
Local Computers
your
Local Times
The Evolution of Music - Part 3 So, now that Spring is with us, the trees are recovering after the Winter onslaught, plants and flowers sprout new growth and as for the birds and the bees, less said about them the better !! After last month’s little diversion ( hope you found it useful and informative ), I thought it was time to move on with our exploration of how your favourite tunes ended up on your laptop’s hard drive... If you recall, we’d reached that point in history when tape and vinyl existed simultaneously, but it wasn’t until Phillips developed the compact cassette format that tape became a popular and easy to use medium for storing sound recording. Of course, reel-to-reel tape machines were introduced in 1935 by the German company AEG, called the “Magnetophon”, it was based on the invention of magnetic tape by Fritz Pfleumer in 1928. Far too expensive and bulky for the average user, they were predominantly the domain of professional studios and radio stations, there was a need for something more durable, easy to use and cheap. Part of the problem was due to the use of thermionic valves; they consumed a great deal of electricity, need huge compartments to allow the dissipation of heat, took time to “warm up” and were hardly conducive to portability !! It took the invention of the transistor in 1947 to jump-start the development of true portable devices. Tape cassettes had been around since 1958, when RCA Victor developed the stereo, quarter-inch, reversible RCA Tape Cartridge, but at 5”x7”, was rather big and even though it offered multiple versions, it was not well supported by the music industry and ultimately failed. It took the boffins at Phillips to invent the compact cassette in 1962. Based on a voice Dictaphone, for the first time ever it was not only possible to carry your favourite tunes around, but also record. Sound quality was poor on these early machines as they were geared toward voice recording. At a width of 3.81mm, the tape would transfer from the left hand reel to the right at a speed of 4.76cm per second, whereas a standard reel-toreel machine runs at 9.5 to 19cm per second, the slower 42
the tape travel across the playback head, the poorer the sound quality, but once the industry embraced this new medium, enhancements and improvements soon followed. Purists would argue that cassette would never compete with reel-to-reel machines and quality-wise, they are correct, but for people on the move ( as are we all ) the compact cassette offered freedom from the confines of the living room. Vinyl, in all its glory was never meant to be a transportable medium for music, like reel-toreel tape, so cassette filled a niche and for the first time ever, listening to your favourite music became a social experience – take your music out into the World !! Of course, like all things, tape/cassette had its disadvantages as I’m sure some of you will remember. Tape, made of a polyester type plastic film with a magnetic coating, was extremely easy to break and I for one can remember having to precariously unravel several feet of tape from the inner workings of my cassette player never to play properly again and even if you did manage to feed it back into the shell of the cassette the damaged section of tape would sound like pinky and perky on steroids !!! The other limitation was the length of time you could record. TDK did introduce a 3 hour tape ( the C180, 90 mins per side ) which was doomed to failure from the start. Even though it was produced for two decades, the tape had to be so thin that it was nearly transparent, resulting in fewer magnetic particles, giving poor sound quality. It required a strong motor to be driven and subsequently had high wow and flutter, it also took a long time to rewind. The most popular length for cassette tapes was the C90 ( 45 mins per side ). When recording, a typical C90 could store one album per side, but as we moved away from Vinyl toward the blossoming Compact Disc market, album lengths got longer as a typical CD can store 80 mins of music – the “Age of the Cassette” was on the cards, but you’ll have to wait until next issue to find what came next, have a great month. Steve Gould
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For all your electrical requirements Fault Finding • New fuseboards • Outdoor lights Rewires • Additional sockets • Inspection and testing All work approved • No job too small
01562 823825 • 07814266970 Glyn Morgan
Glynm21@hotmail.com www.ozone-electrical.co.uk
43
11 Hales Park, Bewdley, DY12 1BY
ANTHONY RUBEN – UTILITY WAREHOUSE
LOOKING FOR A CHEAPER MOBILE TARIFF? Anthony Ruben, from the Utility Warehouse, says he can guarantee that you will save money compared to the tariff you are currently paying on your mobile service, if not Utility Warehouse will refund you Double the Difference!
Anthony can be contacted on Stourbridge 01384 831078 or 07957 856 727
Testimonial “Dear Anthony, thanks for helping us save money and for sorting us out so very promptly and efficiently.” Guy & Lynne, Stourbridge. You can check out how to save money with the Utility Warehouse via website:
www.askwhatsthepig4.co.uk 44
Sick and tired of endless bills through your letterbox? Have you ever thought how good it would be to get all your services listed on one single bill? Well, there is a way you can do just that – if you take a look at what The Utility Warehouse has on offer. By switching to them you can not only save money but also get everything on one bill. Would you like to know how you can save on your essential home utilities each time you shop at High Street Stores or buy on line? Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help to provide a free appraisal for your residential or business utility services we provide.
Dizzy Dollys Laundrette Self Service • Service Washes Ironing Service Football Kits • Curtains etc Free Collection Delivery Whole Wyre Forest
01299 828 386 Opening Times 7:30am - 8:30pm 7 DAYS A WEEK Last Wash 8:30pm 9 Lombard Street, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8DP
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Plumbing and Heating 07967 837141 01299 401045 15 year’s experience • Free Estimates Boiler Changes • New Heating Systems Repairs and Servicing • Bathrooms Fully Fitted
All Gas Engineers have to be Gas Safe Registered
All plumbing and heating work undertaken gavinsmith9@tiscali.co.uk
Gas Safe Number: 215565
45
our yyour Local Times
Local Decoration
Why Move?
You can just improve Jem Groves, Painters and Decorators, have had over 10 years of experience of painting, decorating, property maintenance and refurbishments. Despite the economic downturn the company has expanded and will take on further staff in the new year. The professional workforce includes a Gas Safe heating engineer, electrician, plasterer, carpenter and decorators, for all aspects of property renovation and decorating to private, domestic and commercial customers. They specialise in the rejuvenation of interiors and exteriors including landscaping of grounds and gardens. Using quality upvc windows and Dulux paints and products Jem can guarantee all his work.
For more information about the Kidderminster Dulux Decorator log on to www.duluxdecorator.co.uk Jem Groves offers a no obligation quote and guarantees a prompt and reliable service to ensure that the customer is always delighted with the job. They always keeps in mind that the place that they work in is your home and as such the company are guests in it and will act accordingly and for your peace of mind, they hold full Public Liability Insurance. Jem would like to thank all his customers for their testimonials and recommendations to a decorator and painter who believes in quality and service.
For help and advice please call Jem Groves on 07980425813 or 01562 637609
46
DAVID BASHFORD PENNAL PLUMBING & HEATING
Natural Gas • Oil and LPG • Rayburn • Caravans • Pools
Wise men have their boilers serviced in the summer HOUSMANS, GORST HILL, ROCK NR. KIDDERMINSTER WORCS DY14 9YR Tel: 01299 266 654 Mob: 07974 449574
& PEST CONT N I RO M R L WILDLIFE VE
MANAGEMENT
Rats, Mice, Moles, Ants, Fleas, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Wasps, Squirrels, Rabbits,
Foxes, Corvids, Feral Pigeons, textile moths and all other vermin and pests dealt with.
BUILDER Roofer and General Builder Fencing, Patios, Gutterings, Fascia Boards, Garden Walls etc Call Jeff for a Free Quote
Telephone 01299 878630 Mobile 07810 706600
Phone: 01299 266447 Mob: 07955 124317
ANNUAL CONTRACTS A SPECIALITY
7 DAYS A WEEK B.A.C.S MEMBER
Established 30 years
www.njkheating.co.uk 47
On The Road ‌for the life you lead
c a r * valeting * repair * classic * showroom 48
Val’s Vans 28, Teme Street, Tenbury Wells (next to the Post Office)
Van Hire from £42 (No hidden extras) Local, cheap and friendly. Lady Owner.
01584 778241 / 01885 410689 07841 705494 (any time) www.valsvans.com
Bewdley
Auto Services City & Guilds Qualified Engineers Servicing • Repairs • Welding • MOTS Valeting • Modern & Classic • Cars & Motorcycles Collection and delivery service available. Also Mobile Service
Please contact Gary on 07889 222578 or Roger on 07931 475097 www.bewdleyautoservices.com Email bewdleyautoservices@hotmail.co.uk 49
Local Drivers
our yyour Local Times
Young Drivers Want Help Statistics show that young drivers are the biggest cause of accidents on the road and suffer the highest number of car crash fatalities. While some young drivers put lives in danger by reckless driving, many accidents are simply caused by inexperience. The driving test in the UK is designed to ensure that new license holders are capable drivers, yet a third of young drivers admit they’re a danger to other road users. The RAC’s Report on Motoring reveals that despite young drivers’ desire to get behind the wheel, one quarter (26 per cent) admit they are not confident in their driving abilities after passing the test. More worryingly, 30 per cent admit the standard driving test doesn’t prepare them for modern driving, causing them to be a danger to themselves and other motorists. The research reveals that 79 per cent of young drivers want mandatory supervised night driving training as part of the learning process, while 65 per cent believe they need supervised lessons on the motorway. Over half - 58 per cent - believe there should be more about safe driving included in the National Curriculum. The results of the report have prompted the RAC to call for an urgent and immediate reform of the driving test and driver training. A review of the standard driving test is supported by the wider motoring community who are keen to help rather than restrict young drivers’ freedom through zero tolerance measures such as higher penalties and night time curfews. Almost three quarters of British drivers believe more emphasis should be given to young people to help them drive more safely, such as better initial training and education. Two-thirds would like there to be an obligatory period of supervised driving after passing the test.
50
However, two of the most popular recommendations are for young drivers to be given night driving lessons (88 per cent) and for the minimum age of 18 to be introduced (93 per cent). One quarter would like to see the age limit raised to 21. Mike Hutter, managing director of BSM, says, “The research shows that young motorists are keen for a more relevant driving test. The current test leaves them feeling ill-prepared for the rigours of today’s driving environment with more congested roads and other road users. “Despite the fact that motorways offer a similar environment to dual carriageways, our experience has shown that newly qualified drivers are still fearful and lacking in confidence when first confronted with a motorway situation. “To help overcome their fears and make them safer drivers, we believe learner drivers should be allowed on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a car fitted with dual control and would urge the government to change its approach.”
Sporting Life ‌for the life you lead
football * golf * motor * horse * angling 51
Local Golf
our yyour Local Times
Bewdley Pines Golf Club Each year there are two events which, for me, signify the start of the golfing season. The clocks changing and The U.S. Masters tournament on TV. It’s the first of golfs four majors, the tournaments the world’s best players covet the most and the bench mark by which their success is measured. This year there is great anticipation that a European player will win. There are currently more Europeans in the world’s top ten than there has been since 1992, so maybe it is no surprise that expectations of a first win since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 are high. But no matter who wins we are guaranteed one of sports great spectacles, played on a beautiful course adorned by flowering Azaleas and risk and reward holes where there will no doubt be some drama when a ball finds the water at a vital moment! So heres the Pros tip, no it’s not the name of the winner but something you can take from watching the action and utilise in your own game.
52
Watch the players pre-shot routine, their preparation is pre-regimented and practised, it is a soft and slow action that reminds them of the swing they need to execute the shot successfully. They visualise the ball flying as intended and feel confident about the outcome. For club players often there is no routine, often the swing is rushed and often the outcome is inconsistent. But your practise can help you, it needs to be structured and disciplined though, it needs to promote the correct swing movements that lead to a good shot and increased confidence. Your PGA Pro can help you develop these skills enhancing your enjoyment of the game and increasing your chance of victory. So take the opportunity now we have more daylight, take advice then you can practise constructively, building a reliable routine and swing that will continue to work even when the water is looming! For more information on how to play, or improve your golf contact Mark Slater PGA Professional, Bewdley Pines Golf Club. 01299 404744.
Local Business
New shop in Bewdley Tackles a fishy opening Bewdley tackle and leisure opened its doors for the first time on Saturday 19th March in load street it is ideally situated at the top of the town opposite the church with parking places above and below the shop for you to just pop in on the way through to collect your fresh bait. This family run business will be open from 7am daily. The shop will be run by Adam an experienced angler both home and abroad with many good catches to his name. With a clean and modern outlook the shop stocks fresh bait and all your tackle needs for river, lakes or pools including nets, rods poles reels etc all at competitive prices. There is also an extensive range of New Style baits such as Gel Baits, all flavours of boiles, pellets and flavourings from companies like SBS Baits, dynamite and sensas. The shop has access for disabled and disabled parking just below the shop outside the HSBC bank and everyone is welcome to come and browse around and have a chat with Adam who will offer advice if you require. We hope the business in the centre of the historical town of Bewdley will be here for many years to come Adam Mary and Steve would like to thank all those people from Bewdley who just popped in on our opening to wish us luck.
Bewdley Tackle and Leisure Web: www.bewdleytackle.co.uk Email: bewdleytackleandleisure@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 01299 403386 OPENING TIMES MON FRI 0700 - 1800 SAT
0700 - 1700
SUN
0700 - 1200
FISHING TACKLE AND FRESH BAIT
Bewdley Tackle and Leisure Fresh bait and all your tackle needs for river, lakes or pools including nets, rods, poles reels etc.
All at competitive prices Web: www.bewdleytackle.co.uk Email: bewdleytackleandleisure@ yahoo.co.uk
Phone: 01299 403386
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Local Football
our yyour Local Times
The Harriers The Harriers have launched a major offer to all supporters to take up the opportunity of possibly watching Football League action at Football Conference prices in 2011/12 through the sale of EarlyBird Season Tickets.
Fantastic results on the pitch, the latest being the excellent 2-1 win at promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon, mean Harriers have a real shout for promotion up to League 2 at the end of this term - the Wimbledon victory leaving Steve Burr’s men five points clear in the final play-off position. Support has been on the increase, too; after averaging just 1,300 for much of 2010/11 the club’s last three home fixtures has seen a lowest of 1,800 with the highest topping 3,000. With this in mind, the club has taken the step of putting next season’s Season Tickets on sale NOW, and at the same price level paid by fans for this Blue Square Bet Premier campaign. Quite simply that means that fans purchasing theirs between now and the cut-off point of Saturday, 23 April 2011 could land a massive bargain of League 2 Football at Bet Premier prices. Harriers have also introduced further value into the mix the previous concessionary age of over 65 has now been lowered to include anyone over the age of 60, whilst a price bracket has also been included to cater for young persons whose next step after school is away from the education system - between the ages of 16 to 18, these individuals will only pay a student price. What’s more, the popular three-month instalment plan that allowed Season Ticket buyers to spread the cost of their purchase has now been extended to four months, spanning April to July 2011. For example, an adult, North Stand Season Ticket for 2011/12, if purchased between the above dates, will cost just £57 per-month in instalments, working out at less than £10 per League match. Harriers are setting an ambitious target of 1,000 Season Tickets to be sold for 2011/12 - Chairman Mark Serrell making it perfectly clear that such an achievement would enable the Board to equip boss Burr with his ‘dream
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team’ for the new term - and let’s hope that’s a League 2 campaign. The support of Harriers fans everywhere can make that happen! Serrell commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the support the local community has shown the club over the last few months and this is a fantastic chance for us to carry that into the new season. The results on the pitch have been magnificent and I think fans can see that we are pushing hard for the Football League this year we want them to stick with us for the run-in and beyond and this is the perfect way for them to do that.”
Season Tickets are on sale from the Aggborough Ticket office immediately. Simply call 01562 823 931 for more details.
TWO FREE TICKETS -
YOUR LOCAL TIMES COMPETITION Win a pair of tickets to a HARRIERS match THIS SEASON!
Just answer the following question. What was the score when Harriers beat AFC Wimbledon in March? A: 1-0 B: 2-1 C: 3-2 Email your answer to: winner@yourlocaltimes.co.uk or text A, B or C to 07736 540 136 *Full terms and conditions available at the rear of your issue.
CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona Clarke who was last month’s winner and tickets are on their way to you !!
Local Sports
Kidderminster Hockey Club After relegation for the last two consecutive seasons Kidderminster entered the season looking for consolidation. Instead what they found was a good blend of maturity and youth and a determination not to lose. In their first game of the season under the new pairing of Captain Tom Boden and coach Phil Williams they tried to play and expansive passing game and came up against a resolute Yardley side and only shaded a tight match in the last few minutes with a direct strike from a short corner to win 3 – 2.
The men’s 1st team of Kidderminster Hockey Club. This season they have won the ENER-G sponsored Men’s West Midlands Division 2 at a canter, unbeaten with 1 game to go next week.
Their next two games saw them beat Kynoch and shade a close game verses Ludlow 1 – 0. In their nest game they faced a tough challenge against Bloxwich and ran out 5 – 2 winners showing their title form. The made the long journey to Oswestry the week after again running away with a 5 – 2 win and beat bottom side Aston Uni the week after 8 – 0. In the run up to Christmas determination and good hockey lead them to being unbeaten by Christmas. Played 10 Won 10.
TENBURY GUNS LTD 28, Teme Street, Tenbury Wells (next to the Post Office)
After Christmas Kidderminster carried on with their dominance and in the game against Bloxwich away dropped their first points of the season with a 1 – 1 draw. The week after they again picked up their winning ways with a good win verses Oswestry and carried on until again dropping maximum point to a resolute Barlaston side with a 2 – 2 draw. The side’s top scorer was Captain Tom Boden with Danny Mazurek contributing with some important goals.
Gun Shop Airguns, Shotguns, Rifles Ammunition & Equipment Clothing & Footwear Dog Training & Field Cutlery
Mentions should also go to fine performances for the season from Chris Harler and Andy Griffiths, as young players their progress has had a major impact to the side. Also John Millership in goal meant Kidderminster won game they should have lost.
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01584 819867 & 07841705494
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Local Puzzles
your
Local Times
Instructions for sudoku For anyone new to Sudoku puzzles, fill in the blank spaces so that each row, each column and each 3 by 3 block contains all the numbers from 1 to 9.
The Harriers Competition Rules and Conditions No cash alternative to prize. Winner will be notified y e-mail or telephone. Two competition match vouchers will be issued to the winner, which must be exchanged in person (free of charge) for match tickets the Kidderminster Harriers’ Ticket Office, located at Aggborough Stadium, Hoo Road, Kidderminster, DY10 1NB. Any personal data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will only be used for the purposes of notifying outcomes of the competition. Your information will not be shared with any organisations external to Your Local Times except for when a third prize is issuing a prize directly. If you do not wish to be informed of future events or offers please state so.
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Answers to puzzles on page 67‌
Des Taylor
y
our Local Fishing
The Big Fish Angler Extraordinaire
Well that’s the end of another river season and all anglers will have to wait till June 16th to cast a bait again for our river favourites like barbel and chub. I know lots of anglers will be making their way to the local stillwaters now the rivers are shut in pursuit of carp, bream and roach but me for the first few weeks I will be after rainbow trout. I have been lucky enough over the years to have had a good number of trout over 10lbs indeed I have taken five rainbows over 20lbs and hopefully will add to this total this spring! My favourite water has to be Lechlade in Gloucestershire only just over an hour away a water full of fighting fit rainbow trout to over 20lbs and because they feed in the crystal clear waters of this gravel pit they taste superb indeed many of my friends that have tasted them reckon they are better than salmon, I cannot disagree with them! At this time of year this water has very little weed, algae or suspended sediment so its almost like tap water making it perfect to “stalk” fish. By stalking I mean walking around the venue, spotting a fish and then presenting a fly onto the fish and watching it devour it, sheer magic! If ever you are going to have a heart attack in fishing its when a big double figured trout closes its mouth on your imitation fly and you strike only for the water to explode sometimes I’ve even had the water splash over my face such is the force of the Two crackers from Lechlade caught by Des Taylor on buzzers actual take and the
water displacement as the fish tries to get to the other side of the lake. Some will tell you double figured trout don’t fight but that’s unfair on the fish ok they do not compare to an over wintered reservoir fish but what does? I have personally had rainbows from the likes of Lechlade that have taken the fly under my feet and taken my reel down to the backing then back to netting distance only to empty the spool again now if you don’t call that a fight then I don’t know what you expect from a fish! My favourite fly for this type of fishing is copy of a Dick Walker stalking pattern which simply is a bare hook with lead wrapped around it and a painted red, green or black head. It makes a pronounced “plop” when it hits the water which excites the trout, it gets down to the fish quickly and imitates a number of the little creatures the trout will take in the wild. My other favourite at this time of year is the Buzzer fished under an indicator which some “traditionalists” will scorn upon but I like all methods no matter how old or how new as long as they legally put a hook in the fish and gives me a good fight that’s what I want from my trout fishing. On a day when Lure and Nymphs fishing is producing a blank the indicator/buzzer set up can get you take after take. My favourite buzzer at Lechlade is an Epoxy Black Buzzer with a touch of silver on the sides fished around 2-4ft deep sometimes the indicator will shoot under the surface savagely seeing the fish hook itself but on other occasions the indicator will hardly move on the surface and if you don’t strike at these slight movements you don’t get a fish, I love the diversity of these takes and you will not believe the size of the fish that will take such a small buzzer. I know carp are big and plentiful in our local pools but why not this spring try something different and try and catch a beautiful big rainbow trout with the added advantage of have something to eat nice and fresh when you return home. The fishery I talk about in this article is Lechlade Fishery a fabulous trout fishery open to anyone please ring the fishery on 01367 253266 for up to date information. One other tip for this fishery is make sure you tie your shoelaces so the fish don’t pull you out of them!!!
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Business to Business ‌for the life you lead
r e c r u i t m e nt * coaching * accounting * shopping * traders 58
your
Local Times
Local Oratory
What’s The Point? Recently I was talking to someone who had to deliver a lengthy presentation. “Shall I use PowerPoint?” she asked. “No”, was my immediate answer. This caused some surprise. But I have seen far too many awful PowerPoint presentations to want to encourage any more. I recall the story of a conference where a number of speakers were to present. The first stood up and explained that he wouldn’t be using PowerPoint because it had no power and was pointless. Imagine the emotions of those who were to follow him and had planned their entire presentation around PowerPoint slides! To be fair, his judgement was a trifle harsh. PowerPoint can be used effectively. But all too often, as soon as the word ‘presentation’ is mentioned, the computer is switched on and PowerPoint slides are created at a rate faster than you can make toast. A typical slide will look like this:
it’ll be read in a voice that suggests toast is something only just discovered when turning on the laptop. Meanwhile the audience will have finished reading the words before our hapless presenter has turned the grille on. Now their minds will wander to contemplate the fish and chips they’ll be buying on their way home. Providing that another 27 slides like this haven’t sent them to sleep and the chip shop is closed by the time they wake up. Research has shown that the actual words we use account for 8-10% only of the impact of the message. Just think about that. The precise words used are not particularly important. What is important is the way the message is delivered – how we use our voice and our body language. This will determine the impact of the message and whether it is remembered. The speaker who uses excessive PowerPoint slides loses eye contact with the audience and rapport is diminished. If you reserve your PowerPoint slides for the really important issues, they will have much more impact. In our example above, let’s say the key point is the variety of toppings that could be used. A slide that shows a slice of toast in the centre surrounded by a jar of jam, a wedge of Cheddar and a can of beans will have good impact. Better still, what if we forget the PowerPoint? Instead we could dramatically produce a slice of toast and the various toppings, as though from the proverbial conjurer’s hat. No words needed. Maximum impact achieved. I’m off to make some toast now. See you next month. David Wike David Wike is Communications Officer for Stourbridge Speakers Club: www. StourbridgeSpeakers.org.uk
When the slide is projected, most presenters will turn and read it from the screen. And, in all probability
He also offers workshops and bespoke support for speakers and presenters: www.SuccessfulSpeaking.co.uk
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Local Business
your
Local Times
New Quarterly Magazine Your local publisher is launching a new quarterly magazine called Your Local Trader. As the title suggests it is aimed at local traders and service industries and will follow the same successful format as Your Local Times magazine. Competitive advertising is again the key to success in these depressing economic times but only being printed every three months the circulation will be much larger. It will
be delivered direct to homes in Bewdley and Stourport as well as our usual stockists in the surrounding towns and villages. This may be of help to those businesses who go round pushing leaflets through our doors. Time is money, and I am only too aware of how long it takes distribute to every home in the area, apart from the printing costs. So why advertise in a specialist magazine? It will have local traders and services contact details plus the usual features supplied by them and tips for gardening, DIY, vehicle maintenance and much much more. We know that advertising works in our magazines but targeting the consumer is key to a successful promotion. The same great quality and format as Your Local Times Magazine suggests that the reader will keep the magazine, either on the coffee table or to hand so they can reference the local traders contact details. It will also be on-line so you can view their web site, should they have one, without any hassle browsing.
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If you would like to appear in this first edition please call 08456 199 038 or go on-line at yourlocaltrader.biz for more information.
An advert this size will cost you £75.
How’s that for value ?!
Telesales person required Full or Part time Experience in selling advertising would be an advantage. Must have good communication skills, be enthusiastic, work to deadlines and be computer literate.
“What a result! Advertising in this magazine certainly works for me. Try it.”
Simon Cook SRC accounting Ltd
Located in Bewdley you will receive training to achieve targets. Please email your CV to:
bob@yourlocaltimes.co.uk or call 08456199038 for more details
Bewdley Gallery
Trevor Price established Bewdley Gallery in 1980 and has a range of original paintings, limited and open edition prints all at competitive prices.
Oil Paintings Commission your own unique artwork today
Phone Colin on 01905 428 252
The Gallery also has a picture framing service with hundreds of designs to choose from and with 25 years of experience. All work carries a lifetime guarantee.
Lax Lane, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2DZ 01299 400 918 61
your
Local Business
Local Times
Websites that WORK for you If you need a website which will work for you – i.e. generate new business and sales – your best bet is to find someone local you can trust. I know so many people who have made expensive mistakes with their website. It’s no good having a beautiful website if you can’t be found by Google. So many websites are lost and become like ‘sitting ducks’ because no one has seriously looked at how to make their website work. Yes you need SEO, that’s ‘Search engine optimisation’ and if you can’t do it yourself you need to find someone who can do it for you. Don’t trawl the internet looking for a bargain then talk to someone you don’t know over the phone. You need to meet a real person you can trust to deliver you a website which will ultimately be successful for you. GRM Web Systems are based in Droitwich Spa but will happily come to your home or office to meet you to discuss your exact needs and requirements.
by Sue MacLusky
“We offer a FREE no obligation appointment to show you how we can support your business through the internet.”
GRM Web Systems offer website design, site building and maintenance. But most important of all, they offer customer support. “Websites need to be current and kept up to date” says Company Director, Graham May, “We work with clients to deliver a website which meets their needs. We ensure our websites work well for our clients in generating sales and new business. A well designed website can be the making of your business. You need to be seen and you need to be easily found by Google. It’s our job to make sure this happens.” GRM Web Systems is a professional web systems company who will enhance your business. Call them NOW to arrange a FREE no obligation appointment. Call Graham May 07770 373 630 / 01905 863 988
GRM Web Systems deliver a range of services designed to ensure your website seriously contributes to your business. As well as all the traditional web design services, what makes us different is that we specialise in building and maintaining your website to be consistently up to date.
Website Design - Website Build - Website Maintenance Site Management - SEO - eCommerce Call Us Now on 01905 863 988 | Email Us: info@grm-websystems.com 62
Federation of Small Business comes to the area “David Bethell works for the Federation of Small Businesses in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. The FSB is a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns on behalf of its members and offers them business services. David is responsible for increasing membership and helping its members locally. Tell us a little about yourself I’m Herefordshire born and bred, grew up in Ledbury, and have lived and worked in Worcestershire and Herefordshire all my life. I worked in the food industry for around thirty years, the last fifteen of which I was the Director in a small private company. As well as the day to day running of the business I travelled all over the world. Because of that experience I can understand the daily pressures that many members of the FSB face when running a small business. I came to the FSB 7 years ago, I work as part of a team, and I focus on increasing our membership in this part of the UK. Tell us what you do On average I visit between 15 & 20 local business every week. If people need to see me I go and visit them, nothing replaces sitting face to face to discuss something. The same issues seem to come up time and again. Changes in legislation, the government, health and safety, tax issues, problems in relations with banks and general financial help. The issues today are increasingly difficult and we offer legal and tax advice via 24-hour help lines from a ‘real person’. We’re a big enough organisation to be able to provide this kind of expertise. The other area our size helps is in saving money through our buying ability. We offer good rates on business insurance, banking, e-commerce, phones and the Internet or fuel cards. We’re ‘not for profit’ so we negotiate a good deal, don’t take a cut ourselves and the member gets the benefit. Has the current economic situation changed the kind of help you give? Some small businesses have been forced to lay off staff and in general there’s still not a lot of economic confidence around. For many companies its very much hand to mouth, day by day, so in some cases
we have to be of immediate help, rather than working in the medium or longer term. For example if a company faces a sudden problem with its bank, or they need to hire or make someone redundant, they need help straight away. The state of the economy is affecting every type of business at the moment from new start-ups to companies that have been going for generations. One way we’re helping small businesses at the moment is the creation of local networking events, giving them the chance to talk to other people in their situation and to find new people to do business with. We call it ‘Strictly Networking’ and locally they’re happening in Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester, Malvern, Evesham and Hereford. We’re also looking at running one in the Kidderminster/Bewdley region. It takes place between 5.30pm & 7pm in the early evening, there’s no cost or strict format, it’s just a case of turning up and chatting to people. As well as helping members of the FSB, the networking events are open to anybody at all, so please just come along if you’re interested. So far we’re getting good feedback about them. How can people find out more about the FSB and its members? The FSB website has a section with information about our local area, the address is www.fsb.org. uk/092 or if you prefer I can be called on 07821 411288. If people join we offer an online directory of members and we also produce a regional magazine, which give lots of interesting stories about businesses in our area, as well as a diary of what’s going on. I am very happy when someone joins us because I know they will get lots out of it. I think of all the business organisations out there, we’re as genuine as it comes, we offer value for money. We know the issues and we can genuinely help.” If you would like to join or need more information please call me on 07821 411288.
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your
Your Local Writer
Local Times
Let Me Help You Advertise Your Business Here If YOU are reading this, then so are your potential customers! I’m a fully qualified and highly experienced journalist. With a great eye for a story I can make your business really stand out by offering you a FREE editorial of your choice when you advertise with us. All you need to do is call me and I will tell you how I can help you ( in the same way I have helped Laura at Frox Dress Hire, Janet & Angela at Hodgehill Deli and Coffee shop and Kevin, the cancer survivor at ‘Simply Charming’ ...they are just a few of our many delighted advertisers ). Regular advertising in Your Local Times is far more effective than any other local advertising, simply ask any of our regular advertisers – OUR ADVERTS WORK!
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Most of our adverts sell for well under £100 – for full colour and a full design service – we are totally unbeatable ! “Thank you Sue, you did us proud. Your fantastic write up has created a lot of interest and I’ve already had 3 new clients book in.”
Tony Bailey, SHEN Therapist & owner of “The Sanctuary Retreat”, Bewdley “What Sue does is get the real story, she spoke to my customers who then gave her details of how I’ve helped them with their carpets...she made advertising easy and thanks to Sue I’m sure my advert will have a big impact.”
Peter Rathbone, Rathbone Cleaning. DON’T DELAY CALL SUE TODAY ON 07810 – 578 075 or e-mail
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suemaclusky@gmail.com
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your
Local Business
Local Times
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e64 has a proven track record in increasing the profitability of web based companies, by dramatically increasing their search engine traffic. Ex Microsoft boss, Simon Collingridge, (formerly Professional Services Director for Microsoft) has a wealth of knowledge and experience. His company, e64, specialises in generating growth through effective website marketing. Simon says, “We live and breath it. We design it, we build it, we market it, we deliver it and we love it. Below are testimonials from two of our happy customers.” “Since getting the help of e64 we’ve had a huge increase in search engine traffic, and with it a big increase in sales across the USA and Europe.” East European Rail Tours. “Our sales have increased by 50% . We’ve found e64 to be extremely professional, helpful and very responsive.” Classical CD Exchange.
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Solutions to Puzzle Corner page 56
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