Spotlight Magazine for North Mansfield Notts Aug 2014

sp tlightOn ISSUE 46 August 2014

Mansfield North & The Dukeries

Sharpline Decorators Ltd Specialists in all aspects of decorating

• Paper Hanging • Spray Painting • Specialist Coating • Interior Design • Interior & Exterior

S H A R P L I N E 2A Henton Road Edwinstowe Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG21 9LB Decorators

Ltd

e: brian@sharplinedecorators.wanadoo.co.uk | t: 01623 827665 | m: 07976 719884

th in es se s ea ch m on n si u B d an es 00 H om or th D el iv ered to 18 ,0 an sf ie ld So u th , & M an sf ie ld N M , Wes t B ri d g fo rd Inside this issue: • Native But Nice • Flower Remedies • Going Batty • No-Cook Cheesecake • Off To Uni? • Puzzles • Your Community info. • Local Businesses

ADVERTISEMENT

Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!

It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows.

The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services.

Managing Director John Kendall feels that it’s all about service.

‘Our product is simple.

If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although

that obviously helps.

Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’

Cloudy2Clear service the Mansfield & Chesterfield areas and John is finding that his approach is a major factor

in his success.‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for,

which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give John a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING? Don’t replace the Frames... just the Panes!

Broken or Damaged Windows?

Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks?

Want The Latest Energy Saving Glass?

All Glazing Backed By Our 5 Year Manufacturers Guarantee Priority Freephone

0800 61 21118 www.cloudy2clear.com ...we make saving money perfectly clear...

Big Enough To Be Here Small Enough To Care!

EST. 1970

BATH OUT - SHOWER IN inc. bath out, tray in, shower & walls from £1850 inc.

Free bath screen & shower

Boiler Service from£45

BOILER SWOP - £2500 inc Worcester, vaillant 10 year parts & labour guarantee includes FREE FILTER

FULL BATHROOM REFURB 10 sq mt of tiles, includes bath, sink, toilet & taps £2400 inc.

Nottingham & Derbyshires No. 1 Plumbing & Heating Company

& SMART PROGRAMMER

Plumbers You Can Rely On For Small Jobs Too • Outside garden taps from £49.00 • Easy to use stop taps from £99.00 • Swap a radiator from £60.00 • Lime fighters from £99.00 • Ball valves from £65.00 • Leak repairs from £65.00 • Kitchen sink / hob swaps from £175.00 • Shower / Bath reseal from £54.00

LOCAL INDEPENDENT AND TRUSTED 170 Alfreton Road Sutton in Ashfield Nottingham NG17 1JB 01623 550978

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE

www.flowfayre.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

Contents

Native But Nice 6 A Good Read 8 Flower Remedies 10 In The Summertime 12 No-Cook Cheesecake 14 Going Batty 16 Choosing A Fridge 18 Puzzle Pages 20 Varicose Veins 22 Off To Uni? 24 Edwinstowe Lions 26 Mansfield Bus Station Award 28 Index 30

Published by Spotlight Local Media Ltd Company No. 6841257 Tel: 01623 706570 Suite 104, 1 Hanley Street Nottingham NG1 5BL Graphic Design and Layout: Spotlight Local Media Distributed by Leaflet Media Trusted Delivery Partner of the Spotlight Magazine

4

It’s Summer! It’s hot... and I don’t want to hear any complaints! Please enjoy it while it lasts. We have a beach in the middle of the city, what more could we ask for?

Please remember, if you are involved in local life, in any way, do let us have your news. This magazine is enjoyed by thousands of readers, and is the perfect way to get your message across.

And of course thank you for supporting our advertisers, who are all well aware of the popularity of this publication, and who hopefully will help us to bring it to your doorstep for many years to come!

Spotlight magazine is delivered to 6,000 homes and businesses in the North Mansfield area each month, with similar magazines also going to Mansfield South and West Bridgford To Advertise or contribute: T: 01623 706570 E: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk Web:www.spotlightlocal.co.uk

To advertise or contribute call •07595 510190 www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

W.S.Ingham & Son Ltd Independent Funeral Directors

Setting New Standards In Funeral Services “Trust the people who care”

. Extensive refurbishment creating large modern, comfortable premises. .Quality reception areas including the Chatsworth Conservatory. . Automated doors & ramped access. . Pre paid funeral plans. . Modern fleet of vehicles. . Large landscaped parking area. . Bespoke hand made memorials

11 Poplar Grove, Forest Town, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 0HW www.wsingham.co.uk Info@wsingham.co.uk Tel 01623 621114 “A haven of calm to create your personalised & individual service” www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

5

Spotlight Magazine

W

Native But Nice!

ith a huge array of colourful plants available from garden centres, expertly sourced from around the globe, we are continuously spoiled when it comes to choosing new plants for our garden.

Fabulous flowers and tropical foliage can bring an incredibly lush feel to a garden, but don’t overlook the natural beauty of our native plants just because they’re right outside your door.

The most obvious British wonders are the beautiful old Oak trees, flowering cherries and mixed hedgerows, even the invasive cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) looks great en-masse in spring, but when it comes to plants deemed ‘garden worthy’, consider the traditional (and modern) use of tightly clipped Yew, Holly and Box which has been favoured for generations. Beech (Fagus) is another popular hedging variety, often selected for its beautiful autumn and winter colour and again, it’s one of our natives!

Many of the plants native to the UK flower in spring, such as the sweetly but delicately scented primroses. Then there are the triking red poppies which adorn the fields mid-way through the year. Wild, hardy Geraniums grow in the most unlikely places and are very happy naturalised in grasses, proudly showing off their ‘Chelsea purple’ flowers.

foxgloves whose tall slender stems carry beautiful purple and white spires of flowers which will seed prolifically and brighten a dull corner. Take care if you have small children though as foxgloves are poisonous if ingested.

The Asian moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are popular houseplants, but our wild orchid is a plant to treasure. Often found in woodland settings, the purple flowers lurk around on the cool and shady forest floor.

For a similar native, more easily available to buy and worth planting this month, look for Colchicums or naked ladies … so called as they produce their flowers well before the leaves appear. The bulbs are quite expensive individually, but quickly bulk up if happy, and will very soon provide you with a flower that will become an interesting talking point. Commonly known as the Autumn Crocus, it does seem strange to see it in flower in September, but it has to be one of my favourite native bulbs.

Using native plants can also mean a higher rate of success, even in our variable climate, so if your fingers are not so green, it’s harder to kill these plants … they’re born survivors!

Happy summer gardening!

The stunning blooms of Pulsatilla vulgaris (pasque flower) are perfectly displayed over foamy foliage and are low growing and very well behaved (perfect for the modern gardener). Their hairy seed heads also look fun long after the flowers have faded.

May and June is showtime for the

6

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

7

Spotlight Magazine

A Good Read

Northanger Abbey - Val McDermid

That’s not a typo in the title.

This really is a version of Jane Austen’s classic novel, reworked by crime writer Val McDermid as part of The Austen Project, which aims to issue updated versions of all six Austen novels.

I approached this with some trepidation, being a huge fan of both authors, but never having considered them in the same sentence before. From the first page I was hooked.

This is a marvelous mix of the familiar and the new. Austen’s heroine, Catherine Morland, is brought fully into the twenty-first century - now she prefers to be known as Cat, has a serious social media habit, and is enjoying the delights of the Edinburgh Festival.

The original Catherine’s obsession with Gothic fiction, is translated into modern day Cat’s voracious consumption of vampire literature - meaning that she is prone to see the supernatural lurking around every shadowy corner, particularly when she finds herself with her new friends the Tilneys at Northanger Abbey.

McDermid’s prose sparkles, with cleverly observed dialogue and constant refreshing twists on Austen’s plot and characters.

Boorish John Thorpe and his shallow sister Bella, seem to belong perfectly in the modern day - indeed, readers may feel that they have met them on a number of occasions.

Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still wanted to stay up late and finish the book - just like Cat/Catherine

8

with their gothic romances, and just like I did the first time I read Austen’s Northanger Abbey. I can’t think of a higher compliment.

The Invisible Man’s Socks - Alex Shearer They should have known better....but it had been an educational school trip, and they had some free time, and there was really nothing else to do...

So, Mr Ellis’s class (and Mr Ellis, and Miss Bingham, and Mrs Ormerod) find themselves in The Museum of Little Horrors, where, despite the warnings issued by the owner, they can’t resist touching the exhibits. You would too, if you were faced with the Bigfoot’s Big Foot. Or the Cyclops’ Cycle Clips. And especially the Tuft of the Werewolf’s Hair.

However, when Michael Pensley realises that he can actually feel the Invisible Man’s Socks, it stops being so funny. And when the class return to school, and then go home, they begin to realise that perhaps those warnings were there for a reason.

Alex Shearer treads the line carefully between the ghoulish and the absurd in this novel for 8 years and over, and there are plenty of laughs to keep the pages turning as the horrible consequences develop, just realistically enough to make you wonder...and perhaps to stop you touching when the signs tell you not to.

By Kath Bennett

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

0115 975 6633

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

9

Spotlight Magazine

B

Bach Flower Remedies

orn in 1886, Edward Bach was an English doctor, bacteriologist and pathologist, who was conducting research into vaccines when he became interested in a more holistic approach to medicine.

Dissatisfied with the tendency to treat the disease rather than the whole person, he began collecting plants and in particular flowers - the most highly developed part of a plant - to find remedies.

He believed that illness was the result of internal conflict, and that negative moods such as unhappiness, fear or worry, caused a lack of harmony which ultimately manifested themselves in physical disease.

By correcting this emotional imbalance, illness could be treated or avoided. “Health depends on being in harmony with our souls,” he asserted.

The flowers are divided into seven groups: Face Your Fears gives courage, reassurance and peace of mind to the fearful.

Know Your Own Mind helps with feelings, and can increase decisiveness and a sense of direction.

Find Joy and Hope overcomes feelings of despondency, despair and self-doubt.

research and turned instead to his intuition to guide him to the right plants. Whilst experiencing a negative emotion he would hold his hand over different plants, and if one alleviated the problem he would ascribe to it the power to heal. In this way he identified 38 flower remedies that can be used alone, or in conjunction with others to treat emotional and spiritual conditions.

In addition, Bach developed the Rescue Remedy, which is a ready-made combination of 5 flower essences that can provide comfort and reassurance for daily stressful situations.

The remedies are usually taken orally by mixing with water, although they are also available as droppers, sprays, liquid melts and pastilles. Only a few drops are required which should be taken several times a day. In some cases results can be instant, whilst in others it could take several days for any benefits to be realised.

There is little scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of Bach’s Flower remedies, and some claim that any benefits experienced are due to the Placebo effect.

That said, they have now been in existence for over 80 years, and there are plenty of testimonials available on the internet giving credence to their effectiveness and healing properties.

Reach Out to Others helps people who feel lonely or alone to connect with others.

Stand Your Ground helps those who put on a brave face become more assertive and constant.

Live and Let Live aids tolerance and the ability to unwind in those who are overbearing and possessive.

Live the Day gives enthusiasm and tranquillity to those who dwell too much on the past instead of enjoying the present.

Bach abandoned scientific methods of

10

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

Suppliers & Installers of Bespoke Signs, Digital Print, Vinyl Graphics & much more...

ng Servici d, iel Mansf & Derby ng ndi Surrou s Area

CITYSIGNS PRINT & DESIGN LTD

Professional, Friendly Help & Advice with All Services Fully Guaranteed

At City Signs, we employ expert designers, experienced manufacturers and skilled installers, who will be happy to create you an outstanding piece of signage, that will set your business apart from the competition.

“Whatever your needs, we're continually expanding our range of products and services” Call us free (from landlines & mobiles) on

0333 9000 321 Email your enquiries to sales@citysignsderby.co.uk

Find us online at www.city-signs.co.uk Visit us at Unit 20, Sherwood Energy Village, Newton Hill, Ollerton NG22 9FD www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

11

Spotlight Magazine

In The Summertime

ow that summer has arrived, we can N expect the usual warnings about sun protection. As a nation were becoming increasingly well educated about dangers of UV rays, but few people realise that sunscreen may not offer adequate protection.

the

Recent figures from cancer research UK show that over 13,000 people develop malignant melanoma each year, compared with around 1,800 in the mid-1970s. These soaring statistics are partly due to the rising popularity of sunny package holidays. Sunscreens are now available with SFPs in excess of 60, so why aren’t they protecting us from skin cancer?

The answer lies partly in the misconception surrounding sun creams. People who take sun care seriously may be using very high SPFs, but the numbering system can be misleading. It’s logical to assume that SPF30 is twice as effective as SPF15, but in fact it only blocks 4% more UV rays. The temptation

12

with very high SPFs is to only apply them once or twice a day because there’s a perception that their protection lasts longer.

This is potentially very dangerous because they still need to be reapplied at least every two hours, and immediately after swimming, regardless of how high the SPF is.

Experts advise us to apply them as a ‘thick, buttery layer’, but most people don’t use nearly enough.

In addition to this, research has shown that chemicals in the sun cream with a high SPF can turn into damaging free radicals when left on the skin. It’s therefore much wiser to use SPF1525, which filters around 94% of the sun’s rays and contains less harmful compounds, and simply apply it more frequently.

However, the good news is that you don’t need to hide in a dark room to avoid sun damage! By applying broad spectrum SPF15 – SPF25 sunscreen every two hours, you can stay safe in the sunshine.

Jenny Dunville

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

13

Spotlight Magazine

14

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

KEY BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING & LANDSCAPING NEEDS...

STOCK READY FOR SPRING/SUMMER...

Growbags, manure, compost, bark, top soil, soil conditioner £25 per ton bag, seed trays, greenhouse fleeces, garden equipment, decorative gravels, paving, block paving, decking, trellis, fencing, posts & plinths, path edgings, copings, pier caps, BBQ gases & charcoal, rockery stone, railway sleepers plus many more products coming soon....

Stockists of blocks, bricks, cement, aggregates, plasters and boards, lintels, roofing materials, UPVC fascia’s, all sheet materials including plywood, m.d.f etc, studding, skirting, door frames, R.S.T, P.S.E, house coal, smokeless fuel & logs.

Come and have a look around our on-site shop, it’s now fully stocked with everything you could need. Our ranges are plumbing and electrical fittings, building additives and adhesives such as silicone, no nails and sealants.

Screws, nails and fixings, tools, paints, stains and varnish,PPE and work wear.

We are very competitively priced & offer advice and estimates free of charge...

KEY BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD ROAD C, BOUGHTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BOUGHTON, NEWARK, NOTTS, NG22 9LD.

Tel: 01623 861735

keybuildingsupplies@hotmail.co.uk www.keybuildingsuppliesltd.com Brick cutting service, also brick slips & arches: www.keybrickcutting.com www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

15

Spotlight Magazine

W

Going Batty!

hen you think about bats what springs to mind? Do you imagine vampires or spooky haunted houses? Do you imagine the horror of getting one tangled in your hair?

International Bat Night is held on the last weekend in August and hopes to change our perception of bats. During this annual celebration, bat events for the public will take place across the country. There will be bat walks and talks organised by bat conservation groups, wildlife trusts and park rangers at a venue near you.

Bats are fascinating creatures. They make up just over a quarter of the UK’s mammal population and they are the only ones that can fly. Britain is host to eighteen native species plus occasional migrant visitors.

Pipistrelles are the commonest British bats.

They weigh just 5 grams (less than a £1 coin). Bat populations are under threat from predation, crime and loss of habitat so UK bats and their roosts are now protected by law.

Many people who profess not to like bats cite their wings as the reason but bat wings are actually beautiful pieces of biomechanical engineering.

Bat wings are constructed in a similar way to human hands, only with membrane of skin stretched between the elongated, delicate fingers. Bat bones are not hollow unlike bird bones - but they are very slender and flexible. Because their wings are much thinner than bird wings they can manoeuvre more easily at speed. They are also more vulnerable to damage but tend to heal very quickly.

of high-pitched calls and listening to the returning echo. This provides a ‘picture’ of their surroundings. Although they can hear better than they can see, they are certainly not blind. In addition, their impressive navigational systems mean they are extremely unlikely to get caught in your hair!

The old saying about bats in the belfry is a bit of a myth. In fact, bats rarely seek out church towers, preferring somewhere quiet, and less draughty. They favour houses, both old and new, and cause few problems as they come and go. They are neither noisy nor smelly and householders are usually unaware of their presence.

If bats do set up home in your roof, their access must not be impeded. If you’d like to encourage these interesting little creatures to your garden you can buy or make specialist bat boxes to fix to outside of your home to encourage them to take up residence. Help, advice and general information on Britain’s bats is available at www.bats.org.uk.

By Kate Lord

These unique creatures fly and feed in the dark. Across the world there are fruit and nectar-eating bats, and even real vampire bats which drink blood, but all UK bats live on insects. They find them using echolocation, producing a stream

16

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

Based at Carlton, Nottingham | We bring mobility to YOU!

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

17

Spotlight Magazine

The Coolest Choice

Choosing A Fridge

The first thing you must decide is whether you want to buy a new fridge with an ice box, or a fridge and a freezer. The amount of frozen food you use will determine your choice.

Then consider the amount and type of space you have available. Do you have one narrow but tall gap suitable for an upright fridge freezer, or more space but with less headroom which would best suit a separate larder fridge, and stand alone freezer.

If you have lots of space, you could buy a separate tall fridge and a separate tall freezer, or an American style fridge freezer.

Compact fridges and specialist drinks coolers are also available.

If you have a fitted kitchen, you might choose to integrate your appliances with doors to match the rest of your kitchen.

Once you’ve decided what type of appliance you want, you need to consider which features and specifications you’d like it to possess: Energy ratings of items are displayed within stores. The highest ratings are category A, which are the most energy-efficient.

Everything else being equal, a C rated fridge will generally be cheaper than an A++ one , so you might want to ask the salesperson some key questions about whether the initial price saving could compensate for a potentially larger energy bill. Actual energy consumption

18

will also depend on how well the appliance is stocked, its location, and how well ventilated it is.

To ensure your food is stored safely, you need a fridge or fridge freezer that has good solid insulation, and a robust door that seals well. So do take a look at the build quality of the appliance. It can also be beneficial to have separate drawers at the bottom of the fridge for meat or salad products, to help prevent bacterial cross contamination.

Getting more specific, you could choose to seek out fridges with antibacterial coatings to give further protection to your food, and only consider those with glass rather than wire shelves, as the former avoid the potential danger of drips from food on a higher shelf contaminating food below.

Some fridges now have a built in fan that circulates the cold air, and ensures a more even temperature is obtained throughout the appliance.

American style fridge freezers have become increasingly popular.

These offer massive storage space, and filtered cool water and ice dispensers, but they also take up a lot of room. They can be expensive to buy and to run, especially as the water filters have to be replaced regularly.

Whichever fridge you buy, remember to keep it upright at all times during installation, and allow at least 6 hours for the gases inside to settle before switching it on.

By Susan Brookes-Morris

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

LEATHER LEATHER BETTER BETTER

Find us on

Why buy new... renew

Find us on

CALL TODAY ON: 01623 237 614 / 07785 299 776 EMAIL US: betterleather@leatherbetter.co.uk WEB: www.leatherbetter.co.uk

Why buy new... renew

We are specialists in bringing back to life damaged or imperfect leather, either in your home or vehicle.

We are specialists in bringing back to life damaged or imperfect leather, either your home or vehicle.

Repairs start from justin£40!

•• •• ••

Scuffs start from just £40!

Repairs Discoloured leather and stains Scuffs scratches Animal Tears & Peels Discoloured leather and stains Cigarette damage Animal scratches

•

Tears & Peels

Why not contact us for a free of charge Cigarette damage no obligation quotation?

Fully mobile service;us wefor come to you Why not contact a free of charge

no obligation quotation?

CALL TODAY ON: 01623 237 614 / 07785 299 776 EMAILmobile US: betterleather@leatherbetter.co.uk Fully service; we come to you WEB: www.leatherbetter.co.uk

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 11am in Walesby Village Hall

We’re a friendly bunch so please come along, make some new friends and have a chat whilst your babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers enjoy themselves • Lots of toys •Safe Baby area • Toast & Squash for kids

• Enclosed Outdoor area • Free Wifi •Tea & coffee for ‘grown-ups’

Parents, Grandparents and child-minders are all welcome!

No need to call first, just come along. www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

19

Spotlight Magazine Magazine Spotlight

Puzzle Page

Crossword Clues Across 7 crusade, combat (6) 8 required (6) 9 stride, walk (4) 10 tussles, struggles (8) 11 venture, enterprise (11) 14 mediator, negotiator (11) 18 sucker, soft touch (8) 19 recognize (4) 20 meal (6) 21 engage, put to use (6)

Quick Crossword

Down 1 containers, packets (7) 2 cease (4) 3 mass, tonnage (6) 4 reveal (6) 5 reply (8) 6 measuring device (5) 12 pachyderm (8) 13 atomiser (7) 15 frolic, romp (6) 16 grain, nut (6) 17 god of desire (5) 19 preserved, saved (4)

20

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Spotlight Magazine Magazine

Word Search

Visit our website for more puzzles online www.spotlightlocal.co.uk/puzzles

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

21

Spotlight Magazine

I

Varicose Veins

’ve had varicose veins for as long as I can remember. As an overweight female on the wrong side of fifty with three pregnancies behind me, a job that involved long hours on my feet and a family history of fellow sufferers, I am a prime candidate for the condition - but I am not alone. Up to three out of ten adults suffer from varicose veins, which are most common in the legs and feet.

Varicose veins develop when small valves within the veins become weak or damaged and stop working properly.

Blood flows backwards and collects in the vein, causing it to swell or enlarge. This brings about a lumpy, bulging or twisted appearance and can also make the leg feel heavy, achy or uncomfortable. Swollen feet or ankles, muscle cramps and dry itchy skin are also possible symptoms.

For most people, varicose veins are unsightly but do not present a serious health problem, and treatment is not required, though symptoms can be alleviated by taking exercise, resting and elevating the legs. If the veins cause pain or discomfort, treatment should be considered, of which there are three main types.

Endothermal ablation is carried out under local anaesthetic when a narrow tube, or catheter, is inserted into the vein through a small cut made just above or below the knee. Heat is then applied to the vein either from high-frequency radio waves or lasers, which causes the vein walls to collapse and seal it shut. Once the vein has been sealed, blood is naturally redirected to other healthy veins. Some people experience short-term side effects such as pins and needles, or tightness and bruising.

the veins, which scars them and seals them closed. Following treatment, varicose veins should begin to fade after a few weeks, but more than one treatment may be required and there is also a chance that the vein will reappear. Side effects include blood clots in other leg veins, headaches, lower back pain, changes to skin colour, fainting and temporary vision problems.

If neither of the above is possible, the next option is a surgical procedure called a phlebectomy, usually carried out under general anaesthetic. A technique called ligation and stripping makes two small incisions - one at the top of the varicose vein near the groin, and the other lower down near the knee or ankle. The top of the vein is tied up and sealed and a thin flexible wire passed through the bottom of the vein and then carefully removed through the lower cut in the leg. This method can cause pain, bruising and bleeding and a full recovery could take up to three weeks.

It’s still not fully understood why vein walls stretch and valves weaken - and some people develop the condition for no apparent reason. Many of us decide to suffer in silence, but if your condition does prove unbearable, rest assured there are treatment options out there.

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

If endothermic ablation treatment is unsuitable, sclerotherapy may be offered instead. Also performed under local anaesthetic, special foam is injected into

22

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine •OPEN FIRES / WOOD BURNING & MULTI-FUEL STOVES /AGAs •HETAS APPROVED STOVE INSTALLER •APPROVED CHIMNEY LINING •CCTV CHIMNEY CAMERA SURVEYS / REPORTS Home-sweep.co.uk •BIRD GUARDS / COWLS / CAPS SUPPLIED & FITTED •CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS SUPPLIED AND FITTED GREG DROZDOWSKI •MOISTURE METERS APPROVED CHIMNEY SWEEP •LUCKY SWEEP WEDDING APPEARANCES A MEMBER OF THE GUILD OF MASTER CHIMNEY SWEEPS •ABSOLUTELY NO MESS AND NO FUSS FULL PUBLIC LIABILTY INSURANCE AND CRB CLEARANCE

Tel: 01623 401128 OR 07711 441459 E-Mail: info@home-sweep.co.uk

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

23

Spotlight Magazine

Off To Uni?

you got the grades and Sa bitoyou’re off to university. It’s daunting but we have some survival tips.

Learn to learn – Many young people struggle with the faster-pace of study and also the fact that learning is now their own responsibility.

Read Andy Northedge’s The Good Study Guide before term starts. It aims to help you learn how to sort, process and recall new information. There are separate guides for the arts and sciences.

It’s good to talk - If problems occur, talk to your lecturer or tutor directly as soon as the problem arises. Don’t wait until the day before an assignment is due!

Take the initiative – Make the most of tutorials. Go in armed with any questions and thoughts you might have. The more you put into university study, the more you’ll get out of it.

24

Acknowledge disabilities - If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, make yourself known to the Student Learning Service. They offer support and run advice sessions.

Acclimatise – If you’re moving a fair distance from home try to spend a weekend in your new area during the summer. Familiarise yourself with the transport system and the local amenities so it won’t seem as strange when term starts.

Money, money, money – Think about how you’ll manage. Talk to your parents or a trusted adult about independent living. Older people have been through similar situations even if they didn’t attend university themselves.

Make new friends - Attend ‘welcome’ events and sign up for a few clubs. But don’t over-commit yourself in these early days because you’ll have a lot to deal with.

In summary - Get organised, work hard and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

25

Spotlight Magazine

The Edwinstowe Lions

T

he Lions have been serving the local community for over 35 years and in that time have assisted hundreds of individuals and organisations to raise money and help them realise their dreams and potential.

They are now working with the Edwinstowe Pre-School Playgroup, in raising the necessary funds to purchase the St Johns hut at Forest Corner in Edwinstowe.

The Pre - School Group has been established since 1966 as a registered charity. The organisation is run by a voluntary management committee and has been awarded Ofsted Outstanding at its last inspection. The group raised money several years ago for the garden behind the village hall on Mansfield Road.

St Johns Ambulance owns the hut; the land it is on is leased to Nottinghamshire County council from Thoresby Estates. St Johns is moving to Bilsthorpe and no longer need the building. The Pre-School group have been offered to purchase the hut at a cost of £4500 and have until the end of this year to raise the funds.

Various groups and organisations use the hut extensively including two Edwinstowe Rainbow groups and two Brownie groups.

The Pre-school Playgroup pride themselves for their innovative and widely acclaimed Forest Sessions.

of children who can attend.

The venue could also be hired for other organisations, children’s parties, a training facility and any other purposes that are required. The revenue from these would help with the upkeep of the property.

The Pre School have not been idle. Almost £2000 has been raised to date, which includes a pledge from the Lions for £500.

The photo shows Lion President Jon Yarwood giving a cheque to Linda Broom and Kevin Randall,members of the Pre School Playgroup committee.

The Lions are appealing to everyone in Edwinstowe and the surrounding area for a donation to secure the rest of the money.

There will be several collection points for donations in various businesses in Edwinstowe. Keep on eye out for them!!

For more information call: Please contact Steve Scall on 01623 822976 mobile 07779 338887.

Presentation to Edwinstowe Pre-School Group

These sessions are committed to encouraging child led exploration of the local environment and foster a caring and preserving attitude towards the world around them.

The hut, which is ideally situated at the edge of the forest, is used for these sessions twice a week with a view to increasing the number

26

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

The Way We Vote Is Changing

The way we all register to vote is changing

A new voter registration system called Individual Electoral Registration (IER) comes into force this summer in the biggest change to voter registration in 100 years.

This means that instead of the head of the household being responsible for registering everyone who lives at an address, every individual will be responsible for their own voter registration.

Mansfield District Council is writing to all residents in Mansfield District between 4 August and 8 August to tell them about the change.

Most people will not need to do anything as those who are already registered to vote will be transferred automatically to the new register. However, around 13,000 residents of the District may need to take action to join the new register, even if they were registered in the past. For example, if they have recently moved house.

Residents who are not registered to vote at all will need to register under the new system at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The new system means that for the first time people will be able to register online. The new online process will be quicker and more convenient. Residents who don’t have access to the internet or can’t use it, can get help to register from the Council’s Elections team. Please contact them on 01623 463 345.

People will need to provide a few more details, including their National Insurance number and date of birth. This helps to make the electoral register more secure.

Ruth Marlow, Managing Director of Mansfield District Council, said: “Every resident in Mansfield District will be receiving a letter from the Council between 4 August and 8 August. We would encourage residents to wait until they receive that letter as it will tell them what, if any, action they need to take to ensure they are on the new register.” The new register will be published on 1 December.

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

27

Spotlight Magazine

Mansfield Bus Station Wins Award

Mansfield’s £9m state-of-the-art bus station has scooped a second prestigious award for its design and construction this year.

The bus station, which opened in April 2013, has been named as the ‘Best Public Service Building’ in the East Midlands at the Local Authority Building Control Awards.

Judges described the building as “a superb community facility that offers both comfort and protection to visitors and the local community as a working hub into the town”.

The award was presented by ITV Central presenter, Lucy Kite and was collected

by Andrew Stevens, Group Manager of Nottinghamshire County Council’s in-house property team and representatives from Mansfield District Council Building Control.

It is the second major regional accolade bestowed on the bus station this summer, after being named Community Benefit building of the year at the East Midlands Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Mansfield Bus Station is one of the busiest in the region, with around five million passengers using it. Features include: A ‘floating’ roof design with steel columns clad in Peak District stone Digital information screens, with local and national travel information

value is included). The project was led Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield District Council and the main contractor was Kier Construction.

Councillor David Kirkham, Chairman of Finance and Property Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This latest accolade for Mansfield Bus Station is very much deserved and is recognition for many years hard work by officers from many departments of the County and District Councils.

“As well as providing a fantastic, modern facility for bus users and boosting the on-going regeneration of the town, the building is a new and impressive landmark in Mansfield which local people can be rightfully proud of.”

Councillor Kate Allsop, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “We are delighted that once again Mansfield Bus Station has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to both the economy and the community life of the town. We are extremely proud of this state-of-the-art facility, which has come about through the dedication and hard work of so many Council officers.”

Victory in the regional event now means that the project will automatically be put forward for a national award in the same category, with the winners announced on 11 November.

A video wall displaying public information, digital artwork from local schools and community groups and advertising Hotel standard public toilets, a shop and cafe A range of ‘eco-features’ including ground-source heating and toilets flushed with recycled rainwater from the roof The bus station cost £9m to build (£12m if land

28

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

Five Mansfield Parks In UK Best List

F

ive parks in Mansfield District have been named among the best in the UK.

King George V Park in Mansfield has won a prestigious Green Flag Award for the first time. Carr Bank Park and Titchfield Park in Mansfield, as well as Peafield Park and Yeoman Hill Park in Mansfield Woodhouse have also won awards.

Situated between the Berry Hill and Bellamy Estates, King George V Park comprises of sports pitches, mini golf, woodland, heath areas and a wildflower meadow. There is also a children’s play area and an outdoor eco classroom.

The five Green Flag parks are among a record-breaking 1,476 parks and green spaces to receive an award from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

These awards recognise and reward the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Cllr Philip Shields, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted that King George V Park has received a Green Flag Award for the first time.

This is down to the huge efforts of our Parks staff, who have worked so hard to bring this about. We have also worked very closely with the staff and pupils of Berry Hill and St Peters schools. Mansfield can be very proud of the fact that we now have five top rated parks.”

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

29

Spotlight Magazine

Index Of Advertisers

Beauty East Midlands Laser..............7 Alexsa..................................13 Carpets & Flooring Carpet Bargain Centre........29 Chimney Sweeps Home-Sweep.......................23 Driveways Resin Driveways..................32 Electrical Services RS Electrical........................23 Estate & Letting Agents John Sankey........................23 Food & Drink Copper Beech.....................25

Funeral Directors W S Ingham..........................5

Painting & Decorating Sharpline..............................1

Furniture Sliding Door Wardrobes.....9 Garden Services Resin Driveways.................32

Plumbing Bilbeck....................................27 Gas Care................................19 C F Plumbing..........................29 Flowfayre..................................3

Kitchens & Bathrooms A H M................................21

Property Maintenance Key Building Supplies....................15

Leather Repair Leather Better.....................19

Signs City Signs..............................11

Mobility Services Liftec..................................17

Windows & Doors Cloudy2Clear..........................2

Motoring Services Tyre Shop...........................25

Writing Services I Write4You.........................27

Puzzle Solutions

WANTED Part Time Sales Person for Spotlight Magazines Part time, self employed, commission only position Call for more information

0115 822 4995 30

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Spotlight Magazine

Guaranteed savings for your home!

The Utility Warehouse guarantee that you will save money when you switch all your services to them, or they will give you back ‘Double the Difference’

Ask for details!

Steve Scall 07779 338887 01623 822976 www.tiny.cc/savemoneytoday

Home Phone

Broadband

Mobile

Gas

Electricity

Terms and conditions apply. The Utility Warehouse ‘Double the Difference’ Price Promise requires you to become a Double Gold customer ie. taking Home Phone, Broadband, Mobile and at least one energy service. Gold benefits are only available to customers who are homeowners or aged 25 and above. For full details of the Price Promise see the Utility Warehouse website.

B5

www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

31

GET A FREE PATIO OR PATHWAY OR DON’T PAY THE VAT

WITH EVERY RESIN DRIVE INSTALL ORDER THIS MONTH. T&Cs APPLY.

E FRE

FREE

TRY OUR FANTASTIC NEW…

OVERLAY SYSTEM BEFORE

AFTER

Have you got a tired tarmac or concrete drive? Why not give your drive or patio instant kerb appeal with our overlay system! The most cost effective solution to covering your old driveway (new base can be installed if required).

Phone today for your free quotation…

0800 007 5733 Visit our beautiful Bradford or Wales showrooms!

www.resindrives.co.uk