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Even the smallest children can gather leaves, or cushions if you’re indoors, and add decorations. My son loves to use fairylights on his more elaborate indoor structures.
Den Building
But essentially, all a den needs is a frame and a cover. Planning is everything though. What materials are available? The beach will provide different building materials to the forest, or the sitting room. Think about how you’ll support the roof. If it all collapses, don’t stress, what have you learned? Denbuilding is about the process as much as the final result.
My eight-year-old is a den-builder. Wherever we go he constructs a dwelling.
apocolypse and we have to restart civilisation from scratch I want to be on his team!
If we’re at the beach he’s off foraging for driftwood to make a shelter, on a forest walk he stacks branches and covers them with leaves and moss, ‘for insulation and camouflage!’. If he’s stuck indoors on a rainy day he’ll use chairs, cushions and blankets.
If you could distil childhood into a single activity, it would probably be den-building. Most kids love it, be it scavenging building materials from forest debris, to stacking chairs back-to-back and raiding the airing cupboard for linen. Den-building is also a great family activity. It requires teamwork and communication and is a good way to spend quality time together.
He is one of life’s builders and should there ever be a zombie
A sturdy frame Chairs and tables are good for building a structure quickly (good for very young children). Bamboo canes are light, strong and fairly cheap. Broom handles or tent poles are also good. Bendy sticks or plastic bendy pipes can make an interestingly shaped den. Fallen branches make you feel like Robinson Crusoe (but don’t destroy trees). Stuff for tying String or rope; rags - try cutting up old T-shirts.
Shelter Materials Bright materials can help you turn your den into a palace, fancy restaurant or castle. If you want to leave your den outside you’ll need waterproof material, such as plastic dust sheets or tarpaulin. You can use large leaves a bit like tiles but you need lots and they must overlap properly so the rain runs off them and not into your den. It’s fun experimenting though. If you do use leaves, ferns and moss remember that these are the habitats for little creatures so exercise some care. DON’T use glass, or very heavy fence panels, tins of paint or branches cut from living trees. If you’re outside respect the environment! Don’t damage the den site - when your den is dismantled it should leave no trace. Don’t discard litter; take your rubbish home with you. Take lots of photos or videos of your efforts. One afternoon building a den in the company of your favourite people will also build memories that last a lifetime.
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A Good Read The Hawley Book of the Dead by Chrysler Szarlan As the front cover of the book says: enter a world of secrets, mysteries and magic. We begin with a murder. Reve kills her husband, Jeremy: on stage, in front of an audience. But she doesn’t murder him. Reve and Jeremy are a magic act performing on the Vegas Strip and the highlight of their act is ‘Defying the bullets’, but it is one of those bullets that will kill him. What at first appears to be a murder mystery of who swapped the bullets soon becomes something else as the grief-stricken Reve and her three daughters leave Las Vegas and return to her ancestral home in New England: a now-deserted hamlet of homes called Hawley Five
Corners. Requested to return by her Nan she is told to ‘remember the story of the Fetch’. Drawing on old Irish mythology of the Fetch, the Tuatha De Dannan and Tír na nÓg, this novel draws you into this strange corner of the world where children in the 1920s disappeared, some reappeared several months later but most were never seen again. Reve discovers an old book in the house which appears to be full of blank pages. Only sometimes when she opens it there is writing, and the book gives her an insight into who she really is and the history of her family. Then further tragedy strikes as her teenage twin daughters go missing. Have they disappeared just like the earlier inhabitants of Hawley Five Corners, never to be seen again, or is there something more mundane going on? What is the truth behind the land her ancestors occupied and what
will Reve do to keep her own children safe from the Fetch? What will be the ‘great reveal’ at the end of the act? Esio Trot by Roald Dahl ‘Mr Hoppy lived in a small flat high up in a tall concrete building. He lived alone. He had always been a lonely man and now that he was retired from work he was lonelier than ever. There were two loves in Mr Hoppy’s life.’
But then a chance conversation changes everything. Mrs Silver has a pet tortoise called Alfie and she is concerned that Alfie doesn’t seem to grow. If only she knew how to help him grow. Mr Hoppy formulates a plan to help Alfie grow and at the same time win Mrs Silver’s affections. A plan involving silly words, a metal tube and a LOT of pet tortoises!
And so the short story of Esio Trot begins. This is pure, classic Roald Dahl, with silly words, silly characters, and, of course, wonderful illustrations by Quentin Blake. So, what are his two loves? Well, there are the flowers he grows on his balcony, and then there is Mrs Silver a widow who lives in the flat below him. They only see each other when out on their balconies and Mr Hoppy has never had the courage to say more than a few words to her.
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0115 736 5990 Why we like to be scared Fairs and theme parks never seem to lose their attraction. My kids love them as much as I did. The smell of candyfloss, the music and the thrills. It’s a perfect summer combination. Not everyone will agree with me though. My wife is terrified of anything more exciting than the merry-go-round. So why do I love Blackpool’s Big One, while her knuckles go white on the dodgems?
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According to psychologists it comes down to something he calls a “type T” personality. Type T’s are thrill-seekers who thrive on the uncertainty and intensity of activities that most people would find hair-raising. It seems some of us enjoy the physical sensations associated with fear: the adrenaline rush; the pounding heart and the sweaty palms. Scary rides make us feel alive. Terrifying experiences induce a sense of euphoria once we’re back on solid ground though we only enjoy them experts say, when we’re within a “protective frame” that assures us that deep down, we’re still safe. Recent research has pinpointed certain genes which may be responsible for those of us with type T personalities. Biochemists have isolated a gene called DRD4 which seems more common in rollercoaster-lovers like me. New technologies have allowed engineers to design coasters that change speeds quickly, shoot up
hundreds of feet into the air, and make all sorts of twists and subject the body to intense forces. Research suggests that extreme fairground rides tend to appeal particularly to those of us who lead stressful, structured or controlled lives. It’s certainly true that roller coasters are a way of breaking out of the humdrum expectations of everyday life. Theme parks allow us to act like children again; to experience true excitement and behave a little wildly. Where else as an adult can you scream at the top of your lungs and throw your arms in the air without being sent for psychological evaluation? Adventure parks are also a great way of bringing families and friends together. Riders share the thrill and adventure of having survived what feels like an extreme experience, even though the rides there are very safe. This bonds the participants more closely. It’s even been suggested because of this that theme parks and rollercoasters are good places to go on a date because in situations of high emotional intensity attraction is more likely. If you’re looking for a great day out this summer where you can get in touch with your inner risk-taker, feel closer to your family and maybe even find romance...head for the nearest theme park. It’s a scream! By Tom Hancock
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Going Batty
Gadgets For Summer Living
Sit outside with a drink on a warm summer evening? Don’t mind if I do, but I do mind being eaten alive by mosquitoes! This year I am installing a Bug Zapper Light Bulb. The bulb provides two different modes that can be chosen with the wall switch: Anti-mozzie or light plus anti-mozzie. The bulb’s 360-degree LED blue-violet light band emits a wavelength of 365420nm, which attracts mosquitoes. It’s safe for human’s though, as there is no radiation, it’s non-toxic and chemical-free. Really intense summer sun calls for a parasol. Now you can choose one with solar-powered internal lights which will also charge a small electronic device like a phone. Your teens will love you. It’s always good to have something to sit on when out and about over the summer. Whether you are going camping or for a walk on the beach a blanket is a useful item. Unfortunately, they can be a bit bulky.
Enter the Pocket Blanket, available from good camping shops. Made of water repellent, puncture resistant, lightweight nylon, they fold into a 3 x 2-inch (7.5 x 5 cm) pouch. It fits two people lying down or four people sitting, and its weighted corners will help to keep it from blowing around. It’s irritating when one party member disappears, and you have little or no phone reception to let them know you’re waiting. Try an off-grid communication device like Gotoky. It’s like a tiny modern-day walkietalkie which connects to your phone with Bluetooth, has a range of 4 miles and lets you contact other people who have downloaded the app, bypassing the need for mobile coverage. With two per pack you can text or even share grid locations. As a bonus communications are end-toend encrypted!
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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?
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.
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.
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.
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
They find them using echolocation, producing a stream of highpitched 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.
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Picnic Power How I overcame my fear of eating al fresco The text from my friend Lorraine said simply: Fancy a family picnic this weekend? My palms began to sweat; my heart pounded. If she’d invited me to a naturist karaoke evening, I’d have been less distressed! I wanted to yell “NO! Why would you suggest that? I thought we were friends!’ I detest picnics. Picnics are my nemesis. My hatred of them began as a child. Car-sick and hot (aircon in vehicles was pretty much unheard of in 1980s Birmingham, and my mother insisted on having all the windows closed on account of ‘the fumes’) We would arrive at some Godforsaken destination, usually a carpark with a field attached next to a gasworks. We would then unpack soggy sandwiches, dangerously tepid sausage rolls and revolting syrupy
Kia-Ora. There were never any loos, so we had to ‘go’ behind a bush; the memory of being discovered mid-flow by a random dog-walker still haunts me. I’m sure my mother imagined herself, wearing a straw hat and broderie anglaise summer dress, reclining elegantly on a plaid rug while we children frolicked nearby playing tag or flying kites, or maybe lolled next to her reading. The reality was my own personal version of hell. She might have managed the straw hat, but it wasn’t easy to look elegant while
squatting on a sloping patch of sparse parkland, being eaten alive by ants while us kids alternately squabbled and whined or poked a dead, maggoty rabbit with sticks.
Lorraine is my best friend and sometimes you must take one for the team, so I agreed reluctantly. “I’ll bring the food, you bring the drink,” she said.
She tried various approaches over the years. Once she cooked picnic fayre from the recipes in Woman’s Own Magazine.
My ridiculously enthusiastic family (they were stupidly excited about our first family picnic) and I arrived at the venue. My expectations were low.
Marinated chicken wings which looked quite nice before they’d travelled twenty miles in a Tupperware box, ended up looking (and tasting) like evidence from a particularly gruesome episode of Silent Witness. Ditto the potato salad. I have nothing against eating outdoors. I have a table and chairs in my garden. The food only has to travel a few feet from the kitchen so there are no nasty surprises when we come to eat it. As an adult I’d avoided all picnics, until now. But
Lorraine and her husband Dave unloaded folding tables, chairs, a table cloth and... a cool box of delicious food mostly purchased from the local deli, which does all manner of pre-prepared salads and cold cuts. There was fresh bread, olives, citronella candles to keep away insects, music, wine (courtesy of yours truly) and not a salmonellainfested sausage roll in sight. It was completely delightful. There may have been frolicking children too, even if one of them did find a dead bird (told you!) I am now a picnic convert and we’re planning another. I’m even reading recipes for marinated chicken wings!
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Summer Days Out Here are a few ideas for some great days out this Summer Why not try something a bit daring at one of the UK’s outdoor adventure centres? Award winning Go Ape! Courses have sprung up all round Britain. They are high wire forest courses containing rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides up to 40 feet in the trees. Other outdoor pursuit centres offer the chance to try out water sports, abseiling, climbing, quad biking and many more activities. If you are looking for adrenaline of a different kind, you could visit a theme park. Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Thorpe Park are some of the largest and best known, but there are many others. Try to do some research before you go, to check that the park you are planning to go to has suitable rides for your party.
Height restrictions often apply, and some focus on gentler rides for younger children, whilst others major on scary thrill rides. Some have other attractions in addition to the rides and have links with popular brands, such as Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Park and Legoland offering rainy day guarantees. Or you could take a trip to one of Britain’s castles. Some are presented in a very simple traditional manner. Others include animated wax work displays and regular events involving jesters, jousting and an opportunity to try your hand at swordsmanship. A visit to a castle can provide the opportunity to learn about history, and many will enjoy the now popular audio guides that are often provided. Some like Alnwick Castle have more recent history to thank for increased popularity. This
glorious medieval castle has been the setting for many great films, including Harry Potter. Perhaps some animal magic would make your day more enjoyable. Britain has lots of great zoos where you can see a huge variety of animals and get an insight into the importance of conservation.
Others which have a focus on one type of animal include falconry centres, the donkey sanctuary, sealife centres and butterfly farms. See: http://www.visitbritain.com for lots more ideas.
Longleat and The West Midlands Safari Park are also long established favourites and offer the opportunity to drive past animals in larger more natural settings. There are lots of farm attractions too where you can feed the animals, hold chicks and lambs, as well as learning about farming. Monkey Forest at Trentham is one of the UK’s newer animal attractions.
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Eat To Boost Your Mood
We all feel a bit low from time to time. Try modifying your diet. Go Mediterranean: Scientists have found that those who followed a classic Mediterranean diet were 30 per cent less likely to develop depression. It is thought that the combination of omega 3 fatty acids together with natural unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants from olive oil and nuts, flavonoids and other phytochemicals from fruit and other plant foods and large amounts of natural folates and other B vitamins in the overall Mediterranean dietary pattern may help to protect against depression. Eat selenium: Studies have linked low mood with low levels of the mineral selenium. Eating nuts is the best way to increase your intake. Brazil nuts are the most concentrated selenium source. Just three nuts contain the recommended daily intake of selenium for a woman.
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Watch your blood sugar: The glycaemic index (GI) is a numerical system that indicates how quickly carbohydrates will make your blood sugar levels rise. Fluctuations in blood sugar lead
to swings in mood and energy. Choose foods that are slow to digest, and which offer a gradual, sustained energy release. Boost your serotonin: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which is converted in our bodies into the neurotransmitter serotonin. Low serotonin levels are often associated with depression. Proteins such as lean chicken, tuna, salmon and beans are tryptophan-rich and have been proven to boost the mood. Get plenty of fish: Research suggests that omega 3, the essential fatty acids found in fish oils, can improve your mood. Regular consumption of oily fish (salmon, tuna and mackeral) has been associated with better moods and a higher self-reported mental health, even after adjustment for factors such as income, age and other eating patterns. Remember that depression is not low mood. It is a serious mental health condition. If you think you are suffering from depression please consult your GP. By Louise Addison
Native But Nice!
With 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. 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 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!
Off To Uni So you got the grades and you’re off to university. It’s a bit daunting but we have some survival tips.
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.
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.
Choosing A Fridge
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.
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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 energyefficient. Everything else being equal, a C rated fridge will generally be cheaper than an A++ one.
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
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 will also depend on how well the appliance is stocked, its location, and how well ventilated it is.
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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
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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword
Crossword Clues
Down
Across
1 Inaccurate, untrue (5)
6 Very cold storage cabinet (7)
2 Clear or cloudy fizzy drink (8)
7 From then, till now (5)
3 Swerve (4)
9 Reverse (4)
4 Inflatable rubber mattress (4)
10 Made as good as new (8)
5 Howl, shriek (7)
11 Image-recording device (6)
8 Breakout, abscond (6)
13 Speed contest (4)
12 Inter, bury (6)
15 Capital city of Italy (4)
13 Print and distribute again (8)
16 Dissertation (6)
14 Appealing, endearing (7)
18 Type of vinegar (8)
17 Move, shift (5)
21 Cigarette end, butt (4)
19 Secure (4)
22 Mislead, hoodwink (5)
20 Wind into rings (4)
23 Distance travelled per unit of fuel (7)
Wordsearch Clues List zabaglione zap zealot zecchin zelkova zeppelin zero zest zigzags zilch zillion zinc zinnia
ziplock zipper zither zizzled zodiac zombies zone zonking zonules zoology zoom Zumba zygote zymurgy
You can find the answers to the puzzles on Page 17
a sheer blouse if the weather is a little cooler. The second item on the essentials list is a good pair of shorts. Denim shorts are an absolute classic and are in fashion year after year but if you’d rather opt for something else, there are plenty of other choices.
Hand Luggage Fashion With new budget holiday websites popping up every day, it’s becoming even easier to snap up a cheap last minute deal for a lovely sunny holiday. Once you’ve got your flights and hotel booked you’re ready to go – well, almost. The next thing to think about is your summer wardrobe. A simple way to save money before your holiday has even begun is to pack everything into a hand luggage sized bag so you don’t have to pay extra for hold luggage. Fitting a whole holiday’s worth of clothes in a small bag may seem a bit daunting but with some clever planning and mix and match outfits you don’t need to worry. The key to travelling light is to pack a base of classic items which go with anything and then add a small mix of garments and accessories to complement the simpler pieces. First of all you need the classic essentials. The first is a simple vest top: go for a colour that works well with the rest of your wardrobe whether that is blue, white, black or any other colour that you like. This can be paired with shorts or a skirt and can also be worn under
Lightweight fabrics such as linen and cotton are perfect for hot summer days and come in a variety of styles and colours so you can find the right pair of shorts for you. Hopefully the sun will make an appearance on your holiday so it’s a good idea to pack a couple of sundresses. There’s a huge selection of sundresses available on the high street so the choice is yours! Embrace the summer trends by trying a bold floral or tribal print. A knee length, V-neck sundress is flattering to many body shapes and will be suitable for most summer occasions. If you’ve got any special events planned, why not pack a maxi dress? The extra length adds instant glamour and can easily be dressed up with a clutch bag and statement jewellery or dressed down with a simple sunhat and sunglasses.
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Speaking of accessories, getting the right shoes for your holiday is very important. It’s worthwhile investing in a good pair of sandals as they’ll last you for years and will go with any outfit. If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing, remember to pack some sensible comfy shoes for all the walking. Once you’ve got these basics sorted, it’s time to add the extra items. For example, it’s a good idea to pack a cardigan or lightweight jacket for the cooler summer evenings and it will be a very welcome extra layer for the journey home back to the UK. Add in a couple of floaty blouses, pretty skirts and the allimportant swimwear and you’re ready for your holiday. Remember to leave a bit of space for the sun cream and any souvenirs you buy on your travels! Rhiannon Chown r_chown@yahoo. co.uk
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The Language Of Personal Numberplates Divining the message on a personal number plate can sometimes be tricky. The law dictates that only certain number and letter combinations can be used, so here we present a guide to the “Plate Speak” techniques used to contrive representations of names and words on personalised car registrations. Private number plates are becoming increasingly popular amongst motorists from all demographic groups, and are no longer only bought by the rich and famous. With prices now starting at less than £100 there is something for virtually everyone. Due to the regulations governing the display of motor vehicle registration marks in the UK, whatever name, word or message is represented on a personalised number plate has to be conveyed by the creative selection of the legal number/letter combinations that resemble it most closely. A general NG rule of thumb is that the1 HALF DISCOVER OL.pdf more expensive the number plate,
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
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the clearer the message it can convey. For example, a potential purchaser named Boyd would find a number of options available to him when it came to depicting his moniker on a personal number plate. He could settle for 13 OYD where the 13 represents the letter B – a pretty good registration by any standards, and a bargain at just £12,495. However, having purchased in haste, he may repent at leisure and wish he had waited until he had saved up for 8 OYD, where the single digit 8 makes a much neater B than the 1 and 3 pair in the cheaper registration… The price of 8 OYD? A snip at only £29,995. Anyway, no doubt you grasp the principle: numeric digits, either singly or in pairs, can represent letters. While there are no absolutely hard and fast rules - because what works visually in one context may not do so in another – the beginnings17:12 of a convention have 06/11/2017 emerged over the years, and we
now have a kind of concise “Plate Speak” dictionary. Below is that dictionary in the form of a basic table showing which numbers are most often used to represent certain letters. 0 (zero) = D 1 = I or L 2 = R or Z 3 = B or E 4=A 5=S 6 = G or B 7 = T or Y 8 = B or occasionally A! 9=G 11 = U, N or H 12 = R 13 = B 1V = N VV = W V=U 0(zero), 6, 8 or 9 = O Some of these character substitutions may not seem terribly convincing as you read down the list, but in the context of personalised number plates that spells – or
nearly spells – a recognisable word, the human mind performs a neat perceptive trick, and everything falls into place to remarkably good effect. In fact, the tricks that one so often sees employed by the desperate, such as mis-spacing characters and the “creative” positioning of bolts, are really quite unnecessary. Of course, the list above is just a starting point – the most commonly used combinations – but it should be enough to shed light on a few of those number plates you’ve seen where it was obvious that the owner had something to say, but a little less clear precisely what it was.
Spice Up Your Life Spices don’t just make your food tasty, they have health benefits too. Spices have been around for thousands of years. They were first imported to Europe in the Middle Ages, selling for huge amounts of money and making the merchants who sold them very rich. They are used to colour, flavour and preserve food. Many are thought to have medicinal properties and some are used in traditional and religious ceremonies. There are hundreds of different kinds of spices and they can be seeds, roots, bark or vegetative substances. Most are bought as dried powders. Whole seeds will keep longer, but they need to be ground before use. Chilli peppers can be eaten fresh, or used dry as a powder or flakes. They are used to add heat to curries, chilli con carne, pasta dishes, dips and even chocolate desserts. Generally, the smaller the chilli, the hotter it is. The capsaicin found in chilli gives it its heat and has been said to relieve pain and prevent stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. Ginger is another versatile spice. The fresh root is added to many Asian and Indian dishes, and the powder is used to flavour cakes, biscuits and desserts. The spice can decrease nausea and motion sickness, and ease digestive problems. Turmeric is the spice that gives curry powder and mustard their deep yellow colour. It is also used
Puzzle Solutions
as a dye and food colouring. In India, it is highly regarded and is used in wedding ceremonies. Turmeric is from the same family as ginger. Although normally used as a powder, fresh chunks can be used in pickles. Both ginger and turmeric are anti-inflammatories and can help people suffering from arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. They are also high in antioxidants that can help protect against disease. Cinnamon is a warming, fragrant spice that is taken from the dried inner bark of a tropical tree. It is used in cakes and desserts and many savoury dishes. Research shows that it may lower blood sugar levels and so can be beneficial for sufferers of Type 2 diabetes. It is also thought to help with toothache and bad breath. Some studies have found that smelling cinnamon can increase alertness and brain function. And finally, the queen of spices. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. It was first cultivated in Greece and is derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. It takes 250,000 stigmas to make just half a kilogram of the spice.
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Saffron gives food a beautiful yellow-orange colour. It is used in Middle Eastern cookery, rice dishes and also desserts and sweets, including marzipan. It has a long history in traditional medicine, and has been used to treat epilepsy, depression, menstrual disorders and fatigue. By Alex Brown
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Good Dental Habits For Kids Does the thought of visiting the dentist fill you with dread? Do you break out in the cold sweat of sheer terror? If so, then please don’t pass this fear onto your child. Your child must be relaxed about visiting the dentist for their future health and wellbeing. Good dental habits start young. Introduce your child to the dentist as early as possible by taking them with you when you go for your regular dental check-up. This will get them used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental surgery. Your dentist may take a quick, casual look in your child’s mouth, ostensibly to count teeth, but also to check gently for any early problems. This will encourage your child to feel comfortable in the chair. Get your child used to cleaning their teeth start as soon as the first tooth shows through their gums. Brush gently with a special baby toothbrush. Supervise teeth
cleaning until they prove they are proficient enough to do it themselves. Plaque-disclosing tablets stain the plaque so your child can see it. This is good for encouraging a thorough brushing routine. An electric toothbrush especially designed for children is very effective. Fluoride toothpaste is vital, fluorine in the water is a bonus, not a replacement. Most children have their entire set of 20 milk teeth by the age of three. Proper development of their permanent teeth depends upon the condition of these first teeth, so it’s essential to care for them. Milk teeth are small with thin enamel so problems spread quickly. Adult teeth start to grow by the age of six and most should be evident by the time they’re 13. Apart from accidents, there are two preventable causes of damage to
children’s teeth; tooth decay and dental erosion. Both have similar causes. Acids from sweet foods and drinks, including fruit juices, eat into the tooth enamel. Water or milk are the best drinks for children. Fissure sealants are well worth considering. This is a special film used to cover the vulnerable molars which have deep, hard to clean crevices. The sealant protects the tooth surface from decay. Sealants are quick and painless to apply and last for years. Schedule Regular Dental Visits Children should visit the dentist at least twice per year or as often as the dentist recommends. Avoid Chewing on Nonfood Items and Ice Kids love to chew on things. Encourage them to avoid chewing and sucking. Hard objects, such as ice and hard candies, can break teeth or reduce their stability.
Regular dental check-ups are essential to prevent future, potentially traumatic, treatment. Help your child grow up with a healthy set of teeth and gums. Good habits created while the child is young will stand them in good stead for the rest of their life. Eat a Well-Rounded Diet One of the best gifts you can give your children is a healthful diet. Brush and Floss Twice a Day Experts recommend that children brush and floss twice a day, just like adults. Try to take care of your children’s teeth and in later years they will thank you for it!
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Left Hand Man
Garden sheds are not what they used to be, and that’s a good thing! Once they were nothing more than a glorified cubbyhole for hiding gardening equipment and other little-used household items. Today they have come of age, providing stylish and valuable extra space.
It’s International Left Handers Day!
In my time I’ve been called keckfisted, caggy-handed and even a cuddy-wifter and all because of the hand I use to hold my pen! I blame the Bible! You see, the good are considered to be at God’s right hand and his right hand is exalted, ergo the left hand doesn’t quite measure up. Then there’s the Devil: he’s usually depicted as being left-handed and generally appears on the left of religious paintings. We even throw salt over our left shoulder to ‘Shoot the Devil in the eye.’ In medieval times we might have been accused of witchcraft. Yes fellow lefties, it could have been a painful death for us. As late as the 1970’s there was little evidence of enlightened thinking at my village primary. I was ‘encouraged’ to sit on my left hand and use my right...with predictable results. My writing was so bad that I was written off as ‘a bit thick’. My teacher told my mother that my fine motor co-ordination was poor because I couldn’t cut out neat paper shapes. I didn’t know it at the time but school technology was against me. The blade position of normal scissors means that a lefthander can’t see the cutting line and the natural squeezing motion of the left hand actually pushes the blades apart, causing the paper or card to get stuck sideways. Try it for yourself and see! But I’m not bitter...at least they didn’t burn me at the stake! The 13th of August is International Left-Handers Day. Launched in
Space Out
1992, it is now an annual event where left-handers everywhere can celebrate their sinistrality (that’s the posh word for left-handedness) and increase public awareness of the disadvantages of being left handed, and also the advantages, because there are quite a few. In many sports for instance, we seem to have an advantage. Left-footed soccer players and tennis players find it easy to wrongfoot an opponent. A right-handed player is used to ‘like-handed’ opponents who play a similar game. A lefty will have faced more right-handers and thus be used to their “opposite” style of play. We’re also more creative, possibly due to the way our brains are wired: The left half of the brain, which controls the right hand, is also responsible for speech, language, writing, logic and numerical thinking. The right half, which controls the left hand, is also responsible for music, art, creativity, perception, spatial awareness and emotions. I’ve learned to embrace my lefthandedness over the years. It’s part of who I am and I’m pleased to announce that since I purchased a pair of left-handed scissors I can now cut out neat paper shapes with the best of them!
Many of us need more room but in the current economic climate are unable or unwilling to move house. A home extension can be pricey, but it doesn’t have to be the end of all our dreams. Erect a wooden structure at the end of your garden and you could solve your spacerelated problems without breaking the bank.
Outdoor wood-built rooms don’t require planning permission or building regulations and can be fully operational in about six weeks from the time of order. In addition they can be built to your own specification and are fully portable - so that if you do eventually move, you can take your room with you! Now who says sheds are boring?
For around £3,000 you could enjoy the benefits of an additional room (a saving of around £7,000-12,000 on a brick built version). A fully insulated summer house, w ith its own floor, windows and electricity supply could serve a number of purposes - from a home office to a fully fitted gym, guest room or simply somewhere for to escape the hustle and bustle of family life.
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As technology improved, the telegraph became an audio transponder, where messages were translated based on the interval between two clicks.
Communication History Smoke Signals to Smartphones!
Alexander Graham Bell is commonly credited as the inventor of the telephone, though in fact many individuals contributed to the devices we use today but it was Bell who filed the patent in 1876 for an “apparatus for transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically”
Have you ever wondered what life was like before smartphones? One of the oldest forms of long distance communication is smoke signals, used in both Ancient China and by Native Americans to warn of enemy attacks. Then there were carrier or homing pigeons, which are birds that have been bred to find their way home over immensely long distances. A short message was written on a small piece of paper which was inserted into a small metal canister and attached to the leg of a pigeon. They were mainly used by the military and were a surprisingly accurate and effective way of communicating during battle.
In 1837, two sets of inventors simultaneously developed an electrical telegraph: Wheatstone and Cooke in England, and Samuel Morse in the United States. Morse and an assistant developed a new signalling alphabet using dots and dashes that became the standard for telegraph communication. By 1861, this Morse telegraph system connected the West and East coasts of America, and put the Pony Express (a mail-delivery service which had connected communities across the vastness of the United States) out of business.
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The earliest text-based machine was the fax machine. It’s been around since the 1880s, though it only achieved commercial success in 1966, when Xerox introduced the Magnafax Telecopier. This behemoth weighed over 20Kg and sent digital versions of documents through phone lines via a series of dial tones. The fax machine became popular with business and in newsrooms because it allowed people to send documents across the world in a matter of minutes, replacing courier mail services and telegrams.
In 1973, Motorola produced the first ‘mobile’ phone, which weighed over 2Kg! Today, we’ve come a long way from those oversized devices and have access to phones that weigh around the same as a bar of chocolate, and slip easily into our pockets. With the advent of the Internet came ‘Instant Messaging’. ICQ was the first stand-alone instant messenger. This was the first centralized service which allowed individual user profiles. It was the grandfather of all other instant messaging services. Today we use our mobiles for much more than talking. On average we spend just 6 minutes per day talking on the phone, but more than 26 minutes texting! Originally, we had to type out every letter according to the numerical keypad on our mobile devices. Now we have full QWERTY touch screen keyboards with predictive text and autocorrect capabilities that make it easier than ever to communicate. How amazing is that?
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Microorganisms
Visit Robin Hood Country
As their name suggests you can’t see them, yet microorganisms are some of the most important things you can grow in your garden. Garden soil is teeming with millions of them, or rather it should be. They help to keep the soil healthy. They decompose organic matter, replenish soil nutrients, form humus, promote root growth, increase nutrient uptake, and breakdown herbicides and pesticides. The microorganism family includes bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa and we want to do everything we can to encourage these tiny gardening friends. In order to provide a good environment we need to provide oxygen, moisture, carbon-based food matter, and the right temperature and pH. Oxygen content can be kept high by digging in lots of organic matter so that the soil structure is aerated. 75% of microorganisms live in the top two inches (5cm) of soil so particular care should be taken not to compact the topsoil. Improving the drainage of stodgy clay soil is particularly important as water-logged soil contains very little oxygen. Mulching helps to improve the moisture content of soil and also helps to maintain the soil temperature. Bare soil bakes in the summer and freezes in the winter. Mulch acts as both shade and insulation so the temperature remains more constant. Carbon-based food matter is just a posh way of saying ‘organic matter, including green manure and wellrotted compost. This provides a gourmet buffet for microorganisms and they’ll reproduce rapidly.
Visit Mansfield! Finally, pH is probably the most difficult area to tackle. Most gardens have a natural pH range beyond which they’re not going to change much. So someone living on a limestone ridge, as I do, is never going to be able to grow acid-loving Azaleas, except in pots. But that’s not what we’re trying to achieve when creating a favourable environment for microorganisms. We don’t need to radically shift the pH, we just need to modify it slightly. There are pH modifiers on the market, but the best way of doing it is slowly by digging in compost or other organic matter. Organic matter acts as a neutraliser and will work whether your soil is acidic or alkaline. It is particularly important for alkaline soils like mine, because they have far fewer bio-available nutrients so become impoverished very quickly. This month give some thought to encouraging your microorganisms. Your plants will thank you.
A new tourism website called Visit Mansfield has been launched to promote the district and its top attractions to residents and visitors. The new website visitmansfield. co.uk contains details of things to do, places to eat, drink and shop, and reasons to visit. It is more than ten years since there was a tourism website dedicated to the district and the aim of Visit Mansfield is to show all there is to do in the district and within a 20-minute drive. This is the first project as part of Mansfield District Council’s renewed efforts to showcase Mansfield as a great place to live, work, invest in and visit - at the heart of Robin Hood country. The website is also about reminding local residents about the opportunities available on their doorstep and encouraging them to tell family and friends so they can make the most of overnight stays or day trips. Mansfield benefits from a range of attractions and activities for all the family, including Mansfield Museum, the Palace Theatre, award-winning parks, Water Meadows Swimming Complex, vibrant town centre shopping with independent shops and retail parks, and more than 40 places to eat including bistros, pubs and tea rooms.
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Mansfield’s location in the Sherwood Forest area means it is an ideal base for exploring further afield, and with the district council working to provide a hotel as part of the redevelopment of the former bus station site on Stockwell Gate North, plus a couple of other hotels in the pipeline - there’s never been a better time.
The site has a handy guide for the town centre, a map showing attractions within a 10-mile radius, details of the big events that Mansfield prides itself on such as the Christmas lights switch on - which attracts 8,000 people and hosting the Tour of Britain cycle race. There are suggested itineraries for how visitors may wish to spend time exploring Mansfield and the surrounding area - with ideas aimed at families, those that like to be active outdoors, people who enjoy heritage and activities for rainy days. The site lists some of the top attractions within a short drive including Chatsworth House, Clumber Park, Newstead Abbey and Rufford Abbey. Cllr Dave Saunders, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “Mansfield’s unique selling point is that it is situated in the heart of the Sherwood Forest area and we are making a concerted effort to shout loud and proud about the great things our district has to offer - showstopping heritage and culture, award-winning parks, great shopping and leisure activities. This website brings everything together and gives people visiting the area a one-stop shop to help them plan what should be an exciting trip.” Local businesses will be invited to display window stickers and posters to encourage their visitors to check out the website before exploring the local area. Businesses that would like to be listed on the website should contact marketingandcommunications@ mansfield.gov.uk.
21
The Hot Topic
Cutting - Colourist Hair Extensions PROFESSIONAL HAIR EXTENSIONS CUTTING AND COLOURING IN NOTTINGHAM CREATES STYLES WITH CARE AND PASSION With summer arriving, we explore how skin care routines can be adapted for the warmer season. During spring and summer, most of us can’t wait to finally ditch the winter woollies and head outdoors to enjoy the warmer temperatures, while they last. However, even just a short amount of time spent under the sun’s glare has repercussions for our skin, both in the short and long term.
a quarter of us (23%) do not apply sunscreen during the summer or when on holiday, with men twice as likely as women to forego protection. Even though a golden tan may make us feel good in the interim, the darkening of the skin is actually the first indication of sun damage. Yet, UV exposure can also have longer-lasting effects which accumulate over time.
Staying safe in the sun is of paramount importance. Despite exposure to sunlight being vital to the production of Vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones, it unfortunately also emits a variety of harmful rays.
These include contributing to premature ageing, with issues such as wrinkles, lines and sagging, as well as the appearance of dark patches or spots on the skin, known as hyperpigmentation.
Despite an increasing number of campaigns raising awareness of the dangers of sun exposure and skin cancer, it appears that a large number of the population are still prepared to take risks.
Two different levels of protection are available; SPF is the level of protection given against UVB (ultraviolet B radiation), whilst UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) protection can be recognised through the star ratings symbol on the product’s bottle. The all-important summer staple is sunscreen. Jenny Dunville
In fact, a recent survey conducted by YouGov on the nation’s sun cream habits revealed that almost
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Why Water Works Experts tell us that we need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? The human body is made up primarily of water. Around 85% of the brain, 80% of blood and 70% of muscle is water. Given these facts, it is easy to understand why maintaining our body’s water levels is so important. During a single day an average person loses around 2 - 4 litres of water in the following ways: urine 50%; sweating 34%; breathing 14%; and faeces 2%. In order to keep our body working at its optimum levels, this lost water needs replacing. Most of the lost water (47%) is replaced through drinks, a further 39% through food and the remaining 14% comes as a by product of metabolic activity.
What happens if we don’t drink enough water? If we don’t maintain the correct water levels, our bodies will start to dehydrate. Like a car’s need for oil, if the oil level gets too low, the engine will start to run rough. If the oil runs out all together, the engine will stop running. It is the same with our body. Therefore it is easy to see why it is very important to drink eight glasses of water a day. Symptoms of mild dehydration include the following:
What does water do? Water helps remove the dangerous toxins that our body takes in from the air we breathe, the food we eat and the chemicals used in the various products we use on our skin and hair. It cushions and lubricates our joints and carries oxygen and nutrients into our cells. Water also helps regulate our body temperature and assists in digestion.
• Reduced alertness • Reduced concentration • Slower reaction times • Tiredness • Headaches • Feelings of nausea • Low blood pressure • Constipation • Dry skin
Drinking water can help us lose weight Believe it or not, it’s true! If we are dehydrated the performance of the blood, liver and kidneys is affected, with the end result that the body can’t metabolise the fat stored in cells as effectively, so the fat remains in the body. In addition, water is a natural appetite suppressant so drinking plenty of natural water (not in tea, coffee or fizzy drinks!) will help us to feel full and not so likely to eat. So, let’s do what the experts tell us and look after our wonderful bodies by drinking plenty of water!
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