sp tlightOn DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE 15
Mansfield Central
Juice for life
Orange & Mango
Grape with a twist of Grapefruit
Apple & Blueberry
Find other soft drinks too sweet? Ask for RAVIVA. At a bar near you soon! ,
rn Lane onth in the Big Ba m ch ea s se es sin ne area 0 Homes and Bu Delivered to 6,00 Lane, Oak Tree Lane and Skegby La Little Barn Inside this issue: • Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide • Cocktails • Santa Baby • Xmas Eve Countdown • Winter Solstice • Business Focus • Puzzles • Your Community info. • Recipe
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Spotlight Magazine
Contents
Ultimate Xmas Survival Guide 6 Boxing Day Soup 8 Cocktails 10 Santa Baby 12 Notts Logs 14 Puzzle Pages 18 Christmas Eve Countdown 20 Chop Chop 22 Winter Solstice 24 BAH Handbag 26 A Good Read 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
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Merry Christmas Everybody! There are many different ways as to how people approach the festive season. The ultra organised will have had all their presents and cards bought, wrapped and written by the end of the last January sales! The lastminute.com’ers will soon be engaged in a frenetic shopping spree, buying totally unsuitable, over priced gifts; which will inevitably end up at either a boot sale or re-gifted before Easter. Whichever one you are, here’s hoping you have a great christmas! Spotlight magazine is delivered to 6,000 homes and businesses in the Mansfield Central area each month, with similar magazines also going to Mansfield South, Mansfield North and West Bridgford To Advertise or contribute: T: 01623 706570 E: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk Web:www.spotlightlocal.co.uk
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Spotlight Magazine
Bringing Christmas Home EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT CHRISTMAS
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1 Mason Cash Reindeer Bowl £25 2 Salter Retro Scales £20 3 Assorted Cookie Cutters from £3 4 Kilner Cliptop Jars from £3 5 Kitchen Craft Measuring Cups Set £11.50 6 Wooden Rolling Pins from £2.50
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1
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1 Chefmate Bakeware from £4 2 Stellar Roast & Rack was £30 NOW £20 3 Sabichi Roasting Tray & Carving Set was £22 NOW £15 4 Cooksmart Diamante Ovenglove was £7.50 NOW £5
1 Whitakers Finest Glasses Box of Four was £30 NOW £15 2 Whitakers Finest Imperial Bone China Dinnerware from £4.20 3 Red Charger Plate was £4.50 NOW £3 4 Peggy Wilkins Gretel Table Runner was £25 NOW £17.50
PREPARE FOR GUESTS
Get ready for visits from friends & family over this Christmas season with our great range of home accessories & gifts.
Hotel Monroe Natural Check Double Bedlinen Set was £110 NOW
£55
Fogarty Supatherm Luxury Fibre 10.5 Tog Duvet Double was £85 NOW
£42
UP TO
Whitakers Finest Papillon Butterfly Cushion was £22 NOW
Mrs Bridges Christmas Collection £12
£15
Handmade Chrismoose Crackers was £16 NOW £11.20
CHRISTMAS SHOP
*Up to 50% off selected lines, while stocks last. Some products only available in selected stores. Please check with your local store to avoid disappointment. Information correct at time of going to press.
MANSFIELD 01623 622582 | Queen Street, NG18 1JR @
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Spotlight Magazine
T
The Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide
he Ultimate Christmas Survival Guide Christmas can be a time of stress and worry. What could you do to make things more enjoyable? Ask yourself - What is most important to me about Christmas?
Then, keep focussed on that and let go of the rest. Don’t overburden yourself by believing everything has to be just like the ‘ideal version of a perfect family Christmas.’ Your Christmas is just that, the one that fits you and your circumstances. It can be however you want it to be. For most people being with friends and family is important at Christmas, but it’s not necessary to force everyone to be together just because it’s Christmas. If people haven’t got on for years, it’s very unlikely that some turkey and a spot of tinsel will heal the rift. Why risk a big row and be anxious all day? Choose to see small groups of people separately instead. Whatever type of Christmas you want, you probably wouldn’t choose to burn the dinner or to forget anything. Try to avoid this by planning, and accepting help.
everything yourself. Some families split the meal duties: One part of the family brings a starter, the host household do the main and other guests bring along a pudding for example. Perhaps you know that your friend works right next to that shop on the other side of town that you can just never find time to get to - ask them to pop in and get what you need, you’d do the same for them wouldn’t you? If things don’t go quite to plan- ask yourself will this matter in 5 years time? Chances are it won’t be significant at all. Many things that seem disastrous at the time are laughed at later. However Christmas turns out, and however much you have or don’t have, choose to be grateful. No matter how difficult things are - notice what you have rather than what you don’t have, and you will find plenty of Christmas joy. By Susan Brookes-Morris
Find out about the closing times of shops you know you will need to visit, and about delivery times if ordering online. If posting cards and presents, ask about the latest posting dates. It’s also useful to keep details handy for pharmacies that will be open, and have medical numbers such as NHS Direct close by, and the vet too if you have pets. If travelling by car, find out which petrol stations will be open and check tyres, oil and water before you go. Revised bus and train timetables are usually published well in advance, so hunt these out too. You are not alone. Sharing with friends, family and neighbours is part of the Christmas spirit. Let go of needing to do
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Boxing Day Soup Method
Serves 4
Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30-40 minutes Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower or olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 2 medium potatoes, about 350g/12oz total weight, peeled and cut into small chunks 1 tbsp curry paste (optional) or stuffing (optional) 1.2 litres / 2 pints vegetable stock 550g / 1lb 4 oz leftover roasted or boiled vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips and squash, roughly chopped. Add any leftover meat such as turkey, beef, ham, sausages etc. OR this can be left as a vegetarian soup Salt and pepper for seasoning Natural yogurt or crème fraîche - to serve
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Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes until golden. Stir in the celery and fry for 5 minutes, then add the potatoes and fry for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the curry paste or stuffing if using. Cook for a further minute or two, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil and stir well. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Add the leftover veg and meat (if using) into the pan and warm through. Pour the soup into a food processor or blender and either blitz to a smooth purée, or leave a few chunks for texture. Return the soup to the pan. You may need to thin the soup to the consistency you like with hot water or stock, then taste for seasoning. Reheat thoroughly, and pour into bowls with spoonfuls of yogurt or crème fraîche swirled on top, then serve with crusty bread.
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Spotlight Magazine
Christmas by the Glass
hristmas Day in our house starts C with a leisurely family brunch, complete with a cheeky little cocktail. Cocktails at breakfast might not suit everyone, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend them as part of your usual healthy diet, but at Christmas I feel I can indulge without guilt. I would suggest a Bloody Mary as a good accompaniment to a late breakfast.
Bloody Mary Ingredients Ice cubes Vodka, double shot ½ lemon, juice only 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce 3 dashes Tabasco sauce 150ml/5fl oz tomato juice Pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Place the ice into a tall glass and add the vodka. Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and tomato juice. Stir well. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper and serve straightaway.
And finally, no Christmas Day is complete without a tumbler or two of mulled wine.
Mulled Wine Ingredients 400ml / 14fl oz red wine (Shiraz is fantastic) 400ml / 14 fl oz water 400ml / 14 fl oz good quality orange juice 80ml / 2½ fl oz brandy 4tbsp dark brown sugar ½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg 3 cardamom pods Clementine 6 cloves (to pierce the Clementine)
Before lunch, it’s nice to serve champagne with a festive twist.
Method
Champagne with Cranberries
Make up a spice bag using muslin or a piece of thin cotton, with the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
Ingredients Champagne (or any good quality sparkling wine) Dried cranberries Method Simply pop 5 dried cranberries into each glass and pour the champagne over. The cranberries ‘dance’ in the bubbles and look very Christmassy.
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Place the red wine, water, brandy, orange juice and sugar in a large pan; add the spice bag, and clove-studded Clementine. Heat slowly and simmer over a very low heat for at least 30 minutes. Serve with mince pies in front of the fire to round off a perfect Christmas day. By Sarah Davey
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Spotlight Magazine
Santa Baby.......
THE HUNT FOR THE ULTIMATE GIFT BEGINS AND ENDS WITH BEAUTY...... The Christmas countdown has now officially begun! As is usual at this time of year, thoughts turn to loved ones and which unusual and inspiring gifts will be chosen to spoil, amuse and delight! I always believe that I am the perfect candidate to choose a gift for as I am a self confessed beauty product addict, and always appreciate any chosen cream, lotion, potion and polish that has been lovingly purchased for me! The choice of specially prepared gift sets, incorporating the current shades of the season, or a
gift certificate to spend at my leisure on my chosen luxury treatment, always brings a smile that carries on way into the New Year. The fact that for the first time ever, 2013 proved that the value of the UK nail colour cosmetics market equalled that of lip colour cosmetics, confirms to me that I am not alone in deriving great pleasure from a wide range of all beauty product purchases, that are linked to selfexpression and the desire to keep up-todate with current trends.
All of these feel-good benefits, coupled with the added bonus of having my Christmas purchase beautifully gift wrapped, makes the hunt for the ultimate gift stress free and guaranteed to be fully appreciated by the beneficiary- roll on Christmas shopping!!! Jenny Dunville
Tel: 01623 43 93 94
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Spotlight Magazine
Nottinghamshire Logs
Nottinghamshire Logs is a local company. Set up by Henry Starkey in 2009, the Company has grown steadily and now employs up to 15 people at any one time. The latest expansion phase has meant the company has had to move to new premises near Oxton NG25 0RE. With future demand of low carbon energy supplies in mind, a new Bio Mass kiln has been fitted at the premises enabling us to supply firewood with less than 25% moisture content.
The team take great pride in providing high levels of customer service and keeping clientele supplied with the best quality wood available. We believe that the secret to success is to deliver on value not price, our mission is to keep our customers warm and snug through the long British winter, we supply kindling, smokeless and house coal as well as hardwood and softwood logs. A quick call to Nottinghamshire Logs on 0845 053 9020 could make the difference between a warm welcome OR a cold homecoming.
Our HETAS approved logs burn longer and hotter than many cheaper products and are therefore more economical than some low quality imitations. All our logs are sourced locally from sustainably managed woodland, looking after the local environment whilst supporting other local businesses.
Opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm. The new yard allows customers to collect orders themselves, saving up to £10 on a standard order. Come and see for yourself – you are always welcome!
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
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Monday to Friday from 8am - 5pm & Saturdays from 8am - 1pm (Oct to Feb)
0845 053 9020 www.nottinghamshirelogs.com enquiries@nottinghamshirelogs.com
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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”
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Spotlight Magazine
Puzzle Page
Crossword Clues Across 1 Footwear (6) 4 Panorama (5) 8 Oarsman (5) 9 26 in the alphabet (7) 10 Plodded heavily (7) 11 Complacent (4) 12 Consume (3) 14 Leg joint (4) 15 Flower (4) 18 Couple (3) 21 Appendage (4) 23 Wood particles (7) 25 Type of lottery (7) 26 Venerate (5) 27 Artist’s stand (5) 28 Conversational digressions (6)
Quick Crossword
Down 1 Emphasise (6) 2 Infant (7) 3 How fast a plane travels (8) 4 Ballot (4) 5 Water vapour (5) 6 Appoint (6) 7 Knife (5) 13 Fishing vessels (8) 16 Impaired growth (7) 17 Dress (6) 19 Acting award (5) 20 Theatre seats (6) 22 Childhood illness (5) 24 Type of music (4)
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SpotlightMagazine Magazine Spotlight Word Search Word List Advent Baby Bells Camel Cards Carols Celebration Christ Comet Crib Cupid Donner Eggnog Elves Epiphany Fairy Lights Frost Gift Gold Ham Holy Inn Ivy
Jesus Joseph Joy Magi Mary Merry Myrrh Noel Party Port Prancer Ribbons Santa Sherry Sleigh Stable Star Toys Turkey
Visit our website for more puzzles online www.spotlightlocal.co.uk/puzzles
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Spotlight Magazine
Christmas Eve Countdown
T
he big day is nearly here! So what can you do on Christmas Eve to make things easier on Christmas Day? Many top chefs support the idea of preparing much of the Christmas dinner well in advance. Christmas puddings are often made months ahead, and many elements of a traditional Christmas dinner can be prepared the day before. Commonly, vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, sprouts and potatoes are all peeled and left in saucepans of cold water. It’s also a good idea to prepare the turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing and any sauces. If you have bought a frozen turkey, you will almost certainly need to start the defrosting on Christmas Eve.
If you have baked batches of mince pies or other goodies in advance and frozen them, do remember to check the freezer and take out anything that’s required. Depending on your choice, some starters can also be made and stored in the fridge. You might also want to lay your table. This job can easily end up rushed if left to Christmas Day, so why not take the time now to get it exactly how you want. Finally, try to get to bed at a sensible time. That way you’ll be on top form for a fabulous Christmas! By Susan Brookes-Morris
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Reusable Furniture Donations
We can collect household furniture, electrical items, bric-a-brac and clothing. These are then delivered to those in need and will help to turn a house into a home for single people and families.
Furniture or Household items NOT Re-Usable If you items are not suitable for re-use, we can for a charge remove them for Recycling
Excess Stock Sales We have a wide range of household furniture and Bric-a-Brac for sale in our warehouse, open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Saturday 9.30 am to 2.30pm. We are situated at Unit 190, Road E, Boughton Industrial Estate, near New Ollerton on the Tuxford Road, NG22 9LD We also have an outlet in New Ollerton on Forest Road. All items are at affordable prices
Member of the Furniture Reuse Network Registered Charity No: 119360 Tel: 01623 836410 E: recycle@thefurnitureproject.net Web:www.thefurnitureproject.net www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 01623 706570 • info@spotlightlocal.co.uk
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Spotlight Magazine
L
Chop, Chop!
et a food processor do the hard work in your kitchen.
There’s no doubt that a food processor can be a valuable addition to any kitchen. Modern models can perform a whole host of different tasks to make your culinary life easier. But with such a wide range on offer, at prices from about £30 to £350 and above, how do you choose the right one for you? The first question to answer is whether or not a food processor is the product you need. They are best for people who do a lot of savoury cooking and need to chop, blend and grate food. If you’re more of a baker and want to whip cream, whisk eggs or knead dough, then a stand mixer (with an open bowl and overhanging ‘arm’) may be more suitable. For chopping nuts, breadcrumbs or onion, or for puréeing small quantities of baby food, a less powerful – and less expensive – mini chopper may be sufficient. When you are happy that a food processor is the tool for you, it’s time to look at the attachments that come with different models and decide which you need: All processors will have a knife blade that can be used for mixing, puréeing, mincing and mashing. Most will also come with a dough blade for kneading bread dough.
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There will then be a selection of circular metal discs that cut, slice and grate. Look at the size of the blades to check you are happy with the different thicknesses they produce. Some models also include a special blade for cutting chips. A jug blender attachment is really useful if you like to make soups, smoothies and mayonnaise. Some can even crush ice. A citrus press makes it easy to extract the maximum possible juice from oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. You can also get a centrifugal juicer attachment for juicing hard fruits and vegetables. Look for a mill attachment if you like grinding your own coffee beans and spices, or chopping small quantities of nuts. There are several different types of whisk attachments, but metal twin beaters give the best results. A mini bowl with its own blade that fits inside the main one can be more effective for chopping small quantities. To help you make your final choice, take a good look online at product reviews. This is the best way to assess what the product descriptions don’t tell you – such as how noisy the processor is, how difficult it is to assemble and clean, and how efficiently and evenly it cuts food. And then you’re all set – ready to make super soups, crunchy salads and tasty dishes galore! By Alex Albrighton
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Spotlight Magazine
The face to face insurance specialists.
Is your home insured properly against
Subsidence? Many people living in ex-mining communities, like this one, aren’t aware that their current home insurance policy may not pay out for a subsidence claim... until they need it.
Picture: Darren Bown http://j.mp/molesworth11
Speak to one of our insurance specialists today or telephone on:
01623 651773 Park Hall Financial Services Limited 19 High Street, Mansfield Woodhouse NG19 8BB
www.parkhall.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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Spotlight Magazine
What is the Winter Solstice?
I
n the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs when the ‘top half’ of the Earth tilts away from the Sun at its most extreme angle. This gives us the longest night and shortest day of the year. It normally falls on 21 December, and from this point on, the days will begin to lengthen until the Summer Solstice on 21 June.
Winter Solstice sunrise.
The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin phrase for ‘sun stands still’. This is because the sun appears to rise and set in the same two places for several days in a row.
Celtic druids gave pieces of mistletoe as a blessing. They also began the tradition of the Yule log, which was burned to conquer the darkness and bring luck for the year ahead.
Cultures through the ages have marked the Solstice and celebrated the triumph of light over dark.
Many people celebrate the Solstice today, and it’s interesting to see how many of the customs have become part of our Christmas festivities.
Massive prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge were built to align with the
The ancient Romans had a seven-day festival called Saturnalia, when everything would be reversed – men would dress as women and masters dressed as servants. People decorated their houses with greenery, lit candles and gave presents.
By Alex Albrighton
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Spotlight Magazine to all our readers and advertisers! 24
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Spotlight Magazine
I
BAH - Handbag!
t’s a sad fact that the story of my life can be told in the handbags I have owned. In my tiny, trendy youth I carried a tiny, trendy beaded pouch. As a student I switched to practical-but-cool leather rucksacks. Through the years I gained a degree, a husband and four children, and a larger handbag...much larger.
hardly take up any room, and most double as a camera which is handy.
The amount of stuff I lug around now is scary. Make-up for starters (who knows when I may run into Johnny Depp at the post office), a mobile phone (which hadn’t been invented when I was a teen), spare tights (me), spare pants (toddler), tissues, baby wipes, a set of keys that would put a prison officer to shame, a purse of gargantuan proportions (though sadly lacking in cash), a notebook and wi-fienabled tablet (well I am a writer), assorted pens, spectacles, and several of the cast members from the animated film Cars. I bet I’m not unusual either.
Mints: Whether you’re single or part of a couple, if you’re hoping to steal a few kisses under the mistletoe, keep your breath fresh throughout the evening.
My life is in my over-sized bag, but while fine for everyday purposes, when I go out in the evening I face a dilemma. I know my outfit would benefit from a petite, chic clutch, but which bits of paraphernalia can I do without for four whole hours?
Blister plasters: These special plasters are life-savers when breaking in new shoes and, even if you don’t need them, they’ll make you very popular when others are hobbling.
Don’t forget: Your house key. You don’t need to take the whole bunch, just remove the one you need. Also, if you’re not driving, do remember to take the number of a reliable taxi firm, just in case your lift falls through. And the bag? With evening bags anything goes. But whether it’s sequins and sparkle, buttons or bows, funky or sophisticated, your bag should make a statement. Now go and bag some fun! By Sarah Davey
It’s tempting to grab my normal bag, but I know I’ll regret this when I spy more elegant souls clutching their diminutive designer numbers. So for all of us who struggle I have devised a definitive and minimalist evening bag contents list… Lipstick / gloss: An absolute must to keep your pout looking perfect throughout the evening. Compact mirror: Useful for quick make-up adjustments and contact lens emergencies. Coin purse: Ditch your usual purse with its useful pockets and pouches, for a dinky coin purse in which to keep your cash for the evening. Mobile phone: They’re so tiny now they
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Spotlight Magazine
A Good Read Revenge Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger
This long-awaited sequel to ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ sees the central character Andy, out of the clutches of boss-fromhell Miranda Priestly, with her experience at Runway a long time behind her. As the book opens she is about to marry her dream husband and is a successful editor in her own right. What could possibly go wrong? The answer of course is everything. While ten years may have passed, Andy still has nightmares about working for Miranda. And Max may seem to be perfect, but his mother is less than impressed with his choice of bride. Soon after the wedding Andy discovers that she is pregnant, and increasingly pulled in too many directions at once - wife, mother, career woman. Everything comes to a head when a big company expresses an interest in the magazine that Andy and her fellow survivor Emily have slaved to make a success bringing the terrifying figure of Miranda back into their lives...
giving a clear moral to the story. It’s nice to find out what has happened to these characters - nice, but perhaps not really necessary. Jack’s Mega Machines - The Rocket Racing Car - Alison Ritchie and Mike Byrne On the surface, this is a fairly typical picture book for 3 - 6 year olds. Jack is readying his rocket car for an amazing race, helped by Riley the dog. They line up against an array of alien craft and off they go - with all the thrills and spills you might expect. The bonus, however, is that inside the book is a pull out model of the very rocket Jack is racing in, meaning that young readers can race along with him. Simple and sturdy, it allows the story to be acted out, continued and extended as far as the child’s imagination can go - in other words, a very long way. There are others in the series - a dinosaur digger and a supersonic submarine - which will appeal to the ‘collector instinct’ which all young boys seem to have. Simply told, engagingly drawn and with just the right balance of excitement, this is definitely one to look out for.
As sequels go, this book is enjoyable enough – though it lacks the pace and some of the humour of the original. Perhaps the biggest loss comes from the change in narrative perspective - instead of hearing Andy’s thoughts first hand, Weisberger uses the third person form, creating a sense of distance. The other issue is that there simply isn’t enough of Miranda - the titular devil of the first volume. We can root for Andy, but it is her nemesis who fascinates and repulses us in equal measure. The conclusion is not necessarily predictable, but perhaps a little too safe,
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THE EDWINSTOWE & DUKERIES LIONS CLUB
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Business Fianance Specialists
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Spotlight Magazine
Index Of Advertisers
Accountants A to Z Accounting Svcs.....27
Funeral Directors W S Ingham........................16
Markets Thoresby Market..................25
Aerials ADI.......................................8
Furniture Sliding Door Wardrobes........2 Furniture Project..................21 Insurance Park Hall..............................23
Painting & Decorating Matt Ronan Decor................13 Paul Tinsley..........................11 Plumbing Bilbeck..............................20 Gas Care...........................11
Jewellers Actons.................................25
Signs City Signs..........................31
Kitchens & Bathrooms AHM Installations.................15 House of Granite..................27
Skip Hire Bag it.................................11
Beauty Alexsa.................................12 East Midlands Laser.............9 Mansfield Electrolysis.........15 Children White Post Farm.................17 Dentists Kevin Manners.....................3 Department Stores Beales..................................5
Food & Drink Olde Red Lion........................13 South Forest Complex..............7
Leather Repair Leather Better......................30 Furniture Clinic....................19 Logs Nottingham Logs.................14
Puzzle Solutions
Solar Heating Mack Solar.........................27 Stairlifts Liftec..................................21 Windows and Doors Cloudy2Clear....................32 Window Geeks....................7
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Spotlight Magazine
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