Spotlight Magazine for West Bridgford, Nottingham November 2017 by david clark

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West Bridgford

ISSUE 104 December 2017

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Hi and welcome to the new look Spotlight. We asked and you told us how you would like the magazine to look and how it could best suit the community. We listened, and here it is. I hope you like it. All we need now is for you the community to let us know what is happening and where, so that we can tell everyone in good time and help make your event a success. So, Christmas is upon us once again. I suppose we had better just give in and enjoy it! Now that the christmas lights are on all over town and the shops are advertising the January sales, I am starting to get in the mood. Before we know it Christmas Eve will arrive and I will have to start my Christmas shopping. The mag is packed with things that you will hopefully find entertaining and educational, and in an attempt to be topical, there is an article on the customs of Christmas.

As I said earlier, we would like to include more community information every month. Please e-mail us info@spotlightlocal.co.uk with any events and information that you would like us to include for free in the next issue. We want this to be your magazine, so tell us what you would like to see and feel free to contribute. Our copy deadline is the 30th of each month. Please also let us know your thoughts and suggestions. The magazines are always available to read online at: www.spotlightlocal.co.uk. Please support the advertisers and tell them that you saw their ad in Spotlight. If you would like to advertise your business, our rates start at only £35. Have a great month....

May I take this opportunity to offer seasons greetings to everyone that reads, contributes and advertises in the magazine. I thank you all.

The Spotlight team.

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A History of Christmas Decorations Every year we go with the children to choose a new Christmas tree decoration. We don’t do themed trees in our house so our annual tree is a history of the kids’ eclectic and often eccentric tastes down the years. Traditional inherited hand blown glass ornaments nestle alongside a plastic gingerbread man, a gaudy fairy in striped tights, a robot, a festive dachshund, and a host of other unlikely characters.

beautiful ornate ornaments which so charmed Queen Victoria that she brought them back to Britain.

meant that cheaper versions became available, and baubles became available to the masses.

As they were all hand-crafted the first, baubles were very expensive. Improvements in plastic manufacturing

The green fir tree was originally used by Pagans and Christians to celebrate winter. Pagans used branches of the

Every year is a delight of discovery as my teens and preteens unpack, reminisce and tease each other over their past choices. But where did the idea of decorations originate and how did they evolve into what they’ve now become? Tinsel originated in Germany in the early 1600s. Back then it was made from real shredded silver. Tinsel makers hammered the silver until it was thin, then cut it into strips. It was so popular that tinsel machines were invented to keep up with demand. Clearly silver was a little expensive and eventually the plastic variety took over. We have the Germans to thank for baubles. They were invented in the 1840s by Hans Greiner. His original glass fruit and nuts developed into

fir tree to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as a reminder that spring would come again. The Christians adopted them later. The tradition of Christmas trees seems to have originated about 1000 years ago in Northern Europe. They were often hung upside down from the rafters. In modern times improved manufacturing techniques have allowed for the production of artificial trees which can be very difficult to tell from the real thing! In Victorian times, Christmas trees were been decorated with candles. In 1895, an American man, Ralph Morris, was so concerned about the fire hazard of candles and Christmas trees that he invented the first electric Christmas lights, which are similar to those still in use today. Over the years there have been glass and plastic variations of reindeers, stars, fruit, butterflies, birds and even festive dachshunds (see above!) but the debate still rages about whether there should be an angel or a star on top of the tree. Merry Christmas.

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A Good Read The Runaway Jury by John Grisham Whether you read legal fiction or not you have most likely heard of John Grisham. One of the biggest selling authors in the world, Grisham was a lawyer before he turned to writing and his expertise is evident in his novels. As the title may suggest this novel focuses on the jury in a trial. Whilst we like to think that trial byjury is fair and gives both sides an equal chance, what if it was manipulated from the

beginning?

A major case is brought against a tobacco company by the widow of a smoker who died from lung cancer. A verdict against the tobacco company would have huge implications – and cost - for the industry so naturally they are prepared to fight hard. But it would seem that one person is determined to get a guilty verdict. A young man called Nicholas Easter is selected at random for jury service and ends up in the final twelve.

However, when a man employed by the tobacco company to find out more about the jurors tries to look into his background, it appears that he has no background and his selection may not have been random after all.

Here Jacob discovers that the monsters his grandfather fled from in Poland were more than Nazis and that the stories were maybe not so fanciful after all. The children his grandfather lived with were very peculiar indeed.

And Easter is out to ensure that he gets the verdict that he wants – no matter what the cost.

This first novel (and first in a trilogy) is a fascinating read. Spread throughout the book are authentic photos collected by the author which are weaved into the story.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 15-year- old Jacob lives in Florida and dotes on his elderly grandfather, Abe. From the age of six Jacob listened to his stories about his life during the war.

Definitely one for older readers (marketed as young adult and rightly so) this original story will have you reaching for book two immediately. By Willow Coby

He escaped from monsters in Poland and was sent to live in a mysterious house on an island just off the coast of Wales run by Miss Peregrine. Abe recounts tales of the other children he lived with and shows Jacob what they looked like using a mysterious set of photographs. As Jacob grows up he comes to view the stories as fanciful and made up, and the images as nothing more than trickphotography. Everything changes when Abe dies in a violent manner and Jacob alone sees the strange creature in the woods that killed him. Struggling to cope with the death, Jacob discovers a 15-year- old letter from Miss Peregrine and persuades his parents to take him to the Welsh island to put together the pieces of Abe’s life.

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Treat Yourself To A Duvet Day

Silk is a breathable material so helps regulate your body temperature, reducing the effects of night sweats.

Create a cosy, inviting sanctuary of warmth in your bedroom with a luxurious new duvet. Nestling into the perfect duvet is a great way to spend the cold, dark winter nights.

At the moment, there is no official standard for a tog rating on silk-filled duvets, so different companies may have different measurements.

When choosing a new duvet think about your sleeping habits. Do you get too hot or cold during the night? Would you prefer a heavy quilt or a lightweight one? Would a natural or synthetic filling appeal more? If you have allergies take these into consideration too. Invest in the best quality duvet you can afford and it will last for many years. A duvet’s tog rating indicates how warm or cool it will keep you. A tog is a unit of heat; the higher the tog number, the warmer the duvet. So a 13.5 tog is ideal for people who feel the cold. The tog number has no bearing on how heavy or thick the duvet is though, that depends on what the duvet is filled with. Natural fillings have better insulating properties than the cheap synthetic variety. They usually feel lighter and appear thinner than synthetic duvets

of the same tog. The most familiar of these natural fillings is combined feather and down. You can also get down-only filled duvets. Pure goose down is the best quality natural filling. It’s more ‘fluffy’ than duck down, giving a soft and incredibly lightweight duvet. When down is mixed with feathers the duvet becomes more affordable and a bit heavier. This is ideal if you like a more weighty cover.

are much flatter than other duvets yet afford the same warmth. They are exceptionally light and very soft. The best silk duvets are made from long strands of mulberry silk. As silk is naturally hypoallergenic and repels dust mites these quilts are perfect for those with allergies, including skin conditions.

Many suppliers give the number of grams of silk per square metre; the higher this number, the warmer the quilt.

Look for a high percentage of down in relation to feather. Feathers add weight but don’t contribute to the softness of the quilt. Synthetic-filled duvets are more practical and generally cheaper than natural fillings but a good one can be just as soft and warm. You can wash them yourself whereas a natural filling requires specialist cleaning. They are also hypoallergenic. Polyester microfibre is the best option as it mimics the feel of natural fillings. Relatively new to the market are sumptuous silk-filled duvets. These

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Party Perfection We all love a good party but how many of us feel confident about organising one? The art to throwing a successful party can be easily learned by following the ‘When, What, Who, Where and How’ guide to successful party planning.

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When

The first step is to set a date for your Christmas party. The weeks leading up to Christmas are busy and some guests may not be able to attend then, so why not hold it between Christmas and New Year? There is often a lull during this period and a party to liven things up could be a welcome diversion.

What

What kind of party is it going to be? Themed parties are great when planning decorations, food and entertainment. Fancy dress offers some the chance to let their hair down but others may feel uncomfortable dressing up. Think about your guests and choose the theme accordingly: would a full-on Pirates of the Caribbean theme work or would you be better choosing a more subtle ‘Black and White Night’ theme, where the more extrovert might turn up in Newcastle United kit or penguin outfit , whilst the more reserved could stick to a dinner suit!

Who

Getting the right mix of personalities can make the night, whilst getting it wrong can break it. Avoid inviting just one person or couple who are strangers to the rest of the group. Include a couple of extroverts in the mix to help get things moving, but too many extroverts can spoil it for quieter souls and you might even end up with a battle of the egos on your hands!

Where

A party at home might seem like the obvious place, but many a creamcoloured carpet has been ruined by red wine, so be warned! If your party is likely to be lively or the numbers high, consider hiring a room or hall. It might involve a bit more work but it could save you a cleaning bill afterwards, and it does offer more flexibility and space for games or dancing.

How

Keep the food simple and consider asking your guests to contribute (a chance to get rid of Christmas leftovers!). Games add variety and give guests the chance to mingle. Start with a simple mixer game and follow this immediately with another.

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Alternate a lively game with a quieter one, a long one with a short one and imagine your guests playing them. If you struggle to see a guest playing one type of game, be sure to include something they would enjoy. The most important thing to remember is that you are organising an event for people, so keep your friends at the forefront of your mind, not the event itself.

Have fun!

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Plumb Crazy Plumbing is best left to the professionals Within two months of moving to our current home just before Christmas last year, our loo developed a leak so we called a plumber. A fortnight later we developed a problem with the shower and called him back. Then all our radiators started leaking and the ground-floor toilet died. Keith the plumber (we were on first name terms by this point) was horrified at the ‘botched DIY’ which the previous owners had carried out He carefully and systematically set about sorting out the almighty mess, and in return we parted with enough cash to fund his New Year holiday in Ibiza (only joking, Keith was and is one of the good guys). Plumbing is best left to the experts and not just in an emergency. Changing a tap washer is one thing but DIY interference with plumbing systems can not only result in serious damage and expensive repair bills (as we now knew to our cost) but a potential health hazard.

If you do fancy a spot of DIY please know that you are subject to the same regulations and controls as a professional. Everything connected to a water supply has to comply with statutory requirements and failure to do this may result in prosecution. In our case a stiff letter from a solicitor helped recoup some of our costs. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), is the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. Its 12,000 members abide by a code of professional standards. They agree to: Perform professionally, competently and responsibly (including having adequate insurance) Safeguard the environment and public health and safety Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and codes Broaden, improve and maintain their skills and knowledge Uphold the dignity, standing of the institute and the plumbing, mechanical engineering services industry.

So how do you find a good plumber? The best way is to ask around. Who do your friends and family use? We found Keith through a friendly neighbour. Use a member of the IHPE whose members have to hold qualifications or demonstrate extensive experience. Get at least three written quotes and find out whether the plumber charges by the hour or per job. Never pay up front and don’t be scared to ask questions. We actually didn’t have to ask many questions of Keith. He talked through all the issues and options before doing any work each time.

water and / or heating system may be drained. Properly insulate all exposed pipes. Inspect your cold water tank regularly and if it is metal make sure there are no signs of corrosion. Have your central heating serviced regularly. The IPHE recommends annual servicing. Clean, safe water is one of the essentials of life. Use your local professional. It’s too important to leave to chance. By Tracey Anderson

How to help yourself Know the location of and label the stop valve on the incoming supply main. Locate, identify and label all other stop valves. Check all of them periodically. Know the location of any drain valves by which your

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November 25th marks the start of Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Let It Snow!

at temperatures higher than -40C a special particle called an ice nucleus is required.

different layers of temperature and humidity, and get tossed around by the wind.

underlying symmetry which has been noticed by humans for thousands of years.

The interplay between the snow seeds, random water droplets and their need to grow in a hexagonal fashion means that each snowflake grows rapidly in a unique way until they are large enough to fall as snowflakes.

Most flakes are 1cm or less across but occasionally atmospheric conditions conspire to form giant snowflakes.

Snow is made of a bizarre and complex substance which we take completely for granted – water!

Snow seeds as they are known include fine particles of soil, dust, and volcanic ash. These ‘seeds’ pass through the clouds of water vapour in the upper atmospheres and it is on their surface that ice crystals form which become snow.

Water is a liquid at room temperature, unlike other substances with similarsized molecules, such as ammonia or methane – these are gases.

Snowflakes are all different because of the way they attract new water to their ‘corners’. As the crystals fall through the atmosphere they pass through

The perfect snowflakes that we see on Christmas cards are actually quite idealised. Most snowflakes are imperfect, but they do have an

A white Christmas is something many of us dream of, but how much do we know about snow?

In 1915 snowflakes 10cm across fell in Berlin, and in Montana in 1887 flakes 38cm (15 inches) across were recorded. But if snow is made of ice (which is clear or possibly slightly blue), why is snow dazzling white?

Water requires more energy to boil it than other liquids and unlike most substances which shrink as they freeze, water expands as it turns to ice.

Well the reason is because of the complex structure of snowflake crystals. Light rays bounce around from one crystal of ice to another, randomly until they find their way out.

As it turns out this is rather important. Ice is less dense than water so it floats. If it became more dense like most substances lakes would freeze from the bottom up and aquatic life would die.

Because of the very short distances between the reflective surfaces the light rays are efficiently scattered and none are absorbed, and if no light is absorbed then a substance appears white.

But because water freezes from the top down, the floating ice forms a layer on the surface which insulates the water beneath allowing it to stay liquid and all the swimming creatures to survive.

If we do have a few flakes this Christmas then you can amaze your friends with how much you now know about snow!

Few people know that for snow to fall

All together now…’I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…’

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The Christmas Wreath Until fairly recently in history, certainly up to Victorian times, people could never be certain they would safely survive the harsh winter. So they developed rituals and displays to help them get through the darker days. One such symbolic display of hope was the Christmas wreath. The circular shape is symbolic of eternity or everlasting life because it has no beginning or end. From a Christian perspective it represents the unending circle of life, with the traditional Holly as the thorns on Jesus’ crown and the red berries as his blood. Now we hang them on our doors and use them as table centrepieces because they look wonderfully opulent and festive. The word ‘wreath’ is linked to the word ‘wrist’, both words describing the form of a continuous circular shape. This became fused with ‘wrethe’ from middle English which means a twisted band or ring of leaves. At this bleak time of year, it’s traditional to use evergreens and other brightly coloured flowers, foliage, or fruits to adorn a wreath.

In past times the addition of expensive and rare fruits such as pomegranates, indicated wealth, but wreaths also included the display of pinecones, seashells and even imported products. Once the decorations were taken down, the edible parts would be eaten and the bounty of summer could be enjoyed in the depth of winter. Making a wreath is fun and relatively easy. You can make a simple and cheap evergreen circle or push the boat out and create an elaborate bauble ring. You can buy a ring of flowerarrangers’ foam. Soak it in tepid water, and then stick sprigs of evergreen foliage from the garden, flowers, berries, dried fruits, nuts, and bows into it using wire if necessary. Or you can make your own base by taking a ring of string wire and covering it in moss or hay. This will need to be held in place using thinner gauge wire.

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and cranberries or woven red and yellow dogwood cut from your garden and interweaved with batteryoperated lights. Use your gardener’s imagination.

If you want to try something different you can use a circle of pine cones, dried leaves, threaded popcorn

Happy Christmas gardening. By Rachael Leverton

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Wheel Alignment

Regular wheel alignments are an important part of conscientious car maintenance. Unfortunately, many car owners fail to understand the importance of good wheel alignment, and therefore don’t have their alignment checked often enough. Here are five reasons why getting regular wheel alignments is good for your car, your bank account, and your peace of mind. 1: Better miles per gallon. When your wheels are aligned properly, it cuts down on rolling resistance, which means that you car doesn’t have to work as hard or burn as much fuel in order to move forward. This is good news for everyone: Not only do you spend less money on fuel, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing your car is responsible for less pollution. 2: More mileage out of your tires. Even the slightest problem with your alignment can have disastrous effects on your tires. If your tires have too much or too little toe-in (the degree at which they point in toward each other at the front, like a person who stands pigeon-toed), a narrow strip on each tire will wear down very quickly, causing you to have to get new tires sooner. By getting regular wheel alignments, you ensure that your tires wear evenly, making them last as long as possible. 3: Tire warranties still apply. The problem with your tires wearing from poor wheel alignment is that it usually voids your warranty on the tires.

Most warranties only apply to the quality of the goods. In other words, if the tires wear out too soon because of something other than poor quality, then the manufacturer is not responsible. 4: Less wear on other parts. Having the wheels out of alignment can be stressful on the rest of the car, too. It means that you continually need to put pressure on the steering system in order to keep the car straight. Also, when you brake you often feel the car pull even more sharply, indicating that the brakes are needing to work harder on one side than the other. 5: Easier to drive. One of the biggest advantages of having your wheels aligned properly is that your car is easier to drive. No annoying pull to one side or the other. It’s much easier and more pleasant to drive a car that has had regular wheel alignments. As you can see, there are many reasons why a car owner should be sure to get regular wheel alignments.

The Holly & The Ivy

The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown.

gorgeous red-stemmed yellow leaves of the climber ‘Sunrise’.

There’s no doubt that holly and ivy are synonymous with Christmas. This dates back to pre-Christian era when pagans used evergreen decorations in their mid-winter celebrations. It’s not hard to see why they were attracted to these beautiful plants which offer a promise of better times to come during the most barren time of the year.

Ivy is a doddle to grow. There are only a few things to remember. Cut it back in spring to encourage new growth and take cuttings between October and March when the growth is woody. Yellow varieties need sunshine and don’t let any of it grow into your eaves. Other than that, it is your undemanding gardening friend.

Early Christians adopted them too and imbued holly particularly with Christian symbolism. In the carol, ivy isn’t actually mentioned again until the last verse which is a repeat of the first. It has a cameo role because of earlier songs, such as ‘The Contest of The Ivy and The Holly,’ in which the attributes of holly (male) and ivy (female) are compared. Our ancestors lived close to the earth and the seasons and were open to symbolism. As modern gardeners we might be sceptical of the symbolism, but we can embrace the glory of these seasonal plants. Ivy (Hedera) comes in many sizes, from the tiny-leaved ‘Spetchley’ to the hand-sized leaves of ‘Maple Leaf’. It also comes in a beautiful variety of colours from the rich green, crimped leaves of ‘Parsley crested’ which makes great ground cover, to the

For winter baskets I’d recommend the lime-green ‘Ursula’ and her greyleaved friend ‘Frederick’.

Holly (Ilex) is pretty easy-going too. It will grow almost anywhere except really water-logged soil. It’s tolerant of pollution, salt and wind and grows really slowly, so it’s great for small gardens in the city and by the sea. Protect it from rabbits if they frequent your garden as they love to eat the bark. Trim it in August if you have to and remove plain green shoots on variegated varieties. Take cuttings in the late summer or autumn. It does resent root disturbance once it’s established so plant it in the right place first time. Hollies are male or female but not necessarily named to help, so ‘Silver Queen’ is actually male and ‘Martin’ is female! You’ll need both for berries so talk to your nurseryman to be sure. If you only have room for one, grow a self-fertile variety such as ‘J C Van Tol’.

Not only does having your wheels aligned properly save you money on fuel, tires, and other potential repairs, but it also gives you better peace of mind to know that your car is being cared for properly. With winter driving, safety and petrol prices in mind, now is the time you should book your appointment at your local specialist and stay on top or your car’s wheel alignment

Amateur Sportsperson Of The Year But triathlon isn’t just for the very best athletes; it’s a sport that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people and is a great way to get fit and have fun.” For more information on how to get involved in the triathlon family of sports visit www.mansfieldtri.com or www.facebook.com/groups/ MansfieldTri/ or e mail secretary@ mansfieldtri.com. Mansfield Tri Club is a double Club Mark club with over 100 active members regularly participating in triathlons, duathlons, cycle time trials, swimming races and running events throughout the country. The club benefits from a coaching team consisting of two Level 2 triathlon coaches, two Level 1 triathlon coaches, a Level 2 swimming coach and two Level 2 British Cycling coaches. Mansfield triathletes have represented Great Britain and Ireland on a number of occasions, most recently in Canada in 2008, Australia and USA in 2009, Ireland and Hungary in 2010, Spain in 2011 where Hannah Shooter won

Michelle Willcocks wins Nottinghamshire Amateur Sportsperson of the Year Mansfield Triathlon Club’s Michelle Willcocks has been crowned the Nottinghamshire Amateur sportsperson of the year following a Champagne reception and award ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre!

Meanwhile, Tyler Broom’s victory in the East Midlands junior series was confirmed when he cruised into a third place at the Lincoln Junior Triathlon having dominated the series all season. Also putting in a fine performance for

The accolade follows an outstanding run of achievements over the last two years which include one European gold medal, two European silver medals and, six British and National gold medals. An incredible achievement in itself Michelle’s success is even the more noteworthy considering she had major life changing abdominal surgery as a result of being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Undeterred, she has used this to renew her determination to succeed in her sport.

Michelle said: “I’m thrilled to accept this reward and I’m really keen to get the message out there that having an ostomy need not be a barrier to leading a full life. I had some very tough competition for the award and my congratulations to the very worthy runners up Chloe Adcock and Maria Tsaptsinos for their own achievements.”

• • • • • • • •

gold in her age group race, in The Netherlands and France in 2012, the UK in 2013, The Netherlands and Spain in 2014 and 2015 and Germany and Spain in 2016 and 2017 with Michelle Willcocks winning European gold in Germany in 2017 and the world title in Rotterdam in 2017. The club has a junior section with club juniors regularly training and actively representing the club in a series of junior triathlon events held over the spring and summer months. The club is always on the look out for new junior members. The club welcomes new members and due to the many age categories in which triathletes compete, the sport, one of the fastest growing in the UK, is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Other than a bike and helmet, some running shoes and a swimming costume, no specialist equipment is required. Contact Mansfield Triathlon Club’s press officer at press@mansfieldtri. com or visit www.mansfieldtri.com for further details.

Bookkeeping services Payroll services VAT Returns CIS Returns Personal and corporate taxation Accounts preparation Company secretarial services Company formations

Contact Lynda on 07747792116 lynda@nottinghamaccountsandtax.co.uk Quality Canopies, Carports Verandas & Awnings Here’s how it works: the club at Lincoln and rounding off a successful racing season were Emily Alcock, James Flint, Kurtis Nogueira, Felix Wilson, Daisy Wilson, Anna Woodhall and Alfie Brown. Club Secretary Claire Allison said: “Michelle’s incredible achievements as an adult member and Tyler’s success as a junior show the strength the club has across all age groups.

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Quotable Quotes

A Christmas Truce

Doing nothing is very hard to do. You never know when you’re finished. - Leslie Nielsen

I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap. - Bob Hope

One of the most remarkable events of the First World War concerns the ‘Christmas Truce’ of 1914.

Matrimony isn’t a word, it’s a sentence. Eddie Cantor

Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty, but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. - Phyllis Diller

The soldiers of the Western Front laid down their arms on Christmas Day and met in No Man’s Land, exchanging food and cigarettes, as well as playing football.

I had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it. - Groucho Marx Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain He has no enemies, but he is intensely disliked by his friends. - Oscar Wilde I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: “No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Behind every successful man is a surprised woman. - Maryon Pearson Life is hard. After all, it kills you. Katherine Hepburn If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. - Dolly Parton When will all the rhetorical questions end? - George Carlin Always be sincere. Even if you don’t mean it. - Harry S. Truman

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, and to have the two as close together as possible. - George Burns Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year. - Victor Borge Money can’t buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery. - Spike Milligan

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The cessation of violence was entirely unofficial. There had been no prior discussion and troops acted spontaneously from goodwill, not orders. The most famous account of events involves British and German forces; however, French and Belgium troops also took part. Noone really knows what initiated it.

sickness and combat-weariness some men crossed the lines with their hands up, and troops from the opposing side went to meet them. Commanders either turned a blindeye or joined in. Food and supplies were exchanged and tools and equipment were borrowed. Games of football were played and bodies trapped within No Man’s Land were buried. In many areas the truce lasted for the whole of Christmas day but in some places the peace lasted much longer and it was several weeks before the bloody conflict resumed.

There were some reports that British troops heard their German counterparts singing Christmas carols and joined but there were also reports of German and British soldiers erecting signs wishing each other a ‘Merry Christmas’. Driven by feelings of goodwill, home-

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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

October Crossword Clues Across 1 Melodious sounds (5) 4 Attain, accomplish (7) 8 Royal ruler (7) 9 Latin American dance (5) 10 Astonishing, impressive (7) 12 Large bird of prey (5) 14 Thrift store (7, 4) 18 Officially register (5) 19 Delivers mail (7) 21 Occupation, vocation (5) 23 Faltering speech (7) 24 Discord, disunity (7) 25 The taste of toothpaste (5)

Down 1 Milk-producing animal (6) 2 Person lying outside to get a tan (9) 3 Royal dog (5) 4 Burnt remains (3) 5 Female party-giver (7) 6 Type of tree (3) 7 Rubbed-out, removed (6) 11 Rise from bed (3, 2) 13 Male wedding attendants (9) 15 Soothe, assuage (7) 16 Thawed, defrosted (6) 17 Vitality, dynamism (6) 20 Large group of bees (5) 22 Donkey, burro (3) 23 Group of items (3)

Wordsearch Clues Angel Baubles Bells Bows Brandy Bread sauce Cards Carols Celebrate Chestnuts Chocolates Elf Fairy lights Figgy pudding Guests Holly

Mistletoe Presents Reindeer Ribbon Santa Sellotape Sleigh Snow Sparkle Star Tinsel Tree Turkey Walnuts Yule log

You can find the answers to the puzzles on Page 17

Christmas Recipe - Pecan Pie Pecan Pie

Prick the pastry base with a fork then chill for 30 mins.

A Traditional American Favourite

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.

Preparation time: 20 minutes + chilling time Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes Serves 8-10 Ingredients 500g pack ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry 75g unsalted butter, softened 100g golden caster sugar 175g golden syrup 175g maple syrup 3 eggs, beaten ½ tsp vanilla extract 300g Pecan nuts halves Double cream, or good quality ice cream to serve Method Lightly flour the work surface. Roll out the pastry and use to line a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin. (Top tip - I always keep left over pastry in case I need to fill any cracks after the blind baking!)

Line the chilled pastry case with greasproof paper, fill with ceramic baking beans and bake for 15-20 mins until the sides are set.

Then stir through the nuts and pour all of the mixture into the tart case.

the filling should wobble a little in the centre when shaken.

Bake for 10 mins. Turn heat down to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and continue baking for 30-35 mins. The pie should be golden brown but

Leave to cool completely in the tin. Serve with cream or ice cream. Sarah Davey

Remove the beans and parchment and return to the oven for 5-10 mins until the base is set and the pastry is golden. Leave to cool. Increase the oven temperature to 200C/190C fan/gas 6. Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until light and fluffy. While the beaters are still turning pour in both of the syrups. Gradually add the beaten eggs, 1⁄4 tsp salt and the vanilla, and whisk until combined.

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Caribé Christmas Menu

Are you thinking of booking your Christmas Meal already? Why not make it a very merry Caribbean Christmas at Caribé? Do something different this year! Traditional English & Caribbean Christmas Menu 2 courses = £24.99 || 3 courses = £27.99 Choose one item from each category below

Festive Lunch/Dinner hours will start on 16th Nov. – 24th Dec. 2017 - 12noon - 22:00 ___________________________________________________

Advance booking required Orders must be made in advance for over five people. A £5pp deposit is required to secure your booking

Starters Cream of Vegetable Soup ||| Tropical Butterfly Tiger Prawn Stuffed Avocado with tomato sauce & cheese (served hot) Callaloo filled Pumpkin Rings with Festival & Plantain

===++++++++++++===

Mains Caribé Delicious Turkey Butterfly ||| Honey Glazed Gammon Succulent Sirloin Steak ||| Irie Boneless Negril Curried Goat ||| Dunns River Vegetable Stew Captain Morgan Crispy Salmon with Mango Chutney ===***=== Side Options to go with your main Traditional English trimmings [Brussels sprout, parsnips, carrots & roast potatoes] Gongu Rice & Peas ||| Almond Rice Salads Caribé Fusion Pasta Salad Refreshingly crunchy blanched Red Cabbage & Raisin Salad

==+++++++++++++++++++==

Desserts Jamaican Rum Cake ||| Chilli Chocolate Cake Fruit Salad ||| Traditional Christmas Pudding ||| Ice-cream ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Book-In at: bookmein@wearecaribe.com via www.wearearecaribe.com OR Ring us on: 0115 9881882

Caribé Restaurant & Bar: 10 St. James’s Terrace, Nottingham, NG1 6FW / 01159881882 / bookmein@wearecaribe.com / www.wearecaribe.com

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bulk of them that are left behind at the end of the month. We deliver 20,000 copies each month to local households in need of your services. Then we check they were delivered, and then we double check. Why advertise in the AD?

Why advertise in Spotlight?

• The AD is delivered to 20,000 LOCAL homes – that’s

• Spotlight is readers. delivered to 38,000 LOCAL about 40,000 homes that’s about 70,000 • We – are an established family readers. run business – we care

about our business as much as you care about yours so • We are an established family run business – we’ll always do our best for you. we• care our business asadvertisers much asmake you their We’ll about go the extra mile to help care about yours so we’ll alwaysisdo best businesses a success. Your success ourour success! Readers love the AD so they keep turning the pages – for•you. so as well as reading our interesting content, they see

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• Readers Spotlight so they for free or love at a heavily reduced cost. keep turning the pages –so as well as reading our interesting content, they see your adverts. Just like your business is your 'baby', the AD is my Advertising in Spotlight works!

Have you thought about advertising here?

There is usually more advertising than editorial. How many of our competitors can say that?

isn’t part of a huge organisation, and every penny counts for us, we understand that every penny counts for you too.

Just like you’ll go over and above the call of duty to ensure your customers are happy, Our distribution is accurate and checked. we will go over and above the call of duty to We don’t say ‘ we print 38,000 copies’ then Of course, non-surgical procedures are also quicker, ideal for those of us who want to keep ensure our customers are happy… leave them in shops for people to pick up, our beauty secrets secret! It’s not just surgery. There has been an explosion of interest in male collecting and disposing ofgrooming the bulk of them products recently. These now make up an £800 million-per-year market and include that are left behind at the end of the month. eye creams Contact us today about advertising with moisturisers, and self-tanners. intensive By Colin Tyler us and find out about our friendly, flexible Beauticians havetonoticed in the to number of men presenting for manicures. We no We deliver 38,000 copies each month local an increase approach business. longer think smooth skin and well-groomed hands are the preserve of females. This may be households in need of your services. Then 0115 822 and 4995 partly down to style icons such as footballers David Beckham Cesc Fabregas but it may we check they were delivered, then we psychology. Six in 10 also beand down to basic men between 24 and 34 are not married and info@spotlightlocal.co.uk double check. around 50% of those are single. Perhaps we’re working harder on our appearance because

Have you thought about 90 percent of our advertisers advertising here? see such great results that they advertise on an ongoing

'baby'.

• Our advertisers Just like you’ll go overquickly and abovebecome the call of household duty to ensure your names. customers are happy, I’ll go over and above the call of duty to

Your competition advertises. You need to stay a step ahead, so you need to advertise too. Why put your advert • We ensure my customers happy…contact me today about advertissupport the are local community. We offer And will neverwhere be a it’s dozen in a there huge publication hard plumbers to spot and suring in the AD and find out about our friendly, flexible charities and not for profit organisations approach (or decorators or garages…) competing for rounded by competition? to business. basis The AD has 24 pages packed with interesting editorial. Thereadvertising space either for free or at a 90 percent of our advertisers see such great results that readers’attention. Julia heavily reduced cost. is never more advertising than editorial. How many of they advertise on an ongoing basis (editor and chief bottle washer) our competitors can say that? And there will never be a dozen Spotlight a local free newspaper – a small The AD is aislocal free newspaper – a small business, possibly Advertising in Spotlight works because plumbers (or decorators or garages…) competing for readers’ just like yours? Our advertising is carefully business, possibly just like yours?priced Our to be the Just like your business is your main source of people turn the pages and read it, and people attention. Advertising in the ad works because Email: most cost-effective in the area. Because the AD isn’t part of a advertising is carefully priced to be the most income, this newspaper is ours too. because there are never too many adverts for turn the pages and read it, and because there are never editor@adnewspapers.co.uk huge organisation,in and every penny counts forSpotlight us, we undercost-effective the area. Because toosame many adverts foror the same product or service. the product service. stand that every penny counts for you too.

Beauty and the Beast!

Your competition advertises. You need to stay a step ahead, so you need to advertise too. Why put your advert in a huge publication where it’s hard to spot and surrounded by competition? Spotlight has 24 pages packed with interesting editorial.

Male grooming is booming

we’re on the lookout for potential partners.

Also, researchers at London’s Guildhall University found that taking care of your appearance makes sound financial sense. They discovered, in a survey of 11,000 British 33-year-olds, that the most presentable men enjoyed a 15% higher salary than their less well-groomed colleagues. They were also more likely to be married; have more confidence; less likely to be kept waiting in bars and even liable to receive lighter sentences from juries if they ended up on trial!

Martin Page

Edwalton

No wonder it’s become macho to moisturise...now where did my girlfriend hide her Clarins?

The Beautiful Bloke’s Top Three

Male Botox Have you been accused of looking grumpy when nothing is wrong? You might have ‘angry brows’. Dysport smoothes out a male frown while maintaining the heavier, masculine appearance. It lasts one to nine months and side effects can include soreness, mild headache and bruising. Very occasionally a drooping eyelid can result but this wears off as the injection does.

West Bridgford’s Local Tree Surgeon Has your boyfriend been botoxed? No? Are you sure? Well it might be only a matter of time...

Carboxy Therapy This is termed the ‘miracle gas’ and is a treatment for sagging jowls. Carbon Dioxide is injected just below the skin. The body responds by increasing the blood flow to that area, plumping and tightening the skin. It isn’t suitable for diabetics, epileptics or those with a connective tissue disorder.

options and not just because we’re cowards. Male plastic surgery can look a bit unnatural. Due to the nature and thickness of male skin there can be more stretching and scarring.

Laser Lipolysis An alternative to surgical liposuction, particularly useful for moobs! Pockets of fat are vacuumed out through tiny incisions (about 1mm thick) while a laser destroys fat cells and tightens the skin. There is some bruising and swelling and this is not a treatment for obesity.

Have you considered? Just like the rest of your property your trees may need We’re far less open about it than women, but a growing number of us blokes are considering a maintenance from time to time? brow-freeze, a jowl-tighten orsome a love-handle-lift. On the whole we tend to favour non-surgical

Are your trees too tall, unsafe or untidy? Are they blocking light from yours, or your to neighbour’s property? Don’t forget to saycall Responding an advert? youme saw it in now on the AD! With o v e r 25 years of experience working with trees in your area I would be pleased to offer you free advice and a free quotation.

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The Jigsaw Revival

I was Christmas shopping recently and for the first time in many years found myself browsing jigsaw puzzles. I was mesmerised by the number of different types and designs. There were funny ones, quirky ones, puzzles with irregular shaped pieces, gloriously beautiful reproductions of famous works of art, extra-tricky pictures of boxes of sweets, or baked beans, and some fabulous three-dimensional puzzles. These were not the jigsaws of my youth. The jigsaws I remember came in faded boxes with boring photos of country cottages, or a generic bluegreen landscape on the lid. No, these jigsaws looked enticing and exciting. A jigsaw revival seems to have taken place and I had somehow missed it. Jigsaws actually originated in the late 18th century, when European map makers pasted maps on to wood and cut them into pieces. They were a useful way to teach children about geography. Puzzles as an adult pastime emerged around 1900. They were expensive because each piece was cut individually, but they quickly became popular social pursuits in country houses for weekend parties. As production became cheaper they became popular with the masses too. In the interwar period of the 1920s-1930s many companies used them as advertising gimmicks. Lots of jigsaws from that period depict black and white photographs of factories and workers or products. We aren’t talking high art here but if you come across them in charity shops they possess their own charm. Jigsaws can be a silent and calming activity, or done in pairs or groups they can be sociable affairs.

They are also gloriously cheap compared with other forms of entertainment, which explains why weekly cardboard puzzles became a national obsession in the US after the economic crash of 1929; in fact so many people wanted them that there was a national jigsaw famine! In our own current slow economy and extended period of austerity jigsaws seem to be gaining in popularity again.

Puzzle Solutions

Solutions To Mind Benders 1. The 12th Night 2. Peace On Earth 3. The Night Before Christmas

Like adult colouring books they are absorbing and stimulating but not overly demanding so can be seen a mindful activity and as such may be beneficial to our mental health. Dame Margaret Drabble the author became a fan of jigsaws when her husband was undergoing extensive treatment for cancer. She couldn’t concentrate on books or crossword puzzles but jigsaws helped her to focus. She says they gave her an illusion of control, creating order from chaos during a period of intense stress, and she feels they actually saved her sanity. She wrote a book, ‘The Pattern on the Carpet,’ about her personal experience. Our own queen is said to be a huge jigsaw fan. Apparently she borrows regularly from the The British Jigsaw Puzzle Library. This wonderful institution (of which I knew nothing prior to researching this article) houses thousands of beautiful hand cut wooden jigsaw puzzles, which can be borrowed. Membership for the jigsaw enthusiast in your life, along with Drabble’s book might be a rather inspired Christmas present this year perhaps? Happy puzzling. By Sarah Davey

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Feeling Gel-ous The current craze for nail treatments no doubt stems from a range of different areas- fashion catwalks, beauty blogs and celebrity styling amongst them. Gel has increased in popularity over recent years with so many developments in its formation ensuring it’s easier and smarter than ever before- from faster curing with LED, self-levelling options, to brighter, more vivid colour choices. Nowadays nails have become part of our look, they are like accessories -they complete our look and help us to express ourselves. Gel nails are both durable and spectacular, and they are suitable for a large variety of nail conditions. It is extremely long lasting, which is beneficial for ladies who do not have time to visit a nail salon weekly, as they can enable you to have a perfect

Sparkle Package • Full body St. Tropez spray tan • Gel FX application (Either fingers or toes) • Shape and polish (Either fingers or toes)

finish and colour on your nails for an average of 2-3 weeks. Some gel formulations contain additional nutrients and vitamins, which then in turn protect the natural nail and encourage growth and strength of the nail plate. Another major benefit to choosing gel is that it dries INSTANTLY! This completely alleviates the problem of smudging associated with traditional nail polish and guarantees that you leave the salon with a perfect application. You then return to the salon when your gel eventually needs to be removed and when this is done professionally, they simply “pop off” with ease. What are you waiting for? The perfect solution to perfect nails over the party season. -Jenny Dunville

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Care For Your Feet Footcare should be a priority in winter - the season for hiding them away in boots and sturdy weatherproof shoes. No sunny airing in sandals or barefoot on beaches and paddling in the sea to keep them healthy. We need to check our shoes are fit for purpose. Choose quality over quantity. Leather is best, with flexible soles, good gripping surfaces, cushioned insoles, insulated for warmth and room to wriggle those toes. Apparently the average adult walks the equivalent of more than 4 times round the world in a lifetime. What percentage of that is Christmas shopping I wonder? After a hard day, soak your weary feet in warm water, with added sea salt or soothing oils. Dry thoroughly with a soft towel, especially between the toes. A spot of tea tree oil helps to prevent fungal problems, like athlete’s foot. File hard skin gently, preferably using a pumice stone in or after a bath. Finish off with a foot file after drying, and apply a foot cream if heels are particularly dry. Visit a podiatrist for advice if you have any problems. Many foot-problems are self-inflicted. However attractive high heels may be, healthy feet are the real beauty. Pam Ayres’ poem, ‘I wish I’d looked after my teeth’, could apply to feet, for those who regret having bunions and corns.

Snooze package • Dermalogica Express Facial (30 minutes) • Back massage, back exfoliation and back mask, • Foot massage.

01623 439394 | www.alexsa.co.uk | studio@alexsa.co.uk Join Virtual Runner in West Bridgford for our second LIVE event. Take on the 2k, 5k or 10k on 14th January 2018. Date: Sunday 14th January 2018 from 9am Location: The Becket School, West Bridgford NG2 7QY Distances: 2k, 5k and 10k Price: from £8 Charity partner: Maggie’s Ability: All, whether you run a sub 20 minute 5k or plan to walk the distance everyone is welcome. Children included. Finisher’s goodies: a good quality medal www.virtualrunneruk.com/live-race-2018/

Reflex actually means reflect. It is thought to have originated five thousand years ago in China and was also used by the Ancient Egyptians. Reflexology was introduced in the west by an American doctor, William Fitzgerald - an ear, nose and throat specialist. In 1917 he published his ideas about interconnecting zones within the body, visualised by 10 vertical strips which run the length of the body, with pressure points on the feet, hands, lips, nose and ears. Studies have concluded that reflexology creates relaxation, reduces pain, improves blood flow and aids post-operative recovery. It also enhances medical care, benefits mental health by reducing depression, complements cancer care and eases pregnancy, delivery and post-partum effects, including postpartum depression.

Massaging feet keeps them supple and healthy. Reflexology offers this and potentially more.

Reflexologists say that it reduces stress by interrupting stress signals and restoring the body’s equilibrium.

Using specific thumb and finger movements, a reflexologist stimulates the pressure points on your feet or hands that they believe reflect various parts of the body, effecting a beneficial physical change.

So this Christmas, step into health. Treat yourself or a loved one to a reflexology session to ease any stress and tension, and make sure your boots are made for walking and your shoes are made for dancing.

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Belvedere Vodka: This Polish vodka was first introduced into the UK in 2002. It is available pure and in two flavoured varieties: Pomarancza, distilled using Spanish mandarins and Moroccan orange blossoms with a touch of lime, and Cytrus, made using lemons from Murcia in Spain.

Vodka With A Measure Of Class Vodka is vodka, or so non-aficionados might think. But if you were to browse around a Polish or Russian supermarket you would discover that it comes in many varieties. Here in Britain, we can savour some of the more glamorous varietals of vodka. Some are flavoured with fruit; others are drunk by the stars in London’s famous celebrity hangouts. Here are some of the trendiest bottles around. U’Luvka Vodka: Originating from Poland, it was launched in the Uk in 2005 and has since picked up seven major awards including four gold medals for excellence. It is a re-creation of a legendary vodka produced for the 17th century Polish royal court. The elegant and contemporary-styled bottle with a wiggle at its slender neck has made its way into many of London’s famous celebrity hangouts including Maze, Nobu, Soho House and Teatro. Stockists in the UK include Berry Brothers & Rudd, Harrods and Selfridges.

Snow Queen Vodka: Like Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Borat, this vodka was born and bred in Kazakhstan. It can be said that what Scotland is to whisky, Kazakhstan is to vodka. So far, Snow Queen has been awarded nine gold medals for excellence along with 15 other awards. It is made using pure spring water, wheat and honey and is 100 per cent organic. This brand has also found its way into London celebrity hangouts including Tramp, Mo’vida, Annabels, Aura, Zuma, E&O, Sumosan and Momo’s. It is now also available in top venues in Paris and across the Cote d’Azur as well launching in the US this summer. It is available at all branches of Selfridges and Harrods or can be ordered online (www.

snowqueenvodka.com). It is available in three sizes: 5cl for £3.50, 70ml for £26.49 and a magnum for £69.00. Pinky Vodka: Originating from Sweden, Pinky Vodka is the world’s first and only vodka rosé and looks more like a bottle of classy perfume than a drink. Pinky has been created for sipping straight up over ice or with a twist of orange. Naturally flavoured, it has top notes of rose, violet and strawberry and enhances whatever it is mixed with. Celebrity followers include Beyonce, Scarlett Johansson, Jamie Foxx and Paris Hilton. Pinky was winner of a silver medal in the Wine & Spirit Design Award 2006 and is available in Harvey Nichols food court and www. thedrinkshop.com costing from £24.99 for 70cl.

In its purest form, Belvedere’s taste is subtle sweetness and smooth with a clean finish thanks to golden rye as the single-grain ingredient. It is available from Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Vintage House and selected Waitrose stores nationwide, with prices starting from £25.99. The limited edition Belvedere Ice Tower is also available from Harrods. Ketel One: This super premium vodka comes from one of the oldest distilleries in Holland. Ketel is hand crafted in small batches using traditional copper pot-stills. It is a clear, medium-bodied vodka with hints of charcoal, minerals and liquorice. Smokey accents blend well with light floral notes. Ketel One Citroen was introduced in 2000 and is the only Ketel One flavoured vodka available, and is available from selected Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols for around £17.99 for 70cl.

It is available in three sizes: Miniature (10cl) £12.00, Signature (70cl) £42.75 and Magnum (175cl) £99.00.

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Parkrun Events

Kill Or Cure

Hangover cures to die for…possibly for real!

It’s the morning after the night before! You feel as though Santa and all his reindeer are performing a festive version of Riverdance on top of your head.

then if possible go back to bed.

When you are ready to eat something try a banana. They are easily digestible and help to replace lost minerals.

So you reach for a hangover cure…

Did you know that every weekend throughout the year, thousands of people in and around Nottinghamshire are joining millions of others around the world by taking part in parkrun events? Parkrun is the name but don’t be fooled - you can walk, jog or run at these free 5k events that are coordinated by local volunteers every Saturday morning in 19 countries. Parkruns aren’t races, they are socially-focussed and open to people of all abilities aged four and over. You can go with your family, push your baby in a buggy, take part with your dog on a short lead, run as fast as you can or walk around with your friends. parkrun is whatever you want it to be. Don’t worry about coming last either, every event has a volunteer Tail Walker at the back to provide encouragement and support.

your passport to all 1,300 parkruns worldwide, any weekend, whenever you want to go. Parkruns and junior parkruns in England start at 9am, with the preevent welcome at 8:45am, so bring your barcode and become part of a global phenomenon! 5k parkruns at 9am Saturdays (open to everyone aged 4 and over) Bestwood Village: www.parkrun.org.uk/bestwoodvillage Colwick: www.parkrun.org.uk/colwick Forest Rec: www.parkrun.org.uk/forestrec Mansfield www.parkrun.org.uk/mansfield Sherwood Pines www.parkrun.org.uk/sherwoodpines

Sundays are for junior parkrun, which sees 4-14 year-olds running, walking, skipping, hopping, dancing and laughing their way around a 2k course.

Brierley Forest www.parkrun.org.uk/brierleyforest

At parkrun and junior parkrun the emphasis is on participation not performance, with participants rewarded with coveted milestone t-shirts to celebrate their 50th, 100, 250th and 500th parkruns.

Bestwood Village www.parkrun.org.uk/bestwoodvillage

Volunteers are recognised with their own milestone shirts when they have helped out for 25 weeks. Parkruns and junior parkruns end with a social gathering in a nearby coffee shop, with stories exchanged and friendships forged over a hot drink and a bite to eat. Taking part is free, simply sign up at www.parkrun.org.uk/register and print your unique barcode, which becomes

Clumber Park www.parkrun.org.uk/clumberpark

How about pickled sheep eyeballs washed down with a tomato juice and brine cocktail? Mongolians swear by it apparently…rather them than me! In ancient Ireland hangover sufferers were buried in wet river sand. It was said to cure the worst of the symptoms. I’ll pass thanks. A college friend swore by a concoction he called ‘Prairie Oyster’: Crack an egg into a glass without breaking the yolk, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and swallow whole. Even watching him drink it was enough to send me and my lurching stomach running for the bathroom. Personally I have always found that if I’ve overdone the celebrations at a party then drinking a large glass of water before I turn in for the night really helps. In the morning I drink more water with a recommended dose of paracetamol. If your stomach is a bit sensitive you can try an antacid to calm it down,

Many people swear by a fry-up. Possibly the saltiness and protein-rich foods (bacon, eggs and beans) help there. The Scandinavian equivalent is pickles and fish but I suspect you really do have to be Swedish to entertain that notion. The only way to completely avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol. But most of us like a drink at Christmas so the best advice is to drink in moderation. Don’t mix drinks (wine or beer, not both), and alternate alcoholic tipples with soft drinks. That way you’ll enjoy the morning after as well as the night before. By Monica Cox

Rushcliffe: www.parkrun.org.uk/rushcliffe 2k junior parkruns on Sundays (for 4-14 year-olds) Hucknall junior parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/hucknall-juniors Forest Rec junior parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/forestrec-juniors Gedling junior parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/gedling-juniors Rushcliffe junior parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/rushcliffe-juniors

What’s Happening In Our Area This is a free page to publicise your local events and information.

board games. Monthly club coffee morning.

We would love to hear from you if you know of any event in or around the West Bridgford area; copy deadline is the 20th of each month.

Call Lillian 0115 8462225 or Irene 0115 8781905 or visit our website justfriendswestbridgford.wordpress.com for further information.

Please email: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Nottingham Leander Swimming Club We welcome all swimmers but especially those who want to race ! Confident swimmers from age 6 upwards. All qualified coaches. Friendly and supportive ethos. Water Polo. Learn to swim classes for non-swimmers. ‘Masters’ swimming for all abilities.

West Bridgford Shopmobility is a charity which helps people with mobility problems to move easily around the shops and attractions of West Bridgford. Not only that, but we also have a short –term hire scheme so that you can take a scooter or wheelchair away on a UK holiday, or help you if you are poorly, or just discharged from hospital, or if you have a guest with mobility problems. Call us on 0115 981 5451, find us on Facebook, or at www.wbshopmobility - or visit us behind West Bridgford library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Insanity - West Bridgford every Friday night from 6.30pm - 7.30pm in West Bridgford Baptist Church. All levels of fitness welcome. For more information, please contact Caroline on 07849 753300, email: carolinequarmby@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook: Insanity – West Bridgford. Kickers and Stompers line dancing groups. Meet regularly each week in West Bridgford, Plumtree and Radcliffe on Trent. Suitable classes for all levels of dance. Come and have fun with us. Tel 01159140673 or e.mail p.brown633@ ntlworld.com The Poppy Folk Club Sunday 17th December is our Christmas Party Night in the upstairs room at The Poppy & Pint. Sunday 21st January is concert night with O’Hooley & Tidow. Tickets are £10, telephone Juliet on 0115 9231513, email juliet@poppyfolkclub.co.uk or visit the website www.poppyfolkclub. co.uk. Just Friends West Bridgford is a very friendly group for single, local people aged 55+. 25+ events each month including theatre, coach trips, holidays, pub nights, meals out, walks, darts, snooker, card/

Wilford Racquets Badminton Club welcomes new members. We play on Wednesday evenings in West Bridgford. For further information please contact Hazel on 0115 981 5184 or Richard on 0739 884 2647

See our website leandersc.com or contact our Secretary Sue at suedavis78@gmail. com

The Nottingham Astronomical Society are a friendly group of amateur astronomers from all walks of life. Whilst providing regular guest-speaker events, we encourage active observing. The Society owns and operates an observatory near Cotgrave, which houses our 24-inch large reflector telescope.

Claire Mockridge Fitness/Pilates Mother and Baby Postnatal Fitness Classes Wednesdays 11am-12pm All Hallows Church Hall, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay/ West Bridgford - Come along from 6-10 weeks after birth.

If you are interested in astronomy, you are welcome to come along to our meetings. Most meetings include an illustrated talk by a guest speaker, and admission is free to occasional visitors. More information on the website at www. nottinghamastro.org.uk

Phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@mummiesandbuggies.co.uk or see www.clairemockridge.com/postnatal

Radcliffe Sword Club Learn the exciting modern Olympic sport of fencing with Radcliffe Sword Club, meeting at the main sports hall, Clifton Leisure Centre, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, NG11 8AB. Juniors (aged 9-14): Tuesday 18:30-20:00; Adults (15+) : Tuesday 20:00-22:00 and Wednesday 20:00-22:00

The South Notts Flower Club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Edwalton Church Hall, Edwalton. All visitors are welcome. £6.00 The Edwalton, Gamston and District U3A is going from strength to strength. it has a steadily growing number with new members at every meeting. If you would like to join please contact Christine Shaw email : chrisshaw20038@ hotmail.com or telephone 0115 974 5512. We meet every 2nd Thursday in the month from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gamston Community Hall. Interested in learning bridge? Or want to return? West Bridgford Bridge Club meets at Edwalton Golf Centre 7pm every Monday night, for duplicate bridge. For more details, contact Shiona Dawson at shionadawson@gmail.com Trent Valley Sailing Club has an active junior fleet. Sailing takes place on Friday evenings between April and September for children aged 7 to 16.

Are you a memeber of a Club, Society, Group or Charity? Do you have events or fundraisers that you would like to publicise? Do you have something planned that would benefit the community? If so let us know and we can include it in the next issue. Send us images and a write up about your latest sports presentation, or your upcoming play or fundraiser. We would love to help!

We have several places available this year for new junior sailors. Come and have a go on the water. All enquiries to Angela Clark@trentvalleysc.org

Email us: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk

Trent Karate Club @ Rushcliffe leisure centre Come and train with Trent Karate Club Every Monday and Thursday 7.00 - 8.30 First lesson is free, for all ages. Contact John Dornan on 01159 374706 Notts Orienteering Club is a not-for-profit community sports club run by volunteers. We offer beginners orienteering sessions in the community for people to learn how to read maps and get a bit of gentle exercise at the same time. We have three evening sessions available in Worksop, West Bridgford and Mansfield on Tues and Wed evenings. For more information call Catherine on 07940575758 or e mail hubclob@noc-uk.org

Radcliffe on Trent, Plumtree (also Bakersfield and Stapleford) Suitable for Beginners, Improvers and Intermediate Levels. For further information please contact Pat on 0115 9140673. Friends of Bridgford Park need volunteers of all ages to help keep our truly beautiful amenity in really good condition. The Friends plant, clear wooded areas, help all wildlife survive and increase. So we need people from all walks of life to join us Interested? Please contact Linda on 9819146 or Lorraine on 9816646 WEST BRIDGFORD ADVICE CENTRE is open every Wednesday morning from 9-30am to 12-30pm. at St Giles’ Church Hall, Stratford Rd, West Bridgford NG2 6AZ. Tel: 0115 9821475. No appointment necessary – we operate a drop in system. We can help with benefit claims, form filling, consumer, debt, and housing issues etc. THE ROTARY CLUB OF WEST BRIDGFORD meets every Wednesday 6.30pm for 7pm at the Country Cottage Hotel Ruddington. Enquiries for membership from both professional men and women of all ages are very welcome. Please contact webmasterwbd@rotary1220.com for more information. THEATRE ARTS WORKSHOP ...offers you the chance to have a go, whatever your age, abilty or experience! Drama Workshops, Youth Theatre and GCSE Drama Saturday classes held at Jesse Gray School, Musters Road, West Bridgford. NG2 7DD. 0115 8549175 lisa.goodlass@ntlworld.com BRIDGFORD BEADERS meet once a month at Rushcliffe Arena from 10am to 1pm. We are a very friendly group of ladies of varied ages and abilities and we are always willing to help each other. We tend to have a project each month but you are always able to do your own thing. For further info please contact Lynn 0115 9140927 . The West Bridgford Dramatic Society Why not come along on Tuesday evenings and have a good time. Get to know other members before accidentally covering them in paint during set building. Check out the events page on the web site which has the latest programme!! www.wbds.org.uk

Modern Line Dancing Classes Daytime and Evenings Held in West Bridgford,

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It’s Not Too Late... It’s not too late to find the perfect gift.

Make a list of who you need to buy for and spend time really thinking about those people. What do they like? What would they appreciate? Keeping the recipient in mind and choosing a thoughtful gift is the only way to succeed at this late stage.

Are you ready for Christmas? Are you so organised that you bought everything in the January sales for gift-giving twelve months later? If you answered “yes”, then there’s no need to read on. However, if you’re like me, Christmas has once again taken you completely by surprise. I suspect we all go into denial at the point when the first Christmas decorations arrive in the shops around about August! Normally we’d panic and snatch the first vaguely

suitable gift from the nearest available shop. But wait! Last minute gifts are never well thought out, are they? The adage “it’s the thought that counts” is actually incredibly important. People would rather receive a small, carefully chosen gift than a hastily grabbed box of bath products that scream “this will do”! Don’t panic. Most shops will be open on Christmas Eve, so you can really leave it until the absolute last minute if you plan a little first.

Some people are just downright impossible to shop for which is why you’ve put off buying anything until now. In this case, present them with a written promise to take them shopping for something they really want. For some people it really is better to get their input before buying. Another heartfelt refrain is “what do I get the person who has everything?” The answer is… a box to put it all in. Whether this is an unusual jewellery box, a useful sewing chest or colourful, personalised storage

containers for children, you can’t go wrong with an attractive box. Donate the gift of your time. Offer to babysit so parents can take a well-deserved break. Spend a day gardening for someone. Buy tickets for a concert, cinema, sporting event or a play and take the family. Organise a surprise weekend break or holiday and present the tickets on Christmas Day.

If you’re still stuck, there are always gift vouchers. Spabreaks, restaurant vouchers, experience days, animal adoption and cookery courses are unusual vouchers to give. Last minute Christmas gifts don’t have to come from the shops. Use your imagination and take some time to think about what they would really welcome. Have a happy and stress-free Christmas! Suki North

Bring some nostalgia to Christmas with familyfriendly board games. Introduce extra food with a gourmet gift hamper. A beautiful tree ornament will hold memories every year when it comes out again. Students will always appreciate money. Don’t even attempt to work out what the ‘in-thing’ is as it will surely change next week.

Toys! Toys! Toys! The song goes, ‘It’s the holiday season, And Santa Claus has got a toy, For every good girl and good little boy…’ But which toys? Luvabella: Unless you are completely doll-phobic (the word is pediophobe people!) this will enchant any little girl and probably a few boys. This is an AI Furby-made-human. The more she’s played with the more she responds. She moves her arms and legs and has an amazingly expressive face. She will even start saying a few words. The fact I was totally creeped out does not mean this won’t sellout everywhere between here and Jupiter, so buy early! VTech Kidizoom Flix: If you are not enamoured with the creepy little Luvabella then try Flix. He’s a funky friendly little alien with face recognition software installed so he can recognise your child. You can change his eyes and skin colour and he has a camera and video so you can carry out secret reconnaissance missions. He detaches from his tripod and

comes in pink or blue. Lego: You cannot go wrong with Lego, for any age and either sex. The trend for programmable toys this year continues with Lego Boost. Five models - this is Vernie the robot - which can be brought to life by coding using a free app. Experimake Sludge and Slime: A great take on the science kit. Icky gooey experiments that kids and lots of adults will enjoy playing with. SoundMoovz: One for the whole family. Wearable, app-connected motion-activated musical bandz. Move your wrists and ankles to create beats, rhythms and music, layer your beat onto a song and connect to a wireless speaker for even louder fun. Watching Grandma showing off her moves will add to the holiday spirit.

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