West Bridgford ISSUE 111 July 2018
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of us have hypertonic muscles – our pelvic floors are too tight, which can also cause leaking. In these cases Kegels may make the problem worse!
Bladder Weakness
The GP also informed me that while most people think of incontinence as a problem for the elderly she treats cases in teenagers, right through to octogenarians and beyond. As we age hormone changes mean we are more likely to leak, but there are many causes: pelvic floor trauma caused by childbirth or sex, interstitial cystitis, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, neurological disorders, fistula, and even certain medications. Somehow in my head I (completely unfairly) equated incontinence with people who don’t care about themselves. As I carried two heavy bags of shopping into the house I sneezed, and my bladder emptied itself on to the hall floor. I was wearing a light skirt and no tights so there was nothing to stop it. Horrified I dropped the shopping, ran to the toilet, finished ‘going’, then cleaned myself and the floor. I thought maybe it was a one-off freak incident but over the next few weeks it happened more and more, admittedly not as dramatically as the first time but enough that I became very self-
conscious. Why was this happening? I was only 49, slim and a runner. I did my Kegel exercises regularly. Incontinence didn’t happen to people like me surely? Eventually I plucked up the courage to speak to my GP. By the time I got into the consulting room I was so anxious I burst into tears. Thankfully she was very reassuring. It turns out that although Kegels are helpful they are not a cure-all. Some
I couldn’t be incontinent because I was fit, wore make-up and had regular haircuts (yes I know that sounds crazy but apparently it’s quite a common misconception!). In fact, high-impact sports can damage a pelvic floor. Runners, gymnasts, dancers and weightlifters may put more strain on their pelvic floor than it can handle and as a result can experience stress urinary incontinence. There was even a physio team dedicated to the pelvic floors of female athletes at the last Olympics!
A couple of my friends blamed childbirth but according to the GP, although this can be a factor, most women don’t experience a long-term problem. It’s just as likely to be down to anatomy, lifestyle and habits! I had been avoiding drinking in social situations, and straining out as much urine as I could when I went to the loo to try to prevent leaks happening later. But my GP informed me that both these habits were probably doing more harm than good. Straining when going to the loo can cause a prolapse…not good, and avoiding drinking means more concentrated urine which irritates the bladder lining resulting in a false urge to wee. My leakiness was a combination of hormone changes and my love of running. I was referred to a specialist physio and while I am not completely cured it’s now much less of an issue. Bladder leakage more common than you think in all age groups, and I want you to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of and you don’t have to suffer in silence. By Katie Tew
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Piercing Problems
Plastered!
I’m quite a relaxed parent (compared with many of my friends) so when my teenage daughter Tash decided she wanted her tongue pierced I was more curious than horrified. It was all set to go ahead until we went for a routine family visit to the dentist.
Which wound covering should you choose? The other day I popped into the pharmacy for a box of plasters to be confronted by a ssmorgesboard of choice! There is now a plaster for every occasion. If you’ve ever been confused read on. Faster Healing – Hydrocolloid is a substance which forms a gel when it absorbs water. It maintains a moist environment around a wound that prevents drying of the skin and a hard scab. This substance revolutionised blister healing. Specialist blister plasters form a second skin and prevent rubbing, while wicking away the moisture and encouraging healing. They should be in every hiker’s backpack as well as in the handbag of every girl who loves new shoes! Spray-on – This is great for minor cuts and grazes especially on tricky areas like elbows and knees. A clear flexible film is sprayed over the area to protect it from bacteria.
Pain-killing – Yes really! These temporarily relieve pain by dispensing painkilling ingredients on to the skin. They are best for sports injuries, sprains and backache Blood-stopping – Micro-dispersed oxidised cellulose (m-doc) is a powder which rapidly absorbs blood from wounds. It forms a soft gel layer over the cut to stop the flow. Great for kitchen knife injuries and shaving cuts which won’t stop bleeding. Burn plasters – Like blister plasters these are made with hydrocolloid that stops the plaster sticking to the burn and restores the natural level of moisture to the skin so that it can regenerate with less scarring.
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“Gums are very thin and easily traumatised. Even brushing too hard can cause gum recession and loose teeth,” she said. The oral and dental complications associated with tongue piercings can be categorised as acute or chronic. Acute complications occur a short time after piercing and include: infection, pain, swelling of the tongue, changes to speech, swallowing and chewing, and allergy to the metal used. There have even been reports of galvanic current between barbell and metallic dental restorations. Chronic (longer term) complications include chipping, tooth fracture, gum
By Louise Addison
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I casually mentioned the imminent tongue-piercing and the dentist’s reaction made us both reconsider on the spot! In turns out that dentists are not fans of oral piercing due to the many issues they cause.
trauma and recession. One U.S. study found that 41% of people with pierced lips had receding gums, compared with only 7% who had no oral piercing. Finally there is a risk of overgrowth of surrounding tissue leading to the ornament becoming embedded. Tash decided on the spot that she wasn’t going to go ahead, and I decided that perhaps I needed to be a little less liberal in the future…which is why I said a firm no to her request for a tattoo less than a week later!
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A Good Read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress – Dai Siji
it a try – after the first few pages you will be hooked.
grotesque village headman.
Set in 1971, Sijie’s novel follows the story of two middle class city boys, forcibly removed to the Chinese countryside for re-education as part of the Cultural Revolution.
Comic episodes are interwoven skilfully with passages exploring the transformative power of literature, and before you know it you have reached the inevitable yet poignant conclusion, which will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
Guilty only of having doctors and dentists for parents, they are subjected to punishingly hard physical work and appalling living conditions. Two things make their lives bearable – the presence nearby of the beautiful Little Seamstress, and a collection of books, first borrowed and then audaciously stolen from a friend, which open up a world beyond the mountains. Sijie’s story crackles with wit and humour throughout – the opening scene, in which the narrator finds himself playing a tune hastily retitled ‘Mozart is Thinking of Chairman Mao’ sets the tone instantly. This is a remarkable little book, considered by many to be a modern classic – so much so that it has already found itself on some GCSE English Literature syllabuses. Don’t let it put you off though. I really urge you to give
But this is also a story about the power of words and the power of desire, and as such is beautifully told. Each character is vividly drawn, from the Little Seamstress herself to the
Flat Stanley Jeff Brown Stanley Lambchop is a rather unusual boy. After an accident with a bulletin board, he is four feet tall, about a foot wide – and half an inch thick. Of course, being flat has its advantages – Stanley’s trip to California in an envelope is great, and his brother Arthur would love to be able to slide under their bedroom door like Stanley does. And, if Stanley was round, he would never have been able to assist his neighbour in catching thieves intent on stealing the world’s most famous painting.
But there are downsides too – while it is great to be a kite for half an hour, it’s not so much fun when Arthur gets bored and leaves Stanley stuck in a tree. People can be cruel too, and eventually the name calling gets too much. Luckily, Arthur is on hand with a solution to his brother’s problem... This picture book manages to make an impossible situation seem perfectly plausible, thanks to the matter of fact style and simple, convincing illustrations. Ideal to read aloud to younger children or as a first book for newly confident readers, it has stood the test of time since its first publication in 1968. If it isn’t already a family favourite, then it is destined to become one very, very quickly.
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Permaroof UK: As Europe’s leading supplier of Firestone building products, we not only specialise in supplying the best quality materials, but offer an unrivalled service with our expert staff and after sales support. We have pioneered our own ‘Permaroof Kit Builder’, available on web and mobile, which has given thousands of avid DIY enthusiasts access to stress free, long lasting flat roof solutions. We also will taylor you a personalised roof kit up to the size of 15meters x 61meters so the sky is the limit!
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Garden Toys
Gardens are a great place for kids to run around and get that all important fresh air and exercise. The addition of a toy or two will mean you can keep them happily occupied for hours. Swings are perennially popular. Make sure the size and style is appropriate to the age of the child. Better still buy one which has changeable seats so you can upgrade as the child grows, or simply ring the changes now and then. Slides come in all sizes. They can be independent structures or attached to climbing frames. You really do get what you pay for in this instance. Do your homework. Is a metal or wooden frame best for your garden. How much use will it get and how many and what ages of children does it need to support? Get the best you can afford and it will serve you for many years. Trampolines are a relative newbie to the UK garden compared with slides and swings but they are rightfully popular. Even adults can’t resist them. You’ll need a flat surface, and a safety net is highly recommended. Most trampolining injuries occur when one child lands on another so buy the biggest your garden will allow. It’s almost impossible to police the ‘one child at a time’ recommendation so bigger is safer as each child has more space.
Kids love dens. Provide a Wendy house or a tepee and let their imagination run wild. If you have the funds you can buy an elaborate fort or tree house. If you don’t have space for a permanent Wendy house, provide poles and old blankets and let them construct their own! If you have space for a sand and water area your children will love it. There are simple small plastic tables designed for the purpose and huge wooden luxury models complete with seats and sunshade. Use specialist play sand to fill it. Make sure you buy one with a cover to protect it from the weather and prevent neighbourhood cats from using it as a toilet. We can’t all have a proper pool in the garden but most of us have room for a paddling pool. Add a couple of supersoaker water pistols and a waterslide made from heavy duty silicon and you’re set for an afternoon of splashy delight. If you have a large space you could invest in some football goals or a badminton set. But for those who love to play games and have a smaller space there’s croquet or outdoor skittles. And there are now outdoor giant versions of family favourites like Connect 4, Jenga and Chess. Time for some outdoor fun.
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Potato Salad
Stretch Benefits
A beautiful version of this classic Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 15 mins plus cooling time Serves 4 Ingredients 600g waxy potatoes 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 115g good quality mayonnaise 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 3 spring onions - sliced thinly Small bunch chives - finely chopped Small bunch mint - finely chopped
Your Local
Method Boil the potatoesReliable in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender.
Roofer
While the potatoes are boiling place the Dijon mustard and the red wine vinegar into a bowl and whisk them together, then whisk in the oils.
In an attempt to prevent injury, most of us stretch before exercise and some (though not as many) stretch afterwards.
When the potatoes are cooked cut the smaller ones in half and the larger ones into quarters. Pour over the dressing, mix well and leave to cool.
But if we’re doing fairly steady activities (jogging, cycling or walking) then while stretching will improve our flexibility there is not much evidence it will prevent muscle injury.
Mix the remaining ingredients with the mayonnaise but reserve a few of the herbs for garnish. When the potatoes are cool, drain off any surplus vinegar dressing then toss them in the mayonnaise. Serve garnished with the herbs.
In these cases the advice is to warm up with five minutes of light, gradual exercise instead. The reason for this is that it’s important to increase the blood flow to the muscles and heart steadily, sudden changes will cause muscles to fatigue more quickly.
Stretching is more effective if you’re doing the type of exercise where you land constantly and forcefully on your feet, or stop and start quickly (sprinting, tennis, weight-lifting, or competitive team sports like football). The more flexible the muscles are the more impact they’ll be able to sustain. But everyone benefits from stretching after a workout. During exercise lactic acid builds up in your muscles. This can lead to soreness and fatigue. Stretching after a workout helps to eliminate the lactic acid and restore the muscle to its relaxed state, preventing the fatigue.
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Quality Roofing Nottingham | 0115 736 5995
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Steps To A Healthier Heart
The best ways are to exercise and lose some belly fat. Individuals with high levels of fat in the abdominal cavity (belly fat) and around their abdominal organs are more likely to develop high blood pressure because this fat interferes with the function of the kidneys, which regulate the blood pressure. Know what your HDL number is and then do what you can to raise it to 1.3 mmol/l - In women especially it seems that a higher HDL (good cholesterol) number is more important than a low LDL (bad cholesterol) number.
Cardiovascular disease causes 26% of all deaths in the UK; that’s over 150,000 deaths each year – an average of 420 people each day or one death every three minutes.
every day decreases an individual’s chances of a heart attack by 30%. If you think you’ll skip days find a walking buddy and hold each other accountable.
Those are the scary statistics but what can you do to improve the health of your heart?
Find out your blood pressure and take steps to bring it down – Your blood pressure may be a more important factor than your cholesterol! If the doctor prescribes medication take it, but you can also take steps to lower it yourself and maybe reduce the need for medication.
Below are the top tips according to leading cardiologists. Walk 30 minutes every day, no matter what! – A half hour walk
Eat about 25g of raw, fresh, unsalted nuts per day – especially walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds. Nuts are packed with omega 3 oils, raise levels of HDL good cholesterol, decrease inflammation and have a good effect on the heart. Healthy fats such as olive or rapeseed oil have a positive effect too, and the really good news is that an alcoholic drink per day also works in your favour! Eat a good quality tomato pasta sauce! Simple tomato pasta sauce is loaded with potassium which aids lowering of blood pressure. Floss! – Most people don’t know that your oral health has an effect on arterial health so make sure those pearly whites stay clean and flossed.
Limit saturated fat and avoid trans fats – Try to keep saturated fat below 20g per day. Both saturated fat and trans fats (found in many processed foods) lead to inflammation of the arteries. Read labels and avoid foods which list sugar as one of the first five ingredients – In particular don’t be fooled by foods which claim to be ‘low fat’ because often they contain extra sugar instead. Healthy fats such as olive oil are better than empty sugar calories. Drink wine – But not too much! It’s a slightly bizarre (but consistent scientific truth) that teetotal folk have a higher risk of heart disease than those who drink in moderation. But a glass of red wine occasionally is very different to binge drinking once a week so be careful with this tip. Eat a rainbow of fruit and veg – Five to nine servings a day will help to keep your heart in tip-top condition. It may sound a lot but if you add chopped veg to pie fillings and casseroles and eat fruit at breakfast and salad stuff for snacks it all adds up. By Louise Addison
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Take Control Of Your Electronic Inbox Why do you have 9632 emails in your inbox?’
everything else. EVERYTHING. WOW it felt liberating.
I looked at my husband, ‘Um...is that a lot? How many are in your inbox?’ ‘About twenty,’ he replied.
I looked at my almost-empty inbox. It felt so good I quickly went through the month’s worth of emails I’d kept, and deleted anything I knew I’d never get around to answering. I replied to and actioned emails which required a response, then deleted them too.
I looked at my inbox. There were emails I had meant to deal with; emails from clients and the kids’ schools with information I needed.
But while I was working five new emails arrived and in the back of my mind I knew how easily those five would become fifty...and then five thousand. I needed to futureproof my inbox!
There were time-sensitive offers I’d never got around to investigating; endless updates from the social media platforms I subscribed to, and the rest I’d kept just in case, of what I’m not entirely sure. I wondered idly if there was such a thing as being an email hoarder. I clearly had a problem and I needed to act. I paused my work and began to sift through the backlog. An hour later I’d made little progress. ‘Just delete the lot,’ said my husband. ‘It’ll be like ripping off a plaster. The anticipation is the worst bit.’ Could I do that? It was tempting. But I paused. I couldn’t. I did have a problem! I decided to compromise. I kept the last month’s emails and deleted
So many emails are ‘offers’. What if that amazing offer never comes up again? Believe me, a quick trawl through my pre-deletion inbox, indicates they do... frequently. What’s more, these ‘offers’ are often time-sensitive and so we hang on to them ‘just in case’, then miss the deadline anyway and still don’t delete them.
I found it useful to cap my emails at 50 and I use an email system to filter school emails into a separate inbox, so I can see at a glance when ‘Dress like a Roman’ day or ‘Bring an onion to school’ day (yes really) is coming up! Your system might have to be different. The trick is to invent one to suit your own personality and routine. I feel more in control and organised now I’m on top of my inbox. Now to tackle the cupboard under the stairs! By Lisa Calder
I decided I’d set aside fifteen minutes once or possibly twice a day to deal with email. If I needed to save information I would file it in a folder on my laptop. Then once a month I would quickly go through the inbox and delete anything else that I knew would never be actioned. To be honest that’s been the hardest part. I feel genuine anxiety about deleting emails. FOMO (fear of missing out) is a real problem for many people with email issues.
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Sun Protection
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Is there anyone left who doesn’t know that sunbathing with too little skin protection is foolhardy and potentially dangerous? As well as being painful sunburn can be a prelude to skin cancer later in life. Sunburn is the damage caused to skin by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Sadly for us Brits UV rays are not blocked by cloud cover so we should always use a sunscreen, even if the sun doesn’t actually make an appearance. The sun’s rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm, so use this time to take a break in the shade. Sunburn is not just a holiday problem though. The quickest and easiest way to burn is when you are not really aware of being exposed to the sun. A children’s sports day; gardening or just walking the dog are all potential sunburn situations. Australians have a fabulous campaign to counteract the effects of the strong Antipodean sun. We would do well to adopt their effective catchphrase in the UK: “Slip, Slop, Slap “, to remind us to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. If you know you are going to be exposed to the sun for several hours, wear a wide-brimmed hat, a loose long-sleeved shirt and long trousers or a flowing skirt. Baseball caps may be ‘trendy’ but don’t provide the necessary protection for the delicate skin on the back of the neck. Choose a ‘Foreign Legion’ style hat instead with cloth that hangs down at the back.
Poor application of sunscreen is a common way to get sunburnt. Areas often overlooked are inside the top of the arms; tops of the ears and at the edges of clothes and swimwear. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply regularly, especially after swimming or exercise.
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Hobbies - Who Needs ‘Em? Do you sometimes feel as though you live your life for everyone else and never have any time left over just for you? Or maybe you’re recently retired after a busy working life and finding it difficult to fill those empty hours. You need a hobby. My dictionary defines ‘hobby’ as ‘an activity or interest pursued for leisure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.’ There have been many scientific studies over the years which show that people who participate regularly in hobbies live longer, healthier lives. This beneficial effect seems to be independent of other factors such as general health or how wealthy you are. In psychology-speak, hobbies are, a modern expression of suppressed primordial instincts! What this means is that we are essentially pack animals and that we like to belong to a group or a tribe, even those of us who consider ourselves loners. Think about it for a second. Many hobbies do involve belonging to a specific social group or club, with rules and structure: golf, football, train spotters etc. Even anti-social people often spend hours gaming on their pc with other gamers, or blogging to other like-minded folk. However, there’s more to a hobby than belonging. Hobbies allow us to tap into two qualities which are fundamentally human.
designing a new layout for our train set, or planning a route for a hillwalking weekend, it’s our imagination which is key to the final outcome. The second quality is our need to drive forward or push boundaries. Whatever our hobby, we’re always striving for improvement: can we obtain that particularly rare stamp; can we climb a higher mountain; can we take a better photograph? While we’re using our imaginations or pushing ourselves that bit further, our hobby acts as a release valve for the stresses of modern life. It’s difficult to worry about your boss or the household bills while you knit, play guitar or swim. So where do you start when choosing a hobby? There is an old saying that everyone ought to have three hobbies: an intellectual one; a physical one and a spiritual one. Modern life doesn’t leave much time for three hobbies but it’s still a good starting point and some hobbies can combine two or even all three of those desirable attributes. Bird watching, for instance combines intellectual and physical, as you’ll learn about birds and get out and about to find them. Yoga combines physical and spiritual attributes. Get creative: make a list of things which interest you and design your hobby to fit your lifestyle. You never know what you might achieve.
The first is our capacity for imagination. Whether we’re creating something beautiful, like a quilt, or painting, or
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Computer Stress
Ancient Chinese and Indian medicines, with meridians and chakras, have long been aware that health and well being are dependent on the free flowing energies that are each one of us.
If you spend a large amount of time on a computer most days, then chances are you are doing yourself some harm. Maybe you haven’t got any obvious physical symptoms like a sore back, tense neck and shoulders or numbness and tingling in your hands but, at the very least, significant periods of time spent at the computer are likely to be adding considerably to your stress levels. And studies are showing that this extra work-related stress can be surprisingly harmful in the long term. The good news is that there are a number of easy steps you can take to counteract these problems. Here are some tips which I believe can greatly reduce the risk of injury from regular computer use. Stress is undoubtedly contributes to the work-related soft tissue injuries commonly experienced by computer operators. The strain put on muscles and joints from excessive computer use causes these tissues to “tense up”. It’s the body’s way of protecting itself from harm. This muscular tension adds to an individual’s stress levels. At the same time, many people who spend large amounts of time on computers are often subject to other forms of stress. The need to meet deadlines, deal with the demands of supervisors and fellow workers and cope with increasing workloads in times of tight budgets all contribute to your general level of stress. Even if stress at work is not an issue you may be experiencing stress and anxiety in other areas of your life, especially personal relationships. Whatever the source, stress tends to be “stored” in the body through muscular tightening, typically around
E-asy Does It!
the shoulders, neck and jaw but also in other areas. Pretty soon, a vicious loop is formed whereby physical stress from keyboard use is adding to mental and emotional stress, and visa versa. Fortunately, there are variety techniques available to break this cycle and reduce stress levels. We have already looked at one of these in a previous article in this series which is stretching and, if that’s all you do to combat the problem of stress, then you’ll have taken an important step. My all-time favourite resource for ways to control stress is an inexpensive little book by the wellknown author, Paul Wilson, called, “Instant Calm”. The reason I like this book so much is that it offers a multitude of simple steps anyone can take to relieve or reduce stress, many of which can be practised at work or in the car or just about anywhere. They all work; it’s just a matter of picking the ones that suit you and your circumstances. Don’t ignore this problem of stress; it is one of the significant but often overlooked issues contributing to physical damage from computer
use.
Randy Barber
Their practices, whether herbs, meditation, exercise, acupuncture, remove blockages in our energy systems that prevent the body from naturally healing itself, as do homeopathic and flower remedies and Reiki Healing. Try using my 5 E’s, one for each finger, to maintain your health and happiness. Eat right, only highly nutritious food, what you need so your energies remain free flowing, ensuring your body can perform its many complex tasks with ease. Check for food intolerances. Eat a great variety of vegetables and fruit. They are the anti-oxidants; carotene, lycopene, lutein, their colour a useful guide, needed to mop up the aging free radicals that our bodies are constantly bombarded with. They are the alkaline–forming foods that our blood needs to balance the many acid-forming foods we eat. Eat raw as often as possible. Essential enzymes are destroyed during cooking. Include at least one salad meal a day, with fruit, nuts and vegetable sticks between meals. Obtain most of your fluids this way, and top up with water and herb teas between meals. Grow your own salad leaves and sprout seeds. Eat less. Most of us in the West eat more than we need, overburdening our digestive system, ageing us, making us physically and mentally tired and unable to function optimally. Check portion sizes. Go for quality
not quantity. We need to experiment and challenge our habitual and conditioned way of eating. If sugar cravings are a problem use a chromium supplement. Exist in the present. Don’t shoulder the burdens of regret and guilt from the past. They deplete our energies, cause illness and prevent us from enjoying the present. Learn from past mistakes and try to move on. Forgive and forget. Choose to only remember the good times. You’ll be more focussed and able to cope with life’s challenges. Plan for the future but don’t live for it. Hope for the best and free yourself from your anxieties. Don’t keep longing for what you don’t have, be grateful and appreciate what you have. If needed, seek therapeutic help, as described above. Energise! Shake off the negativity. Choose to be happy by being purposeful and creative. Go out, help others, exercise, and appreciate nature. Choose absorbing activities that inspire and uplift you, releasing endorphins and providing a sense of achievement. Don’t be too dependent on material things or other people. Be happy with yourself, as we’re meant to be, and then share this happiness with others. So start each day, the 5 E-asy way! Sue Blain
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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword
Crossword Clues
Down
Across
1 Little House on the ______ (7)
7 Puff, wisp, waft (6)
2 Sheet of glass (4)
8 Medicine which induces vomiting (6)
3 Persistent irrational fear (6)
9 Dwell (4)
4 Pass comment (6)
10 Transparent danger to drivers (5,3)
5 Calculator (8)
11 Hiking over fells (4,7)
6 Finely chopped meat (5)
14 Suitcase storage on train (7,4)
12 Catapaulted, hurled (8)
18 Destroying (8)
13 Plotter, conspirator (7)
19 Taunt, catcall (4)
15 To blame, at fault (6)
20 Administer with a needle and syringe (6)
16 Chortle, chuckle (6)
21 Smaller, not as important (6)
17 fashion, mode (5) 19 Make joke (4)
Wordsearch Clues Blackpool Bognor Regis Bournemouth Brighton Cromer Dawlish Eastbourne Fowey Ilfracombe Llandudno Margate Minehead Morecambe
Newquay Padstow Porthcawl Pwllheli Ramsgate Rhyl Salcombe St Ives Swansea Tenby Torquay Ventnor
You can find the answers to the puzzles on Page 17
Holiday For Your Pets In the excitement of preparing for a holiday or weekend away, don’t forget to make arrangements for your pets!
they are licensed, insured, and that the facilities are secure, clean, dry and draught free.
There are several options to ensure your pet is cared for properly - leave them with friends or family, hire a pet-sitter, or board them.
Also check that the animals look clean, happy and healthy.
As a change of routine can be very stressful to pets, asking a responsible and familiar family member or friend to care for them may be the best solution. However, if this is not possible, the next best thing might be to employ a pet-sitter who would visit your home to feed, clean and exercise your pet.
Whatever arrangements you decide on, be sure to choose someone responsible and give them clear instructions about diet, exercise, medication and how to socialise with your pet.
Be sure to meet your sitter before employing them, ask for references and police checks and make sure they have insurance.
As an alternative you could consider employing a pet sitter who stays in your home while you are away, or find a home boarder who will look after your dog in their own home. Many dogs may find a home environment more comfortable and less stressful than a kennel environment.
If you decide to board your pet, take time to find a kennel, cattery or small animal boarder that will suit your pet.
Now go and enjoy your holiday, confident that your pet will be in safe hands!
Pay a visit beforehand and check that
By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
Top Tips For Profile Pics The last two month’s front cover photos have been supplied by Beverley Perkins LMPA, a local wedding and portrait photographer, who likes a bit of a challenge! Bev has a small photographic studio in Edwalton, where she lives, with husband, 2 daughters and dog.! To check out her work visit her website at: www.portraitsathome.net This month she is offering some advice on a very popular topic for photographing....yourself! One of the most popular uses of portrait photographs these days is for profile pictures on the web. Social networking things like facebook, flickr and linkedin all want you to upload your photo. If you want your profile picture to stand out and show a bit of personality, here are a few ideas to have fun with your photos: Let your personality shine! Choose your mood:- let’s face it, you’re a complicated person with many sides and many moods, and here’s your chance to share them all. Go ‘vogue’. Purse your lips; try a pout or just stick out your pierced tongue for all the world to see! Choose your background carefully! It can say a lot about you! If you’re
sporty, why not pop to the tennis court in West Bridgford, romp around the park with a football or if you’re really posh, and have a pool...I’m sure you’ve got the idea! Use a real smile! This is one of my key aims when I am photographing someone...’cheese’ just doesnt’ hack it. Get a fun conversation going with your friends, and get them to say or do something to make you laugh. A natural smile wins every time! Be Serious. if you’re aiming for something more serious, or even mysterious, try taking a picture of only a portion of your face. Include your favourite pet. If you don’t have one, nip down to Holme Pierrepont and feed the ducks! Not only will you get some great photos, but you’ll have a fun time into the bargain! Avoid the deadly ‘red-eye’ When shooting with flash, by looking at a nearby light source just before the photo is taken, it will make your pupils shrink giving less opportunity for red eye.....if its too late why not have a bit of fun with some of that art software you’ve never used on your pc. Not only can you delete the red eye in one click but you can have a lot of fun, creating special effects - a bit of Andy Warhol for example!
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How To Sell Your Car It might be time to bid a fond farewell to a trusty workhorse that has served you well, or you might just want to get shot of a malevolent mechanical menace you wish you’d never laid eyes on! Either way, you need to make your soon-to-be-departed car as attractive to potential purchasers as possible. Whether you’re offering the vehicle for part exchange at a dealer, taking out an ad in the classified section of your local newspaper or placing it with an online sales service, it’s important that you get maximum value to put towards your new wheels. So here are four essential tips that every seller should adhere to: Say goodbye... No, we don’t just mean get out of the driver’s seat! Inevitably, you will have enjoyed, or endured, some sort of relationship with your car. That relationship is now at an end, so it’s time to clear the dash and remove any remaining traces. Sling your CDs into that box under the stairs, remove all boiled sweets from storage areas and consign lucky charms, cuddly toys and nodding
dogs to the dustbin. You may think they are hilarious, but a buyer will view them as silly items that still mark the car as yours. Clean the machine... Give the car a thorough clean, inside and out. Pay particular attention to the steering wheel, switchgear and seat adjustment controls - the first things a potential buyer is likely to touch on a test drive. Clean the inside of the windows as well as the outside to let as much light into the cabin as possible.
shiny and the wheels sparkling, it could all come to nothing unless you’ve put in some legwork on the paperwork.
Spending a few pounds on proper car cleaning products is a sound investment - don’t be tempted to make do with washing up liquid and an old tea towel. Try to avoid cleaning agents with a strong smell - it makes the fact that the car has only recently been tarted up far too obvious.
Hopefully, as a good owner you will have kept a comprehensive record of all the vehicle’s trips to the garage and will have a servicing record with plenty of reputable stamps and no blank spaces.
Brush excess grime from the engine bay but don’t be tempted to have the whole lot steam-cleaned, your engine bay should be tidy and cared for, but not too clean!
Even if your records are incomplete, a thick pile of paper can provide buyers with valuable reassurance that they are dealing with someone who has taken care of the car and is not just selling it on after a short stint of problematic ownership.
Now, the boring bit... No matter how much elbow grease you expend on making the bodywork
Do your homework... You are certainly not the only person
currently selling a car and you’re unlikely even to be the only person in your area selling any particular model, so a little awareness of the marketplace can be a great help. One of the easiest and cheapest ways for you to find out the value of your car on the second-hand market at any one time is to find another one in the Auto Trader listings that is similar and take it from there. You can of course ask for as much as you like for your car, but unless it’s in line with the market value you will not sell it – it’s as simple as that. Good luck. Matthew Benselin
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Trent Bridge Hospital Can you help rediscover the story of the WW1 hospital at Trent Bridge? Did you know that, back in 1914, there were two Pavilions at Trent Bridge cricket ground – and that, soon after the outbreak of the First World War, the buildings became a convalescent hospital that eventually closed in 1919? Many West Bridgford people would have had connections with the Pavilion Hospital – as a member of staff, as a volunteer, as a shopkeeper providing supplies, or as a local resident who offered accommodation to nurses or other hospital staff.
Puzzle Solutions
The heritage volunteers at Trent Bridge are researching this story and they are very keen to hear from anybody whose relatives, friends or neighbours had a connection with the hospital. They would also be delighted to hear from anybody who has any photographs or memorabilia associated with the hospital. If you can help, please send your contact details to heritage@nottsccc. co.uk and one of the volunteers will be in touch with you shortly. Many thanks!
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Packing Tips I don’t know how he does it. When it comes to packing for holidays it takes my husband four minutes flat. I look enviously at his little pile of shorts, T-shirts and underwear and wonder where I am going wrong, as I wrestle with zips and straps in a determined effort to squeeze everything in. Many of us do it - pack too much when we go on holiday - then end up wearing the same few items all week. So how can we make the job easier, quicker and (with ever stricter baggage allowances), cheaper? The answer is to remember that ‘less is more’ and to take only things we really love to wear in a capsule wardrobe that will cater for every occasion. The first step is to envisage how you see yourself spending your holiday. If it’s mainly sunbathing, all you need for the daytime is swimwear – a couple of bikinis per week plus a well cut swimsuit for genuine swimming or diving – flip flops and a loose fitting shirt to cover you up on the way to and from the beach or pool.
A wide brimmed hat will shield your face and hair from the sun, and is also a great fashion accessory. Some fashion experts suggest you take as many dresses as you can fit in. Teamed up with jewellery, a clutch bag and heels they are great for evenings out, and are still suitable for daywear when worn with flatties and a tote bag. Remember to take at least one warm item for chilly evenings or windy locations. Don’t forget to pack a couple of pairs of sunglasses in different shapes to create a varied look. Finally, take an oversized tote bag onto the plane and afterwards use it for the beach, or when you go shopping. Follow these tips and you shouldn’t go far wrong, but if you do, after your holiday write down all the items you ended up wearing (or that you wish you could have worn!) and use this as a guide next time you pack.
If you plan on sightseeing or shopping, pack some comfortable sandals or pumps and a pair of shorts, cut off trousers or a skirt (neutral colours would be most versatile), and a selection of coloured tops. Before deciding on which ones, lay them out and match them up. Choose colours and styles that go together, so that you can make up multiple outfits simply by switching items around. Sarongs are also a great choice as they are both lightweight and versatile and may be used as a skirt, dress or wrap, depending on how they are tied. Scarves make a good alternative and can also be used to wrap around and protect hair.
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Have you ever wished you could grow fresh fruit in your garden but worry the space is too small, or it won’t look pretty, or it’s too difficult? What if I was to tell you that even a beginner can successfully grow a wide variety of fruit from apples and pears to plums, cherries, blueberries and raspberries, and possibly even figs or nectarines? The first thing you need to know is that the sweeter the fruit is meant to be the more sun it will require. Sun boosts sugar levels. If you have a sunny wall it’s an ideal place to train a sun-loving fruit tree like a peach or an apricot. Plant the tree at the base of the wall but not too close (about 30cm is about right) in soil enriched with fertiliser and good quality compost. As it grows splay the branches evenly and attach them to the wall. As the plant grows gradually cut out old straggly branches and tie in new healthy branches. The idea of splaying or ‘fanning’ is that as much sun as possible gets to the fruit, so it can ripen beautifully and maximise your crop. It also has the benefit of being a great space saver. Choose a variety that won’t grow too large.
In slightly shadier spots you can grow gooseberries or raspberries, or my favourite morello cherries. Most of these come in compact varieties and can also be fan-trained against a wall if space is an issue. I have a tiny orchard of minarettes space-saving apple, pear and plum trees bought as single vertical stems which I grow in pots. They grow to a maximum of 6 feet / 2m high and no wider than 45cm. My children love them! Simply cut back the side stems to about 10cm at this time of year and you’re good to go. Just remember that pot-grown plants rely totally on you for their food and water. Thick glazed / non-porous pots are best because they retain water and act as insulation in extreme cold. Use the correct compost and food for the plant but most will do well with a regular high potash liquid feed from early spring to late summer. As a gardener I was quite late to fruitgrowing, but I realised quickly that it becomes an addictive hobby. And as a complete bonus I’ve noticed a definite increase in my bee population over the past few years. Free food, and good for the environment too. What could be better?
What’s Your Sport? Follow the lead of the Olympic athletes and make 2012 the year you get into sport. The world will be watching this summer as the Olympic Games comes to London. It’s the biggest sporting event on the planet, involving 10,500 athletes from 205 countries. These elite sportsmen and women will have trained for years to reach the peak of their physical fitness. You might not want to reach that level, but we all know the benefits of being active – getting fit, losing weight, achieving goals and meeting people. Why not use the Olympics as inspiration to try something new?
Your local council is a good place to start your search. Leisure centres provide reasonably priced options for a wide variety of sports across all age ranges. Many offer subsidised and even free activities for people on benefits, older people, people with disabilities and students. They may run taster sessions so that you can try a new sport before you commit.
Is The Future 2-Wheeled? So you’ve decided to join the biking brigade, but how do you go about choosing the right bike for you? First, decide on the type of cycling you intend doing. Will you be cycling as a means of transport, or purely for recreation? Then choose your bike accordingly. Traditional bikes are a great low maintenance option for everyday use but tend to be a bit heavy.
work well, both tyres are pumped up and that the saddle is the correct height.
If you are willing to sacrifice comfort in favour of speed, then a racing bike may be the one for you, but perhaps the most popular and practical choice is a mountain or hybrid bike, with their strong frame, knobbly tyres and wide range of gears that cope well both off and on road.
Before you begin, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions: What is your existing fitness level and what do you hope to achieve?
The ebike market is booming – driven by commuters who want to cycle to work without arriving in a sweaty mess – and has gone from virtually nothing five years ago to 100,000 sold every year in Britain. True, it still only makes up about four per cent of the overall UK cycle market, but a sea change has taken place.
Do you like to exercise alone, in a group or with your family? How much time and money do you want to commit? Would you prefer a creative activity, such as dance or gymnastics, a fitness regime or a competitive sport?
Whatever type of bike you choose, before venturing out, make sure that both brakes
Check that the handle bars are tightened, and be sure to wear light coloured or fluorescent clothing that won’t get tangled in the chain or wheels. Wearing a helmet, though advisable, is not required by law. Don’t cycle in too high a gear as this will tire you and keep at least a metre between you and the kerb. You aren’t allowed to cycle on the pavement, but you can use the bus lane if you need to. So, armed with all these hints, tips and facts, there’s nothing left for you to do now but get on your bike and save yourself a small fortune at the fuel station!
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Holiday Videos Ten tips for making a holiday video that people actually want to watch Remember when your family members would return from a week in Mauritius or a ski trip to Switzerland and force you to watch hours of shaky, boring footage of their holiday? Terrible shots of your cousins hiding their faces, your aunt covering the lens with her hand and about 120 minutes of boring shots panning across beaches with your uncle narrating in the background? His riveting script including classic lines like “here we are on the beach (long pause) this is the palm tree (long pause) it’s very hot…” etc. I mean, it was enough to put you off tropical islands altogether! Thankfully, those dark days of family documentary hours are behind us. With the invention of super high quality phone cameras, GoPro’s and small digital video cameras, combined with the magic of Final Cut Pro and iMovie, even amateurs can cut their hours of boring holiday footage down to a pretty exciting clip.
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If you really don’t know your Mac book from your Big Mac, you could always spend a couple of hundred quid on a professional editing job, which could turn your holiday into high quality destination video. I’ve been playing around with my travel videos for a couple of months now and I like to think that each one gets a little bit better. Once you’ve got the hang of the kinds of shots that make for an easy edit and have a basic grasp of an editing programme (I use iMovie because it’s super easy), the Travel Channel is just a few great videos away. Here are my top ten tips for making a holiday video that people actually want to watch.
1. Shoot, shoot, shoot! Don’t only get your camera out once you’ve arrived at your destination. Shoot your entire process - the packing, getting your passport stamped (maybe do this on the sly as officials can sometimes get a bit tense about it), finding your seat on the
plane. This will help you to tell a story, rather than just cutting together a series of clips of your destination. Film your entire journey and you’ve already got a built-in narrative.
2. Get shots of yourself in there Your family and followers like you (well, hopefully) and so they want to see you! I always say that if I wanted to see what Athens looks like I could just Google it. But I want to see you in Athens. What you did, what you ate, the rain falling on your shoes. You need to be part of your story. If you’re travelling solo, there are a lot of easy ways to get yourself into
your shots. While they seem to be universally frowned upon, selfie sticks are actually very useful. Put your camera down on the ground and film yourself walking in front of it. Get shots of yourself in mirrors and reflective windows. Be inventive!
3. Get the scenery in there Having said that, we need to see at least some of the scenery too! Get a few shots of where you’re staying and don’t forget to film the people around you. Ask a local if they can give you a wave into the camera, or ask a parent if you can get a shot of their cute kid.
It depends on your subject matter, so if you had an actionpacked skiing holiday, one second clips make for a good, fast-paced film.
These all help you to tell the story of your trip and your destination. Just remember to always ask locals before you film them, since you can never be too sure about what is and isn’t acceptable in a different culture plus, it’s just basic respect.
course you can keep rolling for much longer, but don’t go any shorter or you’ll likely have to throw that clip out.
4. Get interesting angles
You could be on a speedboat and a huge wave crashes into the boat and your camera gets flung from the boat or you could forget your bag in a taxi or a monkey could run right up to you and snatch it from your grip - I mean, anything could happen!
8. Edit it down to no longer than 2-3 minutes
Remember to backup and download all your footage as go so you don’t lose any of your precious moments. I normally travel with my laptop, but if you don’t feel like the hassle, then keep a flash drive with you and ask any photo shop or even the hotel to download and save your footage onto your flash. It’s totally worth the effort!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no one really want to see more than two or three minutes of your holiday. Any more than that and the jealousy starts to take over. You can alway keep a longer edit for yourself, but especially if you plan on sharing your video online, 2:30 minutes is the ideal length.
Chances are, you don’t have a very good mic on your camera or a professional voice-over studio at home, so rather just put a song over the whole video.
7. Keep the camera moving
It’s enough to give a good overview of your trip, especially if you keep your shots short and punchy, which brings me to my next point.
If you’re uploading it to YouTube, you won’t be able to monetise your video, so if you’re hoping to go viral, find a track on a site like The Music Bed, where you can buy licensed tracks.
If you’ve got a GoPro, this will be easy. Place it at the bottom of the pool and film yourself swimming above it. Strap it to your head when you go hiking, extend your selfie stick and spin 360 degrees. Sure, some of the shots might end up on the digital so-called “cutting room floor”, but you’re bound to get one or two good ones in there. It’s always the shots you think are going to be useless that end up being in your video. Also don’t be afraid to get close-ups shots. It’s a good idea to use a combination of long, establishing shots (the outside of your hotel, the beach), mid-shots and close-ups.
5. Film every shot for at least 5 seconds Once you’ve lined up your shot, make sure that you lock it, keeping a steady shot for at least 5 seconds. This will help you when you’re editing, and anything shorter than that doesn’t really give you much wiggle room if you need to cut the shot down. Of
6. Download and backup as you go
Static shots are nice for really wide shots, but it’s more interesting to keep the camera moving just slightly when you film. It’s also easier to edit that way. Don’t go wild, but keep your arm slowly panning as you shoot.
If your holiday was a romantic trip to Italy, 3 or 5 second shots will set the pace for a dreamy and romantic video.
9. Edit clips to the same length: 1 sec, 3 sec, or 5 sec each When you’re editing, try to keep your shots more or less the same length.
Cutting them all down to the same length gives the video a real tempo, which keeps viewers interested in what’s coming next.
10. Choose a good track
Choose something that works well with the destination and if possible, even a local musician.
So if I had to summarise the keys to a great holiday video, I’d say interesting shots, keep it short and make sure you have a great track.
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What’s Happening In Our Area This is a free page to publicise your local events and information. 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. Please email: editor@adnewspaper.co.uk 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 Our next meeting is on Sunday 15th July at 7.30pm when we have a concert with Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer. The club does not meet in August. See the website for more details www. poppyfolkclub.co.uk. Tickets only £8. Telephone Juliet 0115 9231513, Dave 07790 943893, or email juliet@ 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/ board games. Monthly club coffee morning. Call Lillian 0115 8462225 or Irene 0115 8781905 or visit our website justfriendswestbridgford.wordpress.com for further information. 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. See our website leandersc.com or contact our Secretary Sue at suedavis78@gmail. com 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. Phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@mummiesandbuggies.co.uk or see www.clairemockridge.com/postnatal 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.
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 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 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. 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 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 18:3020:00; Adults (15+) : Tuesday 20:0022:00 and Wednesday 20:00-22:00 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
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 We meet once a month on a Tuesday at the Abbey Community centre from 9.30 to 1.00. We are a friendly group of varied ages and abilities always willing to help each other. For further info please contact Sheelagh on 01159532473 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, Radcliffe on Trent, Plumtree (also
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Bailey’s Ice Cream
If you don’t have a thermometer the milk should be just bearable to dip your finger into…be careful! In a crock or stainless steel mediumsize bowl, whisk together the 4 egg yolks and remaining 50g of sugar until foamy and slightly thick. Very slowly add half of the hot milk to the eggs, whisking continuously. Pour this egg mixture back into the sauce pan with the remaining hot milk and return to the stove top on a lowmedium heat. S tir continuously with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula until the mixture reaches 85C on the thermometer or if you have no thermometer is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon or spatula.
July is National Ice Cream Month so why not try this deliciously creamy and very grown-up version Serves 6-8 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Chilling time: Over night + freezing time (30mins- 3 hours depending on method used) Ingredients
480ml whole milk 150g granulated sugar 4 large egg yolks 240ml double cream 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur Method Pour the milk into a medium size, heavy bottomed saucepan. Add 100g of the sugar. Place over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture registers 77C on a cooking thermometer.
Take care to make sure the mixture does not boil. Remove from the heat. If it’s not completely smooth whisk it well before proceeding. Pour the double cream into a clean, large stainless-steel or glass mixing bowl set over an ice bath. Pour the heated custard mixture through a fine mesh sieve or strainer into the cold cream. Add the vanilla extract and stir until fully incorporated. Stir occasionally until the mixture has fully cooled. This
should take about 1/2 hour. Remove the mixing bowl from the ice bath, dry off the bottom of the bowl if necessary, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. Stir in the Baileys. Pour this chilled mixture into the ice-cream maker follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have no ice cream maker, don’t worry, you can still make ice cream though it will take a little longer. Pour the chilled mixture into a large container. Pop it in the fast-freeze section of your freezer. Check it after 45 minutes. It will have begun to crystallize around the edges. Use a hand whisk, wooden spoon or electric hand whisk to break the crystals up and incorporate them into the mixture, then refreeze. Keep checking and beating the mixture every 30-40 minutes and within 3 hours you will have ice cream. Enjoy. NB. Alcohol lowers the freezing temperature of ice cream so this ice cream will be quite soft. Don’t be tempted to add more Bailey’s otherwise it might never set!
Martin Page
Edwalton &
West Bridgford’s Local Tree Surgeon Have you considered? Just like the rest of your property your trees may need some maintenance from time to time? Are your trees too tall, unsafe or untidy? Are they blocking light from yours, or your neighbour’s property? 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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