Spotlight Magazine for Mansfield North, Nottingham December 2017 by david clark

spotlightOn Local News and Trusted Traders in.... ISSUE 86 December 2017

Mansfield North

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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

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!

Every year is a delight of discovery as my teens and preteens unpack, reminisce and tease each other over their past choices.

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.

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.

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.

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

Merry Christmas.

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile! It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director John Kendall feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although

that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’ Cloudy2Clear service the Mansfield & Chesterfield areas and John is finding that his approach is a major factor

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

which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give John a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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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.

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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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.

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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. 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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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.

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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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!

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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. 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.

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

Few people know that for snow to fall

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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.

You can then wire in foliage and decorations. I will just warn you about holly though; working with it can be a painful experience so wear gloves and maybe have a box of plasters handy!

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

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. 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

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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.”

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.”

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.

5000

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

DOUBLE SIDED LEAFLETS

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.

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.

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• • • • 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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The Holly & The Ivy A Christmas Truce One of the most remarkable events of the First World War concerns the ‘Christmas Truce’ of 1914.

crossed the lines with their hands up, and troops from the opposing side went to meet them.

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.

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.

The cessation of violence was entirely unofficial. There had been no prior discussion and troops acted spontaneously from goodwill, not orders.

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.

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.

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. By Louise Addison

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, homesickness and combatweariness some men

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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’.

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 A Traditional American Favourite 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!)

Prick the pastry base with a fork then chill for 30 mins. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. 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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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! 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.

Has your boyfriend been botoxed? No? Are you sure? Well it might be only a matter of time... We’re far less open about it than women, but a growing number of us blokes are considering a brow-freeze, a jowl-tighten or a love-handle-lift. On the whole we tend to favour non-surgical 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.

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Puzzle Solutions

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.

Solutions To Mind Benders

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!

1. The 12th Night 2. Peace On Earth

In our own current slow economy and extended period of austerity jigsaws seem to be gaining in popularity again.

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.

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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

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.

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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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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

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

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

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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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