Spotlight Magazine West Bridgford Nottingham

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West Bridgford

ISSUE 71 March 2015

• Carpet & Upholstery • Stain Removal • Stain

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Inside this issue: • Pass On The Salt • Give Me A Bell • Employing A Cleaner • The Art Of Wallpaper • Business Focus • Puzzles • Your Community Info • What’s On Guide

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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,

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Spotlight Magazine

Contents

Pass On The Salt 6 Employing A Cleaner 8 The Greenhouse Guide 10 Buy A Woodburning Stove 12 A Good Read 14 Puzzle Pages 16 Win A Meal For 2 18 Give Me A Bell 20 Local Events Guide 24 Local Info 26 The Art Of Wallpaper 28 Index of Advertisers 30

Published by Spotlight Local Media Ltd Company No. 6841257 Tel: 0115 822 4995 Suite 104, 1 Hanley Street Nottingham NG1 5BL Graphic Design and Layout: Spotlight Local Media Distributed by Best Distributions Trusted Delivery Partner of the Spotlight Magazine

Happy March Everybody!

So spring has officially sprung, or at least it will have on the 20th when we reach the spring equinox.

So it must be time for spring cleaning, and if that sounds too exhausting, we have an editorial this month with advice on how to hire a cleaner.

Also don’t forget to enter the free meal competition! Somebody wins it every month, and it might just be you!

Please try to support our local advertisers whenever you need a service or product. Remember to keep it local!

Spotlight magazine is delivered to 6,000 homes and businesses in the West Bridgford area each month, with similar magazines going to Mansfield South and Mansfield North.

To Advertise or contribute: T: 0115 822 4995 E: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk Web: www.spotlightlocal.co.uk

When times are tough you have to shout about your business

EVEN LOUDER Be seen and heard by your local market

in Spotlight Magazine With competitive pricing, friendly efficient service and helpful advice it’s simple and effective -but then the best ideas always are

Call 0115 822 4995 or go online

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Spotlight Magazine

MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBOUR Now that we are coming to the end of build at The Grand we want to spend some time meeting and getting to know you; our new neighbours.

It is important to us that we become part of the West Bridgford community; we have already partnered up with a number of GP practices in the area and recently welcomed local Councillors at The Grand for tour of the home, coffee and a chat.

We want to invite you to The Grand; be one of the first to come and see the home.

We have a number of some show suites open for you to view, and we will also offer you a tour of the home, giving you a glimpse of the facilities we are bringing to West Bridgford, including a retail coffee shop, hairdresser, gymnasium, Snoezelen and cinema room. We will be officially opening The Grand in April, welcoming clients to their new home, so make sure you visit us before then as after we open, access for the general public will be limited For a visit to The Grand, call Dawn Collett on 0115 923 3056 to arrange an appointment or simply pop by. We are open seven days a week. www.newcarehomes.com

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Spotlight Magazine

Pass (on) The Salt

National Salt Awareness Week 16th-22nd March

2015 marks the 16th National Salt Awareness Week. Research tells us that a high dietary salt intake is associated with the development of high blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Note the word ‘high’ in the previous statement.

Average salt consumption in this country is about 8.5g per person per day. This is about one and a quarter teaspoons. I know this because I measured it out and believe me, it doesn’t look a lot. So why all the fuss about reducing our intake by what amounts to just about half a teaspoon?

Salt is composed of 40 percent Sodium and 60 percent Chloride. We need Sodium because it regulates water in the body, and helps in the transfer of electrical impulses along our nerve fibre system. But just 1g of salt per day would be sufficient to carry out all these functions. At 950 percent of the required daily amount 9.5g does seem suddenly like a very big number.

Salt raises the blood pressure because Sodium encourages the body to retain more water. This increased volume of water in the blood vessels creates higher pressure. Once you have high blood pressure you are more likely to develop heart disease, which is one of the leading killers in Britain today.

So, is it just a matter of leaving the salt cellar in the cupboard when we lay the

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table? Well no: about 75 percent of salt is hidden in processed foods. Brits eat more crisps than the rest of Europe combined, and with each packet, up to 1g of salt!

Processed meats, cheese, cereals, bread and ready meals are also high in salt.

That’s the bad news – so what can we do about it?

Well, we can read the labels and choose foods with the lowest amount of salt.

Studies have shown that by reducing our salt intake along with saturated fat, and by increasing our intake of fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy foods like yoghurt, we can reduce our blood pressure.

Ideally, this should be combined with maintaining a healthy weight, limiting our alcohol consumption, and increasing our physical activity levels.

It sounds straightforward, but in reality we all need a little push sometimes. Why not take advantage of a health MOT at your local Fitness club or Health Spa. Most have facilities for measuring blood pressure and body fat, and many have staff qualified to advise on nutrition. You might be inspired to change your lifestyle.

Who’d have imagined that reducing salt intake by just half a teaspoon per day would reap such big rewards. Now that’s got to be food for thought...just don’t add salt!

By Louise Addison

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

A

Employing A Cleaner

fter years of struggling to raise four children, work full time and care for a larger than average home, I eventually overcame feelings of guilt and shame at not being able to keep a clean and tidy house, and employed a company to do it instead.

It felt like a load had been lifted! No more nagging feelings. No more panic. No more dread. Suddenly my house felt clean, loved and well cared for – and I wondered what all the fuss had been about!

The number of people employing cleaners is on the increase. Some take this option because they don’t like housework, whilst others don’t have time or else prefer to be doing other things. Yet others are too elderly, ill or infirm to clean for themselves.

Whatever your reason, it is important to find a company you trust to care for your home and your valued possessions.

The best way to find a cleaner is by personal recommendation, but if that isn’t possible, one of your first priorities should be to check out references and testimonials. If the company can prove they’ve done a good job for others, chances are they will serve you well too.

Next, check out what insurance cover is in place. As a minimum there should be £5m Employers Liability and £1m Public/ Products Liability insurance cover. Also, find out what procedures will be followed if your property gets damaged or broken during cleaning.

Be sure to find out what vetting procedures are employed, and whether DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks are made. Also, enquire about training and qualifications.

Don’t forget to ask about temporary relief during holidays or periods of illness. Will the company provide a replacement, or are you expected to make alternative arrangements?

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Finally, find out how flexible your cleaning company is. Do they work to a fixed template, or are they happy to comply with your individual requirements? When I employed my cleaner, I was encouraged to state clearly what I wanted doing and how.

A good cleaner is many things – but mind reader is not one of them!

Before making your decision, do meet your cleaning representative first. A look around the house and a discussion about what you would like doing, should result in an estimate of how long it will take and how much it is going to cost.

Most companies charge by the hour. I couldn’t afford to have my entire house cleaned every week, so I decided on the most important areas and then selected additional chores to be done on a fortnightly or monthly basis.

If you are still undecided about whether to employ a cleaner or not, take advice from someone who knows and go for it! You’ll never look back!

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

P

The Greenhouse Guide

eople often ask me, “Is there something in your garden you couldn’t live without?” My reply is always, “My greenhouse.”

A greenhouse has many benefits, chief of which for me is that it extends the gardening year.

With a greenhouse you can potter in your garden all year round, and grow a range of plants which simply wouldn’t thrive without the extra protection.

Before choosing a greenhouse you will need to check whether your local planning authority imposes any restrictions.

Finally, fit staging along one edge of the greenhouse for your pots, and dig a soil or gravel bed on the other side for things like tomato plants.

Now all you have to do is plant some seeds and invest in a few tender perennials.

Great Greenhouse Tips Fit your greenhouse to level foundations.

Orientation isn’t important , but make sure it isn’t in the shadow of the house, or overhanging trees.

Ventilate well.

While you don’t normally need planning permission, building regulations do have to be adhered to.

Buy the biggest greenhouse you can afford that will fit comfortably on to your plot - you will always fill it! But even if you can only afford a tiny one - my first one had a base of just 4’ by 5.5’ (1.2m by 1.7m) - it will still be a worthwhile investment.

The aluminium- framed types are very sturdy and relatively cheap. Woodenframed constructions are more attractive though, and often better in a small garden where everything has to earn its keep.

Western red cedar is good because it lasts a long time and weathers really well.

Greenhouses are even more useful if they are heated. I started out with paraffin heaters, but found they produced a lot of condensation and were messy and smelly. Electric heating is best, and very economical if you fit a system thermostat so that it only switches on when necessary.

Apart from heat the most important factor is ventilation. In high summer this is vital to prevent your plants from cooking.

Automatic arms which open the vents at a pre-designated temperature are really useful. External blinds are also very good as they prevent sun scorch.

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Any electrical work must be carried out or certified by a qualified electrician to comply with part P of the building regulations.

Don’t be tempted to use a household electric heater. It won’t cope with the damp conditions in a greenhouse.

Fit a water butt to the down pipes at either end of the greenhouse to conserve water.

By Rachel Leverton

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Spotlight Magazine

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.

call me now on

0115 906 8680

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Spotlight Magazine

How To Buy A Wood Burning Stove

wood burning stove can be a great A focal point in your living room, creating a warm, cosy feel. It can also be a practical way to cut or avoid rising heating bills.

Whatever your reasons for getting a stove, the guide below will help you to choose whether a stove is right for you and what things you need to think about before spending your money – stoves can range in price from £500 to well over £2,000, depending on the type.

There are a few key things you should think about before you buy a stove, which will save you money and make using the stove easier.

Do you want to heat one room in the house or the whole property?

Stoves are generally used to heat one room, but you can attach it to the central heating system to heat other parts of the house.

Do you live in a smoke controlled area?

A lot of towns and cities are smoke controlled areas. Check the Defra website for more information.

How often will you be home and able to light the fire and clean the ash away?

Keep in mind that stoves can take time to light and some need the ash cleaned out every time you start the fire. However, you can get stoves that will light automatically, usually pellet stoves, although these are more expensive.

What type of fuel do you want to burn?

Your choice on what fuel to burn may depend on what supply you have locally.

How much space do you have to store fuel?

You’ll need plenty of room to store fuel, especially if you will be burning logs – based on the average amount people use per year, you need about three to four cubic metres of space.

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Will you be able to comply with building regulations?

All stoves must meet UK building regulations. Make sure you speak to an installer before buying.

Buying a stove Always make sure you buy a stove with the CE mark so you’re assured that it meets the right European safety and efficiency standards for stoves in the UK. A key part of choosing the right stove for your home is getting the right size and heat output, which is measured in kilowatts (kW) and ranges from 3kW to over 15kW.

If you get a stove that has too high an output for your home, you may end up having the windows open all the time to cool it down.

Stove features to consider • Air wash systems help to keep the glass cleaner by drawing cool air through the system and over the glass • Controllable vents or fans allow you to regulate the amount of air in the stove to regulate the heat output.

• Some stoves swivel, so can direct the heat to certain parts of the room.

• The size of the ash pan can impact on how easy it is to clean, so look for a larger one.

• A riddle plate, which allows you to break the ash off easier, will help you clean the stove.

• A removable ash pan or one that swings out for easier cleaning.

• Cool Stoves. Some stoves and handles, don’t get hot and remain cool to touch.

Buy Quality Fuel Buying cheap normally means buying twice. Always be sure to check the moisture content on any fuel you buy, and try to obtain UK sourced, certified fuelwood that carries the Woodsure Plus Logo.

For help and advice call Nottinghamshire Logs on 0845 053 9020 or visit www.nottinghamshirelogs.com

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

A Good Read Delphi and the Glass Slippers Darcey Bussell

The Secret of Crickley Hall James Herbert At over 600 pages, this novel from the master of horror does not disappoint as the pages fly by.

Gabe and Eve Caleigh have moved with their two daughters from their London home to the West Country to escape the memories of their five year old son who disappeared without trace from a playground a year ago.

Their new home is Crickley Hall, a large house with a checkered past, but it has been empty for many years. It seems a bargain price.

As they settle into the community they learn more about the village, and Crickley Hall.

Tragedy occurred during the Great Flood of 1943, when the hall was being used to house orphans evacuated from London due to the Blitz. The children and their guardians all perished in the flood, and it would appear that the young victims are not content to remain quiet.

For most young readers, Darcey Bussell will be familiar through the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. What they may not be aware of is her career with the Royal Ballet, and she has poured this love and knowledge of ballet into her series of books for young ballet obsessed girls.

The Magic Ballerina books follow the adventures of Delphie, a young girl who attends a ballet school. She is given a pair of red ballet shoes which turn out to be magical, and are able to whisk her away to the land of Enchantia where characters from famous ballets live.

In this book Delphie has to help Cinderella.

Something strange is happening and, as the clock chimes seven o’clock, time jumps and she never gets to attend the ball.

Along the way, Delphie also encounters a mysterious cloaked figure who tries to keep the Prince from finding Cinderella.

Guaranteed to delight any budding ballerina, this book is exciting and full of little glimpses into the world of ballet and dancing.

By Willow Coby

Soon Eve starts seeing her missing son and, like an unstoppable wall of water, the horrors that lie lurking in Crickley Hall flood to the surface, and Gabe must fight to save his family as the truth of that night in 1943 emerges: a truth that it is worse than any nightmare.

Read it if you dare.

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Spotlight Magazine Magazine

Puzzle Page

Across 1 Contribute, give (6) 4 Demise, end (5) 8 Jeopardy (5) 9 Sank the Titanic (7) 10 Certainly, distinctly (7) 11 Indian dress (4) 12 Deceive (3) 14 Sung in church (4) 15 Reveal, display (4) 18 Fasten, attach (3) 21 Idol, venerated image (4) 23 Wander aimlessly (7) 25 Gift (7) 26 Acclimatise, modify (5) 27 Appoint, nominate (5) 28 Affluence, riches (6)

Quick Crossword

Down 1 Portray, illustrate (6) 2 Baby’s room (7) 3 Forgiving, lenient (8) 4 Means of losing weight (4) 5 Stadium, amphitheatre (5) 6 Scottish meat pudding (6) 7 Resin for 78rpm records (5) 13 Heighten, intensify (8) 16 Weirdo, eccentric (7) 17 Small alcoholic drink (6) 19 Barren, deserted (5) 20 Walking aid (6) 22 Very overweight (5) 24 Loaned (4)

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Spotlight Magazine Magazine Spotlight Alice In Wonderland Word Search List Alice Caterpillar Cheshire Cat Cook Dodo Dormouse Duchess Five Frog Footman Gryphon Jabberwocky Knave of Hearts Mad Hatter March Hare Mock Turtle Queen of Hearts Seven Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum Two White Rabbit Visit our website for more puzzles online www.spotlightlocal.co.uk/puzzles

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Spotlight Magazine

Win a Meal for 2 at The Lady Bay Pub N

ewly refurbished, ‘The Lady Bay’ is close to Nottingham Forest FC and is match day family friendly. Regular family entertainment and a lovely outside seating area make this friendly pub a really great place to eat and drink whatever the weather!

Your free meal can be redeemed anytime Mon-Sat from 12-9pm. Choose anything from The 2 for £8.95 menu which includes gammon & eggs, lasagne, sausage and mash, hunter’s chicken, (all the English classic dishes) or visit on a Friday and try the Famous hand beer battered haddock and chips.

Sign up to the website and get an e-mail for two free drinks when purchasing a meal www.gkpubs.co.uk/west-bridgford/ladybay Follow on facebook, then inbox Ali to receive a free pint voucher: www.facebook.com/ladybaypub

This Months Question Which of our advertisers is offering to wash your car for free?

How To Enter Just send your email to: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk with the subject line Free Meal Competition. We will draw a lucky winner at random each month.

Good Luck The Lady Bay Pub is at 89 Trent Boulevard West Bridgford NG2 5BE Tel: 01159 811228

The winner of Last Months Free Meal Competition is Terri Nuckowski

Information & Advice: Independent & Unbiased Worried that you can’t afford to retire?

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Just don’t understand pensions and how to get the best deal?

We’re here to help Our team of Independent Financial Advisers all live locally and are available to meet with you in your home, at our office or another location to suit you.

Initial meetings are always free, if you’re worried about your retirement, get in touch.

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Spotlight Magazine

THE CAVE at THE BRIT & THE BOAT CLUB TRENTSIDE

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Spotlight Magazine

Give Me A Bell

Who was Alexander Graham Bell?

Earlier this week I witnessed a remarkable thing – a room full of people who not once during the three hours they were together, took out a mobile phone to check emails, send texts, play games – or even make a call!

It was remarkable because for most of us, the telephone is an integral part of modern life, an extension of ‘us’. The humble phone has come a long way since its creation nearly 140 years ago. I wonder what its inventor would make of it now?!

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland on 3 March 1847, and subsequently moved to Canada with his parents at the age of 23. With his father, grandfather, uncle and brothers all working in elocution and speech, and with a mother and wife who were both deaf, Alexander developed an interest in acoustics.

Initially teaching the deaf how to speak, he finally decided to concentrate on experimenting with hearing devices and the transmission of sound via electricity, which culminated in the invention of the first practical telephone.

1876 – the same day as rival inventor Elisha Gray.

Even now, there is controversy about who got there first – the Scotsman or the American – but generally it is accredited to Bell. Three days after the patent was issued on 7 March 1876, Alexander got his telephone to work for the first time.

He made a call to his assistant in an adjoining room, uttering the words, “Mr Watson, come here. I want to see you.” Later that year, he and Watson had a conversation 2 miles apart and as development continued, they were ultimately able to make a transcontinental call in January 1915 which spanned 3,400 miles.

By 1886, more than 150,000 people in the United States owned telephones. Today, over 90% of American adults own a mobile phone, bringing the total in operation to more than 327 million! Now, that’s what I call a success story!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

His innovative streak brought about some interesting results along the way! At the age of 16, he and his brother built a robotic head which they got to ‘speak’ a few words.

Alexander then taught the family dog how to ‘talk’ by manipulating its lips and vocal cords to form a crude sounding “Ow ah oo ga ma ma” (How are you grandmama?”)!

He’s also famous for inventing the metal detector, quickly put together following the assassination of US President James Garfield, in order to locate in his body the bullet that killed him.

But back to the telephone...Bell filed for a US patent to cover the transmission of sounds telegraphically on 14 February

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

Get showered with the colours of the rainbow in this crazy 5K run or walk!

Saturday 2nd May 2015, 10.30am

The Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham

Promotion kindly supported by:

To sign up visit www.rainbows.co.uk/rainbowrun or call 0800 952 1133 Registered charity number: 1014051

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Spotlight Magazine

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8240264 or Freephone 0800 0132341

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Spotlight Magazine

Local Events Guide Powered By:

West Bridgford Online

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‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Monday 9th March Thursday 26th March ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Big Cheap Quiz followed by Richie Muir – Thursday 12th March Southbank Big Cheap Quiz followed by Richie Muir – Martin Taylor (aka The Badger) – Trent Southbank Navigation Martin Taylor (aka The Badger) – Trent Polly Yates – Fire & Ice Navigation Friday 27th March Friday 13th March DJ Fever – Fire & Ice DJ Fever – Fire & Ice We Got Soul – Riverbank Joe Strange Band – Riverbank Roy Stone – Monkey Tree Roy Stone – Monkey Tree The Simon Faulkner Band / DJ Marriott – T.I.Funk / DJ Marriott – Southbank Southbank Robin Bibi – Trent Navigation Poplar Jake – Trent Navigation Steve McGill – Yumacha Steve McGill – Yumacha Saturday 14th March Saturday 28th March DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice Damian Wells DJ Set- Riverbank Damian Wells DJ Set- Riverbank The Money / DJ Marriott – Southbank The Money / DJ Marriott – Southbank Sunday 15th March Sunday 29th March Kezia Gill – Escabeche Kit Mason – Escabeche Quiz up in a Brewery – Trent Navigation Quiz up in a Brewery – Trent Navigation Richie Muir – Copper Bob Wilmott – Copper Monday 16th March Monday 30th March ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Thursday 19th March April 2015 Big Cheap Quiz followed by Richie Muir – Thursday 2nd April Southbank Big Cheap Quiz followed by Richie Muir – Martin Taylor (aka The Badger) – Trent Southbank Navigation Martin Taylor (aka The Badger) – Trent Friday 20th March Navigation DJ Fever – Fire & Ice Friday 3rd April Joe Strange Band – Riverbank DJ Fever – Fire & Ice Roy Stone – Monkey Tree Joe Strange Band – Riverbank Wild Wood / DJ Marriott – Southbank Roy Stone – Monkey Tree Half Deaf Clatch – Trent Navigation One Step / DJ Marriott – Southbank Saturday Sons – Yumacha Saturday Sons – Yumacha Saturday 21st March Saturday 4th April DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice Damian Wells DJ Set- Riverbank DJS Sandy Rivera & SY SEZ – Riverbank Urban Intro / DJ Marriott – Southbank Urban Intro / DJ Marriott – Southbank Sunday 22nd March Sunday 5th April Tom Ash – Escabeche Rob Burgundy – Escabeche Quiz up in a Brewery – Trent Navigation Quiz up in a Brewery – Trent Navigation Kris Ward – Copper Monday 23rd March Brought to you by West Bridgford Online – www.westbridgfordonline.com Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/westbridgfordonline Follow us on Twitter - @westbridgfordol

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Spotlight Magazine

What’s happening in your 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 25th of each month. Please email: info@ spotlightlocal.co.uk St. Edmund’s Parish Church, Holme Pierrepont Will be holding their annual Coffee Morning & Open Spring Gardens on Saturday 21st March 10.00am – 12.00pm. Various stalls. Admission is £3.00 incl. tea/ coffee/squash & biscuits.

Children under 16 free.

West Bridgford WI will be meeting Monday 23rd March at St Pauls Church Hall, Boundary Road when Louise Bennett will talk about Mercy Ships. Doors open at 7.15pm and new members are always welcome.

The South Notts Flower Club The next meeting is Tuesday 12th May from 7.30pm at Edwalton Church Hall, Wellin Lane, Edwalton NG12 4AP. The title of the meeting is “Bon Voyage” a demonstration

by Jo Smith from Grimsby.

Visitors are welcome. £5.00 to include refreshments.

Contact Gail for more details Tel. 01159822070.

Framework Knotters Museum is looking to recruit volunteers to help with the running of the site. We also need costumed volunteers prior to the season opening April 1st. If you would like more information please contact the manager on 0115 984 6914 or email office@frameworkknottersmuseum.org.uk The Poppy Folk Club Sunday 15th March is concert night at The Poppy & Pint with a visit from American folklorist, singer, musician and all-round great entertainer, Jeff Warner. Tickets are £7.50. Please telephone Julie and Phil 0115 9812861, Dave 07790 943893, email phil@poppyfolkclub.co.uk or visit the website at www.poppyfolkclub.co.uk. The next meeting of the club will be Sunday 19th April for a singaround and music session. All are welcome.

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 Our first junior sail will be on Friday the 24th April 2015.

The price per child for the year is £42 plus £20 for one adult per family. Payment is not required until the second week so the children can make sure they do enjoy it first.

FRIENDLY BADMINTON CLUB seeks players. We

play Wednesday evenings throughout the year in West Bridgford. For further information please contact Cherry on 0115 8461634 or Richard on 07967384491

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MeadowCovertScoutGroup The popularity of Scouts is going from strength to strength and with that success we need to recruit more volunteers to lead Beaver Scouts (aged 6-8) and Cubs (aged 8-10). We’re based in Edwalton on Alford Road and are looking for people aged 18+ to become leaders on Monday, Tuesday or Friday evenings.

Volunteers will need to be CRB checked and able to attend most weeks (term time) but in return get to inspire a generation and (if you wish) free training accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management to boost your CV. The Beaver motto is ‘make friends and have fun’ and that’s a really good description of my experience.

If you’re interested please email me, Kerry, on MeadowCovertScoutGroup@googlemail.com Just Friends West Bridgford is a very friendly club for anyone aged 55 + who is lively minded and unattached. Club night is on the last Thursday of every month at 8pm in a private upstairs room at The Wolds pub next to ASDA. 25+ varied events each month. Check out our website www.justfriendswestbridgford.wordpress.com or contact Lillian 8462225 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 The Edwalton, Gamston and District U3A is going from strength to strength. It has a steadily growing number, with new members at every meeting and is currently approaching 100 - not bad considering it only opened this autumn.

There are interest groups set up in a wide range of subjects - art appreciation, bird watching, bridge, crafts, creative writing, gardening, history, IT, meditation, music appreciation, photography, poetry, scrabble and walks (2-3 miles and 4-7 miles). Some are established and meet regularly, some are starting in the new year. Wine tasting is another group setting.

No expertise required. You can learn together the U3A way and if there is an interest not covered, then create your own.

If you would like to join or if there is an interest group that appeals contact secretary1egdu3a@outlook.com or call/text 07581400419.

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JLH Joinery All types of joinery including Doors Floors Roofing Kitchen fitting Decking and more Free quotations We supply and fit internal doors from £60 each

Contact Jack on 01159728343/07961743466 jack@jlhjoinery.co.uk www.jlhjoinery.co.uk

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Spotlight Magazine

The Art Of Wallpaper

o along to any DIY store or specialist G decorating shop and you will see lots of different types of wall coverings, but how did they originate?

The first type of paper was introduced in Egypt around 4000 BC and was called papyrus. It was from about 200 BC that the Chinese started to put glued rice paper onto their walls, and around 105AD that they began to make paper from textile waste.

Knowledge spread from the Chinese to the Middle East via prisoners in the eighth century. It took until the twelfth century for papermaking to reach Europe.

English manufacturing methods became world famous, and in the eighteenth century wallpapers from London workshops were highly sought after. Initially, hand painted papers imitated architectural details or materials like marble and stucco, but eventually other patterns emerged.

The 1920’s are known as the Golden Age of Wallpaper as some 400 million rolls were sold during that period. The industry was revolutionized after WW2 when plastic resins were added to make wallpapers stain resistant, washable, and more durable.

over dark paint or wallpaper. It won’t be as noticeable if the wallpaper fails to align exactly at the top.

4. Use a special plumb bob to get paper straight.

5. Your first strip should be about four inches longer than the height of the wall.

Strips after that should be at least two inches longer top and bottom and may need to be more to ensure a pattern match.

6. Turn off the power before papering around switches and receptacles. Remove cover plates and paper over them. Then make a diagonal slit from opposite corners.

Trim away the triangular flaps and replace the cover plate.

7. Double check newly hung strips for bubbles and seam matches.

8. Use a sponge to wipe excess adhesive and rinse the sponge often.

9. Use a sharp utility knife to trim paper 10. A special paste is needed to hang a

Whilst the popularity of wallpaper has ebbed and flowed in the intervening years, there is now more variety than ever and a wide price range. The choice of wallpaper can affect the mood and style of a room and can influences the selection of furnishing.

To get the best effect from any paper however, it is important to hang it correctly, so we have ‘pasted’ some great tips below.

Ten Top Wallpaper Tips 1. Make sure all your paper has the same lot number so that it matches.

2. Use a lining paper to prevent the top paper from creasing or stretching and help the paste to dry faster.

3. Apply a one-inch stripe of white paint along the top of the wall before papering

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Index Of Advertisers

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