Spotlight Magazine for West Bridgford, Nottingham December 2014

sp tlightOn ISSUE 68 December 2014

West Bridgford

month es and Businesses each Delivered to 6,000 Hom y and West Bridgford in Edwalton, Lady Ba Inside this issue: • Toys For Boys • Party Politics • Keep It Real • Retro Sweets • Take Action • Business Focus • Puzzles • Your Community Info • What’s On Guide

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Spotlight Magazine

Contents

Toys For Boys 6 Party Politics 8 Keeping It Real 10 Investment Sense 12 Christmas Recipe 14 Retro Sweets 16 Take Action 18 Puzzle Pages 20 Events Calendar 22 Local Info 24 Garden View 26 Buying Jewellery 27 A Good Read 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

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Well it is upon us at last and I imagine the ultra organised among us will have had all of their presents and cards bought, wrapped and written by the end of the last January sales!

While the last minute brigade, myself included, will soon be engaged in a frenetic shopping spree, buying totally unsuitable, over priced gifts; which will inevitably end up at either a car boot sale or re-gifted before Easter.

Whichever one you are, here’s hoping you have a great christmas!

Spotlight magazine is delivered to 6,000 homes and businesses in the 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

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Spotlight Magazine

M

Toys For Boys

y sister and I grew up with an older brother and we thought nothing of spending Saturday afternoons sprawled on the living room carpet, constructing items out of his beloved Lego.

His creations were always more ambitious and sophisticated than ours of course – windmills and tractors and mansions with masses of rooms compared with our rather mundane boxlike structures.

Occasionally we would ditch the Lego for a session on his Scalextric racing set. We hadn’t a hope of winning, but we certainly enjoyed trying!

It never once occurred to me that I was playing with ‘boy toys’ which is maybe why, when I became mother to four daughters, I happily bought them their own sets of Lego along with other ‘boyish’ toys such as remote control cars, science sets and basketball nets (they had their fair share of dolls, prams and jewellery kits too!).

Like it or not, the society we live in stereotypes children according to their gender. Manufacturers influence their choice of toys with labels identifying items such as dolls and tea sets as ‘girl toys’ in their pretty pink packaging, and cars and construction sets as ‘boy toys’ in their predominantly blue wrappers.

There is evidence to suggest that girls and boys do naturally select different types of toys.

Experiments conducted on primates concluded that male monkeys were drawn

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to boy-toys like cars whilst female monkeys preferred girl-toys like dolls.

There are various explanations about why boys and girls have different toy preferences. One theory suggests it is due to testosterone levels, whilst another attributes it to the way the brains are ‘differently-wired’, and there’s no doubt that nurture and socialisation also play a part.

Regardless of the reason, the consensus of opinion is that if children are offered a wide range of toys and experiences, they will develop into more rounded individuals with an expanded range of thinking and skills.

Just as playing with girl-toys like dolls and tea sets fosters the development of verbal and social skills that might be useful to the male population, playing with boy-toys like cars can help girls with the acquisition of spatial skills.

Other ‘boy-toys’ like science sets, Lego, Meccano and K’nex help develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills of which there is currently a shortage in the UK workforce - and why shouldn’t girls develop these just as much as their male counterparts?!

Some may argue – and I’m probably one of them – that at the end of the day whether male or female, children will be children and will naturally choose the toys that interest them the most.

The important thing is to at least give them that choice!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

M

Party Politics

any of us look forward to celebrating Christmas with our work colleagues.

It’s a chance to get out of the office and have a bit of fun. But for some employees the morning after is full of embarrassment and regret. Your behaviour at such events could seriously damage your career.

Equally, if handled correctly you can also do a lot of good for your career at the annual festivities. So here are a few tips to help you be remembered for all the right reasons: Always attendwhilst you may think not attending is the safest option, it is best to go along even if it’s for just a short while as this demonstrates your willingness to be part of a team.

Dress appropriately- you may be excited by the opportunity to get out of your work attire but remember that you are still with work colleagues and probably your boss.

Where you are going will have an impact on how you dress but whatever the venue its best to avoid clothing that is overtly sexual.

At many parties there will be alcohol and it can be tempting to over indulge, especially if the boss is paying. But it’s best to drink in moderation and alternate alcohol with water. If you feel you may be getting a little too relaxed opt for soft drinks. Remember to eat well to soak up the alcohol.

relationships with colleagues from other departments, or those you’d like to impress but don’t usually get chance to speak to, so do circulate.

Don’t be boring by talking about nothing but work however. Usually some general conversation about holidays, families and hobbies will suffice and can stand you in good stead when you need to get these people on side for your next work deal.

Don’t be tempted to be drawn into gossip or talk about others or the organisations latest ideas in a negative way.

You never know who’s standing behind you. Of course don’t swear, be impolite or vulgar.

It may be that you have fancied one of your colleagues for months (or they become irresistibly attractive once you’ve had a few drinks), but insisting that they join you under the mistletoe or showing them your best Dirty Dance moves is not advisable.

These could lead to public humiliation at the event and years of teasing and having to avoid a ‘certain someone’.

It is possible to have fun at an office party, but for your careers sake, remember everything in moderation!

By Susan Brookes-Morris

Do socialise and chat to lots of people at the party. It can be a good time to build

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Project2.qxp_Layout 1 10/04/2014 14:36 Page 1

Spotlight Magazine

P L A S T E R I N G

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Spotlight Magazine

I

Keeping It Real

live in a house that is divided. My husband loves real Christmas trees but in recent years I’ve talked him around to the artificial option, believing – incorrectly as it turns out – that a reusable tree is better for the planet than one that is chopped down and discarded after a few weeks.

Most artificial trees are made from PVC – one of the most non-renewable, polluting, unrecyclable materials around - and consequently their carbon footprint is ten times greater than that of real ones.

Shocked into realising that my fake tree is not the morally correct choice I thought, I’m now keen to join the six million Brits who opt for a real tree at Christmas.

Christmas trees spring up all over the place from late November and the quality varies greatly. Before you make your choice, do a bit of fact finding about its freshness.

Ask where it was grown (UK produced trees are likely to be fresher), how long it has been in stock and when it was cut.

You can carry out a couple of tests yourself. Give the tree a firm tap on the ground or run a closed hand over its branches. If lots of needles fall off, chances are it’s not that fresh. You can also try bending the outer branches. They should be pliable - not brittle and dry – without discoloration.

your tree. The three main species – spruce, fir and pine – all have their own characteristics. Spruces and firs have short needles whilst a pine’s are long.

Pine branches tend to bend, making them unsuitable for heavier ornaments. Firs have lush branches and ornaments sometimes get lost in them.

The traditional British Christmas tree, the Norway spruce, is attractive but tends to drop its needles. An alternative is a “nondrop” variety like the popular Nordmann fir, which will last longer but is more expensive.

To care for your tree, cut off half an inch from the base of the trunk and place in a water-holding stand. Position the tree away from sources of heat and keep it topped up with fresh water.

At present, 90% of real trees end up in landfill, so after Christmas is over try and recycle! By turning your tree into wood chippings or compost you will continue to do your bit for the environment.

Hopefully with this guide choosing the family tree will be a holiday highlight, not a headache!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Before leaving to make your purchase, measure the height and width of your space and take a tape measure with you to check your tree. Most are trimmed to an 80% taper, which means that a 10 foot tall tree will measure 8 feet at the bottom.

You should also consider how you plan on decorating

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Spotlight Magazine

What is the Winter Solstice?

I

n the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs when the ‘top half’ of the Earth tilts away from the Sun at its most extreme angle. This gives us the longest night and shortest day of the year. It normally falls on 21 December, and from this point on, the days will begin to lengthen until the Summer Solstice on 21 June.

The ancient Romans had a seven-day festival called Saturnalia, when everything would be reversed – men would dress as women and masters dressed as servants.

People decorated their houses with greenery, lit candles and gave presents.

Celtic druids gave pieces of mistletoe as a blessing.

They also began the tradition of the Yule log, which was burned to conquer the darkness and bring luck for the year ahead.

The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin phrase for ‘sun stands still’. This is because the sun appears to rise and set in the same two places for several days in a row.

Cultures through the ages have marked the Solstice and celebrated the triumph of light over dark.

Massive prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge were built to align with the Winter Solstice sunrise.

Many people celebrate the Solstice today, and it’s interesting to see how many of the customs have become part of our Christmas festivities.

By Alex Albrighton

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Spotlight Magazine

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Spotlight Magazine

Christmas Recipe

Cranberry Bread and Butter Pudding

of bread then sprinkle a few cranberries over the top.

Serves 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes (plus resting time)

Pour the egg mixture over everything and let the pudding rest for at least 2 hours (or overnight in the fridge).

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Preheat the oven to 180C or gas mark 4.

Sprinkle the finished pudding with soft brown sugar and place in the oven for 45 minutes.

Ingredients 1oz / 25 g dried cranberries 100ml Cranberry juice 2 tsp sugar 4 eggs 450ml / 16floz milk 450ml / 16floz single cream (you can use all milk if you prefer) 2oz / 50g sugar grated rind of 1 orange 2oz / 50 g butter 1 loaf bread (at least a day old, sliced into thick cubes) Soft brown sugar for sprinkling over

This is lovely served with crème fraîche or custard.

The perfect sweet for any time over the festive period.

Method Poach the dried cranberries in the cranberry juice with 2 tsp sugar. Reduce the mixture down until it thickens and becomes a little jammy.

Place it on one side to cool.

In a separate dish beat together the milk, cream (if using) and eggs, and then stir in the sugar and grated orange rind.

Butter the bread on both sides and place into a buttered dish, alternating layers of bread with layers of cranberry. Finish with a layer

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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

T

Retro Sweets

his Christmas why not take your loved ones back to their happy childhooddays by buying them some retro sweets.

Lots of treats fro yesteryear are have become available again, and you can buy them in all shapes and sizes from single items to whole boxes of your favourites, and some that are gift packaged in hampers or used to create tree or flower designs.

Many of us will remember sweets such as Space Dust, Black Jacks, Flying Saucers, Refreshers, Sugar Mice, Parma Violets, Midget Gems, Wham Bars and TrafficLight Lollies- and I could go on to name many more.

For me it was a Friday treat to have 10p to spend and select carefully ‘one of those and one of those etc’ which the assistant would then place into a little white paper bag and hand over to me. I would then joyfully savour them as I walked home from school taking ages to decide in which order I’d eat them.

Such retro sweets have also become firm favourites at weddings, where special candy carts are sometimes set up for guests to enjoy.

So if you are old enough to remember when Snickers used to be called Marathon, chances are your friends and family are also of the right era to enjoy a Sherbet Dip liquorice stick or some Fruit Salad chews.

Why not take them back to their carefree days, pop in to an old fashioned sweet shop and tick another present off the shopping list.

You could also arouse the interest of your younger relatives too, who won’t familiar with these sweets but are sure to find them as delightful as we did.

Behind those items, all laid out in small trays on the counter, were shelves crammed with tall glass jars, containing items such as Pear Drops, Bon-Bons, Pineapple Cubes and Cherry Lips, all of which were more commonly bought by the quarter.

There are now many shops with these layouts again, selling retro sweets.

These range from tiny independents to chains that have many branches across the country.

They all create a sense of nostalgia, and I’ve watched grown ups get such joy in once again telling the assistant ‘I’d like one of those and one of those etc.’ They are even known to whoop with delight when they find an old favourite again for the first time.

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Spotlight Magazine

Learn To Play The Guitar

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Spotlight Magazine

Shamshad Walker Marketing Win more business and increase your profits through effective affordable marketing

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Who We Help 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Owners Tenants Landlords Property Managers Estate Agents Offices Bars/Restaurants

What We Do 3 3 3 3 3 3

Electrical Plumbing Decorating Assembly Gardens Everything Else!

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Spotlight Magazine

Prevention is better than ‘cure’

Did you know that the vitamins you take probably every day, are virtually useless without minerals!

Did you also know that if you take these minerals you could prevent many illnesses like arthritis, prostate problems, low sex drive, type two diabetes & high blood pressure, even high cholesterol can all be things of the past!

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Spotlight Magazine

Puzzle Page

Christmas Crossword Clues Across 1 Traditional Festive drink - rum __(5) 3 Striped confectionary - __canes (5) 6 Mary gave ___in a stable (5) 7 Festive colour (3) 8 Given by 12 down (4) 10 Christmas lunch - ___turkey (5) 12 12 Down came to ___the baby (7) 14 City where King Herod lived (9) 16 Also given by 12 Down (5) 17 Christmas trees are usually this type(3) 18 Mary was told her ____would be the son of God (4) 19 Christmas Carol - The First __ (4) 20 Christmas Carol - Oh ___ Night (4) Down 1 US festive treat Pumpkin ___ (3) 2 Christmas song When a _____ is Born (5) 3 25th December! (9,3) 4 ____ log (4) 5 12 Down followed a ____ (4) 9 The ____sent an angel to Mary (4) 11 Might be cranberry or bread (5) 12 There were three of them (4,3) 13 Fortified ___, drunk after dinner (4) 15 Greeting - _____Christmas! (5)

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Quick Crossword

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Spotlight Magazine Word Search Word List Belle Bob Cratchit Charles Past Dickens Present Ebenezer Scrooge Fan Tiny Tim Fezziwig Want Fred Yet to Come Ghosts Humbug Ignorance Jacob Marley Martha Michael Caine Miser Money Mrs. Cratchit Mrs. Dilber Muppets Nephew Old Joe Visit our website for more puzzles online www.spotlightlocal.co.uk/puzzles

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Spotlight Magazine

Local Events Guide Powered By:

West Bridgford Online

Your local website

Richie Muir – Southbank Friday 5th December Martin Taylor (Irish, Country & Folk Night) – DJ Fever – Fire & Ice Trent Navigation Roy Stone – Monkey Tree Friday 19th December Joe Strange Band – Riverbank DJ Fever – Fire & Ice One Stop / DJ Marriott – Southbank Roy Stone – Monkey Tree The Notorious Dawson Brothers – Trent Joe Strange Band – Riverbank Navigation The Money / DJ Marriott – Southbank Ultra Lounge with Barry Lee and Gaynor Shinkicker – Trent Navigation Smith – Yumacha Saturday Sons – Yumacha Saturday 6th December Saturday 20th December DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice Deja Groove – Riverbank LICK / DJ Marriott – Southbank Urban Intro / DJ Marriott – Southbank Dr Comfort and The Lurid Revelations – Red Snappers – Trent Navigation Trent Navigation Sunday 7th December Funkified – Riverbank Ben Hickling – Copper Sunday 21st December Kit Mason (Sarah) – Escabeche Fran & Jono – Escabeche Monday 8th December Bob Wilmott – Copper ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Monday 22nd December Thursday 11th December ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Richie Muir – Southbank Wednesday 24th December Martin Taylor (Irish, Country & Folk Night) – Ben Hickling Band / DJ Marriott – Trent Navigation Southbank Friday 12th December DJ Docta D – Pearl DJ Fever – Fire & Ice Friday 26th December Roy Stone – Monkey Tree Wild Wood / DJ Marriott – Southbank Joe Strange Band – Riverbank Steve McGill – Yumacha Dino Baptiste / DJ Marriott – Southbank Saturday 27th December Frank Statesborough – Trent Navigation DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice Saturday Sons – Yumacha Wild Wood / DJ Marriott – Southbank Saturday 13th December Sunday 28th December DJ Funky Monkey – Fire & Ice Fran & Jono – Escabeche Amber Jack / DJ Marriott – Southbank Baron Lewis – Copper Terrafish – Trent Navigation Monday 29th December Solid Soul – Riverbank ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Sunday 14th December Tuesday 30th December Kezia Gill – Escabeche Deja Groove – Riverbank Roland Burgandy – Copper Wednesday 31st December Monday 15th December Kit Mason (Sarah) – Escabeche ‘On The Ball’ football quiz – Southbank Wild Wood / Urban Intro / DJ Marriott – Thursday 18th December 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

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 a free composite door?

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 CAVE at THE BRIT & THE BOAT CLUB TRENTSIDE

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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 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 Poppy Folk Club Sunday 14th December is our Christmas Party night when it the chance for some of our regulars to take the stage, and we’ll end the evening with some traditional village carols.

For more information contact Phil & Julie 0115 9812861. email phil@poppyfolkclub.co.uk.

Friends of the Hook JUMBLE SALE. 31st January 2015. 10.30 am.

At All Hallows’ Halls, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay, West Bridgford, Nottingham. NG2 5BP. Admission 20p.

Lady Bay is on bus routes 11, 22 and 23 For further information about FrOTH, visit www.friendsofthehook.org.uk

Wilford Karate school - Nottingham Emmanuel School We teach traditional Shotokan Karate for ages 7 through to adults. Our club is part of a world wide federation and offers the unique opportunity to train under Master Asano Hanshi, 9th Dan. All abilities 7yrs + Mon 7-8pm and Thu 7:30-8:30pm Brown and Black belts (Honbu) Tue 7:30-8:30pm Visit our webpage - www.karate-nottingham.com or email us on wilfordski@gmail.com The South Notts Flower Club The next meeting of The South Notts Flower Club is Tuesday 13th January from 7.30pm at Edwalton Church Hall, Wellin Lane, Edwalton NG12 4AP. The title of the meeting is “Out of Africa” demonstrated

by Shirley Henderson from Market Harborough.

Visitors are welcome. £5.00 to include refreshments.

Contact Gail for more details Tel. 01159822070.

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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Radcliffe Sword Club Learn the exciting modern Olympic sport of fencing with Radcliffe Sword Club, meeting at the main sports hall, Clifton Leisure Centre, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, NG11 8AB. Juniors (aged 9-14): Tuesday 18:30-20:00; Adults (15+) : Tuesday 20:00-22:00 and Wednesday 20:00-22:00 West Bridgford WI Monday 22nd september. West Bridgford WI will be holding their meeting at St Paul’s Church Hall, Boundary Road when the talk will be “Delightful Daisies” by Andrew Ward. Doors open at 7.15pm and new members are always welcome.

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 Lady Bay Karate Club classes in traditional shotokan karate by fully qualified coach with over 30 years experience, at the scout headquarters,mona road, lady bay. every friday from 7.00 p.m. -8.00 p.m.we welcome everyone from 10 years to adults who wishes to learn what this fascinating art has to offer. especially suited for the more mature person ,non -competitive, by mature coach with emphasis on the developement of the individual. further details please contact. chris, on 01159821161, email, kokoro@tiscali.co.uk

MODERN LINEDANCING CLASSES:- Daytime and Evenings Held in West Bridgford, Radcliffe on Trent, Plumtree (also Bakersfield and Stapleford) Suitable for Beginners, Improvers and Intermediate Levels. For further information please contact Pat on 0115 9140673.

Friends of Bridgford Park need volunteers of all ages to help keep our truly beautiful amenity in really good condition. The Friends plant, clear wooded areas, help all wildlife survive and increase. So we need people from all walks of life to join us Interested? Please contact Linda on 9819146 or Lorraine on 9816646 WEST BRIDGFORD ADVICE CENTRE is open every Wednesday morning from 9-30am to 12-30pm. at St Giles’ Church Hall, Stratford Rd, West Bridgford NG2

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Get Crafty Kids!

very Christmas as a child I received a new colouring book and set of crayons with which I spent many happy hours sprawled on the living room floor colouring in the pictures. As the years progressed, the colouring book was replaced with a series of craft sets, and I remember one year spending ages knitting an extremely long scarf!

Crafting helps children to develop their imagination, express themselves and explore new ideas or concepts. The creative process brings feelings of satisfaction and pleasure, and builds children’s confidence in their ability to make their own decisions and choices.

Crafting is a great way to learn how to solve problems, follow directions and develop skills such as cutting, measuring,

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gluing and sewing. It can also give family members the chance to spend quality time together in a shared activity.

Christmas offers children the opportunity to hand make gifts for friends and family members. From home-baked treats to a painted plant pot or a decorated photo frame, there is no end to the possibilities.

Craft sets also make ideal stocking fillers and promise hours of entertainment.

Loom bands are extremely popular right now, knitting is enjoying a revival, finger puppets are always lots of fun and cardmaking, jewellery kits and scrap books are guaranteed winners. You could also consider science and modelling kits.

Have fun getting crafty this Christmas!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Garden View

ong before the introduction of central heating and other luxuries of the 21st century, people required greater faith that they would safely survive the harsh upcoming winter.

One such symbolic display of this hope was the beautiful Christmas wreath. Now creeping back in fashion and available in a number of guises, they can be found hanging on doorways, both inside and out, as a centrepiece on a table, and even hung on walls as decorations.

Although we may have lost the traditional reasoning behind displaying such garlands, I’m on a mission to bring them back … in whatever style suits your home.

The word ‘wreath’ is linked to the word ‘wrist’, both words describing the form of a continuous circular shape. Fuse this with ‘wrethe’ from middle English (meaning a twisted band or ring of leaves) and you have the wreath as we know it today.

The circular shape is symbolic of eternity, or everlasting life because it has no beginning or end.

In ancient Rome the symbol became a popular display of victory.

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.

At this bleak time of year, it’s wonderful to use evergreens and other

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brightly coloured flowers, foliage, or fruits to adorn your wreath. 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 had been taken down, the edible decorations would be eaten and the bounty of summer enjoyed in the depth of winter.

Making your own wreath is fun and easy, and can vary from a simple and cheap evergreen circle to an elaborate bauble ring. For those who like a quick and easy option, simply buy a circle of oasis and soak it in tepid water, before sticking in sprigs of evergreen foliage from the garden, flowers, berries, dried fruits, nuts, and bows.

If you have more time why not make your own base by taking a ring of string wire and covering it in moss or hay, holding it in place using thinner gauge wire, then wiring in the foliage and decorations.

Be aware though that holly wreaths are tricky and gloves should be worn!

The Americans seem to be leading the way in the contemporary wreath, so why not try something a little different this year such as a circle of pine cones, dried leaves, dried sweetcorn cobs, pussy willow or even a ring of astroturf!

Merry Christmas.

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Buying Her Jewellery?

Read Our Guide to Get it Right!

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iamonds are a girl’s best friend right? Well maybe but some women don’t actually wear or even like this sort of jewellery. So how do you get it right?

Rule one - Look at the jewellery she wears every day. If she always wears a fine gold chain and locket and discrete earrings then she’s probably not going to want a chunky plastic bangle no matter how ‘current’ the style. Likewise if she always wears chunky costume jewellery in bright colours it’s highly unlikely she’ll covet a dainty pearl bracelet.

Rule two - Look at the colour palate she normally wears. The funky pink necklace might be the right style but if she usually

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wears browns and greens she might not have anything to wear it with so make sure colours tone with her wardrobe.

If you want to buy precious jewellery look at her natural colouring. Silver haired women look great in silver, platinum or white gold, as do dark skinned women. Blondes look beautiful in warmer gold tones.

Rule three - Consider her build. Petite women suit fine chains and tiny stones whereas those who are larger need a statement piece of jewellery which won’t accentuate their size.

Choose carefully and she’ll be overwhelmed at your thoughtfulness. You’ll guarantee her a very happy Christmas indeed.

By Louise Addison

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Spotlight Magazine

Raw Spirit – Iain Banks

A Good Read

Subtitled ‘In Search of the Perfect Dram’, this book is the story of Iain Banks’ journey around Scotland, visiting as many single malt whisky distilleries as he can and tasting as many types as possible: surely every whisky lover’s dream holiday.

At first Iain Banks can’t believe that a publisher really wants him to undertake the task of visiting all of Scotland’s distilleries – there are around a hundred of them, not including those which have closed. Then he begins to realise what an opportunity it is.

So, accompanied by various friends and relations, he sets off – stipulating only that he can drive himself and can stop off at home several times to return the spoils of his visits in the shape of as many bottles of single malt as he can carry.

From the ‘tourist traps’ of Glenfiddich to the smaller operations like Aberfeldy, he takes us on a journey through the world of whisky.

Banks’ style is humorous and engaging throughout, from the first visit to Islay to his final trip to Oban. This is what makes this much more than a tasting guide – in fact, it’s as much a travel book for his beloved Scotland and includes a fair smattering of autobiography, too.

If you’re a lover of Uisgebaugh then you may or may not agree with his choice of the perfect dram, but you’ll certainly have fun comparing notes. And, if whisky isn’t your thing then there’s enough scenery, humour and even political comment to keep your interest throughout. The perfect Christmas gift for a whisky-lover.

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Orange Pear Apple Bear Monkey and Me Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears All by Emily Gravett With simple text and charming illustrations, there is an Emily Gravett book to suit all ages.

Orange Pear Apple Bear is beautifully simple, with a different permutation of the title on every page, and will provoke big laughs from babies (Apple Bear is the current favourite in our house). Available as a sturdy board book, it can be revisited again and again.

Monkey and Me is well suited to toddlers who will identify with the main character as, along with her toy monkey, she goes to see all kinds of animals.

The simple repetition in the text will have little ones ‘reading’ along and anticipating the revelation on the next page – perfect for reading aloud.

Finally, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, is an award-winning book, which is ideal for slightly older readers.

Each page details a different one of Little Mouse’s fears, encouraging children to talk about why they might be frightened of things like the dark or monsters under the bed.

The real delight here is the multi-layered illustrations, with chewed pages (aided by real mice!) notes, scribbles and annotations. This, and the others above, deserve to become modern classics.

By Kath Bennett

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How To Choose A Turkey

e all want our Christmas dinner to be special and a meal to remember for the right reasons! So how can you make sure that your bird is the best choice?

First take the time to buy your meat from a source you trust. You might prefer a trusted butcher, farm shop or mail order company.

Knowing how your meat has been reared and where it came from can help you determine the likely quality of the meat.

Usually higher quality comes from younger animals that are subject to greater welfare standards. Of course prices will also reflect this so battery-reared birds will be much cheaper than those which have been subject to a mainly organic diet and freeroaming.

Consider carefully the size of the bird you require. General recommendations allow around half a pound or 225 g per person for boneless meat and three quarters of a pound or 340g per person for meat with a bone in. Of course appetites vary and you may want to buy larger deliberately, in order to have enough for leftovers.

Choose well and enjoy your Christmas Dinner!

By Susan Brookes-Morris

Look for birds with unblemished skin, and if buying fresh check whether they will be dressed or whether you will need to do additional preparation.

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