A Free local newspaper for West Bridgford Nottingham. November 2018 by david clark

West Bridgford ISSUE 115 November 2018

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The Perfect Winter Coat Tips On How To Choose the Perfect Winter Coat A winter coat is one of life’s bigger clothing investments, so it makes sense to be fully informed and have a plan before hitting the shops (or the internet!). The first thing to look at is your lifestyle. Imagine someone who travels by car and parks outside their place of work every day, but who likes to go for country walks with their dog at the weekend. Then imagine someone who waits for a bus or a train every day and has a half mile walk at either end of their commute. They will have different demand from their winter coats. In the UK winters vary from mild to extreme but one thing is certain…it will rain! A waterproof outer shell is a musthave for any winter coat. Look for ‘water resistant’ on the label. Don’t rule-out a proper wool coat; a somewhat unsung property of wool is its water-resistance. Beware though: many coats which purport to be ‘wool’ are a wool blend with only about 20% wool fibres.

These will be less resistant to a downpour; more likely to make you sweat and smell a bit fusty after a while. Look at how well insulated the coat is. Proper wool coats are naturally warm and feel luxurious. Among other types of coat insulation is a choice of down or synthetic fibres. Down is a classic, natural insulator. It is incredibly lightweight though less good for very wet weather. If you plan to walk a lot in all weathers it may not be the right choice. Synthetic insulation holds up better against moisture but won’t retain its insulating properties for as long as down. Check all zips and cuffs are made from high quality material that will last. Double zips or a zip and Velcro-flap combination create added warmth. Cuffs should be cosy around the wrists so that no drafts can get in. Once you’ve found a coat you like, examine it to make sure it really is high quality. Make sure all the seams are secure and there are no holes where insulation is escaping.

There are many super-stylish winter coats around, but never sacrifice comfort and warmth for style as you will regret it on the coldest wettest days. For example, check that you can wear layers, or a thick jumper under the coat. I’ve found many ‘fashion’ coats have arms which are too skinny to allow for a jumper and thus restrict your movement and / or blood-flow! Finally think creatively. In our first hypothetical example the person might prefer a light warm wool jacket for commuting by car to work, but a thick full-length downinsulated coat for country walks at the weekend. OR, they might prefer to buy a jacket with a lining that can be removed and worn separately as a jacket in its own right for car journeys, then with the waterproof outer layer at weekends.

If your budget is tight try searching through charity shops or factory shops. There are some amazing bargains to be found from heavy pure wool overcoats to branded hiking wear. Stay warm this winter. By Tracey Anderson

Pure Air - Do You Need An Air Purifier? What you need to know about air-purifiers Do you suffer with allergies? Are you particularly sensitive to chemical smells from cleaning fluids or detergents? Do you live on a busy road and worry about pollution levels? You might benefit from an air-purifier. Indoor air pollutants fall into three main categories: Particles For example: dust, pollen, and pet dander. Microorganisms and bioaerosols For example: dust mites, viruses, bacteria, mould spores, fungi. Chemical vapours and odours. For example: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odours, smoke and perfumes, including those given off by cleaning products, and cooking smells.

miracle replacement for keeping your home clean and ventilating it when possible. The most effective way to manage pollutants in your air is still to avoid introducing them in the first place. Preventive measures like not smoking indoors, vacuuming regularly, including upholstery, allowing fresh air in on occasion and keeping solid surfaces sanitized are still the best ways to combat indoor air issues. Air purifiers remove pollutants from the air using one of three methods: filtration, electrostatic precipitation and ionizing. Ionizing air-purifiers work by causing particles to attach to surfaces or to each other and settle out of the air, but they are not recommended for asthma sufferers as they produce ozone which can trigger an attack. Using a filter-based air purifier is considered the healthiest and most effective option.

Air purifiers work to filter these contaminants out of your air. Anyone sensitive to allergens or with asthma might benefit from an air purifier.

The most effective form of air filtration is a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorber) filter.

Unfortunately, an air purifier isn’t a

Models with filters suck in your home’s

air and move it through the filter with a circulating fan. When the air moves through each filter, any pollutants and particles are caught in the filter. The clean air is then pushed back out into your space. HEPA filters do a better job here than a standard filter because they can catch finer particles. Air purifiers vary hugely in price. The major difference is typically the quality of the air or how big an area it can purify effectively.

The higher the CADR, the more quickly the air purifier can filter your air. You might also see MERV, which stands for ‘minimum efficiency reporting value’ where the lowest rating is 1 and the highest is 20. HEPA filters rate between 17 and 20. Lastly, give your home a thorough deep clean before purchasing and installing an air-purifier, to give it the best chance of providing relief. By Louise Addison

Most models are designed to sit on the floor, but you can find table-top or wallmounted designs. You will need a model big enough for your room but bear in mind that the bigger the model the more energyintensive it will be. CADR on an air purifier label stands for ‘clean air delivery rate and is a measure of how quickly the purifier can deliver clean air.

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Instruments In School Why Children Should Learn an Instrument Music is an important part of life – nearly everyone enjoys listening to it. Yet relatively few of us have the ability to create it. Scientists say that children who play an instrument do better academically than those who don’t. It can benefit their reading age because it enhances comprehension skills. Learning to understand beat, rhythm and scales improves their maths skills as children learn how to divide, create fractions and recognise patterns. Listening to pitch, rhythm and tempo helps to sharpen their concentration and using mnemonic devices to learn musical patterns can improve memory. Co-ordination and motor skills are also developed as a child learns to convert written notes to movement of hands, arms and feet. This improved co-ordination and timing can benefit children in other hobbies such as dance and sports. Children who learn as part of a group cultivate social skills as they interact with other class members. They learn to wait patiently for their turn, and show respect for others. It’s also a chance to make friends, especially if they play in a band or orchestra. Mastering an instrument and achieving goals takes months or even years. Perseverance and patience are useful qualities developed along the way, as is self-confidence which grows further if they go on to perform in public.

their time to ensure that practice is done regularly helps them develop organisational skills. Finally, learning about and playing a musical instrument can help children discover the role of music in other cultures, and this familiarity from an early age helps foster openmindedness about worlds and traditions beyond the ones they know. If your child shows an interest in learning an instrument, be sure to choose one that excites them (my daughter was horrified to be presented with a cello when what she coveted was a clarinet). Select an instrument that suits their ability and temperament, and make sure it produces a sound that you can tolerate for hours as you listen to them practise (I have memories of my mum banishing me to the furthest corner of the house because she couldn’t bear the sound of me screeching on the violin!). I was nine when my parents found me a piano teacher, and even though the road has not always been smooth, I am forever grateful to them for taking this decision, as I consider myself amongst the privileged few who have had the opportunity to learn an instrument and enjoy the benefits this brings.

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A Good Read Professor Stewart’s Casebook of Mathematical Mysteries by Ian Stewart

Harvesting Dreams: Hundertwasser for Kids Barbara Stieff

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You may never have heard of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, but he was an eccentric artist, humanitarian, environmentalist and architect. He dedicated his life to the beautification of the world in which we live. In this colourful, quirky book Barbara Stieff introduces children to Hundertwasser’s free-thinking, inspirational approach to art and the environment. There is something about Hundertwasser’s vibrant, exciting work which appeals to children and adults alike. Most children enjoy colouring and love bright colours but often become bogged down with making things look ‘right’ rather than developing their own creative style. Like its wildly popular predecessors Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities and Hoard of Mathematical Treasures, Professor Stewart’s third book is a miscellany of over 150 mathematical curios and conundrums. He manages the subtle balancing act of appealing to all. Those with a mathematical background will find much to enjoy but so will those whose abiding memory of school maths is counting the minutes until the endof-lesson bell. He does write about complicated things but in his hands it all becomes understandable and even fun. Casebook is packed full of humour. It follows the adventures of the hapless detective Hemlock Soames and his sidekick Dr John Watsup. By a remarkable coincidence they live at 222B Baker Street, just across the road from their more illustrious neighbour... who can never be mentioned by name. The book is designed to be read, and shared, in bite-sized chunks and it is the sharing aspect which makes this irresistible. You’ll just have to try out the number games and puzzles on members of your family and you won’t be able to stop yourself from sharing all the fascinating facts and tricks such as ‘The Case of the Face-Down Aces’, a mathematical magic trick of quite devilish cunning...

Ranging from one-liners to four-page investigations from the frontiers of mathematical research, the Casebook is Professor Stewart at his challenging and entertaining best.

Likewise, adults don’t always fully appreciate children’s imaginative artwork and gently admonish that cows are not pink with yellow stripes…when of course there’s no good reason why they shouldn’t be any colour at all in a painting.

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Stieff’s engaging and slightly off-thewall style suits the book. She spent many years as an art educator at ZOOM, a children’s museum in Vienna and it shows. The book is packed with fun projects and suggestions for stretching children’s imaginations in an artistic but also in a more general way. It is also lavishly illustrated with Hundertwasser’s work which makes it a beautiful decorative item in its own right; a fact of which Hundertwasser would certainly have approved.

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The Frenemy Does one of your friends always seem to undermine you? Do you feel vaguely uncomfortable in their presence and as though something is ‘off’? You might have a frenemy! Urban Dictionary describes a frenemy as an enemy disguised as a friend. They seem supportive, but their ulterior motive is to compete with or even humiliate you. Frenemies are clever and manipulative – but once you’re on to them, they’re fairly easy to spot. Frenemies are often the type who crave intimacy and want to be your ‘bestie’ five minutes after you meet. Real friends, on the other hand, tend to take their time getting to know you – and they don’t demand details or every intimate detail of your life. With a frenemy it’s all too much, too soon. Within hours of meeting you a frenemy will probably go into great detail about their life and expect you to reciprocate The problem is, this closer-than-close relationship turns sour if you don’t play along or won’t return the favour. A Frenemy may play the sympathy card: ‘I do so much for you but you’re

too selfish to spend the weekend with me / lend me £100 etc’ or they may turn on you suddenly, ‘Fine, don’t bother to call me EVER again.’ Real friends understand when you’re busy and don’t always expect you to drop everything for them. A frenemy’s most disturbing trait though is the ability to smile while making passive-aggressive insults and criticisms. If you call out her behaviour she pretends it’s a joke, leaving you feeling stupid and wrong-footed. Real friends may tease you but respect you and know when to stop. A frenemy zooms in on your insecurities. Instead of being sympathetic and supportive, they’ll slyly encourage you to feel worse. A real friend says, “I’m sorry you’re hurting. Here’s a hug and let’s go for coffee and cake.” Go with your gut. That nagging feeling which tells you something is wrong with the friendship? Listen to it. Trust your instincts and observe your “friend” carefully to see whether the behaviour is a one-off slip or part of a pattern of behaviour.

Of course, there’s the sticky issue of how to deal with a frenemy. The best way is to cut communication – reply to fewer texts and unfollow her on social media. If you are lucky the ‘friendship’ will taper off naturally. Unfortunately, some frenemies react to this by turning nasty, spreading rumours or trying to turn mutual friends against you. Don’t rise to the bait. It will be difficult but be scrupulous in your own behaviour; say nothing bad about her; remain calm and collected, but if she bullies or harasses you, keep screenshots or copies of everything.

If she confronts you, remain diplomatic. Say something like ‘We don’t seem to get on as well now, so I think taking a break is a positive step for both of us.’ Lastly, be a good friend to your other friends – show them that you’re a kind and decent human being. If others only ever see you being nice, they are unlikely to believe rumours, and if they do, you’re better off without them! By Sarah Davey

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Why Wear A Poppy? It’s over a century since more than nine million soldiers were killed during the First World War. The last of the veterans from that era are dead and many young people know little about the causes and devastating aftermath of the conflict. Many refuse to wear a poppy because they think it glorifies war. Perhaps it’s more important than ever that we discuss the poppy’s place in history. Much of the worst fighting in World War 1 took place in Flanders, the western part of Belgium. The area suffered terribly, with homes, farms, roads and trees all completely destroyed. The land became a bleak, muddy graveyard for the thousands of soldiers who fell there. One plant, however, thrived in the disturbed soil and that was the poppy. Year after year, as the warm weather arrived, the poppies bloomed and turned the grim bare ground into a sea of red. At that time, fighting in Flanders was

a young Lieutenant, Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician. In May 1915, his close friend and fellow soldier was killed in action. Seeing the poppies growing alongside his grave moved McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was later published in Punch magazine. The idea to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for dead soldiers came from an American professor and YWCA worker, Moina Michael, in 1918. She wrote a poem in reply to McCrae’s called ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ and started to sell silk poppies. The idea was adopted by the American Legion in 1920 and she became known as ‘The Poppy Lady’. In 1921, Anna E Guerin started making artificial poppies in France and gained the support of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion. The first poppy appeal was held on Armistice Day 1921. It was hugely popular and, despite a recommended selling price of threepence per poppy,

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single petals sold for £5. In all, the appeal raised £106,000 – that’s nearly £30 million in today’s terms!

Movement, and the first white poppies were sold by the Cooperative Women’s Guild in 1933.

In recent years some people have chosen to wear a white poppy, either instead of or alongside a traditional red one.

They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union, a British pacifist non-governmental organisation that works for a world without war.

White poppies symbolise pacifism and also remember the civilians killed in conflicts past and present, as well as the soldiers.

However you choose to wear your poppy this year I hope you now have a greater understanding of the interesting and complex story behind this iconic flower.

The idea is not a modern one as I originally assumed; it was initially put forward in 1926 by the No More War

By Sarah Davey

SAD Times As many as one in six people suffer with a low mood in Winter and a small number of these will suffer with the more serious Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) SAD sufferers are less able to control their serotonin levels in the absence of sunlight and if serotonin levels drop too low, so will your mood. Here are five ways to raise your serotonin levels even in the coldest, darkest months. Lighten up As lack of sunlight is the problem, more light could be a solution. Light boxes are available that provide levels of brightness which can elevate your brain’s serotonin levels. Exercise There’s evidence that aerobic exercise not only boosts your brain’s levels of serotonin but also keeps those levels elevated for hours after your workout. Laugh A study in Norway found that laughing with friends, watching a funny movie or doing something that briefly

Help Mansfields Homeless Give up your time to help Mansfield’s homeless community If you want to help Mansfield’s homeless community, one of the best ways is to give your time.

improves your mood may stoke your brain’s levels of serotonin. Step outside Research shows that walking in nature — especially with other people — is an effective way to combat depression. Spending at least 30 minutes a day outdoors even during the cold winter months may offset the seasonal drops in serotonin. Physical contact Massage has been proven to increase your brain and body’s levels of serotonin. The soothing experience significantly reduces the blues. By Louise Addison

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Mansfield’s Winter Night Shelter, which will be open seven nights a week from 1 December to the end of February, is looking for volunteers to support the staff who will work there during the night. Extra help is needed each evening from 8pm to 10pm to help set up and from 6am to 8am each morning to help tidy away. Duties could include signing people in, getting bedding ready and serving food and drinks. Mansfield District Council is working with local churches and Derby City Mission to expand the night shelter so it will be open for a total of 90 nights an increase from the 54 nights it was open last year. There are currently five venues confirmed to host the night shelter on a rota basis - The Stanhope Centre, The Beacon, Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church, Mansfield Baptist Church and St Mark’s Church. Volunteers don’t need any experience or qualifications as full training will be provided. Volunteers can attend one of two training sessions - on 8 November at the Baptist Church, Rosemary Street, at 6.30pm or 15 November at Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church at 6.30pm. To volunteer, call 07814541643 / 07983506037, email homelessenquiries@mansfield.gov.uk or just turn up to one of the sessions. One of last year’s volunteers, John, said: “All you need is a kind heart and a non-judgmental attitude.

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“It is a privilege to work alongside these people who are struggling, often through no fault of their own. They are the most courteous group of people you will ever meet and are very grateful for what we are doing for them and they appreciate all the facilities being provided.” John, who is planning to volunteer again this year, said: “You don’t need any experience and don’t have to commit to ten shifts a week but put it in your diary so people know you can be relied upon.” Cllr Barry Answer, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Mansfield District Council, said: “The night shelter is a very important part of the work we do for our street homeless all year round. “It allows us to work with some of the hardest to reach individuals in the district, giving them a safe, clean and warm place to sleep and hot food to eat in the coldest months. But more importantly they will be offered a wide range of help and support to get into housing and turn their lives around. “The difficulty is that not all of those who are homeless are willing to accept the help that is offered but that is their choice and we will continue to do all we can to support them.” In addition to the winter night shelter, the council’s specialist Outreach Workers are out on the district’s streets every week of the year actively looking for and trying to engage with rough sleepers to help them access the many services that are available. If you see someone who is homeless, please contact the Framework Street Outreach 24-hour hotline on 0800 066 5356, to ensure they are offered the necessary support.

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Save With A Service Why an annual boiler service is important. Sometimes we might wonder if it’s worth arranging a boiler service, especially if everything seems to be working fine. It’s one expense we can do without when Christmas is looming. Here are five reasons to book your service now.

How To Get To Wimbledon

IT SAVES THE ENVIRONMENT - If your boiler isn’t wasting energy your carbon footprint is reduced. IT SAVES ON REPAIR BILLS - That annual service to make sure your boiler is working correctly will save money on future repairs by letting the boiler engineer fix minor issues which might have caused significant problems later.

IT SAVES LIVES - A faulty boiler is dangerous. According to government statistics, each year in the UK, 50 adults and children die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; 200 are hospitalised and around 4,000 people end up in A&E with symptoms due to leaking boilers.

IT SAVES ON INSURANCE HASSLES Most boiler warranties and some home and business insurance policies require that you ensure your boiler is safe to use.

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No the answer isn’t practice, unless you have designs on the trophy of course! I’ve always been a fan of Wimbledon, and ever since my older brother came home from a school trip, excitedly describing his visit to Centre Court, I’ve had a dream to visit the championship myself. If a visit to Wimbledon is on your bucket list too, here’s what to do. There are four options. The first is the Public Ballot. To take part, send a SAE to AELTC, PO Box 98, London, SW19 5AE by 19th December latest and you will receive an application form. This needs to be returned by 31st December and grants you entry into the draw for a pair of tickets, but you can’t select which court or day you will visit. Successful entrants will be chosen by random by computer and will be notified by post. Once an offer of tickets has been received, you will need to pay for them online by debit or credit card.

Email: sargdec@live.co.uk

If you’re unsuccessful with the Public Ballot, all is not lost! You can still buy tickets online at Ticketmaster. Several hundred tickets for Centre Court and Court 3 go on sale one and two days before the day of play. They can sell out in seconds and are issued strictly on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of two tickets allowed per person. If you’re particularly gutsy, you could join The Queue. A limited number of tickets for Centre and Courts 1 and 2 can be purchased on the day, along with several thousand Grounds Passes for courts 3-18. The earlier you join the queue, the more likely you are to get the best tickets, so if it’s one of the show courts you’re after, don’t forget your tent! Finally, you could purchase a hospitality package. This is expensive but offers you the VIP treatment and would really make your visit a day to remember! For more information on how to plan your trip to Wimbledon, visit www. wimbledon.com. Maybe I’ll see you there?!

Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta

Garden View

Cover and cook for 6-10 mins, stirring occasionally until the pumpkin is soft, but not mushy.

Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 20 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients 3 tbsp olive oil 140g Pancetta or bacon, cut into cubes 1 Small onion, thinly sliced 25g Butter 500g/1lb 2oz Pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and diced 20g Fresh sage, finely shredded 400g Pasta (I used spaghetti) 25g Freshly grated parmesan Parmesan, plus extra to serve

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until it’s soft but with a little bite remaining. Drain and add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the Parmesan and season. Serve in pasta bowls sprinkled with extra Parmesan.

Leaf matter. Leaves matter!

Method Heat 1tbsp olive oil in a heavybased saucepan. When hot add the chopped pancetta or bacon, then cook for a few mins.

Oh, those autumn leaves. So pretty on the trees but they can be rather inconvenient in the garden.

Add remaining oil and the onion. Cook for 5 mins, until the onion becomes soft and the pancetta becomes crispy.

If they drift too deep on the lawn the grass underneath will die so there’s nothing to do but rake them up.

Stir in the butter until melted, then add the diced pumpkin or squash and the sage. Stir well to combine, then season well.

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As they slowly decompose, only the toughest bits remain, eventually forming crumbly, dark brown crumbs, a bit like chocolate sprinkles. Leaf mould is easy to make, a delight to handle, and you can’t possibly overfeed your soil with it. Micro-organisms are the driving factor, performing an alchemy that gives the finished product an almost magical quality. Its fibrous nature retains moisture and enables free drainage, which means it also makes a great mulch for trilliums or wood anemones, whose natural habitat is woodland.

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looking cared for. I also remove any that have drifted around my herb garden because herbs like to be able to breathe. These tasks alone give me enough leaves to create plenty of lovely leaf mould. If you have enough room, create a separate leaf heap rather than simply adding leaves to compost. It’s quite simple to construct a leaf cage using chicken wire and posts. You can even bag your leaves in punctured black bin bags and put them in an out-of-the-way corner. The puncturing is necessary to allow air to circulate. A leaf heap made this autumn will be ready by next autumn. While you’re tidying up the leaves it can be tempting to cut down faded perennials. But if you leave them, in a month or so you will find they have turned into wonderful sculptural winter skeletons which look incredibly beautiful in the frosts. It’s all down to personal taste of course, but I often leave perennials standing until February or March simply to provide a bit of interest over the winter. Happy Gardening.

I adhere to a policy of only collecting leaves where necessary. Where they have fallen and are not obscuring the grass I leave them for the earthworms to pull into their burrows (I wrote last month about how I think of earthworms as my friends and so do nothing to discourage them). Simply sweeping leaves off paths and decking or patios will keep the garden

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“What’s Happening?” This message greets you when you open your Twitter account page. You’re then meant to tell the world “what’s happening” in your life by typing a short, snappy message, or ‘tweet’, of up to 140 characters. Unless you have been living on a desert island for the past couple of years, the phenomenon of Twitter will be familiar to you, whether you use it or not. Twitter was invented in 2006 as an online alternative to the text

messaging service on mobile phones. It took off in 2009 after Stephen Fry started talking about Twitter being the next big thing. It seems he was right. There are many other ways to stay in touch, but for businesses, large or small, Twitter is the new marketing tool. It reaches places other tools can’t reach. It’s a vital promotional medium in the digital age. As Twitter itself states, “One of Twitter’s key benefits is that it gives you the chance to communicate casually with customers on their terms, creating friendly relationships along the way - tough for corporations to do in most other mediums”. How should you use Twitter to its best advantage? Download a program to help you to manage Twitter. TweetDeck, Seesmic and HootSuite are highly recommended. Twitter makes much more sense when you use one of these desktop applications rather than the basic page on Twitter.com.

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They help organise your messages and contacts. You can also create and use a number of accounts so you can choose which ‘persona’ to tweet from using one of these applications. Twitter is easy to use on your mobile phone. Any mobile that can send text messages can be used to tweet. You simply send a text message using a special phone number. The iPhone and the Blackberry have their own applications for using Twitter. Other phones that can access the internet have numerous recommended applications available, such as SnapTu and Seesmic. New free, downloadable applications are being developed every day; this industry is moving extremely fast. You need to watch your usage time and what your phone contract offers though. Text messages often cost money although Twitter is free. Each mobile phone company offers different deals, so do your homework first. For further information about using Twitter on your phone visit the Twitter website. To make best use of Twitter you have to interact and put yourself out there. Follow the right people, jump in, engage, promote others and have fun.

Remember to use hashtags. Hashtags help categorize tweets on Twitter and make it easier for users to find tweets according to a specific theme (marked by a hashtag). When you use them correctly, you can attract new followers and interactions. Depending on who your Twitter followers are and where they’re located in the world, your best tweets may not even be seen if you’re tweeting them at a time when they’re not paying attention to their feeds. You may want to experiment with tweeting at different times throughout the day to see what results in the most interaction. Use Twitter as you would network in a room full of people. You don’t turn up at a networking event, talk to yourself and wait for people to listen do you? So jump in and start tweeting. Suki North

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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

Crossword Clues Across 1 Small spring flowers (8) 6 Slender, narrow (4) 8 Climbing apparatus (6) 9 Untidy person (6) 10 Deprived of weapons (8) 13 Distort (4) 14 Confession, disclosure (9) 17 Hinged barrier (4) 18 Revolution, twirl (8) 19 Exercise treatment (6) 21 Tainted, unclean (6) 23 Removed trapped air from radiator (4) 24 Funds, budget (8)

Down 2 Part of the crew of a touring band (6) 3 Rotter, bonder (3) 4 Being careful with expenditure (9) 5 Distress call (initials) (3) 6 Evicted, expelled (6,3) 7 Ailing, weak (6) 11 Hailed, spoke to (9) 12 Illegally leaving the armed forces (9) 15 The Lovely Bones actress ______ Weisz (6) 16 Croaky, raspy (6) 20 Clumsy fool (3) 22 Wordplay (3)

Wordsearch Clues Andy Pig Animal Beaker Bobo the Bear Bunsen Honeydew Clifford Constantine Crazy Harry Fozzie Bear Gonzo Kermit Lew Zealand Miss Piggy

Pepe Rizzo Rat Robin Rowlf Sam Eagle Scooter Statler Swedish Chef Sweetums Waldorf Walter

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Bonfires I’m not a huge fan of the garden bonfire. I think that generally there are better ways of disposing of garden waste. Most green waste, such as leaves or grass can be recycled. Woody waste can be shredded and either composted or used as mulch, though it may be more cost-effective to hire a shredder rather than buy one outright if your garden is small. However, if wood is diseased for example, a bonfire may be the best way to deal with it. So what are the rules regarding bonfires? Surprisingly there are no specific laws against having a bonfire, or when you can have one. There may be local bylaws though. These are laws made by a local authority and applicable only in a defined geographical area. Phone your council, or check their website for further information. Likewise, if you rent a property, check under your tenancy agreement to see whether bonfires are permitted. Laws about bonfires are generally concerned with their potential nuisance value. So you can’t burn plastics, or painted household waste which may produce toxic fumes or thick smoke harmful to asthma sufferers. Also, the Highways Act states that it is an offence to light a bonfire near a road if the drifting smoke may cause a traffic hazard.

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Check the bonfire for hibernating wildlife. Don’t use petrol or paraffin to start the fire as these accelerate the flames and may cause the fire to burn out of control. Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy—just in case Don’t leave the fire unattended. Keep small children and pets out of the way. Once the fire has died down, pour water over the embers to stop them re-igniting. Only burn dry material. Damp material creates much more smoke.

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Kid’s Winter Health - Naturally Don’t let the bugs win the health battle this winter. We have an innate power to heal ourselves as long as we take care and prepare. We thrive in happy, stress and pollution-free environments, with sufficient healthy foods and drinks, fresh air, sunshine, exercise and sleep.

Sprouted seeds contain many more enzymes than just fruit or vegetables. Enzymes are destroyed in cooking so some food should be eaten raw. Try carrot, celery and cucumber sticks.

However our immune systems can take a battering at this time of year and children are particularly vulnerable.

Children need 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day to sustain energy levels. Tiredness reduces immunity. Choose wholegrain cereals for breakfast such as oats, rather than refined sugary cereals. Soak overnight and then top up with honey and hot milk, preferably full fat and organic.

Vegetables and fruit are essential eating, due to the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals they contain, especially vitamin C and the B vitamins that help deal with stress.

Try goat or buffalo milk if your child is hyperactive and over-emotional, as this may indicate difficulties digesting casein, the cow protein. Add chopped nuts, seeds, fruit and live yogurt.

They are also alkaline-forming, neutralising acids formed by fizzy drinks, additives and high sugar levels associated with junk food. If your children won’t go for the greens try hiding them by finely chopping and mixing with minced meat.

Protein breakfasts will fill them up and aid the brain. Scrambled eggs or sardines on wholegrain toast are healthy options, with fruit for morning playtime. Muesli bars are useful standbys but check for excess sugar, which lowers immunity.

Make smoothies and blend soups. They can even grow their own cress for egg and cress sandwiches.

Buy the homeopathic remedies, Aconite and Gelsemium 30c, helpful at the first signs of a cold. Give

honey tea will keep them warm and ease sore throats and coughs, as will Propolis lozenges.

one Aconite pill if they come home chilled and can’t seem to get warm. Chills lower immunity so stock up on warming spices.

The herb Echinacea aids healing and regulates the immune system. Echinoforce by Vogel is suitable for children over 5 years of age.

In America cayenne was sprinkled in shoes, so lots of cosy orange feet! You may prefer to add it to stews and soups? Homemade chicken soup with drumsticks and extra onions is very nourishing.

Give the maximum dose at the first sign of a cold and once a day as a preventative. A vitamin D supplement is also a good preventative.

Add fresh garlic, sage and thyme to boost immunity. Lemon, ginger and

Always follow instructions for children and remember that any aspirin based cold treatments are unsuitable. Sue Blain Naturopath

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Selston Music Festival Society celebrated their 75th Anniversary with the Annual Concert at St. Helen’s Church, Selston. An appreciative audience was entertained by male a capella ensemble ‘Yesteryear’, Soprano Rachel Wass, Christian and Alexander Anderson (piano & saxophone) and internationally known Jason Darnell (Tenor). Accompanist Stephen Wall. Miss Linda Darnell presented a trophy for use at the Festivals to mark her celebration of fifty years upon the Stage.

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Drink Drive -The Magic Of Beaujolais At one minute past midnight on the third Sunday in November, villages and towns in a region in France release cases of wine for immediate delivery across the world. “Le Beaujolais est arrivé!” This rousing call signals the introduction of the year’s new wine, the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. Originally, pitchers of the wine were taken straight from the producers’ barrels to the towns amid much fanfare and celebration. Then someone saw a fabulous marketing opportunity: a race to distribute the first bottles of the new vintage. As a marketing strategy this has been very successful. November’s dreary, cold wet days are brightened by a well-established ritual: the annual Beaujolais Run. The Run is a 1,000 mile race to south-eastern France to collect the first bottles of the new wine. Since 1970, much fun has been had during this race. In its early years the event was purely about speed. Modes of transport could be anything. So when the run was won by an RAF team in a Harrier jet, the organisers had to rethink the rules. Now the mission is to get from southern England to Mâcon by covering the shortest distance. The Beaujolais Run is a kind of treasure hunt through the French countryside.

and laptops. No longer do Aston Martins have the advantage over Minis. Map readers tend to succeed over technology as some country backroads don’t show up on the satellites. The Beaujolais Run is a popular event in the amateur motor sport year. From standard road cars to super-cars, classic cars to motorcycles, anything that goes, goes. And the dress code is fancy dress... Each year the organisers choose a theme. One year the theme was James Bond, and in another year it was ‘jungle’. Luckily the locals are used to les Anglais asking for directions, so don’t get too disturbed when they’re stopped by a six foot tall banana or gorilla!

Solutions To Mind Benders

If this has piqued your curiosity, take a look at www.beaujolaisrun.com for further information. To enter you need a team of two, a vehicle, an entry fee and the intention to raise a lot of money via sponsorship. It’s also advantageous to have a sense of humour, and a brain that can work out the enigmatic clues.

1. Musical chairs 2. Light at the end of the tunnel 3. Long in the tooth

5000

As a charity fund-raising event, the Beaujolais Run is certainly different. It’s a lot more interesting than a booze cruise and the only way that alcohol and driving should ever be combined. Suki North

DOUBLE SIDED LEAFLETS

A series of cryptic navigational clues take competitors through six checkpoints. At each checkpoint, teams must take a photograph of themselves at an obscure landmark to prove they were there. All methods of course plotting are acceptable, from maps to sat-navs

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The Weather Outside Is Frightful So what should you do if, unlike the revellers in the song, you have places to go? Debbie Singh-Bhatti has all the answers. One Boxing Day morning several years ago, I made a mad dash to a neighbouring town to hunt through the sales for a Christmas present I’d forgotten. I was low on fuel, but couldn’t find a service station open so decided to risk it. I ended up on the hard shoulder of the motorway. The police officer who came to my aid admonished me. “Don’t you realise how dangerous it is to head out in these conditions not fully prepared?” So, how can we best prepare for winter driving? The first and most obvious thing is to conduct regular maintenance checks on our vehicle. Ensuring that the oil, water, tyres, lights, battery, wipers, screen wash and brakes are all topped up and in good working order can help avoid breakdown or accident. And don’t forget to keep an eye on fuel levels too!

In addition, it is a go od idea to kit the car out with a basic winter survival kit. This could include de-icer, an ice scraper, shovel, tow rope, jump leads, torch, first aid kit, map, blanket, energy food, bottled water, spare clothing and footwear, regular medication, and breakdown membership details! In addition, never venture out without cash or cards and a charged up mobile phone. So what else can you do once behind the wheel to increase your chances of safe winter driving? Whether facing snow, ice, rain, fog or wind, the advice is basically the same – stay alert, slow down and keep your distance. Remember to look ahead as you drive.

time. In addition, it is important to see and be seen, so use dipped headlights in rain, snow or fog, and keep the air conditioning or demister on to keep your windows clear.

Drive more slowly than usual, and make sure you accelerate, steer and brake gently to reduce the risk of skidding.

If, however, you do find yourself in a skid despite your best efforts, it is important not to panic! Your instinct may be to brake and steer out of trouble, but the best plan is to take your foot off the brake, step on the clutch, and steer in the direction of the skid.

Apply the two second rule, (time the gap between your vehicle and the one in front) to give yourself more stopping

To do this, look where you want your vehicle to go and steer towards that spot, being careful not to over steer.

For example, watch for early signs of ice – does the road ahead glisten, and does the steering feel suddenly light?

Although the advice we often receive these days is to stay at home when the weather is bad, we all know that sometimes this is unavoidable. In addition to following the advice above, before setting out on any journey let your family or friends know where you are going, what route you plan on taking and what time you expect to arrive. Allow yourself extra travel time, keep the radio on for regular weather or road reports, and don’t forget to clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors and the roof!

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Chim Chim Cheree The term ‘Chimney sweep’ may conjure up images of small, Dickensian type characters covered in soot, scrambling up enormous chimneys, and we might ask ourselves if there is really a need for this ancient trade in today’s modern world with its gas fires and centrally heated properties.

to an inefficient and potentially unsafe fireplace and the risk of chimney fires. This is why regular cleaning of a chimney is essential.

Well, the short answer to that is ‘Yes!’ Even chimneys serving gas fires need cleaning on a regular basis – and if you are one of the growing number of householders returning to the cosy, romantic comfort of a traditional coal or log fire, it is essential that you spend a little time and money ensuring that your fireplace is functioning both safely and efficiently.

In addition to cleaning the chimney, he or she will check for other problems which might lead to chimney fires or inefficient burning, and will also inspect your chimney for potential problems from the roof.

As a fire burns, it releases numerous gases up the chimney which escape into the atmosphere.

Although it is possible to clean the chimney yourself, you might prefer instead to hire a professional chimney sweep to do this tiring, messy job!

you locate a local, reliable chimney sweep. These two organisations have worked together over recent years to introduce a National Code of Practice for Chimney Sweeps, designed to protect the public from untrained or poorly trained sweeps. Consumers can expect a sweep to not only clean their chimney correctly but provide a wealth of additional information on fuels, appliances, safety, etc. This gives consumers a greater understanding of potential issues or problems. It can save money and sometimes even lives! The Guild is a very co-operative organisation

and members can draw on a wealth of collective knowledge to assist customers who may have specific questions or problems. Sweeps meeting the Standard are required to issue an Industry Standard certificate (the Standard being printed on the reverse) and where necessary, an Industry Standard Warning Notice and Label. A sweep typically takes around 45 minutes and costs around £40 per chimney, though this can vary according to location and the difficulty of the job. Before employing anyone to carry out the work, please check that they have full public liability insurance.

A chimney that serves an open fire should be swept at least once a year, after a period of prolonged disuse (for example at the end of the summer), and also at the end of the heating season to ensure that it is clear of animal nests and is prepared for the idle period.

As they pass through the chimney, soot - which contains a flammable substance called creosote - begins to accumulate on the walls.

Chimneys that are used frequently may need cleaning more often, whilst those serving gas fires less often.

Over time, these deposits can begin to obstruct and eventually completely block the chimney, which could lead

A visit to the National Association of Chimney Sweeps or Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps websites will help

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Party Politics

Wonderful Wellies

How to survive the office bash

public, and in the last few years, manufacturers have taken the traditional design and given it an injection of colour and style.

The annual Christmas knees-up is a social occasion that gives employers the opportunity to reward staff for their hard work during the year, but it is still a business event and has an unwritten code of conduct. Here’s how to get through it without making a faux pas that will have you cringing for months. First of all, do attend – if only for half an hour. It’s disrespectful and shows indifference if you do not, and could hurt your reputation. Be on time and don’t forget to thank the person responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party. The office party is an opportunity to improve relationships with co-workers and management, so create a good impression by showing respect and courtesy to everyone (remember you are being constantly observed). Be friendly and remember that the party isn’t the place to persuade your boss to promote you, or provide you with that new type of chair that’s good for your back! Dress to impress, but don’t overdo it! Check if the dress code is formal or casual, and resist the urge to wear anything too revealing or too flashy. Though the party’s a chance to wear what you like, be aware of the impression you are putting across. Keep your reputation for good taste intact. Keep all conversations positive and upbeat, and avoid controversial subjects such as religion and politics. Don’t spend all night talking about work or yourself, and avoid bragging,

Anything goes these days - you can even get white wedding wellingtons!

correcting, whining and complaining, or you’re sure to earn the title of office bore. Don’t monopolize conversations, don’t even think about gossiping about others, and be careful what jokes you tell. Don’t be the one that lurks by the food table and always has a sausage roll and vol-au-vent in each hand. It means you’re not mingling, are quite possibly eating everyone else’s share, and are likely to have crumbs down your chin when you do eventually branch out. And whatever you do, never double-dip your food! Don’t drink too much. Dancing on the table with a lampshade on your head whilst doing a (poor) impression of Christina Aguilera, is not likely to impress the boss, nor will telling him exactly what you think of him and confessing to making overseas calls when he’s out. Similarly, it might seem like the perfect opportunity to chat up that colleague you’ve fancied for months, but if you get too drunk beforehand, you’re likely to say something that will have you hiding behind your computer screen for months! So, have a good time but don’t overdo things; enjoy being with your colleagues but never forget they are your colleagues; relax without ruining your reputation and you’ll have a great night…cheers!

Spots, stripes, flowers or leopard print – wellington boots are no longer reserved for farmers, they’ve become a fashionable footwear essential. People have been wearing boots to keep their feet warm and dry for thousands of years. The earliest snow boots were discovered on an ancient iceman thought to be 5000 years old, and were made from bearskin, tree bark and deer pelts. Of course, the welly as we know it is named after the Duke of Wellington. He asked his shoemakers to adapt the hessian boots worn by men in the mid-18th century so that they were waterproof, and provided more protection in battle. They designed a leather boot that had a low heel and fitted closely to the leg. Meanwhile, the industrial manufacture of rubber was being developed, and an American called Henry Lee Norris founded the North British Rubber Company in Scotland. Now known as Hunter Boot Ltd, the factory made the first rubber wellingtons which became popular with farmers. Production rapidly increased during World War I, when the War Office asked Hunter to make boots that would keep the men’s feet dry in the trenches. Again in World War II, the factory supplied the boots for British forces working in flooded conditions.

If you need a new pair of boots this winter, here is a quick round-up of what to look for: Cheaper wellies tend to be made from PVC. These are fine for occasional wear, but they can make your feet sweat and are not very hardwearing. 100% rubber boots are more expensive, but will last longer. Boots lined with neoprene will keep your feet really warm. With cotton-lined boots, you can decide whether or not you need to wear socks for extra warmth. If you have wide calves, look for wellingtons with a waterproof gusset so you can adjust the fit. Some wellies have special treads to make them more suitable for walking long distances. Snow boots have a thick rubber sole, a laced upper, and often a fleece collar around the top. Of course, when you get home from your walk in the wet, you’re faced with the age-old problem of getting your wellies off. Some boots fold down at the top, or have a gusset or zip to loosen them. Failing that, you can buy an inexpensive boot jack – simply wedge your heel in the jaws, tread on the base and pull! by Alex Brown

After the wars, wellies became popular with workers and the general

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What’s Happening In Our Area This is a free page to publicise your local events and information. We would love to hear from you if you know of any event in or around the West Bridgford area; copy deadline is the 20th of each month. Please email: editor@adnewspaper.co.uk West Bridgford Shopmobility is a charity which helps people with mobility problems to move easily around the shops and attractions of West Bridgford. Not only that, but we also have a short –term hire scheme so that you can take a scooter or wheelchair away on a UK holiday, or help you if you are poorly, or just discharged from hospital, or if you have a guest with mobility problems. Call us on 0115 981 5451, find us on Facebook, or at www.wbshopmobility - or visit us behind West Bridgford library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Insanity - West Bridgford every Friday night from 6.30pm - 7.30pm in West Bridgford Baptist Church. All levels of fitness welcome. For more information, please contact Caroline on 07849 753300, email: carolinequarmby@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook: Insanity – West Bridgford. Kickers and Stompers line dancing groups. Meet regularly each week in West Bridgford, Plumtree and Radcliffe on Trent. Suitable classes for all levels of dance. Come and have fun with us. Tel 01159140673 or e.mail p.brown633@ ntlworld.com The Poppy Folk Club Next meeting of the Poppy Folk Club is on Sunday 18th November at 7.30pm at The Poppy and Pint, Lady Bay, when we have a concert with Martin Carthy. See the website for more details www. poppyfolkclub.co.uk , telephone Juliet 0115 9231513, or email juliet@poppyfolkclub. co.uk Just Friends West Bridgford is a very friendly group for single, local people aged 55+. 25+ events each month including theatre, coach trips, holidays, pub nights, meals out, walks, darts, snooker, card/ board games. Monthly club coffee

morning. Call Lillian 0115 8462225 or Irene 0115 8781905 or visit our website justfriendswestbridgford.wordpress.com for further information. Nottingham Leander Swimming Club We welcome all swimmers but especially those who want to race ! Confident swimmers from age 6 upwards. All qualified coaches. Friendly and supportive ethos. Water Polo. Learn to swim classes for non-swimmers. ‘Masters’ swimming for all abilities.

for new junior sailors. Come and have a go on the water. All enquiries to Angela Clark@trentvalleysc.org Wilford Racquets Badminton Club welcomes new members. We play on Wednesday evenings in West Bridgford. For further information please contact Hazel on 0115 981 5184 or Richard on 0739 884 2647

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

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

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

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

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

Radcliffe Sword Club Learn the exciting modern Olympic sport of fencing with Radcliffe Sword Club, meeting at the main sports hall, Clifton Leisure Centre, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, NG11 8AB.Juniors (aged 9-14): Tuesday 18:3020:00; Adults (15+) : Tuesday 20:0022:00 and Wednesday 20:00-22:00

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

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

Suitable for Beginners, Improvers and Intermediate Levels. For further information please contact Pat on 0115 9140673. Friends of Bridgford Park need volunteers of all ages to help keep our truly beautiful amenity in really good condition. The Friends plant, clear wooded areas, help all wildlife survive and increase. So we need people from all walks of life to join us Interested? Please contact Linda on 9819146 or Lorraine on 9816646 WEST BRIDGFORD ADVICE CENTRE is open every Wednesday morning from 9-30am to 12-30pm. at St Giles’ Church Hall, Stratford Rd, West Bridgford NG2 6AZ. Tel: 0115 9821475. No appointment necessary – we operate a drop in system. We can help with benefit claims, form filling, consumer, debt, and housing issues etc. THE ROTARY CLUB OF WEST BRIDGFORD meets every Wednesday 6.30pm for 7pm at the Country Cottage Hotel Ruddington. Enquiries for membership from both professional men and women of all ages are very welcome. Please contact webmasterwbd@rotary1220.com for more information. THEATRE ARTS WORKSHOP ...offers you the chance to have a go, whatever your age, abilty or experience! Drama Workshops, Youth Theatre and GCSE Drama Saturday classes held at Jesse Gray School, Musters Road, West Bridgford. NG2 7DD. 0115 8549175 lisa.goodlass@ntlworld.com BRIDGFORD BEADERS We meet once a month on a Tuesday at the Abbey Community centre from 9.30 to 1.00. We are a friendly group of varied ages and abilities always willing to help each other. For further info please contact Sheelagh on 01159532473 The West Bridgford Dramatic Society Why not come along on Tuesday evenings and have a good time. Get to know other members before accidentally covering them in paint during set building. Check out the events page on the web site which has the latest programme!! www.wbds.org.uk

Modern Line Dancing Classes Daytime and Evenings Held in West Bridgford, Radcliffe on Trent, Plumtree (also Bakersfield and Stapleford)

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The Perfect Christmas Pud Making your own Christmas pudding isn’t just the perfect way to get in the festive mood, it’s also incredibly simple. Remember, the key to making a fabulous pudding is choosing the best ingredients you can afford. You’re doing this only once, so try not to cut corners.

Makes 4 x 1 pint (450ml) or 2 x 2 pint (1 litre) puddings. Preparation time 30 minutes plus 5-6 hours steaming time, plus 2 hours resteaming on the day of eating. Method Mix together all the dry ingredients. Stir in the eggs and brandy and mix together thoroughly.

Ingredients 225g/8oz golden caster sugar 225g/8oz vegetarian suet 340g/12oz sultanas 340g/12oz raisins

Scrape the mixture into 4 x 1 pint (450ml) or 2 x 2 pint (1 litre) lightlygreased pudding basins.

225g/8oz currants 120g/4oz chopped candied peel 120g/4oz plain flour 120g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs 60g/2oz flaked almonds Zest of 1 lemon 5 eggs, beaten 1level tsp ground cinnamon 1level tsp mixed spice 1 level tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Put a circle of baking parchment and foil over the top of each basin and tie securely round the rim with string. Make a string handle by tying both round and over the basin, to make it easier to pick out of the pan after cooking. Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid.

Pinch of salt 150ml/5fl oz brandy or rum

Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time if necessary so that it doesn’t boil dry. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use a large pan and stand the basins on inverted saucers placed in the base. Pour in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before then allow to cool.

Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day. To serve the pudding on Christmas Day, steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or home-made custard.

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