Ad Newspaper for Ravenshead Nottingham September 2018

Ravenshead ISSUE 155 September 2018

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2

The Zumba Phenomenon

Man’s Best Friend Special Solution to Loneliness with Man’s Best Friend ‘Barking Mad hosts have a furry companion to stay for a weekend break or longer’.

Have you always wanted a dog but worried you couldn’t look after it full time? A company in Nottingham is giving people the chance to dog-sit whilst their owners are on holiday.

Barking Mad Nottingham offers dogloving people the chance to take in a pooch on a temporary holiday, allowing you to enjoy the social aspects of going out walking and the company of a wagging tail at home.

Last week I attended my first Zumba class. I know I am several light-years late to the party but I really wish I’d got there sooner.

The music; the energy; the sheer joy of being part of a diverse group of unselfconscious women (and a couple of men) all body-rolling, fist-pumping and booty-shaking in time. It was infectious and I was hooked.

Zumba isn’t just a fitness craze; it’s an international business with more than 12 million enthusiasts in its classes. A whole industry has developed around it. There are Zumba classes, DVDs, CDs, video games and clothes.

Zumba began in Columbia back in the 1990s. A dancer and choreographer named Alberto Perez forgot his regular music for his aerobics class.

The story goes that he searched his backpack and pulled out some salsa and merengue tapes. The rest as they say, is history. Today Zumba has certified instructors in more than 125 countries around the world.

For many members of my class it was their first taste of Latin music and dance steps. Yet while Zumba has brought Latin rhythms and steps to the exercise enthusiasts of the world it is not Latin dance.

Each class uses salsa, cumbia, bachata, and other Latin and international rhythms and there is plenty of overlap between Zumba and salsa classes; but there are plenty of differences too.

For example, a Latin dancer would know that you never start a step on the right foot in Salsa - it’s not proper technique - but Zumba is an exercise class so students need to work both legs!

Latin dancers can be quite scathing of Zumba, but Kerrie, who teaches my Zumba class thinks that’s a little unfair.

‘I studied Latin American dancing and ballroom,’ she says, ‘ I think that perhaps Latin dance is undergoing the same sort of transition that yoga did when it gained popularity.

Fitness instructors who studied dance, and dance students who then trained as fitness instructors borrowed freely and combined elements from both genres.’

Authentic or not, Zumba has been raised the profile of Latin dance. Dance studios that offer Zumba classes say they are always packed to capacity, which can’t always be said for the regular dance classes.

As it morphs and evolves, Zumba may be moving away from its Latin roots and this will annoy some people. ‘There will always be purists,’ says Kerrie, ‘But there’s room for everyone. It’s all about being healthy while having fun isn’t it?’

I don’t think anyone could argue with that.

By Tracey Anderson

You would also become a member of the Barking Mad family of hosts which meet periodically at organised events.

This July Donna became the proud owner of Barking Mad Nottingham.

Donna has a Cockerpoo called Lola which she was able to get when she left her full time job at Boots Head Office.

Before then her life did not fit around having a dog, but always wanted one of her own because she grew up with family dogs and missed all the aspects of having a four-legged friend in her life.

and most nurturant hosts into her team, lovely people who want to welcome your dog into their homes.

Becoming a host by looking after someone else’s dog whilst their owners are away, is all set up and organised

by Donna, who take this otherwise often informal arrangement and make it fully safe, insured and easy to take part in without costing you a penny.

As a dog holiday host, you provide a loving home environment where your doggy visitor relaxes and feels at home. Regular exercise and companionship is your part of the deal, the transport is dealt with. There is no need to worry about paperwork or dealing with the customer yourself because Donna takes care of this.

All you need to do is meet up with Donna and you agree together; the type of dogs you like and when you are available to look after them.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Barking Mad Host and our Community, please call Donna on 0115 8246924 Email Donna.cotton@ barkingmad.uk.com, Website www. barkingmad.uk.com/franchisees/ nottingham

If Barking Mad had been in Nottingham previously Donna and her family would have loved the opportunity to care for dogs temporarily. Donna knows how emotional and difficult it can be to find the right care for your dog whilst you are on holiday and strongly believes all dogs deserve to be given love and attention when their owners are away and is now here to offer that same excellent care for your beloved friend.

Donna is passionate about safeguarding the emotional and physical health and well-being of your dog, whilst you are away from them.

She recruits and trains only the kindest

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3

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Expensive coverings such as leather and silk were replaced by modern materials such as rexine, which had a dramatic effect on the price.

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Although these designer pieces were still only affordable by the wealthy elite, manufacturers began to adapt designs for a mass market.

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The modular sofa wasn’t actually invented by Habitat or Ikea. It was invented by an American designer named Harvey Probber in 1944 though it didn’t go mainstream until the 1970s.

G Plan, which designed early UK versions, led the way with their 1971 Duo range.

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Style gurus of the period, such as Stijl in Holland, Gropius and the Bauhaus group in Germany created designs that were cutting edge yet still suited to the functionality of the new era.

Pieces no longer had to match, so you could express your personality through your sofa choice.

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Housewives of the day who went to watch the movies saw famous actresses drape themselves over silk covered sofas or chairs, created in the contemporary Art Deco style. They yearned to recreate this in their own lives and so provided a ready mass market for similar furniture.

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The three-piece suite’s popularity grew through the storylines of the 1930s Hollywood film sets. Drawing room dramas and comedies created opportunities for film makers to create lavish ‘home’ sets.

It was Habitat and IKEA that changed the concept of the three-piece suite, with their modular systems that could be made to fit any space, in a variety of fabrics.

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The new homes were compact, with small rooms, totally unsuited to the heavy mahogany pieces of the large ‘society’ houses, and this type of furniture would have been beyond the financial reach of most ordinary people anyway.

These nearly always comprised a three-seater sofa with two matching armchairs, all upholstered in beige velour or fake leather, unless you were my mother who favoured deep red or green, lending our sitting room the air of a tart’s boudoir or a pub depending on the wallpaper!

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The key to its success is wrapped up in functionality and cost. As the middle and working classes moved out of slums and into their own homes, they needed furniture.

The three-piece suite was a staple of most suburban childhoods. Many of us can remember traipsing round furniture showrooms with our parents while they looked for the perfect set.

ch

The story of the three-piece suite How much thought do you give your couch day-to-day? Unless you plan to replace it soon, probably not very much. Have you ever wondered how we ended up with the three-piece suite? The story is a 20th Century one.

LET US FOCUS ON YOUR CONCERNS

According to a 1979 article in the US magazine Interior Design, Probber’s invention was “...one of the most influential developments in contemporary furniture design”.

At a time of bereavement, it’s only natural that your mind is in a whirl, with questions that need answering and concerns that need addressing.

At Gillotts Funeral Directors, we have generations of experience in leading families through this difficult time and providing a compassionate, flexible and high quality service.

These days we nearly all have some variation on the original three-piece suite in our homes, and its difficult to see what might ever replace it.

Our philosophy is to tailor the service we provide to suit each family – some prefer us to visit them at home, others prefer to visit us in the office. Some people want us to do everything – order flowers, produce service sheets, place press notices – whilst others prefer to do things themselves.

Every family is different, every funeral is unique and the service we provide reflects this.

We can trace our origins as far back as 1867, and we are proud to remain an independent family business with roots within our local communities.

Our website www.gillotts.co.uk has lots of information and advice, and if you need our help, or need more information, you can call us at any time.

I think I’ll go and sit on mine with a good book.

By Tracey Anderson

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A Good Read Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

East End of London in the 1950s. She wrote a trilogy of memoirs and the second of these is Shadows of the Workhouse.

When we think ofw workhouses we tend to think of Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

However, workhouses persisted until much later: the last ones only closed their doors in 1948.

Among the communities that Worth worked in, many people were haunted by their recent memories and experiences in these institutions.

There is Jane, who works with the midwives but as a child in the first decade of the 1900s grew up in a children’s workhouse as an unwanted child.

There are not many people who have not seen, or at least heard of the BBC drama Call the Midwife.

However, few are aware that the first series was based on the memoirs of midwife Jennifer Worth, and the women and families she encountered in the

Frank and Peggy, a brother and sister, were sent to the workhouse in 1908 when their parents died, their later lives forever affected by the harsh and uncaring institution they grew up in.

As the workhouses fade from living memory this memoir provides a reminder of how they shaped the lives of countless men, women, and children.

Smart by Kim Slater

Whilst the novel promises a detective story, it is much more than that.

If a King or a President is killed it is headline news and everyone tries to find out who was responsible. But as 14-year-old Kieran points out, when it is a homeless man called Colin, no one really cares.

It is the story of a boy who is different, trying to make sense of his life and the adults around him, who largely neither understand him nor seem to care.

By Willow Coby

No one, that is, except Kieran and he is going to find out.

When he grows up he wants to be a reporter for Sky News, and he uses his artistic skills to draw and record what he sees. Art is an escape for Kieran, and he needs an escape because secrets are all around him.

The biggest secrets seem to be in his own home.

Kieran has learning difficulties and is a bit of a loner. Whilst Slater does not say directly, many readers have drawn clear comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and there are certainly many very well written autistic traits displayed by Kieran.

This debut young adult novel will almost certainly appeal to readers of Curious Incident.

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With over 30 years experience in the home improvements industry, from demonstrating products right through to installation of the coatings and not to mention the after sales service.

We pride ourselves on the slightly more bespoke service that we offer, gone are the pushy sales reps with double glazing salesman style offers.

When our surveyor visits they will normally discuss your individual requirements and carry out a survey of your property, explain how the product works and how it might benefit your home, measure and price.

On occasion you may be offered the opportunity to take part in a group booking which can greatly reduce the cost!

If we are successful in acquiring your much valued custom, your installation is carried out by our local fitting teams and is overseen from start to finish by your own personal advisor, who is on hand to answer any questions or queries as and when they arise.

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Knees Up! From the outside the knee looks fairly simple: a hinge to let the bottom part of the leg move back and forth, in a similar manner to the way a door might open. Inside though the mechanism is rather more complex.

The knee consists of two separate joints: one between the thigh and calf bones—the main joint around which most of the movement occurs; and a second between the thighbone and the kneecap. In addition, the superficially simple hinge-like motion turns out to involve gliding and rotation too.

The knee cap (patella) is a disc-like bone embedded within the tendons around the knee. Its job is to protect the knee joint against any front-on injury, and to spread the force of any impact.

When the leg is straightened the kneecap should press back into a special groove in the thighbone. This stops it from dislocating.

The thigh muscles are key to maintaining knee stability. The quadriceps are the largest of the muscle groups and (as the name suggests) consist of four muscles.

They straighten the leg at the knee.

The hamstrings connect the thigh bone to the calf bones. They bend and rotate the leg, control deceleration and help the foot to land smoothly.

Our hips and knees are the main weight-bearing joints in our body. The knees are most vulnerable to injury because the weight of the upper body is conducted and amplified by the thigh bones.

Because the centre of gravity of humans is located around our navel, the distance between this point and a knee acts as a lever, magnifying the effects of gravity on our knees as we walk to four or five times our actual bodyweight.

This means that relatively small increase in our weight can have a disproportionately catastrophic effect on our poor knee joints!

Excess weight accounts for around half of all operations carried out to repair the cartilage in the knee and dramatically increases the risk the of developing osteoarthritis.

So, keeping our weight down is important, but so is exercise. Simple knee extensions which can be carried out slowly, sitting in a straight-backed chair are good, as are straight leg lifts which should be carried out while lying face up on a mat.

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To balance the opposing muscle groups, try hamstring curls, carried out while lying face down on the mat.

Ankle weights can be used to increase the intensity of the exercise.

It’s essential to check with your health care practitioner before starting an exercise regime if you have never exercised before.

Unfortunately knee injuries are common. Mostly a period of rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) will improve matters. Seek medical advice after two weeks if: • There is still pain.

• You’re still limping.

• You can see or feel a deformity around the knee area.

• There is numbness or tingling in the knee, lower leg or foot.

Seek advice immediately if: • The lower leg or foot feels cold and turns blue.

• The lower leg or foot feels hot and turns red.

• The knee pain is accompanied by weakness, sickness or fever.

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7

tive spirit than with Ballet Theatre UK’s The Nutcracker on Sunday 19 November.

Four family shows are on offer in the coming Garden View Apple Strudel season, starting with a double bill of The

vegetable and fruit yields.

Sooty Show on Sunday 9 October. Older The proportions of eachat children will enjoy booing and cheering macro-nutrient will be on Sunday October, However March is famously American Wrestling printed on the22 packet.

Equal temperamental and if the amounts of each with the whole family catered for innutrient Cirque soil where you are is still make for a good general October. This wet and cold then it’s wise Enchantment on Thursday purpose 26 fertiliser. to delay planting and sowingconcert until the style cirque production features stuntemperature rises.

A lawn will need a good balance of ning choreography, breathtaking vocals nitrogen and phosphorus live to guarantee Plant nutrient reserves are low at mesmerising this lush green grass with a healthy roota circus performers with and time of year so, as the soil warms up, system capable of withstanding dry soundtrack spells. of current rock and classical it’s time to think about fertiliser.

Fruitingpop, plants need higher proportions of potassium. music.

Many gardeners are a bit frightened of Sing-a-Long-a Productions invited Mansfield fertiliser.

There are other macro-nutrients: Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, Palace Theatre to ‘Be our Guest’ when which they All those chemical symbols on the side plants obtain freely from the air and chose the of the first in the of the packet are rather reminiscent of venue water; as andone calcium, magnesium and school chemistry lessons. In country fact the to sulphur, which should be present present Beauty and the Beastinon basics are quite simple. any good general purpose fertiliser.

Tuesday 24 October. Disney’s recent smashNPK - This can be observed hit on the also need sugar and raisins. a small frying film willPlants be shown on micro-nutrients: a In giant screen, September brings a side of most fertiliser packages. The Iron, Boron pan, Manganese, melt 20g/¾ozZinc, butter andand fry the whilst the audience becomes the star of the letters stand for: Molybdenum. breadcrumbs until golden-brown, then glut of apples. Make N - Nitrogen andmixture. their props show using add on-screen these to lyrics the apple Pthe - Phosphorous take all these nutrients and most of themgoodie with bag!Plants K - Potassium build everything they need from

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Melt the including remainingvitamins. butter in a pan. scratch, this delicious strudel Together these are known as the always, the ends with festive feast macro-nutrients them has What plants do is aabsorb On aseason clean, cannot dry tea-towel lay a sheet recipe. and each of As its own use. vitamins directly from things such as

of the filo and brush with some of the fit for the whole family.

This year’s panpet food,butter. milk or so-called fertilisers melted Lay another sheet on Preparation time:feeds 20 mins tomime stars Australian Mark Little inused the Nitrogen primarily the leafy which contain vitamins, proteins and top and repeat until you have all Cooking time: 40-45 mins above-the-ground parts of the plants. giant fats. tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. ironically the filo.

Serves: 6-8 Mark most his role Phosphorous promotes strong roots.– who Soisdon’t be well-known intimidated byfor fertiliser.

Layering the your pastry with need the melted Decide what plants Ingredients as Joe Mangel inthehelps Neighbours –flaky will bethen playread label.

It’s easy as ABC..or Potassium makes grass hardier, butter to create layers.

750g/1lb 10oz Bramley apples, ingsliced the character you love to hate, rather NPK! promotes germination andand improves peeled, cored, quartered Place the filling along the length of the 1½ tsp ground cinnamon Fleshcreep: “I like playing the baddy but will pastry along one side about 2-3cm/1in than scary. I want the kids to ½ unwaxed lemon, zest onlybe more nutty from the edge. Using the tea-towel to have banterhelp withyou, meroll without being 2 tsp lemon juice the pastry up toterrified!” enclose the filling.

The show really will be bigger and better lenty of music 100g/3½oz to reminisce to caster sugar golden 75g/2½oz raisins than ever with the introduction of 3D effects before the end of the year, includTuck the ends in and roll the strudel 95g/3½oz butter to the performances, so who orth Welfare Band and Mansfield seam-side down ontoknows, the linedmaybe baking 40g/1½oz white breadcrumbs sheet. will Brush the remaining the baddie really bewith ‘behind you!’ ct Male Voice Choir’s Thank You melted butter. large sheets usic 3 show on 6Sunday 24 filo pastry 1 tbsp icing sugar For more information times, r, with special guests St Peter’s Bake for 40-45 on minutes, untilprices goldenbrown.

Leave to cool to room and durations of shows, or to see which The hoir. Shortly afterwards, Method temperature and dust with icing sugar. shows t Serenade Orchestra Theto 190C/170C Preheatwith the oven Fan/ are already on sale in 2018 and 5. Line a baking tray with baking please call Box Office on 01623 beyond, Sisters UK takeGas to the Palace Slice and serve with cream, ice cream parchment.

Have you considered? or custard. ed? Just like the rest 633133 or visit age on Wednesday 11 October, ofwww.mansfieldpalace.co.uk your property your trees may need Sands and his West End cast bring Mix the quartered apples with the

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Think FEW When You Chew We chew and then swallow our food, to launch it its long journey through our digestive tract. It is normal for it to linger a while in certain places but sometimes lingering turns to languishing and then to clogging… with unpleasant consequences! In fact constipation is one of the most common medical complaints.

Too little stomach acid can be one problem. There must be sufficient acid production or poorly digested food stays too long in the stomach and putrefies, resulting in bloating and wind.

Harmful microbes may remain intact and enter the rest of the digestive system which can cause upsets and food poisoning. Poor nail and skin condition may be a sign of low stomach acid.

The herbs Centaurium, Gentian or Yarrow, taken in water before food will help to rebalance stomach acid, as will eating bitter salad leaves such as rocket and endive as a starter.

You may also find a supplement containing Betaine HCL and Pepsin helpful or the tissue salt, Potassium Chloride, but seek advice before taking these.

It is well known that fibrous vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils and fruit, especially pineapple, sun-dried apricots and figs, will provide the fibre needed to speed up the processing of food through the gut.

They also provide a vast amount of nutrients and are much better than relying on wheat bran alone. Golden linseeds, soaked in water before use, help to prevent constipation and also provide us with omega 3 essential fats.

By absorbing several times its own weight in water, fibre softens stools and adds bulk, preventing blockages in the colon. The opposite is true for the refined flour found in white bread, cakes and biscuits.

dehydrated, your body will resort to drawing back fluids from your bowel.

This will not only cause constipation, but also headaches and lethargy due to the toxins released at the same time. This creates a much heavier workload for your liver and kidneys.

To support your digestion and to boost the absorption of nutrients from your food you may need to take a probiotic

supplement occasionally, as well as eating live yogurts.

Make sure you consume these after a main meal and not on an empty stomach or the live, friendly bacteria could be destroyed by the stomach acid. Exercise also keeps things moving.

As you chew, just think FEW : Fibre, Exercise, Water and there’ll be no hold ups in your system!

Sue Blain

Try squeezing a lump of white bread in your hand and then imagine it sitting inside you!

Children often mix white flour with water to make a very sticky glue. Enough said!

Drink plenty of still water at room temperature between meals. If you are

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tempura. Tempura is seafood or vegetables dipped in a light batter and deep fried.

Turning Japanese Japanese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in Britain as the appetite for healthy eating grows. With emphasis on quality and presentation rather than quantity, a trip to a good Japanese restaurant is a treat for both eyes and stomach.

Let’s clear up a common misconception first. Sushi is not raw fish. Sushi refers to vinegared rice and is the name given to anything served on, or in, a block of this rice. Admittedly, the rice is sometimes topped with raw fish, but many other items, cooked or otherwise, are also used.

Sashimi is the name for slices of raw fresh fish and shellfish and is a dish in its own right.

Many people are now familiar with sushi conveyor belt restaurants. You sit around the bar and choose your dish as it cruises past you. Plates are colourcoded according to the price. When you’ve finished your meal the plates are simply added up for your bill.

Condiments include soy sauce and wasabi, the dangerously hot, green Japanese

horseradish. Slices of pink, vinegared ginger are eaten between dishes to cleanse the palate.

Not all fish is served raw. Yakizakana is grilled fish. In fact, anything with ‘yaki’ in the name is grilled or “cooked over direct heat”. Yakitori are grilled chicken pieces on skewers.

Noodles of various types are common dishes. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and provide a hearty meal, while udon noodles are thick and both are served with various toppings. Ramen noodles are served in a soup. Yakisoba are fried soba noodles.

Fun dishes to order for a group are hot pots which are usually prepared at your table. Sukiyaki is a pot of boiling liquid into which thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and noodles are cooked.

Then you dip pieces of the cooked food into beaten raw egg and savour. Shabu-shabu is similar but the liquor is more like a fondue. Dip

your food briefly into the pot then into another sauce before eating.

Teppanyaki is a style of cooking. A highly skilled chef cooks various items of food in front of you on a huge iron hotplate.

This provides visual entertainment as well as delectable and healthy food.

Be adventurous and visit a Japanese restaurant for a fascinating and mouthwatering dining experience.

Suki North

A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. This is special ‘sticky’ rice and therefore much easier to pick up with chopsticks.

Another staple of all Japanese meals is miso, a thin, tasty soup usually containing tofu and seaweed.

A typical dinner comprises many light courses including one of Japan’s most famous dishes,

Martin Page

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The number of uninsured drivers on the road has fallen dramatically in recent years, however. In 2005 the MIB stated that over 1.8million road users were driving without insurance, while in 2008 the figure stood at 1.5million. Yet despite the drop in numbers, there still remains a chance that if you crash, it could involve an uninsured vehicle.

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• Damage caused - Take note regarding the damage to both cars and the accident scene in general (i.e. to road markings, road surface, central reservations etc.).

The more expensive a driver is to • Police - If the Police are involved insure, the more likely they are to make sure you get an accident report ignore the legal requirement for number.

WRITTEN insurance hence the high rates ofQUOTE How to progress with these details? younger drivers deciding to drive uninsured. In the same way, the larger The sad fact is that most car the number of uninsured drivers, the insurance will not cover drivers for more expensive insurance will remain. incidents involving uninsured drivers.

As a result there are two possible For the foreseeable future there is no solutions left to the discerning driver. escaping the chances of a collision with an uninsured driver. As such it The first is the option of a small claims is imperative that the insured driver court action, which as the name knows what to do in the event of such suggests, involves courts and only an incident. deals with claims under £5,000. This however, is risky. It depends upon you What can you do if this happens? being able to trace the other party, What cover does the law afford you? and even successful claims may How far does your insurance stretch? elude a payout, depending upon the What to do when hit by an uninsured financial situation of the other party. driver The second, and more advised option Tips: is to register a claim with the MIB, an At the scene of the crash, the drill is organisation that looks to help and the same as with a regular crash. It’s compensate victims of uninsured imperative to: drivers, and the only feasible service capable of delivering compensation.

• Take details - Make a note of the other person’s car model and The Motor Insurers Bureau can be registration number, the other driver’s found at www.mib.org.uk

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Why Do We Like To Be Scared?

The smell of candyfloss, the noise and the colou,r but most of all the thrills: theme parks must surely be one of man’s greatest inventions?

Ok, not everyone will agree with that, but why do some of us crave the thrills and spills of Alton Towers’ Nemesis or Blackpool’s Big One while others content themselves with the safety of the merry-go-round According to Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University in Pennsylvania USA, it comes down to something he calls a “typeT” personality. Type T’s are thrill seekers who thrive on the uncertainty and intensity of activities that most people would find hair-raising.

“Sky divers will tell you it’s the thrill, the rush, and a little element of fear that motivates them to push themselves to the extreme,” he says.

It seems that some people enjoy the physical sensations associated with fear: the adrenaline rush; the pounding heart and the sweaty palms. In his studies of roller coaster-lovers Farley says, “...there’s almost nothing else, including sex, that can match it in terms of the incredible sensory experience that the body is put through.”

fairground rides tend to appeal to those of us who lead stressful, structured or controlled lives.

“Roller coasters are a way of breaking out of the humdrum and expectations of everyday life,” he says. Theme parks also allow us to act like children again; to behave a little wildly. “Where else in the world can you scream at the top of your lungs and throw your arms in the air?” asks Farley? “If you did that in most other places, they’d probably put you through a psychological evaluation.”

Adventure parks are also a great way of bringing families or friends together.

Riders share the thrill and adventure of having survived what feels like an extreme experience, even though the rides there are actually very safe.

If you’re looking for a great day out this summer where you can get in touch with your inner risk-taker and feel closer to your family at the same time... head for the nearest theme park. It’s a scream!

Recent research has pinpointed certain genes which may be responsible for type T personalities. Robert Moyzis, a biochemist at the University of California , has isolated a gene called DRD4 which is more common in such people.

Christmas Gift Fair WE HAVE 5 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY FOR THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAIR AT THE NEC IN NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE UPON US… and the dynamic FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, now in its 23rd fabulous year, continues to be the BEST place to start your Christmas experience and is one of the most popular Christmas Shopping events in the UK (Birmingham NEC 15-18 November).

As well as finding GREAT GIFTS for your loved ones, treats for yourself and all your sparkling Christmas essentials, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day!

The Fair will be bursting at the seams with a colourful eclectic mix of unusual stocking fillers and presents, traditional gifts, festive food and great home decorations. With 325+ stalls all under one roof, the variety is huge, with clever gift ideas for all ages and tastes… and lots of Special Show Offers! There’s even a Present Creche to drop off your full bags.

The festive atmosphere is always fantastic and there’s even more this year with NEW icicle lighting throughout the hall and a NEW Victorian bandstand where LIVE Bands will take centre stage. While browsing the stalls, let the music get you into that Christmassy mood and be entertained by Santahimself, Stilt walkers and Pantomime characters.

Make sure you visit the popular Festive Food & Drink area where you’ll find 40 tempting stands selling everything from cheese to chutneys, spices to spirits, puddings to preserves, chocolates to champagne, beer to brownies and hampers to hog roasts!

So, take the strain out of Christmas, enjoy a day out at the Festive Gift Fair and get your festive preparations off to a cracking start!

For your chance to win a pair of tickets, just email us with your phone number and email address to editor@adnewspaper.co.uk.

Winners will be picked at random.

New technologies have allowed engineers to design coasters that change speeds quickly, shoot up hundreds of feet into the air, and make all sorts of twists, subjecting the body to intense forces.

Farley suggests that extreme

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Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

Crossword Clues

Down

Across

1 Type of lily (4)

7 Warm region (6)

2 Study of eyes (13)

8 Clothmaker (6)

3 Flee (7)

9 Leave out (4)

4 Alert, eyes open (5)

10 Set alight again (8)

5 Gloriously (13)

11 Butcher’s chopping blade (7)

6 Recklessly hurried (4-4)

13 Following (5)

12 Untightened (8)

15 Punctuation mark (5)

14 Foretell (7)

16 Sound a fire makes (7)

17 Idolise, worship (5)

18 Hidden (8)

20 Group, section (4)

19 Name of an object (4) 21 Scrounger (6) 22 Sheep dog (6)

Wordsearch Clues

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Argon Arsenic Barium Boron Bromine Calcium Carbon Chlorine Copper Fluorine Gold Helium Hydrogen Iodine Iron Lead

Lithium Magnesium Mercury Neon Nitrogen Oxygen Phosphorus Potassium Radon Silver Sodium Sulphur Tin Uranium Zinc

You can find the answers to the puzzles on Page 17

Creative Room Design We all wish our living space was bigger.

But you don’t have to move house. A bit of creative thinking may be all you need.

Declutter Clear everything out the space you want to enlarge. Go through paperwork and only keep essential stuff. Give away or sell unused items and duplicates.

Only move things back into the space if that have a place and a purpose.

Think Light Light colours on walls and floors make a space seem airy. But don’t be dull.

Use one strong accent colour on a wall or in an alcove to create a feeling of space within a space.

Mirror Magic An oversize mirror will instantly make a small space appear twice the size.

Create storage Use neat fitted handle-less cupboards with flush doors to create a minimalist feel.

and lighter in colour, to create a feeling of space around the focal point.

Be Smart With Furniture Opt for sofas and armchairs that are raised on legs, which creates a sense of light and space.Furniture that can be folded, stacked, or wheeled away is your friend. Simply push it out of the way when it’s not in use.

Use The Wall Consider adding floor-to-ceiling or wall-to-wall bookcases. This trick will expand how high your ceilings look, plus it’s a great way to add storage.

Leave Space Don’t fill up every exposed shelf in a room. Leaving some empty space will give your small space an airy look.

BE TIDY – Nothing destroys that airy feeling like mess!

Supersize!

Placing one larger feature piece of furniture in a small space sounds counterintuitive, but it provides a focus and a talking point. The rest of the furniture should be slightly scaled down

Pets Feel Old Too Just like us humans, our pets age, and just like humans, as they age they become susceptible to more ailments.

Check your pet regularly for changes in behaviour or appearance that could indicate the onset of illness or disease.

Reduced activity could be a sign that your pet is in pain, perhaps due to arthritis.

This can be eased by gentle massage, but dogs also need to continue to exercise in order to keep the joints free, although too much exercise can cause more harm than good. If they’re less active, your pet might gain weight resulting in additional health problems.

This can be remedied by decreasing their calorie intake.

Some elderly pets experience a loss of appetite – perhaps due to a reduction in their sense of taste or smell - that could result in weight loss. Encourage eating by offering smaller meals more regularly, by gently warming the food and by ensuring it is fresh. Your pet also needs a quiet, undisturbed place to eat.

Older pets are more susceptible to heart and lung disease. Signs include coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties and general weakness.

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Bumps, lumps and swellings may indicate cancer and if your pet becomes incontinent or starts to urinate more frequently, this could be due to changes in the urinary tract, prostrate or other body systems. In all cases, the sooner problems are spotted, the better the chance of successful treatment, so consult your vet promptly.

If your pet starts bumping into things, tends to stay closer to the wall than usual and follows closely on your heels, their sight may be failing. Eye problems include infections, cataracts, decreased night vision and blindness.

Watch out for eyes that discharge, look discoloured, cloudy or glassy. You can help your pet cope by keeping the environment familiar – don’t move furniture around!

Keep an eye on their teeth and if you notice any swelling of the gums take them to the vet as gum disease, in addition to causing tooth decay, could result in infections being passed into the blood which could cause damage to organs already less efficient and less able to resist infection.

Finally, remember to keep your pet warm in winter. If you are cold, chances are they are too, so put a sweater on both of you!

Having an elderly pet isn’t all doom and gloom. Ageing is part of life, and with lots of love, care, patience and regular visits to the vet, there is no reason why you and your pet shouldn’t enjoy getting old together!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Of course, not all conditions are lifethreatening. Ear infections are common in dogs and signs include a discharge from the ear, persistent head shaking and pawing. If your pet is already hard of hearing, an infection could make this worse, so be sure to make allowances and speak up!

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Help Out At School Schools are generally very keen to foster a good relationship with parents and their wider community. Often people are well-intentioned and would like to help out, but don’t know how.

Here are some ideas which might appeal.

You could become a member of the Parent Teachers Association.

Traditionally these were developed to foster better relationships between parents and schools, but they are now generally associated with fundraising.

You could be involved with activities as varied as running a stall at the summer fete, overseeing discos for the pupils, or organising quiz evenings for parents.

Associations are always looking for innovative fundraising ideas, and bringing in new members can bring additional contacts and different perspectives.

Why not become a parent governor?

Governors get involved with the strategic decision making of schools.

They attend full governor body meetings and usually sit on committees dealing with various aspects of the school, such as staffing finance and curriculum.

Parent governors are voted for by the parents of pupils at the school. Core responsibilities include: ensuring accountability; acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher; monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress.

It also often involves budgetary allocation and control; planning for the long term future of the school; setting the school’s aims and values, and appointing senior members of staff, including the Head Teacher.

Maybe you would like to be a classroom helper. Classroom helpers volunteer to assist teachers on a regular basis, usually in primary schools.

They may be in school for half an hour a week, or perhaps up to half a day.

They help with tasks such as listening to pupils read.

Reading practice is very labourintensive, and helpers can make a big difference to teachers and children. It is generally recommended that you assist in a class which isn’t the one your child is in.

Perhaps you could help outside the classroom by going on a school outing.

This could be a regular weekly trip to the local swimming pool, occasional

days out to places of interest, or helping with the football team.

You may also be able to help your child’s school by sharing your experiences.

Many senior schools have events where parents and local business people come into school to talk about their careers, or to discuss anecdotes about taking part in a notable event or visiting an unusual place.

For all but the most fleeting of visits, you will need to undergo a police background check before you can be part of school activities.

It is a standard procedure carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in England and Wales, and by Disclosure Scotland in Scotland.

Many school volunteers not only benefit from a sense of pride and fulfilment at having assisted, but also find that they improve their skills and enhance their CVs. Schools are usually very keen to enlist parent helpers, especially if you’re able to commit to going into school regularly.

Often, teachers will ask for people to express their interest in volunteering at the start of the school year, and will then allocate people to the positions

that need filling. If, for instance, you’re available every Wednesday afternoon, you might be asked to become a regular reading helper. This may need to be agreed by the headteacher first.

Sometimes, there will be a call-out for people with particular skills to help out in school. There may be an appeal in the newsletter for people to come forward if they’re able to help children with a gardening project, for example.

Helpers for occasional activities like going on school trips are more likely to be chosen on a first come, first served basis, or by drawing names out of a hat. However, if the school knows that you’re generally available and are keen to be involved, they may approach you directly.

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Get Over Your Ex As the saying goes, ‘breaking up is hard to do.’ The emotional rollercoaster which follows a relationship breakdown can be very hard to deal with. Try these tips to help you get over your ex.

Ignore them – Ignore all attempts to Tweet, email, text or otherwise attract your attention. Likewise resist the urge to Tweet, text or email them.

Often we fall back into a bad relationship because it’s convenient, and we’re too set in a pattern to try something different.

Break the cycle.

‘Disappear’ them – Hide away the stuffed toys, gifts and photos that remind you of them. In the early stages of a break-up it’s too easy to cling on to the nice memories and persuade yourself that you need them back in your life.

Don’t stalk them! – Don’t drive past their house or haunt places special to both of you. Even if you can’t bring yourself to ‘unfriend’ them on Facebook, at least hide them from your news feed so you won’t be tempted to check on them every time you log-on.

Puzzle Solutions

Get out – It might be tempting to lie in bed, eating Green and Black’s finest and listening to heartbreak FM, but what you really need is company. Ring your most sociable friends and arrange a fun night out.

Make a list – Write down all the reasons you split. Then read them back to yourself whenever you start romanticising the past. Remember, they’re your ex for a reason...or several!

Get busy - It takes about a month to form new neuropathways in one’s mind, so the best thing to do is to get busy and pack your day with activity. Most people sink into depression when a relationship ends. This is especially true for the person who was left.

Doing things YOU like to do with other people will lift your mood and distract your mind from ruminating about the relationship. Exercise is always a great bet.

Solutions To Mind Benders 1. Forgive and forget 2. Man overboard 3. Middle Age

Clearing out clutter is also a great way to feel better fast.

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Pondering Podcasts

Six Reasons to Shop Local You boost the local economy - For every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

You increase the value of your home - High streets populated with thriving independent businesses boost the prices of nearby homes.

Discount stores and charity shops decrease home values in the area.

Can podcasts help our GCSE students?

By the time you read this article the first lot of students who sat GCSEs under the new system (Grades 9-1) will have received their results. At the time of writing no-one knows how they will have fared.

The consensus from teachers seems to be that the new syllabus and grading system requires a lot more breadth and depth of knowledge, and in some subjects and classes students and teachers struggled to get through the syllabus in time to allow for revision and consolidation before the exams.

As parents we want to help our young people achieve their goals, but it can be hard to know where to begin, especially if your child is struggling in an area you know little about yourself.

Enter the era of podcast-learning.

Most teens are familiar and comfortable with podcasts and online audio platforms such as Spotify. Well there are now podcasts on every subject from maths to Spanish and many of them are free or cost a fraction of what a private tutor might set you back.

The BBC are revamping their BBC Bitesize platform (bbc.com/ education) to reflect the content of the new exams. The podcasts are short and offer a mix of text, audio and occasional video clips.

Most importantly they are free to all students with access to a PC. (Some of the content does not work well on a smartphone.)

18

Mr Allsop History (mrallsophistory. com) is a free History revision website created by University of Cambridge History graduate and current teacher Scott Allsop. It’s comprehensive and he updates it regularly. There are useful sections on revision skills and exam techniques.

There are also paid-for platforms like Audiopi (audiopi.co.uk) This is an educational resource created by teachers, examiners and academics.

It aims to inspire GCSE and A level students with their coursework and revision. They produce exam board –specific audio tutorials for English Literature, English Language, History, Biology, Religious Studies, and Science so far.

You can purchase access to one subject or a whole range of subjects for around £5 per month. They even offer a free trial.

One of the most comprehensive platforms is GCSEPOD (gcsepod. com) These are engaging, well thought-out, easy-to-understand podcasts which even tailor their content to specific exam boards.

They get the balance between ‘understandable’ and ‘enough depth’ just right. The good news is that some schools subscribe to this on behalf of their students so check to see whether your child’s school offers this useful resource. Don’t panic if they don’t because you can subscribe as a parent.

Access to the full range of subjects will set you back around £200 for the year, but contrast that with private tuition and it looks very reasonable indeed.

One of the most fun (and free resources) for science students is The Naked Scientists (thenakedscientists. com). Their primary aim is to strip science down to its essentials.

While not specific to any curriculum it’s an addictive way to gain insight into any difficult-to-understand parts of the syllabus.

As our teens move towards their GCSEs hopefully these podcasts will provide them with useful and empowering tools for learning.

It is more ethical - When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. As a bonus it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging You support local entrepreneurs Head for your local artisan market.

These help foster the talents of the next generation of British designers and retailers.

There is a constant turnover of new products, and sellers listen to customers’ demands. From food to fledgling clothing designers there will be something for everyone.

You help to build your local community - Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from reading groups to knitting clubs and children’s events.

If local businesses are not supported, these fun local groups tend to disappear too.

You might get a better deal or some good advice - Local independent businesses can use their discretion to reward regular custom. Butchers will give advice on cooking times, and how large a joint you might need to feed a family get-together, with some leftovers.

Get to know your local traders.

By Tom Hancock

WANTED

A Host of Golden Daffodils

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Garden centres, nurseries and catalogues are full of daffodil bulbs now. I have to exercise supreme selfrestraint every time I wander in!

I think I get asked more questions about daffodils than any other plant, apart from roses. I think it’s because they are ubiquitous in the spring and so we assume they are easy to grow. They are...and they aren’t, so I’ll answer the most common questions I get asked here.

I think the question I get most is ’How do I get my daffodils to flower more than one year?’

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It’s a good question. It’s tempting to think that the only thing you have to remember about planting daffodil bulbs is to set them pointy side up, but it’s a bit more complicated than that if you want them to flower every year.

The trick is to set them deep enough. If you plant them just below the surface, as so many of people do, they dry out, which means they lack the food and moisture to get them through until the following year.

The result is an uninteresting clump of leaves rather than a host of golden daffodils.

You can plant daffodils any time now, to the end of October. Sooner is better.

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The next question I get asked a lot is, ‘What’s the difference between daffodils and narcissi?’

This is also a good question. All daffodils are narcissi, but not all narcissi are daffodils! ‘Daffodils’ is the name we give to narcissi with large trumpets.

The third question I’m often asked is, ‘How far apart should I plant the bubs?

They should be planted about 3 inches / 8cm apart in holes about 10 inches /

25cm deep. It looks deep when you are dropping them in but it’s worth the effort for the repeat flowering.

Choose the biggest firmest bulbs you can find for each variety.

The final question I get asked is, ‘When can I cut down the foliage after flowering?’ I would suggest waiting for 6 weeks.

If you have a very small garden and can’t bear to have untidy foliage lying around you might be better treating the bulbs as annuals (daffodil bulbs aren’t generally expensive.).

Or you can plant them in an aquatic basket, and after flowering you can dig the basket up, water the bulbs regularly then replant in the autumn.

Alternatively, you can buy dwarf varieties of daffodil which have daintier flowers and foliage, so you can have pretty flowers without the resulting foliage posing a problem.

Why not try forcing daffodils to enjoy for Christmas? You can even give them away as gifts!

Traditionally when growing daffodils indoors, fragrant varieties are used such as the paper-white daffodil, but any small daffodils will work well, such as ‘February Gold’ or ‘Avalanche’.

Simply pot them up and place them on a warm sunny windowsill. Stagger plantings from late October to November to have them in bloom for Christmas.

Whatever you decide, remember plant deeper than you think and…

Happy gardening!

By Rachael Leverton

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Autumn / Winter Fashion Trends With summer coming to an end, it’s time to look ahead to autumn and winter and take a look at the fashion trends that will be gracing the high street shops for the rest of the year.

With the long dark nights and dreary weather casting a gloomy shadow over the later seasons, it’s great to see some cheerful colours and patterns coming into fashion for Autumn Winter 2018.

The simplest trend to wear this coming season is pink. Any shade you want, whether that’s fuchsia, nude or anywhere in between, you’ll be bang on trend. This is great as most of us have at least one pink item in our wardrobe so you probably won’t even need to go out and buy anything new.

If you do want to buy a new pink item for your wardrobe, why not try mixing it with another trend for a fab value twoin-one style. High shine fabrics and leather are both continuing through from summer into the colder months so keep an eye out for pink versions of these for a super stylish look.

With regards to pattern, there’s a few to choose from this summer. Similarly to high shine and leather, florals are continuing through from summer to brighten up the winter months. Instead of pastel colours though, it’s all about deep rich colours: think deep reds and rich blues in big, beautiful flower prints making it a truly elegant trend.

If florals aren’t your thing, there are other print options available. Animal prints and camouflage prints are making a reappearance in Autumn Winter.

They’ve been given an elegant overhaul this coming season with silk camouflage tops being paired with classic tailoring for a unique office look. Leopard print is a very versatile pattern as it can be used in every type of garment.

For a subtle nod to the trend, opt for just a splash of leopard print whether that’s shoes, bangles or a simple scarf. Don’t be afraid to be bold with this trend as an elegant full print dress can create a striking yet very stylish look which can be accessorised to match several different occasions.

The main shape for Autumn Winter 2018 is big. Oversized garments were shown on many catwalks from Jil Sander to Balenciaga.

By layering up clothes underneath an oversized coat, you’ll be snuggly warm in winter whilst still looking bang on trend. A winter coat is also a good investment piece as a well-made coat will last you for years and will always be on trend if you go for a classic cut and style.

Finally, the last most-wearable trend from Autumn Winter is masculine tailoring. This is a great way to update your work wardrobe and most importantly, it’s really comfy and easy to wear.

Adding simple accessories to a masculine suit, such as a pretty brooch or an elegant silk scarf, makes the outfit more feminine and stylish.

Look out for houndstooth printed tailoring as this classic print is big again on the catwalks and high street.

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Like Learning to Ride a Bike If learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for a child, teaching your child to ride a bike is a rite of passage for their parents.

Steering - When they can pedal confidently in a straight line, set-up some obstacles for them to cycle around.

So, what is the easiest way?

Place the obstacles far apart to begin so the gaps are easy for your child to navigate without having to make big adjustments with the handlebars.

The act of riding a bike comprises three individual skills combined: balancing, pedalling, and steering. One of the easiest ways to teach cycling is by teaching each skill on its own.

Balancing - Either remove the pedals from your child’s own bike or buy (or borrow) a balance bike which has no pedals. All they have to concentrate on is their balance, pushing off with their feet and gliding along.

Up Up And Away

Consolidating – The best way to increase your child’s confidence is to let them cycle alongside you.

Pick and easy route and cycle it together. It’s a companionable way to keep fit and make your child feel they are achieving something worthwhile.

When they are confident enough to move along without wobbling or putting their feet down, it’s time to reattach the pedals!

Pedalling - Encourage your child to ride short distances in a straight line. Find a place where they can travel a short way without needing to steer or brake, so that they can focus solely on learning to pedal.

This bit can take quite a while as pedalling is a good deal more complex than it looks.

Look Great This Summer

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get a birds-eye view of autumn’s fabulous colours? Well that’s exactly what you get when you take a hot air balloon flight. Here’s Susan Brookes’ description of her recent trip:

but pilots also take maps in case equipment fails. Travel is so gentle because the balloon is moving at the same speed as the wind, and even the most apprehensive passenger soon relaxed and admired the views.

I joined a group of excited passengers at the launch point and listened to the pilot’s safety briefing.

Behind him, the balloon’s envelope was being filled with air using an enormous fan. The pilot judged our weights and sizes and told us all where to stand ready for boarding.

When it was time for our flight to end, the pilot descended slowly. I had expected a jerky landing,

Once in position, we watched with awe as the material became more and more inflated. Men rushed about manoeuvring the 100ft long nylon material to hasten filling.

When the shout to board came, we moved rapidly to clamber into the then vertical basket. The balloon was unsecured and we began to lift off.

Rising high into the sky, we waved to the gathered well wishers who quickly became just dots in the distance.

As we headed to heights of up to 3000 feet, we were treated to a bird’s eye view of the countryside below.

The whole landscape stretched before us: fields, trees, livestock in the fields, streams and lakes. It was a beautiful sight.

The huge balloon moved silently across the sky. The calm only interrupted by the passengers’ conversation and the periodic blast of the burners injecting the spell-binding fire into the belly of the balloon.

but the contact of the basket with the ground slowed the progress of the balloon and brought it to a halt quite gently, within a couple of bounces.

The basket slowly tilted on its side as it came to rest in a field and the balloon began to deflate in the breeze.

We found ourselves lying on our backs, rather like wine bottles in a rack, laughing at the fun of it all.

For safety reasons, hot air ballooning can only take place when there are suitable weather conditions.

Most in our group had waited a while before we finally got the opportunity to take to the skies, but we all agreed the wait for such a thrilling experience had been worthwhile and we’d love to do it again.

If you would like learn more about ballooning in our area contact the Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club on 07553 475540.

By Susan Brookes-Morris

The temperature was surprisingly similar to that at ground level, but with the added bonus of the glow from the flame.

Our lovely pilot cheerfully answered all our questions, pointed out landmarks, and told us about the skill of ballooning. Satellite navigation systems are installed in the balloons,

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Buying A Used Car Buying a car is a costly business, which is why it makes sense to check out the used car market where you can save thousands of pounds.

finance outstanding; whether there is a log book, full service history, MOTs and receipts; and whether any maintenance needs doing.

Unfortunately it can also be fraught with problems if you don’t get it right.

Here’s how to minimise the risks and give yourself the best chance of finding a bargain.

Inspection

Research Once you’ve decided on the type of car you need (based on your particular priorities with regards to comfort, economy and space), research the costs to purchase, tax, insure, service and fuel it.

Bear in mind that although older models are often cheaper to buy, they can be more costly to run and may work out more expensive in the long term.

Fact Find Have a list of questions to ask the seller before viewing the vehicle.

Find out about previous owners; the mileage; the condition; how long the MOT and tax have to run; whether it has ever been written off, in an accident or stolen; if it has any

Always view the vehicle at the seller’s address in daylight and in dry weather.

Check the sills, wheel arches and door bottoms for rust. Make sure all lights and seat belts work. Check the condition of the tyres and mirrors. Look for mismatched or bubbling paint and uneven gaps between body panels.

Check that the mileage is about correct for the car’s age (average is 10,000 per year). If the odometer numbers are out of line the mileage may have been tampered with.

Check that the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), found under the bonnet and on the windows, matches the number on the V5 certificate (log book).

Test Drive Drive the car for at least 15 minutes on different kinds of roads. Listen for unusual noises and look for excessive smoke from the exhaust. Make sure you’re happy with the brakes, gears, steering and suspension. If anything

shakes, rattles or grates, the car may have problems that need sorting out.

Paperwork Once you have agreed a price, make sure that all paperwork looks and feels genuine (no photocopies).

Check that the VIN and recorded keeper details tally with the seller, and examine the service history and MOT certificates to verify the mileage. Get a receipt for your payment from the seller, and finally – make sure the new keeper sections of the log book are completed.

Taking a knowledgeable friend along is always a good idea. Failing that, the AA and RAC both offer inspection services. You have to pay but for peace-of-mind it may be worth it.

Some other things to bear in mind when deciding on which car to buy Hybrid cars are cheap to run, but cost more to buy.

Technology is improving everyday with modern hybrids coming in all shapes and sizes, from superminis to luxury SUVs. Fuel-economy and cheap or even zero tax rates make part-electric models appealing, like the Toyota

Prius. They also tend to hold their value for resale.

Manual cars are cheaper than automatic.

Switching between gears is extra work - particularly to those of us prone to stalling at traffic lights. Yet while automatics take some of the hassle out of driving, they come with a higher price tag.

Smaller engines can be cheaper.

The choice of a 1.0-litre or a 2.0-litre engine isn’t just about pure horsepower. A large engine will usually burn more fuel than a smaller one. So engine size is a vital consideration if fuel economy is an important factor in your decision.

Good luck - and happy motoring!

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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