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0115 9258250
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Spotlight on West Bridgford Contents Editor’s letter So whats with the weather? Its starting to feel positively goose fair-ish! Is it possible that instead of the promised bbq summer that didn’t materialize, we may just get an Indian summer instead? Oh well, maybe we can take some comfort in the fact that there are only about 97 shopping days left until Christmas! In this months mag we get some sage advice for the garden from Jonathan Wild, telling us that we need to “dead – head” those plants. We road test the cool Fiat 500cc 1.2 Lounge, and get some much needed advice on how to deal with those ever present computer virus’. We also discuss a favourite property topic, don’t move – improve. This months Prize Sudoku is sponsored by Homefix Handyman, and you can win a £25 book token. A reminder that we would like to include community information in this magazine. Please e-mail us at info@spotlightlocal. co.uk with any events and information that you would like us to include in the next issue. We want this to be your magazine, so tell us what you would like to see and feel free to contribute. Our copy deadline is the 30th of each month. Please also let us know your thoughts and suggestions. The magazines are always available to read online at: www.spotlightlocal.co.uk. Please support the advertisers of this magazine, and tell them that you saw their ad in Spotlight Magazine. If you would like to advertise, our rates start at only £35. Have a great month.
Dave Clark
Health and Wellbeing Psychology Health
6 7
Motoring Road Test
8
Food and Drink Wine Review Recipe
10 11
Lifestyle and Leisure Travel to the Italian Lakes Computer Advice Book Review
12 14 15
Puzzles Word Search Prize Sudoku
13 16
Home & Garden Property Gardening
18 26
Community Book Signing Photoghrapy Exhibition Community Information
28 28 29
Index of Advertisers
30
Contact Information Published by Spotlight Local Ltd Company No. 6841257 Tel: 07595 510190 7 Wimbledon Road, Nottingham NG5 1GT e-mail: info@spotlightlocal.co.uk www.spotlightlocal.co.uk Editor: David Clark Graphic Design and Layout: Smart Page Design Additional Graphic Design: Andrew Clark Contributors: Jonathan Wild, Kit Johnson, Graham Iek Distribution: Spotlight on West Bridgford is delivered to 5200 homes in West Bridgford, Edwalton and Lady Bay.
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Psychotherapy
Stop Worrying about your Inner Child…
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nd start developing your outer adult. That can’t be right. Surely psychotherapy is about exploring your past, your inner child? We’ve seen the cartoons…patient on couch, Sigmund Freud look-alike taking notes. Dreams are explored… the whole thing lasts for years (think Woody Allen in any film you care to mention.) It costs a fortune and it’s all your mother’s fault anyway.
account for those who have had appalling starts in life but have gone on to become loving, successful, functioning adults? Are they particularly lucky or intelligent, blessed with a sunny temperament or unusual strength of character? It’s easy to think that might be the case. More probably they have developed ways of thinking and behaving that enable them to have positive and reinforcing experiences of the world.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is not like that. It is a short term, targeted therapy that focuses on the here and now. Fifteen sessions is an average programme of therapy (depending on presenting difficulties and the desired outcome.) Problems may have their origin in the past but it is how we think and behave in the present that keeps them in place and gives them power over our future.
Looking at past events is part of a thorough CBT assessment. Knowing how a problem started is key to overcoming it. It will always form part of the plan that you and your therapist use to guide you towards healthier and more rewarding ways of thinking and behaving. Ways that allow you to leave your inner child where it belongs…in the past…and move towards a better future with your outer adult!
Some people feel it is impossible to escape the past, particularly when that past has left low self esteem in its wake. How, then, do we
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Sue Dymond Psychotherapist
Health & Wellbeing 08/09/2009 08:51:08
Health The Health Benefits of the Humble Potato
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riting about health can be quite a depressing task; alcohol is bad, fats are bad sugars are bad, in fact all food seems to be bad for you; after all, eating does cause obesity. Research suggests that work, unemployment, parenthood, relationships, ageing, caring and therefore just living is stressful and can result in high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and any number of nasty conditions. Tap water is full of chemicals, as is everything we ingest or inhale. The sun has finally come out this summer and now there are health warnings about overheating and skin cancer, in between the regular stories about the swine flu pandemic. So I decided to search for some positive news about health, after all we are all still alive: and the reply that leapt from the googlemeister was‌potatoes! A fresh potato, with skin, contains 45% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, 18% of potassium (good for preventing blood pressure,) almost no sodium, no fat, and no cholesterol. Hoorah!
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Based on two new unrelated studies it appears that potatoes can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes; and may even help with weight loss. It seems that the millions who followed the low-carb, no-carb fad diets forgot the nutritional values of the potato! We all know that diets characterized by meats and fatty foods are associated with a higher risk for diabetes. But now, researchers at the University of Melbourne and the Cancer Council Victoria in Australia have conducted a study which suggests that a diet of salad and cooked vegetables, including non-fried potatoes, may be linked to a decreased risk of diabetes. The interesting part about this was that the decreased diabetes risk disappeared when potatoes were excluded from the vegetables group. So, for all of you who have been warding off the carbohydrates – you should probably stay away from the chips though - it’s time to welcome back the humble, but positively healthy, potato. Tracy Ward Therapist
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Road Test Fiat 500C 1.2 Lounge
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tested the Fiat 500 18 months ago when the first models began to appear in the showrooms. The model I drove was the 1.4 Sport boasting 100 rip snorting horsepower and I made a few observations. It was decidedly slow; the engine didn’t seem to produce any power unless it was revving so hard it was trying to climb out of the bonnet. It made a racket too, particularly at speeds over 70mph, even if you stuck it in 6th gear and it wasn’t a very nice noise either. While the £6900 entry level price was very appealing, for some reason the model I was driving cost somewhere north of £11k despite the fact it was completely devoid of any optional extras. The list went on. I noted that anyone over five feet four would sustain major neck injuries if they sat in the back for any length of time and that the ride was so jittery that the whole car left the road every time you hit a bump. The most annoying thing was the range function on the trip computer which told blatant lies about how far the car would go on the petrol left in the tank. The first thing I did after my road test was rush out and buy one (for my wife before you accuse me of driving a girl’s car) and there are plenty of very sound reasons for doing this. For starters, the Fiat 500 is immensely cool and that coolness rubs off on anyone who owns one. The inside is a really nice place to be – even after a year of ownership I still get a little lift when I sit behind the wheel. The packaging is very good too; we’ve been on a family holiday to France in it with no problems at all. The steering is light yet still gives plenty of feedback and the wheel on each corner chuckability makes it good fun to drive. Best of all, we opted for the 1.2 Lounge rather than the 1.4 Sport. The smaller engine is much more refined and, because it makes no pretence at being sporty, you’re not disappointed that it doesn’t go fast. The Lounge spec throws in some nice alloy wheels, a glass roof and air conditioning
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and even with leather seats and some extra chrome trim it was still a thousand quid cheaper than the 1.4 Sport. The Cabriolet is exactly the same as the normal Fiat 500 except for the fact that the central part of the roof and the rear screen have been replaced with a sliding canvas affair. You can either retract it half way or all the way back to the top of the boot. The canvas roof appears to be well made, is easy to pull back and features a proper glass rear screen. There’s a lot of wind noise at speed if you retract it half way but this dies down markedly if you pull it back all the way and with the roof in place it’s little different to being in the standard car. Because the side windows and beams have been retained the Cabriolet is no heavier than the hatchback and there is none of the scuttle shake that afflicts so many cars that have had their roofs chopped off. Even the boot retains virtually all its space. The reason that so many people have bought Fiat 500s is that they are cool, fun and surprisingly practical. The Cabriolet is even more cool and more fun (particularly when the sun is shining) yet it loses none of that practicality. In 1.2 Lounge guise the Cabriolet costs about £2800 more than the standard car which is a pretty hefty premium. Personally, I think it’s worth every penny and in two years time we’ll probably be chopping our current car in for a 500C, particularly if Fiat are offering an Arbarth version by then. Kit Johnson Fiat 500C 1.2 Lounge - £12,700 OTR
Motoring 08/09/2009 08:51:10
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Wines and Spirits Vodka
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oth Russia and Poland claim to have invented vodka. It is well documented that vodka has been imbibed across Northern and Eastern Europe since the fourth century. Originally vodka was probably made by fermenting grain and then distilling the product but other vegetable sources have also been used. Potatoes, grapes, Soya beans or sugar cane are widely used now. The distillation process eliminates much of the original flavour of the source for the fermentation. The neutral vodka spirit is therefore now popular for making cocktails since it allows for flavours from other sources to be untainted by the spirit. Flavoured vodkas are made by adding flavours to the finished product. Thus there are peppered vodkas and ginger vodkas and various fruit flavours. There is even a honey vodka and a chocolate vodka. Bison grass is sometimes put into vodka and various herbs are also used, including St John’s Wort. In the USA you can buy a bacon flavour vodka! Vodka did not become popular in Europe and the USA until the 1930’s and its consumption outside Northern and Eastern Europe soared from the 1950’s when it became a popular ingredient for cocktails because of its neutral flavour. To a large extent it replaced gin in cocktails. Today dry martinis are more often made with vodka rather than with gin.
distillations in the manufacture of vodka and not only does this remove any original flavours it also removes most of the esters, ethanol and higher alcohols. This results in a lesser hangover effect. This has been a marketing advantage for vodka and so is the lesser smell of alcohol on the breath. Vodka is now one of the most popular spirits worldwide. Traditionally vodka was made in Russia and Poland with an alcohol content of 40% (80° proof). In 1894 the great chemist Mendeleev (famous for the Periodic Table) claimed that 38% was the ideal strength for vodka. For convenience this was rounded up to 40%. In the European Union the minimum strength must be 37.5%. The multiple distillations which increase the purity of vodka result in a very strong spirit which has to be diluted with water before bottling. As a result, a few brands of vodka contain 50% alcohol. George Leslie
Vodka’s lack of flavour is a result of the distillation process. There may be several
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Food & Drink 08/09/2009 08:51:12
Recipe
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ith the Indian Summers we get these days you can still fire up the BBQ well into September. Some fish work better than others for this style of cooking; Swordfish, Salmon and Monkish are all great but for this dish I would recommend Tuna Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 5 minutes Ingredients 4 Tuna steaks olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper For the Salsa: 1 green chilli, seeded and finely chopped 1 avocado, diced 1 crushed garlic clove 3 spring onions, chopped ½ cucumber, diced 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
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Squeeze of lime juice For the Sauce: 5 heaped tbsp olive oil mayonnaise 1 lemon, juiced Method 1. Light the barbecue, season the tuna and brush with olive oil. 2. Cook the tuna for about 2 minutes on each side. 3. In the meantime mix all the ingredients together for the salsa and divide between 4 plates. 4. Serve the tuna steak next to the salsa. 5. Mix the mayonnaise and lemon juice then serve on the side. Roy Wood Restaurateur
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Travel Italian Lakeside Holidays
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or a holiday that mixes adventure and activity with sight-seeing and relaxation, take a trip to one of Italy’s beautiful lakeside spots. The most famous lakes in Italy are in what is sometimes known as the Italian Lake District in the north of the country not far from the Alps. The three most popular – Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como – combine a mild Mediterranean climate and beautiful alpine scenery and provide the perfect backdrop for a holiday to remember. Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest lake, is long and narrow with towering mountains to the north and a southern shore of low, rolling hills. Situated in north-east Italy between Milan and Venice, it is a popular weekend retreat for many Italians and its lakeside towns are well-equipped for tourists and locals alike. Garda, Bardolino and Torri del Benaco are popular destinations offering plenty to see and do; Sirmione is a pretty town on the southern shores with a moated castle to explore; while Malcesine, on the eastern shore, has a cable car which takes you right to the top of the Monte Baldo ridge for spectacular views below. The towns can be reached by one of the ferries that cross the lake or by road and, if you hire a car, you can visit the sights of Verona and Venice which are easily accessible from Lake Garda. Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake, situated in the north of the country with its uppermost shores stretching into Switzerland. The whole Lake Maggiore area has beautiful buildings and scenery, but it is the Borromean islands that are not to be missed. Three are open to the public and can be visited by steamer or hydrofoil. Once there, you can enjoy their beautiful gardens and relaxing restaurants. The main
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town on Lake Maggiore is Stresa on the western shore, with welcoming cafés and local boutiques. Whichever resort you choose to stay at, you can find interesting walks in the hills where the views are magnificent and the land rich with unusual species of flowers and plants. Lake Como, Italy’s third largest lake, lies between Milan and the border of Switzerland and is the deepest lake in Europe. Arguably the most popular of the Italian Lakes, Lake Como is blessed with a beautiful and varied landscape, including wooded mountains, natural springs, impressive rocks and pretty villages. The town of Bellagio, known as the pearl of the lake, is in a beautiful setting and is home to many of the magnificent mansions and villas in the area. Some Italian villas are open to the public; Villa Carlotta, south of Menaggio, has beautiful gardens and a tour inside will reveal its original 18th century furniture and art works. Menaggio itself is a lively resort popular with outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, windsurfing and rock climbing, while the walled town of Como offers an afternoon in one of its pretty squares enjoying an espresso and watching the world go by. Whichever lake you visit you’ll find the accommodation diverse in style and budget so there’s something for everyone, whether you want to be right by the water or a little more into the rural countryside. There’s the opportunity to explore hillsides, have a go at water sports, visit picturesque villages and historic buildings or simply relax, sunbathing by the water’s edge. The beauty is that you can do as much or as little of what you want when you want, making a lakeside destination ideal for those looking for a holiday away from bustling beaches and organised outings. Sophie Brewill
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Computer Advice Fighting the Viruses
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ith all the media coverage of Mexican Swine Flu at the moment now seems like a good time to talk about the other sort of viruses, those which infect computers. Of course, a damaged computer can hardly be compared to a seriously ill person but, then again, there is not a whole community of people who spend their time wilfully trying to infect the human race with deadly viruses. Many of us will have known the annoyance of having their computer infected with a virus which can only be removed by reinstalling the operating system. This, in turn, means the loss of all the data on the hard drive and the need to reinstall software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader and all the various drivers that make your printers and sound systems work – particularly difficult when you have lost the original discs. A true virus is one that can infect and replicate itself on your computer without your knowledge or control. It needs a host to transfer itself between computers, usually an email in this day and age. Make no mistake, viruses are bad news. They can kill your computer so thoroughly that it won’t even boot up. Some of them can be removed using tools developed by the antivirus companies but this is often a complex procedure and you may need professional help; often the only cure is to reload the operating system. Types of Malware, nasties such as worms and Trojan horses, are not strictly speaking viruses and are not generally as destructive but they do have the disadvantage that they don’t need a host to infect your computer; you can get them just by clicking on the wrong website link. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about viruses at all, just install antivirus software on your computer and make sure that it is updated regularly, preferably every day. On a cautionary note, bear in mind that all makes of antivirus software are not the same. For starters, packages such as Norton and McAfee charge an annual fee and if, for some reason, you don’t renew the subscription at the end of
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the year your computer is no longer protected – eek! Some packages may also interfere with other programmes on your computer and, if your computer is on a network, the firewalls they install may prevent you from accessing other computers on the network. The really good news is that the best antivirus software on the market is available for free. It is called AVG, just type free AVG into Google and you should be pointed in the right direction. There is a more sophisticated version that you pay for but that is aimed more at us professional IT types. When you set it up on your computer, just make sure that you configure it to do daily updates and daily scans – you shouldn’t notice any loss of performance when it is running a scan. One final thing to remember is that the majority of viruses created are targeted at machines running Windows. This is partly because Windows can be found on about 90% of computers, thus giving the pathetic cyber geeks that invent them a larger target audience, and also because earlier versions of Windows are particularly vulnerable to attack by viruses. One of the main benefits of Windows Vista is its enhanced security and this is improved still further in Windows 7. Who knows, in a few years time computer viruses (and the sad individuals who create them) could become a thing of the past. Graham Iek IT Consultant
Lifestyle & Leisure 08/09/2009 08:51:16
Book Review
Who Runs Britain? by Robert Peston
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ove him or loathe him – and Robert Peston, the BBC’s Business Editor, does seem to divide people decisively one way or the other – has become a household name over recent months since the onset of the current economic crisis. The cover describes it as “the number one business book of the year” and “essential reading” to learn “who’s to blame for the economic mess we’re in”. Like many people, I suspect, I hear the news everyday and marvel at the size of the numbers quoted but struggle to understand much of the technical jargon. So, could this guide help me out? It was worth a try! If I reveal that the opening page includes reference to Arsenal football club, David Bowie and dishwashers, you will quickly realise that this is not going to be some heavy-weight tome that only the most business-minded should attempt to read. Robert Peston has an engaging style of writing which makes each chapter – be it on capitalism, pensions
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or manufacturing – feel approachable and even interesting in a way you might never have imagined. By the end of chapter five you will have read about collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles and the dangers of liquidity mismatch, none of which are as frightening to learn about as you might think! The book gives an historical background to key events that changed or influenced the current national position, offers insight into the reasons behind decisions made and introduces the key individuals who played a part. As to the answer to the book’s title “Who Runs Britain?” his conclusion gives plenty of food for thought. At present so much seems uncertain in both economic and political terms that perhaps future editions will need an added final chapter. Sarah Payne
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Sudoku Shack :: Print Sudoku to fill later
Sudoku
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Sudoku Shack :: Print Sudoku to fill later
Page 1 of 1
SudokuShack.com SudokuShack.com Medium Medium SudokuSudoku Number 2000000038 Number 2000000038
3
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6
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8 89 9
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3 7 9 7
2 95 5
4
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4 8
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How to play
Fill in the grid so that every row, every How play Fillto in the grid so that every row, column, and every 3x3 box contains the
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every column, and every 3x3 row, box every Fill in grid so that digits 1the through to 9, withevery repetition! contains the digits 1no through column, and every box contains the That’s all there is with to it.3x3 Yourepetition! solve the to 9, no puzzle with reasoning and logic there’s digits 1 through to 9, with no repetition! That’s all there is to it. You solve no maths no adding up. the the puzzle and That’s allinvolved therewith isand toreasoning it. You solve logic - there’s no maths It’s fun! It’s Challenging! It’s addictive! puzzle with reasoning and logic - there’s involved and no adding up. no maths and no adding up. It’sinvolved fun! It’s Challenging! It’s fun! It’s Challenging! It’s addictive! It’s addictive!
Win a £25 Book Voucher courtesy of Homefix Handyman Just complete the Sudoku on this page, and send in the whole page or a photocopy to us at the following address: http://www.soduko.org/sudoku-print.php?id=2000000038
10/06/2009
Puzzle Competition, Spotlight on West Bridgford, 7 Wimbledon Road, Nottingham NG5 1GT
Good Luck! Entries must be received by September 31st. The winner will be picked at random from correct entries, and will receive a £25 Book Voucher. 10/06/2009
http://www.soduko.org/sudoku-print.php?id=2000000038
Name ..................................................................................……………………………………. Address.................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................Telephone………………………………... This months Sudoku Competition has been sponsored by: Homefix Handyman, 075 955 10190
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Lifestyle & Leisure 08/09/2009 08:51:18
WOODLAND GATES Top Quality Bespoke Wooden Entrance Gates and Boarded Doors
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Property
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If you don’t want to move, why not improve?
any people find themselves in a situation where they are living in the right location but their current house no longer meets their needs; maybe because there is not enough space or perhaps because the interior of the house is not to their liking. If moving to a larger or more modern home is not an option then improving your existing house could be the solution.
A kitchen to die for Fitting a new kitchen can add an impressive 5% to the value of your house. There are no complications regarding planning permission or building regulations and it doesn’t have to be expensive – particularly if you do a “makeover” with new fronts and work surfaces. Don’t get carried away though; fitting a £25,000 kitchen in an £180,000 semi is not a good investment.
For the past year or so falling house prices have discouraged many from investing in their homes but, with prices stabilising and mortgage finance becoming more widely available, now could be the time to consider it. Better still, by improving your home you not only meet your own needs but also can increase its value. Here are our top five most useful home improvements.
More bathrooms The Nationwide calculates that an extra en suite or second bathroom can add a useful 5% to the sale price, not to mention eliminating those queues for the loo in the morning. However, if you lose one of your bedrooms to create the space for the bathroom you are likely to devalue your home. If there simply isn’t the space available for another bathroom, refitting your existing bathroom will make your home more saleable. Once again, you don’t have to spend a fortune but, if you do, you will probably get a negative return on your investment.
Convert your loft Converting a loft into extra living space is relatively straightforward providing that you have sufficient head clearance and can really transform your home. An extra bedroom with an en suite bathroom is the best use of the extra space and can add up to 21% to the value of your home according to the Nationwide. The typical cost is around £20,000 but don’t try and cut corners; there are a wealth of building regulations to comply with. Build an extension An extension is an obvious way to add extra rooms and extra value. The Nationwide calculates that a ground floor extension adds 5% to your home’s value while an extra bedroom can add a further 12%. A single storey one costs around £30,000 with a two storey coming in at £40,000. Just be careful that you don’t use up too much garden space. Large houses with tiny gardens can be difficult to sell.
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Go green Price comparison site www.beatthatquote. com calculates that “green” improvements that reduce your home’s carbon footprint could increase the value of your home by 6%, not to mention greatly reducing your energy bills. A ground source heat pump will pay for itself in 7 years, adds lots of value and you have the satisfaction of knowing you are heating your home for free. Solar panels can provide 70% of your hot water and only cost about £1500 to install. Wind turbines provide very little energy, are expensive to install and unsightly once in situ – best avoided. The best investment by far is effective loft insulation. It is very cheap to install and will save up to 25% on your heating bills.
Home & Garden 08/09/2009 08:51:19
HomeCraft 1_4_main page:Layout 1
13/6/08
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Visit our Showrooms in Radcliffe or Wollaton C U R TA I N S a n d h o m e wa r e s
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Telephone: 0115 93 32 239
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www.homecraft-interiors.com
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Quirky sentences The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work. No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it. Atheism is a non-prophet organization. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, ‘You stay here, I’ll go on a head.’ A backward poet writes inverse.
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Home & Garden 08/09/2009 08:51:21
Martin Page
Edwalton &
West Bridgford’s Local Tree Surgeon Have you considered? Just like the rest of your property your trees may need some maintenance from time to time? Are your trees too tall, unsafe or untidy? Are they blocking light from yours, or your neighbour’s property? With o v e r 25 years of experience working with trees in your area I would be pleased to offer you free advice and a free quotation.
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call me now on
0115 906 8680
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Home & Garden 08/09/2009 08:51:23
0845 116 1220 www.belvoirlettings.com Belvoir West Bridgford 24a Gordon Road, West Bridgford, NG2 5LN
email westbridgford@belvoirlettings.com www.belvoirlettings.com/nottinghamwestbridgford
> FREE Property Appraisal > Full Management > Tenant Find > Buy to Let > Property Insurances > Rent and Legal Protection > Inventories > Inspections > Accompanied Viewings > Fully Referenced Tenants > Exclusive Website providing Nationwide coverage
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Useless Facts Sri Lanka has the world’s highest number of public holidays. Spinach has more iron per calorie than meat. If the genome was a book it would be the equivalent of about 800 dictionaries. Flies fly at an average of about 4 miles per hour. Tomato and lime are very good bleaching agents. Clinophobia is the fear of beds. There are 6374.6 miles of streets in New York City. The Pentagon has 17.5 miles of corridors.
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An F1 car is made up of about 80,000 components. Slugs have 4 noses. There is an island in Thailand named stain busters new artwork.indd after James Bond.
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4/2/09 4:53:28 pm
The average mosquito has 47 teeth. Garlic can be effective as a mosquito repellent. Lobster used to be poor people’s food. Glaciers cover about 10% of the Earth’s surface. Almost 90% of an iceberg is below water. Over 40% of the population in Alaska fish. Spanish is the first language in more than 20 countries. The longest recorded game of chess is 192 moves.
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Home & Garden 08/09/2009 08:51:25
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Gardening Off with their Heads…!
T
he current monsoon-like conditions have created some of the best growing conditions I can remember. You only have to look at the massive crops of fruit ripening on the trees and the legions of happy allotmenteers to realise the amazing season we’re enjoying. The downside is that at this time of the year there is a tendency for gardens to be looking slightly too good (if that makes sense!) with once conservatively planted borders looking like they’ve been drinking far too much Heineken. The tiny plant bought for £1 at the Church fair has now taken on the proportion of a triffid and even the family cat makes a detour for fear of what may be lurking in the ‘border!’ As I write this my own garden is looking as if it’s on the first steps towards primary jungle. Having not had the chance to do any serious gardening for a couple of weeks now my tiny plot is taking on a life of it’s own, especially the newly laid lawn which is rapidly becoming an unplanned flowery meadow. Embarrassingly the garden’s main stars; a selection of David Austin English Roses are now sporting a fine crop of hips where there should be masses of new flowers - and all because I haven’t had the time to get the secateurs out. If your maintenance regime has also slipped then fear not as all is not lost. It is a fairly easy matter to tame the rampant beast with the reasonable expectation of a decent display in a few weeks time. All you need is a bit of confidence and secateurs or shears. Most plants, shrubs and some trees will benefit from a regular clip and it’s interesting to note that some professionals even hack back their prized specimens prior to major flower shows. Unsurprisingly this is now referred to as the ‘Chelsea Chop’ and consists of full grown plants being reduced by as much as a half of their growth in order to induce a much more compact and robust flush of secondary
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growth. Clearly not for the faint hearted but certainly something worth remembering if you are dithering as to whether or not to be ruthless or just take the dead leaves off your plants. This method works especially well with herbaceous plants such as Sedum which if left unchecked would produce lanky, easily damaged shoots. Most books encourage the patient and diligent removal of all spent flowering material in the garden in order to encourage fresh flowering shoots. This is all very well and, I’m sure, highly therapeutic if you’re retired or are holidaying at home this year - but for the rest of us deadheading falls into the life’s too short category. I much prefer to wait until there’s a reasonable amount of plants that have finished flowering and then give it a ‘Jonathan Chop’ (less posh than the Chelsea version!) and take out as much spent flowering material as I can. By reducing the volume of vegetation you are increasing air movement and this in turn greatly reduces the incidence of pests and diseases and allows access to the soil to remove the inevitable weeds. Just be a little careful to do your homework as some shrubs and climbers will not flower next season if you relieve them of the growth they have put on this year. An example is Buddleia, which in its common form flowers on the current season’s growth, but B. alternfolia needs mature one or two year old growths to flower from. You have been warned. If you’re going to follow this fairly draconian method then please don’t forget to feed your plants - they will withstand all manner of abuse with secateurs but will recover and flourish more easily with a liberal dose of fish, blood and bone plus some spent mushroom compost as a mulch. Jonathan Wild Garden Consultant and Chief Executioner!
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Community Information
Local author Book signing – Baby on a Budget
B
ecky Goddard-Hill has lived in West Bridgford all of her life. Becky worked as a Social Work training officer and psychotherapist prior to having her first child at 32. Frankie was just 3lb 2oz when he was born and needed time in intensive care. As a result of this Becky was advised to keep him out of nursery for the first year of his life. Her planned 6-month maternity break became a year and she just loved it! She managed to negotiate a further 5 year career break with her employers but her little family had one major stumbling block….money! Becky had been the main earner and her husbands IT business was still at the development stage. Managing on just one lower wage was going to be a real challenge but it was a challenge they were definitely up for! Five years of creative budgeting later and Becky is still off work to tell her tale. She wrote a book about her experiences entitled How to Afford Time off with Your Baby 101 way to ease the financial strain. This was her first book and it was snapped up by Vermilion the market leader in parenting book publishing. Becky is delighted by the response to her book and hopes it will inspire parents who are daunted by the prospects of managing financially with a new baby cope with and enjoy their maternity leave – however long they take.
The book addresses pre-pregnancy to pre-school and all aspects of baby budgeting in between. Becky looks at Christenings on a shoestring, dressing your baby well for less, benefits, budget birthday parties, ways to reduce your mortgage and much, much more. All 101 ideas are easy to follow and easily achieved. The book also contains an extensive resource bank detailing how and where to get any additional information you may need. How to Afford Time off with Your Baby is avaible to order from www.amazon.co.uk. and at Buy the Book, Central Avenue, West Bridgford. Becky will be signing copies of her book at Watersones bookshop in the city on Sat 19 Sept in the morning. The accompanying website and blog are available at www.babybudgeting.co.uk
Photographic Exhibition St Giles, with the most recent one in 2007 raising £6,500 for Retrak, an East African Children’s training and rehabilitation charity. Previously Adrian has exhibited work at the Chelsea College of Art, The Royal Photographic Society in Bath Leukaemia Research is the only charity in the UK dedicated exclusively to researching blood cancers and disorders including Leukaemia, which affects young and old alike. This charity is particularly close to Adrian’s heart as his father died of Leukaemia last October, aged 72, following a 9 month battle..
W
ilderness, a fundraising exhibition of landscape photographs taken by Adrian Cudmore in Yellowstone National Park (USA) and Norway will be held in St Giles’ Church, West Bridgford in Mid October. All proceeds from the exhibition will be split between Leukaemia Research and the West Bridgford based Friary Drop-In Centre for the homeless. The exhibition will be open 12-7pm on Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th and Wednesday 14th - Sunday 18th October. Adrian Cudmore is an experienced local amateur photographer who has held two prior exhibitions at
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The Friary Drop-In Centre on Musters Road is supported by a variety of organisations as well as several of the Churches across West Bridford, including St Giles’. It reaches out to the homeless of Nottingham providing advice, food, bedding and access to health and rehabilitation services. This year Adrian hopes to match his prior fund raising success in aid of these two worthy causes; leukaemia touches so many people in so many ways either directly or indirectly and the Friary Drop-In is becoming increasingly relevant in these difficult economic times.
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Community Information 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 30th of each month. Please e mail dave@spotlightlocal.co.uk or write to The Editor, Spotlight Magazine, 7 Wimbledon Road, Nottingham NG5 1GT.
‘Flowers, Wine and Music’, featuring a flower arranging demonstration by ‘Flower Bay’ of Trent Boulevard and music by Paul Ricard, will be held in All Hallows’ church, Pierrepont Road, Trent Boulevard, on Friday October 2nd at 7.45pm. It is of special relevance to couples organizing their wedding, however everyone is welcome. £3.50 admission on the door. Further details from Maureen Tel. 9149481 mitchell164@hotmail.com Every wednesday the Rotary Club of West Bridgford meets at 6pm at The Nottingham Forest Football Club. Enquiries for membership from both professional men and women of all ages are very welcome. Please contact John Walker on 0115 937 3551 for more information. Mother and Baby Postnatal Fitness Classes Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11am-12pm All Hallows Church Hall, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay/West Bridgford - Mummies and Buggies classes are a great workout for new mums who want to get back into shape, without having to organise a babysitter. Come along from 6-10 weeks after birth. Tel Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@mummiesandbuggies.co.uk or see www.mummiesandbuggies.co.uk Pregnancy Fitness Classes - Mondays 6:00-7:00pm and Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm Lady Bay Scout Hut, Cnr Trent Blvd/Mona Rd, Lady Bay/West Bridgford. For mums-to-be who want to exercise safely, effectively and confidently throughout their pregnancy. Join from as early as 12 weeks/2nd trimester. Meet other expectant mums. Phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@bumptobabe.co.uk or visit www.bumptobabe.co.uk Pregnancy Pilates Classes - Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm West Bridgford Methodist Church, Cnr Musters/Patrick Rds, West Bridgford. Suitable for pregnant women who want a slow, controlled form of exercise to perform from 12 to 40 weeks, which really focusses on improving abdominal strength, realigning posture, relieving tension and relaxation. Phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@bumptobabe.co.uk or see www.bumptobabe.co.uk to register for the next 8 week course. Little Black Dress Workout - Mondays 8:15-9:15pm All Hallows Church Hall, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay/West Bridgford - A fun, fat-burning, full body workout which WILL burn off those excess calories. Places are limited, so to book your space on the next course, call Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@zesthealthandfitness.co.uk or visit www.zesthealthandfitness.co.uk Pilates Classes - Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm/8:30-9:30pm and Wednesdays 8:15-9:15pm West Bridgford Methodist Church, Cnr Musters/Patrick Rds, West Bridgford - Pilates is a slow, controlled form of exercise which helps strengthen and tone your abdominals/back, realign your posture, increase flexibility, challenge your co-ordination and relieve tension
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after a long day. To book your place on the next 6 week course, phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@zesthealthandfitness.co.uk or visit www.zesthealthandfitness.co.uk LINE DANCING CLASSES AT THE METHODIST CHURCH, SHELFORD ROAD, RADCLIFFE ON TRENT EVERY MONDAY EVENING 7.00p.m. - 9.45p.m. - (First Hour Suitable For “BEGINNERS”). All new members welcome - just come along and join in the fun or Ring 0115 9140673. for further information. LINE DANCING CLASS AT WEST PARK PAVILLION, LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD, WEST BRIDGFORD. EVERY TUESDAY EVENING 8.00.p.m. - 10.00 p.m......... (Improver - Intermediate Level) All new members welcome - just come along or Ring 0115 9140673 for further information. LINE DANCING CLASS AT WIGHTMAN HALL (SCOUT HALL) STRATFORD RD, WEST BRIDGFORD. EVERY FRIDAY MORNING. 9.45 a.m. - 11.45 a.m......... (Suitable for all abilities) All new members welcome just come along or Ring 0115 9140673 for further information. LINE DANCING CLASS AT THE BURNSIDE HALL,CHURCH HILL, PLUMTREE EVERY FRIDAY EVENING 8.00.p.m. - 10.00.p.m......(Improver Intermediate Level) All new members welcome - just come along or Ring 0115 9140673 for further 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. lisa.goodlass@ntlworld.com 0115 8549175 Bridgford Beaders meet once a month at Rushcliffe Arena from 10am to 1pm. We are a very friendly group of ladies of varied ages and abilities and we are always willing to help each other. We tend to have a project each month but you are always able to do your own thing. For further info please contact Lynn 0115 9140927 . The West Bridgford Dramatic Society are an amateur society who have been entertaining the people of West Bridgford and beyond since 1949. Over the years we have had many homes, but for the last 20 years we have been based at our own Studio Theatre at the end of Stamford Road in West Bridgford - near the Willow Tree pub, which is convenient! 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 http://www.wbds.org.uk/, which has the latest programme!! Autumn Auction. All Hallows Church will be auctioning Produce, Promises and other items of interest at 12noon on Sat Oct 10th, at the Church Hall, Pierrepont Rd, West Bridgford. Coffee, Cakes and Stalls from 10am. No Admission charge, profits to church funds. Professional Auctioneer - great fun !
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Index of Advertisers Aerial Services Cooper Aerials
17
Kitchens Dream Doors
Carpet Cleaning Stain Busters
24
Letting Agencies Belvoir Lettings
23
Car Services Smart Repair 5 Minute Car Wash
9 9
Oven Cleaners Ovencleaners
24
Pets Dial a Dog Wash
13
Plumbing and Heating MCK Plumbing Lady Bay Plumbing
32 19
Property Services Beecroft Joinery Conserv-a-clean Drive Revive Grout and About Handy Serve Homefix Handyman Ian Knowles Painting Spectrum Mr Mowtivator Sapphire
17 21 9 27 25 31 27 22 22 23
Pubs and Restaurants Fire and Ice Dibleys
2 15
Soft Furnishings Homecraft Interiors
19
Video Services VHS 2 DVD
22
Catering Village Kitchen White Peacock
11 11
Dentists Sunshine Denture
7
Children Stagecoach
3
Electrical Services CMS Electrical D White Electrical
25 20
Fascia’s R G Fascia’s
27
Garden Services Charnwood Tree Surgeon
21
Gates Woodland Gates Health and Beauty Cambridge The Treatment Room Home Improvement Décor Direct
17 6 6
5
17
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