1860 Frank Innes Posters B:A3 11/06/2009 19:11 Page 1
price time
...th e
r7
5y ears
!
agent
ve o best for
confidently moving 1,000’s of customers time after time with Frank Innes, the ‘trusted’ Estate Agent
...the best for over 75 years
call us today to get moving
08000 304130 national coverage, local expertise, individual service
www.frankinnes.co.uk
Spotlight on West Bridgford Contents Editor’s letter Welcome to the July edition of Spotlight magazine. In this months restaurant review you can read all about the excellent meal we enjoyed at Fire and Ice in West Bridgford. On the subject of food, the Sudoku prize is lunch for 2 at Dibley’s restaurant, Compton Acres, and we have an interesting article on the subject of good versus bad chocolate. Jonathan Wild talks about creating entertainment space in the garden, we have an article on the benefits of water, and Howard vents his frustrations at various government offices on the opinion page. For those of us who have mobility problems, we have some very useful information regarding the Mobility offices in West Bridgford, and the solutions they have for helping us to get around. 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. 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 4
Health & Wellbeing Interesting Facts about Water The Benefits of Chocolate
6 7
Food and Drink Restaurant Review Good Vs Bad Chocolate
8 12
Puzzles Prize Sudoku Word Search
10 24
Lifestyle and Leisure Book Review Weilding the Axe Motoring Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec
17
Business & Professional Speed up your Internet
18
Home & Garden Property Gardens for Entertaining Shopmobility Community Information
22 26 28 29
Index of Advertisers
30
18 14
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: Howard Clemmow, Penny Clemmow, Sandra Hutchinson, Tracey Ward, Graham Iek, Lauren McCarthy, Craig Brown, Roy Wood, Rachel Edwards, Kit Johnson, George Leslie & Jonathan Wild. Distribution: Spotlight on West Bridgford is delivered to 5100 homes in West Bridgford, Edwalton and Lady Bay.
MADE IN BRITAIN
20 Interesting Facts about Water… ...and
15 Reasons to drink more of it.
1. Between 70 and 75% of the earth’s surface is
covered with water. 2. The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today. 3. Only 1.1% of the water on earth is suitable for drinking. 4. Our bodies consist of 55–75% water. 5. Depression and fatigue are often symptoms of dehydration. 6. Drinking water with meals aids the process of digestion. 7. The best way of getting rid of water retention is to drink a lot of water. 8. Water allows the body to metabolise fats more efficiently. 9. Good water intake prevents the skin from sagging. 10. Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a few days without water. 11. The thirst reflex only appears when our bodies are already dehydrated.
13. Children dehydrate more quickly than
adults do and a survey revealed that 65% of schoolchildren drank too little water. 14. A 2% reduction of water levels in the body can lead to a 20% decrease in mental and physical performance. 15. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer 16. Dehydration may induce contractions in pregnant women 17. A healthy person can drink about three gallons (48 cups) of water in a day. 18. Drinking too much water too quickly can lead to water intoxication. 19. While the daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, not all of this water must be consumed in the liquid form. Nearly every food or drink item provides some water to the body. 20. Bottled water is not a viable alternative to tap water
Age and Exercise...
W
alking can add minutes to your life.This enables you at 85-years-old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home...at £3000 per month. My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he’s 97-years-old...and we don’t know where the hell he is! I like long walks... especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again. I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I’m doing... I joined a health club last year... spent about 400 quid. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there. Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise’, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
6
I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them. The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they’ll say, “Well, he looks good, doesn’t he?” If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country. I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years..just getting over the hill. We all get heavier as we get older, because there’s a lot more information in our heads. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Every time I start thinking too much about how I look, I just find a Happy Hour... and by the time I leave, I look just fine.
Health & Wellbeing
Restaurant Review Fire and Ice, West Bridgford Strip
F
ire and Ice is a bar and restaurant well established on the West Bridgford strip. The bar is many a locals favourite during a night out in the town. It is also a convenient meeting place, being close to the municipal car park, and having a welcoming patio area to the front of the building. Inside the décor is warm and rustic, plenty of brick and wood, with leather sofas on which to enjoy a pre dinner cocktail. There are log burning fires, and a beautifully landscaped deck to enjoy alfresco dining. This was my first time eating here, and I have to say, it won’t be my last. The main feature of the restaurant is an impressive wood fired brick oven, from which came a seemingly endless supply of pizzas. All the pizza dough and bread is made fresh on site each day. The menu is quite extensive, with a selection that ranges from sandwiches and pizza, to marinated lamb and fillet steak.
the £4 to £5 range, and we thought good value. For the mains, we went for a duck and watercress salad, a splendid marinated yellow fin tuna; served on sautéed peppers, green beans, bean shoots and chilies, all tossed with noodles in an
We decided to start the meal with a tasty mozzarella and tomato salad, crayfish concasse, and nachos. The crayfish was particularly enjoyable, and the dish of nachos was almost a meal in itself, consisting of home made tortilla chips, topped with mozzarella, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos. The price for the starters is generally in
8
Food & Drink
ginger cheesecake, and a creamy vanilla pannacotta, which was served with a drizzle of fruit coulis. The Hot chocolate brownie was also a temptation, but we decided to leave that until the next visit. To accompany the meal we chose a very nice pinot from a wine menu with prices starting at around £13.
oriental style. I had to try the homemade Lasagne, which came straight from the wood fired oven, extremely hot, and very tasty indeed. We felt it was our duty as reviewers to order dessert. One of the unusual items on the desert menu is an adult’s only jelly of the day, which of course I had to try. It turned out to be an orange jelly made with cointreau, and served with a scoop of Thaymar luxury ice cream, and chocolate covered strawberries. We were also tempted by the homemade lime and
Food & Drink
The restaurant was very child friendly, with a good mix of couples, groups and families. The menu is changed every 3 months, with daily chef’s specials and plenty of choice. There is a pizza or pasta weekday special for £5.00, available from 5 – 7pm, and a bar menu. We have no hesitation in recommending a visit to Fire and Ice. If you have not eaten here before, and are in the mood for Mediterranean cuisine, I don’t think you will be disappointed. If you have eaten here before, maybe you should take a fresh look.
9
Sudoku Shack :: Print Sudoku to fill later
Prize Sudoku
Page 1 of 1
How to play
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through to 9, with no repetition!
That’s all there is to it. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic there’s no maths involved and no adding up. It’s fun! It’s Challenging! It’s addictive!
Win Lunch for Two at Dibley’s Restaurant, Compton Acres! Just complete the Sudoku on this page, and send in the whole page or a photocopy to us at the following address: June Puzzle Competition, Spotlight on West Bridgford, 7 Wimbledon Road, Nottingham NG5 1GT
Good Luck!
Entries must be received by July 31st. The winner will be picked at random from correct entries, and will receive lunch for 2 at Dibleys Restaurant, Compton Acres, West Bridgford. http://www.soduko.org/sudoku-print.php?id=2000000350
26/05/2009
Name ..................................................................................……………………………………. Address.................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................Telephone………………………………...
Congratulations to Helen Houston, who won the June puzzle prize, which was a free photo shoot and framed portrait from Muse Portrait Studio, 3-5 High pavement, The Lace Market, Nottingham.
10
Food & Drink
Good Chocolate vs. Bad Chocolate
O
ver the centuries, chocolate has come full circle. Most of the modern world currently views chocolate as a tasty but unhealthy indulgence meant only for special occasions. But health-conscious consumers are now learning that dark chocolate, which does not contain some of the unhealthy ingredients usually contained in milk chocolate, possesses some astounding health properties. Scientists are rediscovering what ancient Mesoamericans knew centuries ago: chocolate can be extremely good for you. It may have been cultivated for over two thousand years, but in the last five years science has finally begun to unveil the true health benefits of cocoa. Research is just beginning and is especially promising in the area of phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids. However, not all chocolate is created equal. Most chocolate bars and confectionary commonly found in supermarkets or shops are not what you're looking for. These are typically high in refined white sugar, milk fats, and hydrogenated oils-ingredients that diminish the truly beneficial nutrients found in cocoa. It's essential to remember that what makes chocolate healthy is the chocolate itself-that is, the pure cocoa that comes from the bean of the cacao plant. Studies confirm that the chocolate products with the highest levels of polyphenols and procyanidins should contain at least 70 percent pure cocoa powder. What this means is that, while it's not necessarily bad to have "milk" chocolate, which contains a higher percentage of cream or milk, the more pure cocoa the chocolate contains, the more beneficial it will be. Bitter is better. Also, many chocolate confections are processed using a procedure known as "Dutching," which neutralizes the chocolate's acidic flavor and modifies its color by adding alkali-potash to the cocoa nibs before roasting. However, this alkalinization process also removes 75% of the chocolate's natural polyphenols. Another process commonly used by confectioners that can damage cocoa's healthy nutrients is roasting: when chocolate is prepared above 100 degrees
12
Fahrenheit, its antioxidant compounds are destroyed completely rendering the chocolate useless as a health product. So when looking for a healthy chocolate product, look for a dark chocolate product with the following properties: Has not been alkalized. Has been dried and cool-pressed instead of roasted. Consists of at least 70 percent pure cocoa. Contains cocoa butter rather than milk fats or hydrogenated oils. Contains natural, low-glycemic sweeteners-such as raw cane-opposed to refined sugar. Xocai healthy chocolate is a new product from the USA that ticks all of the above boxes. Denise Riley is one of the first authorised independent distributors of healthy chocolate in the UK. She is looking for enthusiastic and dynamic individuals to help build a distribution network for the new healthy chocolate in the East Midlands area and further afield. For more information please telephone Denise Riley at Healthy Chocolate UK on 07894 671006.
Food & Drink
The Air Hostess Stanstead Avenue
Tollerton
Four regular beers from Everards Plus a Guest Beer and Traditional Cider FOOD
12.00 - 2.30 Thu - Sat 5.30 - 8.00 Tue - Sat 12.00 - 3.00 Sun Curry Night Tuesday Quiz Night Wednesday 9pm Live Bands Sundays, 5 - 8pm
July: Sun 19th - Black 2 Black - Rock 60’s to present Sun 26th - Firewire - Pop / Rock August: Wed 5th - Not Now Cato - Rock Classics Sun 9th - Little Giants Sun 16th - Verbal Warning Sun 23rd - Dumpy’s Blues Intoxicated Sun 30th - Eat Cake - Rock Classics
Tel 0115 9377388
Food & Drink
13
Opinion
I
Wielding the Axe
t’s fair to say that all is not well with the public finances at the moment. We owe so much dosh that we can’t fit all the noughts on the page and we need to borrow yet more dosh just to pay the interest on all the dosh we’ve borrowed. What’s more, one of main credit rating agencies has decided that Alistair Darling can’t even have a new credit card, let alone umpteen billion quid to tide him over to the end of the recession. Something is going to have to be done. One option is for the government to raise taxes, which is the same as you or I getting a pay rise and no longer having to borrow money to pay our mortgage each month. The only problem with this is that if they raise taxes much more, we’ll no longer have to worry about feeding our kids because we’ll be too busy eating them in order to stay alive. The only other option, then, is to chop public spending pretty drastically, the same as you or I selling our house and buying a cheaper one so that the mortgage payments get smaller. Now, I am the first to admit that I don’t have any burning desire to empty my own bins, perform operations on myself, teach my children algebra (because I can’t do it myself) or arrest gun toting drug dealers. Obviously we’re going to have to be careful how we wield the axe or resorting to cannibalism will begin to look quite appealing. Luckily, I have a few suggestions. Top of the list are Tree Enforcement Officers. Astonishingly, they do exist but, in the name of all that’s holy, why? Do they prosecute the trees for getting too big or the owners for pruning them too vigorously? Whatever, let’s get rid of them and, while we’re about it, the Conservation Officers can go and find something more constructive to do as well. Anyone with the words “gender,”
14
“diversity” or “discrimination” in their job titles should be sacked immediately. Not only that, a Gulag should be created especially for them in order that they can never annoy the general public ever again. Let’s consider the Health and Safety Executive. Obviously, health and safety is something that we must all take very seriously but they’ve become like the KGB – they’re everywhere and interfere with every aspect of our lives. So a simple solution is this: they have to run across the M1 motorway during rush hour in heavy fog. Those that make it to the other side get to keep their job, those that got run over don’t and those that are still sitting there twelve hours later preparing a risk assessment get summarily executed. Finally, Quangos! I don’t know what they are and I don’t what they do but I do know this; there are over 1100 of them, they cost the taxpayer £64 billion a year and they employ 700,000 people. Because they are not part of the government you cannot submit a freedom of information request to find out how they spend their money and, because they are not limited companies, they don’t have to submit annual accounts. Tempting though it is to just abolish them all, we have to be careful. We’d suddenly find ourselves without a Courts Service for instance, though I dare say that the loss of the British Potato Council with its annual cost of £22 million would be less of a blow. Instead I’d give them a stark choice. Either become part of the government or a limited company (in both cases they would become accountable to the taxpayer) or cease to exist altogether. That should do for a start but as soon as I come up with a few more ideas I’ll let you know. Howard Clemmow
Lifestyle & Leisure
Lifestyle & Leisure
15
Road Test
T
Ford Ka 1.2 Zetec
he previous version of the Ford Ka was remarkable in two respects, firstly the sheer length of time Ford kept building it for (12 years) and secondly because it was still better than most of its rivals when they stopped making it. It was a car that invented its own niche, the sub-supermini, and it kept selling for all those years because its perky looks never aged, it was surprisingly spacious, was great to drive and extremely cheap to buy. It took the other main stream manufacturers years to realise this was a good sector to exploit; the Toyota Aygo made a decent fist of it but, if the Fiat 500 hadn’t have come along, Ford would be selling a 13 year old version of the Ka today. Of course, the Fiat 500 did come along and so Ford have been forced to build an all new version of the Ka. Ironically, or sensibly depending on which way you look at it, the new Ka is based on the platform of the Fiat 500. This could make a lot of sense, the cute looks of the Fiat coupled with the dynamic excellence and build quality of Ford. My question is, has everything gone to plan? Starting with the styling, all is well. The Ka is an attractive, perky little car. It has the puppy like proportions of the Fiat and still manages to carry over many of the styling cues of the old car. I like the headlights, the flared wheel arches and the way the wheels fill the arches. The only problem is, if you put it next to the Fiat it just looks like smallest car in the Ford range whereas the Fiat is a one off retro masterpiece. The interior is eerily similar to the Fiat but that’s no bad thing, the Fiat has a really cool interior that’s also very practical and surprisingly comfortable. Somehow, the Ford manages to get a larger boot. Never mind, let’s start playing to Ford’s strengths, the ride and handling. The old car was like the original Mini; it had a wheel at each corner, you could chuck it into bends and it was terrific fun to drive. The ride was a little bumpy but acceptable for such a small car. Sadly, the new Ka is much like the Fiat in the way it handles; it grips well but there is precious little feel either through the chassis or the steering and it doesn’t really involve you as a driver.
16
The ride is more composed than the old one but is nothing to write home about. Where the old car really fell down was with the engine. Most of them had a 1.3 litre petrol lump that probably first saw service in the model T. It was weedy, noisy and horribly thirsty with many owners reporting 30 mpg in daily use. The new 1.2 Zetec engine is a world apart. The 67bhp it boasts will not get many pulses racing but it delivers the power low down and is actually quite peppy to drive. It is also refined and extremely economical – I managed 52mpg with a lot of town driving in the mix. Don’t get me wrong, the Ford is a good little car and I liked it a lot. It doesn’t really have enough room in the back but, other than that, I couldn’t find fault with it. It’s just that it doesn’t have that indefinable X Factor that the Fiat has. If the Fiat is Brad Pitt, then the Ford is his brother. Somehow, I don’t think this new Ka will still be a strong seller in 10 years time. If I had just under eight grand and was in the market for a funky little new car, I’d buy the Fiat. If I was buying a used one three years down the line I’d get the Ford. Simple! Kit Johnson
Motoring
Useless facts • The average life span of an umbrella is under two years. • There is a city called Rome in every continent. • A donkey will sink in quick sand, while a mule will not. • 4,000 people are injured by tea pots every year. • The McDonald’s™ at Toronto’s ‘SkyDome’ is the only McDonald’s™ locationthat sells hot dogs. • One million $1 bills weighs 1 ton • In an average day, a four year old child will ask 437 questions. • The average speed of Heinz™ ketchup leaving the bottle is 25 miles per year. • The only words in the English language to contain two “U’s” back to back are: vacuum, residuum, and continuum. • You consume one tenth (.1) calories when you lick a stamp. • 60% of statistics are made up... • The first non-human to win an Oscar was Mickey Mouse. • Pi has been calculated to over 2,260,321,363 digits. • An ostrich egg would take four hours to hard boil. • The left leg of a chicken is more tender than the right one. • Chickens can’t swallow while they are upside down. • There are more chickens in the world than people. • A novel with 50,000 words, non of which contained the letter ‘E’ waswritten by Ernest Wright. • There are only 18 countries richer than Bill Gates • There have been fewer people below 2km in sea than have been on the moon • Every year more people are killed by donkeys, than in aircraft crashes. • The only word in the English language to contain three back to back double letter combinations is; Bookkeeper. • The number of births in India each year is greater than the entire population of Australia. • The surface speed record on the moon is 10.56 miles per hour.It was set in a lunar rover. • Gibraltar is the only place in Europe were you can find wild monkeys. • Every year, the moon moves 1/2 an inch further from the earth.
Motoring
17
Book Review
W
RHS Wildlife Garden by Martyn Cox
ith the start of summer and the hope of warm and sunny weather on the way, with any luck it will soon be possible to spend more time out in the garden and here is a book that provides endless ideas for activities with children. The Royal Horticultural Society Wildlife Garden is written by Martyn Cox who studied gardening at agricultural college and is a journalist and author. His own childhood enthusiasm prompted him to write this book and to try and make wildlife conservation as easy to approach and as much fun as possible; an aim in which he has certainly succeeded. Every page offers a different project: planting, pond life, keeping a nature diary, making a ladybird sanctuary or a bee hotel to name but a few. All are fully illustrated with photographs, drawings and clearly set out information and instructions so that nothing seems too daunting. Everything has been tried and tested and a series of symbols make
18
it easy to see what will be required and if an adult will need to be on hand for help. The size of garden you have doesn’t matter – even if you only have a hedge or a window box there are things to make and do – from bird watching and growing sunflowers in old yogurt pots to constructing a moth catcher from an old cardboard box or a bird feeder out of a juice carton. Children from the age of 5 up will surely love this book and the challenge of discovering all that there is just beyond their own back door. With the school holidays ahead it offers plenty of ideas for outside activities at very little expense and it might even get your children wanting to help with weeding, watering and mowing the lawn! Available from all good book stores, price £9.99 Sarah Payne
Home & Garden
Martin Page
Edwalton &
West Bridgford’s Local Tree Surgeon Have you considered? Just like the rest of your property your trees may need some maintenance from time to time? Are your trees too tall, unsafe or untidy? Are they blocking light from yours, or your neighbour’s property? With o v e r 25 years of experience working with trees in your area I would be pleased to offer you free advice and a free quotation.
call me now on
0115 906 8680
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
Home & Garden
19
FA Cup Tickets
“A
man had two of the best tickets for the FA Cup Final. As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.
He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married."
"No", he says, "the seat is empty."
Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find someone else, a friend or relative or even a neighbour to take the seat?"
"This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the FA Cup Final, the biggest sporting event of the year, and not use it?"
20
�
The man shakes his head... "No. They're all at the funeral."
Home & Garden
WOODLAND GATES Top Quality Bespoke Wooden Entrance Gates and Boarded Doors
Manual or Remote Control
Delivery and Installation Service Locally Based
07976 837232
www.woodlandgates.co.uk
PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL DENT-TECHNIQUE Paintless Dent Removal
Dent-Technique BEFORE • Dents Removed For Less Than Your Insurance Excess • No Claims Protection Not Affected AFTER • No Filler, No Paint No Fuss • No Hassle - We’ll Come to You
COVERING ALL OF NOTTINGHAM & SURROUNDING AREAS
0800 988 0239
www.dent-technique.com email:glynn@dent-technique.com
Home & Garden
21
Property
I
The Fall and Rise of the Property Programme
t started in 1996 with Changing Rooms, the reality show where neighbours transformed a room in each other’s home with the help of some interior designers and a very modest budget. The programme was a huge hit for the BBC and within a few years there was a horde of property related programmes spread over all the main channels: Carol Vorderman’s Better Homes, Location Location, DIY SOS…the list went on.
yourself and creating big ideas for practically no money. By the time Carol Vorderman got in on the act three years later the housing market was surging upwards and the focus of the show had shifted completely. There was no budget limit, the contestants had no input at all and Carol’s team of tradesmen made over three or four rooms in a home. The object of the exercise was to add the maximum amount of value to the house.
Some of them are still there. Kevin McCloud’s excellent Grand Designs gets a new season every year; Location Location has proved enduringly popular and DIY SOS has never really dropped off our screens, but the number of shows on the TV has declined markedly since the housing downturn began. The question is, have the public’s tastes in reality shows changed over the last few years or can property programmes actually tell us anything about the state of the property market?
My feeling is that people will always be interested in shows about houses but the type of property programme we see on TV is dictated by the prevailing market conditions. We will know that the housing market is truly on the mend when Property Ladder reappears on our screens because that is a programme about improving homes purely to make money from them, something that is almost impossible when house prices are tumbling.
Well, here’s an interesting observation. In 1996 the housing market was really in the doldrums. Changing Rooms was all about getting stuck in
Craig Brown Lifestyle Estate Agents
Your carpets ready to use in 1 hour
Your carpets ready to use in one hour with the standard Stainbusters dry cleaning process, ensuring you and your family no longer need to suffer the inconvenience of wet carpets!
Advanced deep cleaning specialists for: • Carpets & Rugs • Upholstery • Leather • Curtains & Blinds • Mattresses • Car Valeting • Shopfitting Clean • Hard Floor (Strip & Seal)
Call Stainbusters and let the experts remove your stains and deep dry clean your carpets and soft furnishings leaving you free to enjoy the amazing results!
COMMERCIAL WORK ALSO UNDERTAKEN
Call 07834 414880 or 0800 011 2032
www.stainbusters.co.uk
22
Home & Garden
BACKBENCHER
GOVERNMENT
BLACKROD
LABOUR
CABINET
LORDS
COMMONS
MINISTER
CONSERVATIVE
QUESTIONS
DEBATE
RECESS
DEMOCRACY
SPEAKER
ELECTION
WESTMINSTER
EXPENSES
WHIP
C O I R L A T R B T W L H L B
E O C K A I E R T T R M B A A
G T N T N T O E A E D L L B C
I O T S S N L B T T A R S O K
D H V I E E K S O C T E E U B
D E N E C R N L K I S T C R E
S I B T R I V R R N E C A S N
M E I A M N O A E E O S B D C
E O M T T D M P T M K S I R H
N D S R R E X E M I E A N O E
B E O E T E O O N R V R E L R
W L P I H W N E P T E E T P O
S N O I T S E U Q E S I P S S
D E M O C R A C Y H A I H T R
S S E C E R O D E U T T A E U
Parliament Wordsearch
sanctuary Property Services
07768 147427 “where property is our passion” Specialists in Residential Lettings and Property Management in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. • We love what we do and we are committed to providing excellent customer service to landlords and tenants alike. • We are completely focused on the priorities and needs of Landlords and Tenants, matching quality tenants with quality homes. • We know how to manage property for optimum performance, ensuring smooth running tenancies and compliance with landlord & tenant laws.
• Whether you are a tenant or a landlord you can be sure we are taking care of you.
07768 147427 info@sanctuaryps.co.uk www.sanctuaryps.co.uk
24
Home & Garden
Home & Garden
25
Gardening Gardens for Entertaining!
F
rom what I remember (it was a long time ago…) our family holiday to a wellknown ‘family destination’ took place in what used to be an old POW camp - not the most edifying of places, but for me and my brothers it was heaven. Butlitz is now well and truly back in fashion; value for money, lots of fun things to do for the kids, entertainment for parents and no airports to get stuck in. But if you can have that much fun within those barbed wire confines, why not within the bounds of your very own Lleylandii? Whilst I’m not advocating converting your gardens into a Hi de Hi style holiday camp the fact that we will all be spending a lot more time holidaying at home makes it more important than ever to take a close look at creating a space that all the family can use for entertainment. With the Met office prediction of a cracking summer ahead and Garden Centres bursting with plants, barbeques, furniture and outdoor games there is no better time to get started. For those lucky enough not to have been completely ‘crunched’ you could go for a ‘roofless interior’ where sleek paving, hedges, built-in kitchens, art, furniture and planting are completely coordinated and often finished off with sound and vision systems. This ultimate setting for socialising needs minimal maintenance to keep looking great all year round but comes with a hefty price tag. Back in the real world you can still entertain and relax in style at a fraction of the cost that you would normally spend on a typical family holiday in the Eurozone. A holiday trip will only last for a couple of weeks whereas that same outlay could be invested in your garden to create the perfect ‘room’ to escape to! If you have a young family the demands on your ‘room’ will be very complex (as I know well) but it is still possible for kids and parents co-exist in peace and harmony, particularly if you plan carefully and wisely. There are some great activity centres for kids on the market now - but how about making them
26
some natural Willow tunnels or a fort out of recycled wood? For less than the price of a good night out you could buy all the materials you need - and then it’s just a question of a bit of sound advice and imagination. Equally why not buy a proper canvas tent to play in; an ex- army shelter makes a great play house and even sleep-over room at a fraction of the cost of a wooden one; and it can be rolled up and put it away when you need the space for other things. For grown-up entertaining and the kids to ride bikes on, a good quality paved area is essential - not cheap though and, with the extensive choices on offer, it is well worth taking advice before you buy. Do you want it as close to the kitchen as possible or in the spot to catch the evening sun? How large should it be and what material is the better choice for durability and price? All very important considerations along with many other factors such as the best locations for growing fruit and vegetables, the best ideas for providing shelter and privacy and ideas for encouraging children to love the garden and everything that lives in it! People often ask me what exactly I do for a living - well I hope that I’ve just summed it up - I provide the link between the potential of the outdoor space and the dreams of the homeowner. Turning dreams into reality I suppose - sounds corny, but it does happen I promise you. Jonathan Wild Garden Consultant and Dream Enabler! 07810 897731
Home & Garden
A.A. Installations Ltd
“For all your Double Glazing needs!�
Conservatory, Double Glazing & Home Improvement Specialists. Let us create perfection for you.
0115 984 5153 adgar@btinternet.com www.aainstallationsltd.com
Home & Garden
27
Community Information
West Bridgford SHOPMOBILITY
I
f you have difficulty getting around, you need to know about Shopmobility.
Shopmobility is a scheme that provides mobility aids (wheelchairs, powered chairs and scooters to you and me) to help people with limited mobility to shop and use the facilities in West Bridgford. It is a voluntary group, which aims to promote the welfare and independence of people with limited mobility living in or visiting the area. There is a membership registration fee of ÂŁ10 per year, following which the service is free! You can hire a Shopmobility scooter etc any number of times and there is no charge. To join the scheme, simply call in at the Shopmobility office, where a member of staff will assist you in filling out the membership form. Proof of ID is required. When you hire the equipment you will be given instructions and training, however they are very simple to use. It is always advisable to book in advance by telephoning 0115 981 5451. The normal rental time is 3 hours per rental. You may use the equipment to travel anywhere within central West Bridgford.
Pictured are Jenny Alderton and Joyce Langdon, volunteers at the Shopmobility office. They informed me that the office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm. Also pictured is Tom Guyler, who said that he is a frequent user of the centre, that he is very grateful for the service provided, and that without it, shopping in the area would be very difficult. The office is located at the rear of the public library in the Bridgford Road car park. There is always a need for additional volunteers, especially at holiday times, so please contact the office if you feel you can help. For more information please call 0115 981 5451.
28
Community
Community Information 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. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11am-12pm All Hallows Church Hall, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay/West Bridgford Mother and Baby Postnatal Fitness Classes - 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. Phone Claire on 07747 656550, email claire@mummiesandbuggies. co.uk or see www.mummiesandbuggies.co.uk Mondays 6:00-7:00pm and Wednesdays 6:30 7:30pm Lady Bay Scout Hut, Cnr Trent Blvd/ Mona Rd, Lady Bay/West Bridgford Pregnancy Fitness Classes - 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 Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm West Bridgford Methodist Church, Cnr Musters/Patrick Rds, West Bridgford Pregnancy Pilates Classes - 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. Mondays 8:15-9:15pm All Hallows Church Hall, Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay/West Bridgford Little Black Dress Workout - 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 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 Classes - Pilates is a slow, controlled form of exercise which helps strengthen and tone your abdominals/back, realign your posture, increase flexibility, challenge your coordination and relieve tension 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
Community
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!!
29
Index of Advertisers Aerial Services Cooper Aerials Carpet Cleaning Stain Busters Drain Cleaning Blitz Drainage Cleaning Services Klynhome Dentists Compton Acres Dental Practice Estate Agents Frank Innes Fascia’s R G Fascia’s Garage Services Smart Repair 5 Minute Car Wash Dent Technique Garden Services Charnwood Tree Surgeon Gates Woodland Gates Handyman Services Homefix Handyman Home Improvement Décor Direct Sapphire Kitchens Dream Doors Letting Agencies Sanctuary Property Services Belvoir Lettings
30
25
Mobile Disco’s Sonic Sounds
25
22
Oven Cleaners Ovencleaners
25
22
Optician Compton Acres Optician
31
Pets Dial a Dog Wash Paws 4 Thought
15 25
Photographers Muse
15
Plumbers MCK Plumbing
32
Pubs and Restaurants Bombay Brasserie Dibley’s The Air Hostess
11 13 13
21
Soft Furnishings Homecraft Interiors
27
20
Slimming Lighter Life
21 3 2 27 17 17 21 19
27 18 5 24 19
7
Video Services VHS 2 DVD
15
Windows, Doors and Conservatories East Midland Glass AA Glass
23 27
Designer glasses from
£99
We guarantee to beat any like for like quote on spectacle lenses Bvlgari • Lulu Guinness • Götti • Mykita Jacob Jensen • Kio Yamato • Tom Davies • DKNY TAG Heuer • D&G • Porsche Nike • Nike Vision Centre • 0&X • Jaeger Jaeger London • Ted Baker • X Eyes Guess • Tommy Hilfiger
www.cao.uk.com Telephone: 0115 945 5726 • Email: info@cao.uk.com • Fax: 0115 981 4951 Unit 6 • Compton Acres Shopping Centre • West Bridgford • Nottingham NG2 7RS