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This Month 6. Portishead strollers 8. Summer sandals 10. Your Garden in June 12. Peach and rose sangria 14. Everything you need to know 16. Horoscopes 18. Iconic Bristol car brand revived 20. Dad offed book deal 22. Tips and tricks (Painting) 24. Garden landscaping ideas 30. The connection between sleep
The team EDITOR Michael Davies
JOURNALIST
Lisa Davies PROOF READER Elisabeth Davies
Regular editoials By: Marie Heyward Martin Powell Daren Bane Kayleigh Penny Peter Abraham Molly Pownall
Distribution: North Somerset Magazines are delivered to homes and businesses to reach 20,000 people each month..
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Dogs are now prohibited from several major beaches
We now have seasonal ban on dogs on beaches across Somerset is now in force.
The beach in Clevedon prohibits dogs at all times, unless it is a registered guide dog.
The ban came into effect on 1st May - as the summer season looms and visitor numbers increase - and mean that man's best friend will have to steer clear of a handful of the most popular spots over the summer months.
Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean
While there are a few places where our four legged friends are welcome year round, it is wise to check before you head to the coast whether your pet can come with you or not. Below is a list of all the places dog owners will need to avoid - as well as a few where doggies are welcome year-round. In Weston-super-Mare, four-legged friends are baned from using the beach between the Grand Pier and Royal Sands from 1st May to 30th September 2021 They’re also prohibited from the beach at Marine Lake during the summer months. Fortunately for pet owners, dogs are permitted between the Grand Pier and Knightstone Island; Royal Sands and Uphill at any time throughout the year.
In Burnham-on-Sea, dogs are prohibited all year-round on the beach, jetty and Esplanande steps between the jetty and the Pavillion. Between 1st May and September that ban increases to include the beach and Esplanade steps between the jetty and Yacht Club and the Pavillion and Maddocks Slade. Meanwhile, dogs are allowed throughout the year on all the beaches north of the sea wall at Maddocks Slade in Burnham all the way to Brean Down, which includes both Berrow beach and Brean Beach. Just the beach in Minehead with a restriction on dogs is the main Minehead Beach What happens if you’re caught violating a ban? Dog walkers who are caught ignoring the ban can be fined up to £75.
Sand Bay is also allowed to dog walkers all year Wantround. to find out more about what’s in store for you this month! Contact Marie on: 07949 800354
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PORTISHEAD STROLLERS
Portishead Strollers is part of the Walking for Health scheme managed locally on behalf of The Ramblers by North Somerset Council. The group has been organising walks in and around Portishead throughout the recent lockdowns. This has involved walking in several small groups but now, with the lockdown easing, the group is able to revert to larger groups which offers a much more sociable experience. From Monday 24th May the group will meet alongside the new electric car charging point at Parish Wharf at 10.30am. Depending on numbers the walkers will split into suitably sized groups before setting off on a one hour walk (which regularly finishes in a coffee shop!). For less able walkers there is a small group which offers a gentler pace.
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Walking for Health is part of The Ramblers, Britain’s leading walking charity helping everyone across the country enjoy walking, for health, pleasure and happiness, whether they are just starting out or already an enthusiast. We do this by promoting walking and working to protect and improve the places where people walk. You will be very welcome to join us – no fuss, no formalities – just turn up! Email Mike Watts at michaelwatts3139@ btinternet.com for further information.
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Summer sandals to invest in now! We are just a few weeks away from summer and warm weather and socialising galore are on the cards, meaning our outfit planning instinct has gone into overdrive. Shorts, dresses and linen shirts all have their place in our warm wardrobes but the summer sandal is the real staple. Come rain or shine, sandals are worn continuously from May to August. It’s the ease at which they pair with any outfit and the comfort they provide when the temperatures rise.
Charles & Keith blo
ck heel mules
If you find yourself back in the office during the summer months, you will be on the hunt for a summer/workwear-appropriate sandal. This Charles & Keith pair are classy and subdued enough for meetings but will work just as well when worn with a black slip midi dress at night.
Plus, they look elegant too. And now is the time to invest in a pair. Because by July, the selection depletes and only the forgotten sandals remain. It’s best to strike while the iron (and new in page) is hot. So to help, we have chosen three of the best to buy now from toe-thong flats to workwear suitable heels.
Dune Lockstockk
double strap sand
als
‘Dad’ sandals were once a marmite shoe but ever since Chanel released its own version, the fashion crowd fell in love. These Dune dupes come at a fraction of the price without losing any style appeal. Wear with summer whites for a chic impact.
ASOS Design Target pre mium leather toe thong sandals Go all out nineties nostalgia and invest in a pair of toe thong sandals. This wedge pair from ASOS signal comfort and vintage style,
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But one thing to remember is you do not have to shop at the sites listed above, as shopping local is a great way to support your local high street. Article by Molly fashion editor for Direct Local
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Your Garden In June Come June, its pretty safe to say that the risk of frost is behind us – summer is on its way and it’s time to make sure the garden is in good shape for the summer months. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the garden is bursting into life. This makes June a particularly busy month for the green-fingered among us with lots of planting, pruning, maintenance and weeding to do done. All our hard work is sure to be worth the effort though as we sit back and admire the onset of summer in our garden.
The essential gardening jobs for June Plant baskets and containers Now the risk of morning frost has passed, its time to plant up your containers, hanging baskets and planters. If you already had them growing in the greenhouse, or hardening off outside during the day, then It’s now safe to move them out to their summer position – choosing a sunny spot will ensure you get the best from them. Trim any excess growth to maintain shape and deadhead regularly to encourage flower growth. Water at least once a day or more frequently when it’s hot dry and windy. Regular feeding – once per week in the summer – will also help your plants to thrive.
Mow lawns once a week The lawn will be growing fast now and will continue to do so throughout the summer, so a good weekly cut is essential to keep it looking neat and tidy. To make sure your lawn looks its best for summer, apply a spring fertiliser onto established lawns now.
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A good feed and a regular close cut will encourage extra growth making your lawn thick and lush. Don’t forget to reduce cutting frequency and raise mower blades if we have a drought.
Care for your roses June is traditionally the month when roses are at their peak. You will need to keep an eye out for black spots and aphid attacks. Both of these will need treating immediately to ensure that too much damage doesn’t occur. Black spot is a serious disease for roses caused by a fungus which infects the leaves and reduces plant vigour, and should be treated at first sign of infection with a fungicide. Green fly are sap-sucking creatures that can alter the growth of roses, also decreasing their vigour. Treat roses that are being attacked by aphids with an insecticide.
Plant of the month: Rose Why should you plant them? Roses suit all kinds of gardens –they come in huge variety of colours, shapes and scents. They can be grown in beds, borders and containers and can be grown up walls, fences and trellis.
How should you plant them? Roses grown in containers can be planted all year round – check the label when buying though as their preferred spot and conditions will vary depending on the type. Dig a hole roughly twice the size of the root ball to a spade’s depth, dig in a good quality compost and fork in a general fertiliser. Plant the rose to the same depth as it was in the container, firm down and water well. Apply a rose fertiliser every spring for amazing displays of colour.
Deadhead any faded rose blooms to encourage fresh buds to grow and apply a rose fertiliser after the first flowering.
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Peach & rosé sangria Method
Ingredients
Slice the peaches into thick wedges
2 large peaches Shiraz Rosé 100ml white rum 50ml orange liqueur 1 lime, cut into wedges 3 mint sprigs Ice
Arrange on a griddle pan over a high heat Cook for 3-4 mins, until lightly charred Put half the slices in a blender, along with 200ml of the Rosé and blend until smooth Strain through a sieve, pressing down with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible Pour the remaining 550ml rosé into a tall jug before adding the peach mixture, along with 100ml white rum, 50ml orange liqueur, the remaining peach wedges, 1 lime, cut into wedges, 3 mint sprigs and plenty of ice Stir well before serving *2.1 alcohol units per glass
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Back into the wild
Monday 17th May 2021, the day when we all got our freedom back. The freedom to leave our homes, hug our mums and enjoy dinner and a pint inside a pub or restaurant. The excitement and anticipation of this event is quite a strange thing to comprehend. It is an activity we’ve all enjoyed at great leisure for many many years. But at the beginning of the year it was taken away from us. Snatched away like a thief in the night, our liberty to go down the local for a swift half was gone! But now happier times are upon us. Once again we can do those things that we enjoyed. I’m looking forward to getting back into St Nicks Market on Corn Street to taste some of the amazing dishes from around the world they have there. Or walking around the docks and enjoying a glass of West Country Cider and a slice of pizza at The Bristol Stable. Perhaps taking a walk up Gloucester Road and diving into the Caribbean Croft for a cheeky basket of their excellent jerk chicken wings?
The possibilities are now endless. I think we now really have to take stock and treasure what we have in Bristol. As we have seen they can be taken away from us so quickly that we have to try and keep them going for as long as we can? The saying is true. “You never know what you’ve got until it has gone?” Chain restaurants are fine, but on the whole they will survive. They have the capital behind them to whether out the storm. But for the smaller places they haven’t got that luxury. That’s why I think it’s important to support our local pubs, restaurants and other dining venues so that they do not become ghosts in our high streets. We all need to eat, and we should eat well. So if ohh haven’t already, check out your local restaurant, cafe or pub. Pay them a visit and support their efforts to keep us all going. If dining out isn’t your thing seek out your local food producer and get creative in the kitchen. Article by Peter Abraham professional food critic. Email peter10abraham@icloud. com
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Everything you want to know about mobile speed cameras There are plenty of things you 'know' about speed cameras and those mobile vans that appear at the side of roads or on overpasses. But how many of them are true? You probably think you can get away with speeding at up to 10 per cent over the limit, or that they'll only catch you on one side of the road. A speed reduction officer for the last seven years that wants to stay anonymous, let’s us inside his van to answer all the key questions and dispel some myths behind the mobile speed cameras. He said: “The aim of cameras is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Can officers only catch motorists travelling in one direction? No. Any car that passes a van is recorded on the officer’s camera. So if you’re exceeding the speed limit whether you’re driving in the same or opposite direction to the van, you can expect a speeding ticket. It is true that the 10% rule exists? Yes. You will not get a ticket provided your speed does not exceed the limit by more than 10%, plus 1 mile per hour (mph) on Bristol reads. So for example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence. However, thresholds vary and can change without notice. Officially, any speeding offence occurs at 1mph above the limit, but most forces will allow a variance. Are officers revenue collectors for the Government?
“We prefer to educate drivers rather than punish them with fines and penalty points.”
No. He, explained: “We’re not here to get figures or to make money. We’re just here to catch the people who are speeding.
He also answered some questions about the mobile vans and speeding:
“If I get a day where I don’t get any drivers speeding, then I know I’ve done my job.
Is it true that speed vans have to be visible “If I’ve been working an eight hour shift, I just hope at least one person that day has at all times? escaped injury or a crash has been avoided.” No. There are no laws about visibility, so there is nothing stopping an officer operating in the dark. But they don’t often choose to do this, and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right. He said: “Legally, we don’t have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to - but it’s all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. “Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people speeding
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Can I get caught speeding more than once on the same day by the same camera?
Is it illegal to obstruct a vans view of the road?
The current position with us is that if you are caught twice in 20 minutes, it will be treated as one offence.
Yes. Obstructing a van’s field of view during its operational duties is an offence and you can be prosecuted for it.
In theory, a driver with a previously clean licence could be caught several times on the same day - and as a result be at risk of disqualification under the totting-up system.
Do officers enforce anything other than speeding?
If you are caught speeding several times on the same journey and accept a fixed penalty for each, you could be at risk of a penalty points disqualification (totting-up). “It can happen more easily than you might think, for example where several speed cameras are placed on the same road or motorway” However, where offences are deemed to have been committed “on the same occasion”, the court has discretion to impose only the one set of points for two or more offences. Whether or not offences will be treated as committed on the same occasion is a matter for the court to decide. They need not have been committed simultaneously, but they must be linked in some way. So if for example the offences were committed within a few minutes of each other, it may be possible to persuade the court to impose only one set of points. Every case will depend on its facts.
Yes. Officers are there to make sure you are wearing a seatbelt and are not using your mobile phones behind the wheel. Anyone caught breaking these laws will be prosecuted. This is the reason why you sometimes see a speed van in an area where there are already permanent speed cameras. How long do speed vans tend to stay at one particular spot? For technical reasons, a speed van will only remain in a certain spot for 1 hour and 30 minutes. During his average 8 hour shift, he will normally visit 3 different spots across the region where he has been ordered to visit. We hope this useful Intel will help you see the truth behind the ever increasing amout of cameras on the bristol roads.
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JUNE Horoscopes Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 With things beginning to ease a little, your need for socialising can begin to be addressed. Don’t be surprised if you put your own obstacles in the way of some situations, Communication is very important right now, both with others, and in regards to listening to your own intuition. Keywords. communication and intuition.
Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Giving yourself some time to clear your mind maybe of value. Get those cluttered ideas out of the way to make way for the new and inspiring ideas that can come to you. It may be worth remembering you have a great creative and strong character, which you can put to really good use. This may help you to achieve some of your goals. Keywords. Clear the mind and allow new ideas
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Relationships of all kinds are highlighted at present. It seems to be a good time to put a few things back in order. Be it physical things, ideas or problems. Communication is also highlighted, try to be clear when speaking with others, and pay attention to what they have to say. Keywords. Relationships, clearing and communication
Gemini May 21 - June 20 If you’ve been feeling stuck, and uninspired this looks likely to be time for change. Gradually you maybe feeling a little more like socialising, and finding new ways to be creative. Make sure you give yourself some new time, and although it is good to be helpful to others, try not to overload yourself. Keywords. You time and creativity
Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19 Indecision may very much be something you’re dealing with at present, as part of you wants to get out and socialising again. A slight part of you maybe a bit reluctant to do so. Maybe take a little time to reflect, and work with you own intuition. Then come up with some way that maybe you can find easier to get back into socialising. Keywords. Review, and take it slowly
Cancer June 21 - July 22 If you feel you have obstacles in the way, it maybe worth spending some time to find out whether they are actual obstacles. Or are you causing hold-ups for yourself. Once you have worked this out things will begin to move again. Try to be clear in your communication, and make sure you listen to others also. Keywords. Clarity and communication
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Want to find out more about what’s in store for you this month! Contact Marie on: 07949 800354 Leo July 23 - Aug 22 If you are feeling ready for socialising, but you also may find you are a little hesitant, best thing is to follow your intuition in your relationships be them close or otherwise, It maybe a little awkward or uneasy at first, but once again follow your intuition. Keywords. Follow your intuition
Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Close relationships are highlighted, and any important matters that need to be sorted. It will pay you to be sensitive towards other peoples comments and ideas, and maybe to compromise and be flexible in some issues. If you are in doubt take a few moments to try and view things from their perspective. Keywords. Sensitivity, flexibility and communication.
Virgo Aug 23 - Sept 22 Clearing things from both physical and mental areas of your life maybe a good thing to do now. There maybe some ideas, or situations that could do with changing. Give yourself time to step back, and review them, and see what ideas you get to bring more positivity into your life. Keywords. Clearing, review and changes.
Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 It maybe time to look at things that you have been collecting. Maybe without meaning to. If you can bring yourself to sort these things out it will make way for new things. It may bring you new ideas and Possibly new people. Maybe new opportunities too. Keywords. Clearing and new things.
Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22 Communication is a key factor for you at this time. With family, friends or work situations, make sure you are clear in what you are trying to convey. Also pay attention to what people are saying to you, as this may be valuable to you for new opportunities. Keywords. Communication and clarity.
Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your close relationships are highlighted at this point. A few things may come to light that make things a lot easier. Communication will be a valuable asset at this time too. Any misunderstanding can be sorted quite easily now, and will bring you a new and deeper insight to yourself. Keywords. Realisation, communication and new opportunities.
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Iconic Bristol car brand revived for 21st century • •
Manufacturing of Bristol Cars™ will return to city to boost local economy New battery electric vehicle, the Bristol Buccaneer™, to be developed
An iconic British car brand is being revived and remastered for the 21st century, restoring part of Bristol’s heritage and proving a boost for the city’s manufacturing sector. Select models from the classic Bristol Cars™ range will be remastered following the acquisition of intellectual property rights for the historic British car manufacturer by entrepreneur Jason Wharton.
Bristol Cars™ was originally formed in 1945 as the car division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The business was renowned for creating a series of premium, elegant two-door, four-seat saloon models from the Bristol 400™ saloon of 1946 to the Bristol Blenheim, before a radical departure with the two-seater Bristol Fighter™ supercar, unveiled in 2004.
Bristol Cars™ owner Wharton aims to re-engineer the distinctive vehicles on a buildto-order basis through his company Bristol Manufacturing Limited – with the creation of a new battery electric vehicle among his plans. The aim is to attract further investment to revive the marque into a leading British Electric Vehicle (EV) company by the time it marks its 80th anniversary in 2026.
In its heyday, Bristol Cars™ had a factory in the Filton area and had an exclusive showroom in Kensington High Street where it showcased its collection of refined grand tourers. However, the original company was placed into administration and wound up in 2011. It’s assets were purchased a month later, but over the last decade has remained largely inactive and when in 2020 it went into liquidation, it appeared a British motoring icon was lost forever.
Externally, the remastered vehicles will benefit from a mild facelift, but under the bonnet they will be re-engineered to 21st homologation standards. Each car will be fitted with a new 6.4 litre naturally aspirated Hemi Chrysler V8 powertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, while suspension, electrical architecture and interiors will be newly updated. Initially, three limited-edition series of eight remastered cars will be produced – the Bristol 411 Series 8, the Bristol Fighter™ and the Bristol Speedster™ – these are to be the final internal combustion engine Bristol Cars™ ever to be manufactured, as the entirely new Bristol Buccaneer™ will be a battery electric vehicle (BEV), scheduled for a start of production in 2025 in Filton, Bristol.
But Wharton, the owner of a Bristol Fighter™ and a Bristol 411™, both of which will be used to build the remastered prototypes, stepped in, spent an undisclosed sum on acquiring the intellectual property rights to Bristol Cars™, certain chassis jigs, and patterns and a new worldwide domain which will provide a new digital online customer platform. The appointment of a chief executive, head of engineering, and two non-executive directors is also planned for spring 2022, when a significant capital raise will also take place.
Wharton plans to eventually resume manufacturing at Filton, creating an ‘Atelier’ style final assembly and brand centre, close to the original site and to reopen a new Work is due to begin on the first remastered London showroom. He said: “Bristol is a vehicles this year, with road homologated quintessentially British brand that was prototypes likely to be ready towards the end renowned for creating luxurious and of 2021, when an extensive testing regime will distinctive vehicles. We want to revive and be undertaken. Orders are being taken now reinvigorate this iconic marque, preserving its for the remastered series of vehicles which heritage, while fully remastering it for the 21st will be delivered to customers in 2022 and century. 2023.
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“This country has a remarkable tradition of creating low-volume, hand-manufactured vehicles, and Bristol Cars™ has for far too long been unable to fulfil its potential. We want to change that. “I see myself as a long-term investor in this iconic British brand, so part of my role is to take it forward and develop it so it can finally become sustainable as a premium automotive business, hence our need to move with the times, and introduce a fully battery electric model.” The remastered vehicle series will retail at around £495,000 plus VAT. A temporary landing page for the revived Bristol Cars™ brand can be accessed by clicking the image above
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DAD WHO WROTE FOR HIS DAUGHTER IS OFFERED A BOOK DEAL
An author who started writing a fantasy series to encourage his daughter to read and learn about social injustice has been offered a book deal.
I also created a female lead in the first series, with a disorder, to encourage female empowerment and let my readers know that it’s OK to be different.”
Ben Mears, who runs graphic design firm The Dream Loft in Clevedon, thought up story ideas while stuck in a traffic jam with then 10-year-old Henna.
The dad-of-three daughtersself-published the young adult Tyler May series. A Sock Full of Bones was the first of his novels to be traditionally published.
The Haunting of Tyler May was the first of six instalments based on the adventures of a teenage girl.
Ben, 51, who started writing as a hobby 25 years ago and now plans to write full-time, said: “I’ve been submitting to agents for years and came close before - but it didn’t quite fit. I honed my skills and was thrilled to get a book deal after years of hard work and dedication.”
And now the writer and illustrator’s A Banyard and Mingle Mystery series has been published – to rave reviews. Ben, who runs creative writing workshops at schools, academies and sixth forms, said: “I think it’s so important for young people to read. “Reading not only helps academically, but develops greater empathy, imagination and understanding of the world around us. “I have written books which look at inequality and social injustice in an age-appropriate way.
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Ben, who is also a published songwriter, had several requests from publishers to see the full manuscript and struck a deal with Instant Apostle – which addresses pressing and sometimes overlooked social issues of our day. A Sock Full of Bones set in a quasi-Victorian future dystopia, with Banyard and Mingle as the detective duo fighting crime in a divided and unjust society.
Ben said: “I write adventures and fantasy, which the reader can escape into. There is also an underlying message of tolerance, self-acceptance and the drive to fight the good fight.” Henna, now 19, who is studying psychology at the University of Reading, added: “These books raise a lot of social issues, such as how people may be treated differently or unjustly because they are not accepted by society.” The follow-up books The Green Ink Ghost and The Shadow of Grayrton Mire are also out now and available online. For more information click any of the images to visit the websites.
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Tips And Tricks For Successful House Painting
There is more to house painting than just slapping up a coat of paint. The job can be messy, amateurish if the homeowner is in a rush or impeccable and of professional quality if he or she will follow a few tricks of the trade. This is not a task to hurry through or it will have to be done over again sooner rather than later. Without proper attention, the new coat can flake off in big disappointing peels. Unsuccessful painting can mean that the entire task will have to be done over again or that it will look like a sloppy eyesore for years to come. Here are some tips for the best results: Tools of the trade: Pros take great pride in their tools and for good reason. Having high quality paintbrushes, ladders, stirring stick and rollers will allow a superior result more easily. Inferior quality paintbrushes may seem like a bargain at the cash register but once the painting begins, it may become a different story. Shedding brush-hairs left in the path of the shoddy paintbrush will be a pain to pick out of the newly applied layer. Those crummy brushes will shed more than a dog in the middle of summer. Without a retractable ladder, a homeowner will have a hard time reaching various spots. after the can has set for a while. And rollers, like paintbrushes, must be of high quality for proper absorption and distribution.
Reviewed by food critic Peter Abraham
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Hauling out a kitchen chair to climb up on will result in slops and streaks on the unsuspecting furniture. Stir sticks are a must or the colors won’t be mixed properly Preparation: If the surface is dirty and peeling, it must be cleaned and sanded before a new coat of latex or enamel is applied. Paints don’t stick to dirt and instead of a quick cover-up job, there may be layers of wet muck that fall off before a painter knows it. Flakes peeling underneath will cause a new layer to peel away as well. Prep isn’t something to skimp on if a topnotch result is desired. Taping around windows and woodwork is also crucial in order to keep them neat and spot-free. Color choice: Choosing the color will take a bit of time. It’s not as easy as it may seem. There are zillions of shades of a hue as simple as white. Taking swatches and samples home from the store will be an important step. Looking at tones next to existing furnishings, lighting and woodwork will help with selection. Once a hue has been settled upon, painting a sample area and living with it for a few days will be a good idea. This will allow a homeowner to see what it looks like at various times of the day and in certain lighting. When a homeowner decides to do some house painting, he or she must take the time to do it right. Proper tools , preparation and color choice will be steps on the path to enhanced curb appeal. The interior and exterior of a house can be greatly improved upon with a product as seemingly simple as a can of paint.
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Garden landscaping ideas how to plan and create your perfect garden Re-designing your garden is an exciting prospect. Do you wish you had somewhere to sit, relax, entertain or let the children play? Maybe you are just a little bored and want a garden design that is more colourful, varied or maintenance friendly. Garden landscaping is the ideal way to craft an attractive space to grow plants that give you a beautiful environment and design a practical layout that allows you to use your garden how you want. But where do you start? Take a look at our answers to common garden landscaping questions; whether its planning and budgeting, resourcing and building or aesthetic planting, our guide holds the key to the garden landscaping design of your dreams. How do I start my garden design? Landscaping ideas start with good research. Take inspiration by visiting garden centres, public gardens, annual garden shows, even other people’s houses to get a feel of what is to your taste. Take into account your garden size and think about what you need your garden to do for you. Then, take to the drawing board to sketch your ideas and make mood boards from magazines and Pinterest of your dream garden landscape.
Elements to consider when first planning garden landscaping ideas Walls and boundaries Hedges and fences Paths and patios
Next consider your plot. Look at the size and shape and take into consideration the direction if faces, the style of your house it will be framing and the surrounding area. Achieving balance is a strong aspect of good garden design; pay equal attention to all areas and remember that plants and shrubs will change size and shape throughout the seasons. Do you prefer formal or informal gardens? Formal gardens tend to be tidy and geometric with lots of straight lines and clipped hedges, whereas informal gardens are made up of organic curves and planting is much more relaxed. Soften a sloping garden with grass steps If your garden is on different levels but you’re not keen on hard landscaping severely breaking things up take inspiration from this garden we saw in North Bristol. Instead of incorporating stone steps, They used grass treads, integrating them into the existing lawn to connect the lower patio to the small sun terrace above. Creating a softer approach to the flow, seamlessly journeying from one space to the other. Pave the way The trend for creating garden zones is hugely popular, meaning the need for having a garden path is great. A link that unites the different areas is not only highly practical, it can also be visually appealing as this example demonstrates. Without a pathway you’ll soon find that you tread an unsightly channel into the lawn – which will ruin all your hard work with the overall garden aesthetic.
Zoning areas (dining, playing, shading)
While the best time to redesign your space is in winter when plants are dormant, looking at it in summer gives you the chance to really understand how you use the space. Or if you just want to add new surfaces, you can do so now and reap the rewards this summer.
Planting: trees, shrubs, pots
Either way enjoys your garden
Lawns Water features
Lighting Out-buildings
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Take a break and solve theses puzzles! Here are this weeks 3 puzzles to test your number crunching skills ranging from easy to hard. Plus an imposable spot the difference
There are eight differences between these two pictures. Are your eyes good enough to see them all?
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NOISE ATTENTION EPICALYX COMPARTMENT RELATE TRAP RESULT COW TREAT VENTURE APPLIED YOUNG LEND TRUST SNUB BUILDING RECEIPT DOUBLE RESOURCE ACCOUNT
EASY
HARD
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Local Volunteer DJ Turns Her Talents to Property Sales A volunteer DJ for community radio station Glastonbury FM, is turning her talents to property sales by joining Meyers Estates as an associate. Wells based Sara Benham, who regularly gives up her time to broadcast a radio chat and music slot called the ‘Big Air’, will now be responsible for helping the Meyers team market houses in Street, Glastonbury, Wells and Shepton Mallet. Sara Benham confirms: “The past year has been tough for many people. I tried to start an event business at the beginning of 2020 but like many others, lockdown forced me to change my plans. Having been an estate agent in the past, I ultimately decided to go back to what I know. “For the past couple of years, my day job has been a Ghost Tour Guide at Shepton Mallet Prison! I loved this experience, but I was keen to start my own business. Moving to Meyers means I’m now on parole! “Meyers Estate Agents is an extraordinary company and the team genuinely care about the clients they work with. Over the past ten years, the franchise network has raised over £250k for more than ten local charities and I wanted to feel I was able to give something back as well as become self-employed. I’m also very much looking forward to connecting more with my local community and contributing to some local charity projects too.” Sara who has also worked for Wookey Hole Caves as a tour guide and counts stand up comedy as one of her hobbies, will continue to broadcast regularly on Glastonbury FM as she pursues her estate agency career. Mark Meyer, principal, Meyers Estate Agents comments: “Having personally been a leading agent in the Somerset area for a few years at a previous firm, I’m now looking forward to having our own Meyers agent cover the region. Sara embodies our true business values and the sense of community sprit we encourage in all our franchisees and staff.
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As we expand and take on new team members and franchisees, we continue to recruit people who are prepared to go the extra mile and contribute to the wellbeing of the local people in the areas in which we work. We are pleased to welcome Sara and look forward to supporting her on her journey with Meyers.” To find out more about Meyers’ work to help the local community or for further franchise information please click the image above.
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The connection between sleep and overeating The next time you’re tempted to sacrifice getting to bed on time for another (and another... and yet another) episode of your favorite show, consider this: Clocking a measly few hours of sleep can do more than make you feel sluggish and grumpy the next day—it can affect your waistline, too. That's because science shows a link between a lack of sleep and what (and how much) you eat. The sleep goal to strive for is seven to nine hours a night, but one in three adults misses the mark. If you fall into that category, read on to learn more about how your snoozing affects your snacking—and what you can do to get your sleep back on track. The sleep-snacking link If you’re in the mood for sweets after a bad night’s sleep, you’re not alone. A study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that poor sleep quality was associated with eating more food and more sugary foods (hello, cookies for breakfast). Another study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition saw similar findings: People who slept an average of 5.5 hours ate more carby, calorie-loaded snacks throughout the day than those who snoozed for 8.5 hours each night. A look at the science Wondering why you can’t say no to a doughnut after tossing and turning all night? It all starts with leptin, a hormone that helps suppress appetite by sending signals to your brain that you’re full. Leptin helps combat overeating, but we only produce it with adequate sleep, says Dr. Monique May, MD, MHA, a board-certified physician and Medical Director of Sleep at Aeroflow Healthcare.
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Here’s the play-by-play: •
During sleep, your brain releases proteins that stimulate leptin production in your fat cells and small intestine.
•
Poor or inadequate sleep affects the amount of leptin that your body produces, so, when the body doesn’t get the leptin it needs, it can't control appetite and metabolism as effectively.
•
On top of that, a lack of sleep causes your body to create excessive amounts of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite.
This sleep-deprivation combo—too little leptin and too much ghrelin—has been linked to higher BMIs. It doesn't help that when you’re exhausted from too little sleep, you may be less inclined to head out for your morning walk or afternoon yoga class. This can get you caught up in a frustrating and hard-tobreak cycle of eating too much and moving too little. Getting your sleep schedule back on track Now that you know why a lack of sleep can throw wrenches at even the most well-conceived weight-loss efforts, here’s how to get the zzz’s you need. •
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Getting under the covers at the same time each night signals to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep and causes your body to release the sleep hormone melatonin, which makes you feel drowsy and eases you off to dreamland. A healthy sleep schedule also requires getting up at the same time every morning, so set that alarm for the same time Monday through Sunday.
Turn off your tech. The blue light emitted by laptops, tablets, cell phones, and TVs suppresses the release of melatonin. Ideally, stop looking at bright screens two hours before heading to bed. Avoid late-night snacks. A small study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that people who eat late at night tend to have poorer, more disrupted sleep than those who have their last bite earlier in the evening. Track those FitPoints®. While it’s trickier to muster the enthusiasm to exercise when you’re dragging, it could be the very thing that helps you drift off to dreamland. A study published by Advances in Preventive Medicine found that those who exercised during the day were more likely to log quality sleep later that night than those who didn’t.
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