South Gloucestershire Direct Local June 2021

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

JUNE 2021

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This Month 6. 7 money saving hack 8. Summer sandals 10. Your Garden in June 12. Peach and rose sangria 14. Eco homes 16. Horoscopes 18. Iconic Bristol car brand revived 20. 5 things to do in South Glos 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

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More Giggles At Yate Soft Play

Little Giggles Soft Play , based in Yate, have charged into the storm of the coronavirus pandemic, making changes and developing their services to ensure that their business survives. During the first lockdown they created a brand new party space, transforming their previous café area, knocking down an unused party room, building a new DJ booth and installing a state of the art LED dance floor with disco lights and new furniture. Little Giggles as a brand has been completely transformed and they’re never looked back.

Once they reopened in August, the feedback was incredible and the new disco room was a massive hit with the kids: ‘Wow! What a difference in little giggles! It was an absolute pleasure to bring the grandchildren here today. First time back after lockdown and they have certainly put lots of hard work in to make some really positive changes. Tables are well spaced out.

Easy to order drinks and food from your table. There’s a fab new dance floor which the kids absolutely loved and the disco and fairy lights were great!! We will definitely be back!

Well done to all!’

As the country entered another lockdown, and after an amazing response, Little Giggles began to think what further developments they could make, what else they have to offer. They decided to focus on adults, and adult only functions (not in the soft play area), applying for a license to serve alcohol for birthday and anniversary celebrations.

Despite the delay in their plans until June 21st, Little Giggles did not give up. They brainstormed with Party Peeps, another children’s party company, and came up with further ideas to help Little Giggles stay alive, putting them on the map as a top quality party venue. Now, they are hosting comedy nights, interactive game shows (with Party Peeps), and karaoke nights!

Little Giggles reopened on the 17th May and aremonth! ready for their Marie Big Come Back! 800354 Want to find out more about what’s in store for you this Contact on: 07949

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7 money-saving hacks you will wish you knew about sooner Sometimes staying on top of your finances can seem like an unmanageable task. There’s always missing paperwork and hidden costs, or even worse, something unexpected you have to cough up for. But with a little bit of forward planning, you can learn to stay on top of your money before it gets out of hand.

From easy money-saving household hacks to knowing when you deserve compensation, here are some of the savvy adjustments you can make this week.

Maintain appliances to save on bills The seals around refrigerator and freezer doors need to be replaced periodically to avoid energy loss. Test for a tight seal by closing the door on a banknote. If you can pull the note out, the seal needs replacing, and your money is being wasted on an inflated energy bill. And keep your tumble dryer vent clean and free from blockage at all times. A clogged dryer vent reduces the appliance’s energy efficiency and could cause a fire.

When your car goes to pot, seek compensation Potholes have cost UK councils more than £3.7million in compensation in the last 18 months, says the AA. While it costs £39.80 to repair the average pothole, the cost of repairing the car is £140-plus, finds Citroen UK. Hitting a deep pothole, even at quite a slow speed, can damage steering alignment, tyres and wheels. It may not be worth an insurance claim, but you might get compensation from the local council.

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To make a claim, you’ll need to provide details of the location, the size of the pothole – take a photo with a familiar object in the shot to give a sense of scale – as well as copies of all repair quotes and receipts. For more information click here.

Do laundry zipped up Always zip up jeans and other garments that have metal zippers before laundering them.

Those little metal teeth are like miniature chainsaws, tearing up and ruining other clothing in the washer and dryer.

Nail the shop layout You probably already realise that every item on a shop shelf has been specifically placed there to get you to buy more. New research from logistics specialist Whistl shows 60–70% of what we buy is unplanned and the chances are, the retailer has played a part in getting you to impulse buy.

For instance, retailers ‘hide away’ essential items such as milk and bread at the back of the shop so that you are forced to walk along the rest of the aisles to get to it – and past shelves laden with enticing special offers and other goodies.

Cut the cost of credit

Get paid to recycle

Figures show that people with a credit card balance of £2,000 who repay only the minimum amount each month will take 22 years to clear the debt – and will be charged an extra £2,275 in interest along the way.

Avoid these charges by moving your debt to a credit card that offers an interest-free deal.

Check lockdown return policies Many retailers extended their refund policies while they were closed for lockdown.

However, most are restarting the clock from their reopening dates. For example, John Lewis is giving you 35 days from when its stores reopen to return items, while at New Look you have just 14 days.

Find a round-up of retailer refund policies at www.moneysavingexpert.com.

Have your beloved GHD hair straighteners died a slow death? Well, don’t throw those bad boys in the bin – you can get paid to recycle them and earn some cash towards a new set. Websites such as GHD Spares, for instance, specialise in spares and repairs, and will pay as much as £10 for a broken set.

Similarly, recycle any qualifying Apple device online or at an Apple Store and you’ll receive a gift card.

The retailer will either refurbish the device for resale, or recycle its materials responsibly to be reused. Not all Macs qualify though – only models from 2007 onwards are eligible.

However, it is important that you do your maths in advance as Apple certainly doesn’t necessarily pay the highest rates –and you might be able to find a better deal by selling on eBay.

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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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Eco-homes and switching are key to lower bills says Somerset energy specialist Gas and electricity bills will be lower for all if the UK meets the Government's pledge to reach energy-efficient housing targets by 2025, an energy specialist said today.

But the construction of socalled ‘flat-pack’ homes needs to increase pace to make that happen and those not lucky enough to be in a home with a higher energy efficiency rating need to be nimble in changing supplier if they are to keep pace with change.

Barry Hayward, managing director of Nailsea, Somerset-based energy auto switch site Flipper, says the focus should be on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) homes which typically have higher energy efficiency ratings and have been shown to use 20–30% less energy to heat.

He said: “We should all be championing the building of new eco-friendly homes as they cut consumption. The target date is only a few years away and everyone needs to look at how they can make their home more efficient.

“The UK’s construction industry is lagging behind Germany and the Scandinavian countries when it comes to building modern, energy-efficient homes which means it’s costing the British consumer more to heat their homes than many of their European counterparts.

“This will allow residents to save huge sums of money on energy bills. Carbon zero, energy positive houses are the homes of the future.”

Last month the Government announced it is set to establish an MMC taskforce to speed up the delivery of modular homes made up of “world-leading experts from across government and industry” who will work closely with local authorities and mayoral combined authorities.

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Factory-made homes such as IKEA and Skanska's 'flat-pack' housing development, BoKlok on the Brook, in Bristol, are designed with an eco-homes 'excellent' rating which means occupiers will enjoy significantly-reduced energy costs.

Said Barry Hayward: “Homes of these types will deliver real savings for the people who move in. We are supporting those who have registered with us at Flipper to source the lowest cost energy supplier.

Often that is a green energy tariff. We also encourage people to do all they can to cut consumption.

“More energy efficient homes being built is good for all but it is important to improve the energy efficiency of older housing. The first step towards that is to seek out the lowest, greenest tariff.”

The Government has committed to introduce a Future Homes Standard by 2025 for new-build houses to be future-proofed with low carbon energy-efficient heating to create homes that are ‘fit for the future’ with low energy bills, and that are better for the environment.

Flipper checks the market every month for members switching them every time a saving of over £50 a year is found. Unlike comparison sites, who get paid commission by the energy providers for switching people to them, Flipper the UK’s first auto-switching service, do not take money from suppliers.

Members pay an annual fee of £30 when they are switched for the first time; tariffs are checked every month and customers are automatically moved to a better tariff if they can save £50 a year.

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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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5 things to do in South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Are you stuck for ideas for something to do at the weekend?

Here are five Covid-safe ideas for a family days out. All within an hours drive.

Wild Place Project The Wild Place Project is a fun family attraction that provides outdoor adventure, play and learning. Meet amazing animals from across Stroud Shambles Market the world from the mischievous lemurs of Madagascar to magnificent European brown An open air and indoors market located in bears. one of the oldest areas of Stroud, at the top of the pedestrianised High Street, in the You can read more about the award-winning shadow of Stroud’s St Laurence Church.

Wild Place Project by clicking here Westonbirt Arboretum Home to 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe and 5 national tree collections, Westonbirt is the perfect place for you to escape, relax or have an adventure!

Take a journey up into the canopy on the STIHL Tree Top Walkway, stop by the café for a tasty treat or see if you can spot the Gruffalo!

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The market traders sell an array of fresh produce and handmade trinkets.

Hatherells Yard Market

Bourton-on-the-Water

Found off Chipping Sodbury High Street, the market is a short walk from Waitrose or into the town. With a diverse range of stalls and shops around- this is the perfect place for Saturday trip with a coffee stop in one of the many local cafes.

Regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on-the-Water has a unique appeal to visitors and residents alike.

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With plenty to see and do, Bourton-on-theWater offers a wealth of attractions and shops, restaurants and tea rooms, or simply for you to enjoy some tranquil time by the River Windrush with its beautiful bridges throughout.

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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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APPRENTICES SPEARHEAD THE NEXT GENERATION Two trainee accountants, both of whom decided against the option of university, are leading the next generation of qualified professionals at Bristol firm Haines Watts.

Sophia Wallace and Robbie Wallis, aged 22 and 23 respectively, are the latest staff members at Haines Watts Bristol to become qualified accountants at the growing, SME specialist firm.

The pair, who opted to avoid the significant student debts incurred by three years at university, are just two of the nine trainees taken on by the firm in the past three years.

And whereas many graduates of the same age are struggling to find jobs, hampered by debt, Sophia and Robbie are well on their way to progressing their careers.

Sophia, who lives in Totterdown, started at Haines Watts in 2017, straight after leaving St Brendan’s College at the age of 18. She has spent four years achieving her Level 7 apprenticeship in a mixture of college-based and online learning with Kaplan Financial.

“I definitely think I’ve made the right decisions,” she said. “I’ve missed some of the social aspect of university but it’s not a massive loss. And I’d advise anyone who’s in the position I was in four years ago to think of the future benefits of whichever option.

“In a few years, 10 years out from leaving college, I expect to be in a managerial role, free of debt, looking after clients. That’s going to be a great place to be.”

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Robbie is 23 and has recently bought a house in Bedminster, shared with a friend.

Originally from Somerset, he self-funded a bookkeeping course while working part-time as a lifeguard during studying for A-Levels.

His first job was with a small family firm in Bridgwater, during which time he started residential studies at Reed Business School in the Cotswolds. He began working for Haines Watts at the start of 2020 and became fully qualified last December, having passed all exams necessary to become a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

He said: “We were all pushed towards the university route at school but I knew for definite that I didn’t want to take that option.

I remember my grandparents being stunned when I told them. But it all makes sense to them now.

“I’ve always worked, I’ve liked earning my own money and spending my own money.

The whole debt thing has always seemed really unattractive to me.

“The route I’ve chosen hasn’t been an easy one. It’s been hard graft for five years and the accountancy exams are extremely tough.

Having that continuous pressure – rather than a few months at the end of a degree – was pretty intense.

“But I think if you’re dedicated and ready to put socialising on the back burner, going straight into work is an option which will pay dividends later.

“I’ve had my setbacks along the way but I had a goal to aim for and the determination and resilience to get me through. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, that now I’m going to recharge the batteries, enjoy what I’ve achieved and work out what I want to do next.”

Matthew Bracher, managing director at Haines Watts Bristol, said there were many benefits to taking on young accountants who have decided to pursue careers rather than going to university.

“Firstly, anyone who takes on a career at the age of 18 and recognises the long-term advantages of avoiding significant debt is demonstrating a maturity and shrewdness which reflects well on their personality,” he said. “Those are the type of people we are looking to offer opportunities to, as they see the world in a pragmatic way.

“In addition, we are interested in being able to train young talent in the values and practices we expect at Haines Watts – it is rewarding to see them develop into people who can really advise and help other people.

Having a degree doesn’t always give those personal skills that we look for.

“We have an established trainee programme here, as well as manager and partner level development programmes, which works well for us as a business and is a key part of facilitating growth in the SME market, as well as supporting our longer term ambitions.

“Robbie and Sophia, as well as the other trainees we have taken on during the past year or so, have settled in brilliantly and we look forward to seeing their continued progress.”

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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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