The People's Publication Issue 18

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Publisher: Deborah Staff Advertising: Deborah Staff deborah.staff@divapublications.co.uk Distribution: Andrew Staff andrew.staff@divapublications.co.uk Design, Photography, Editorial Ian Pickles Contributors to this issue: Dee Skiba, Josie Grey, The Culture House, Grimsby Amateur Radio Society, Care4All, Moonfruit Publishing, Barton Ropewalk, Grimsby Central Hall, Gordon Wilson, Kumon, Franklin College, John Jerrard Front Cover: Alford's Garden Centre, Grimsby

All rights reserved. Diva Publications have made every effort to ensure that the content of The People’s Publication is correct.

However we cannot guarantee responsibility for any errors or omissions. Diva Publications do not accept any liability which may arise or result from any error in any advertisement or editorial, whether relating to wording, position, space or artwork.

The Publishers cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from any material supplied, including advertisement copy, editorial, design and images.

No part of the People’s Publication may be reproduced, transmitted, (mechanical, electronic or photocopying) or stored in a retrieval system of any kind.

Published by: Diva Publications Grimsby & Cleethorpes Tel/Fax: 01472 238140 www.divapublications.co.uk

Contents 5 Office Friends 6 In The Know 11 Cleethorpes Light Railway 12 Folk And Cider 2013 13 Cleethorpes Cars 16 Homes And Gardens 18 Move Or Improve?

21 Kumon 22 The Gender Agenda 24 Masters Of Their Craft 26 In Business - Style Roofing 27 Security 28 Motoring

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News

5

Office Friends Your new local stationery experts

Ever since Staples closed its doors there's been a vacancy in the area for a high end stationery shop selling stylish top quality office equipment and furniture but we’re happy to announce that since long established local firm Office Friends opened its retail outlet at its premises in King Edward Street the vacancy is now filled!

The new shop, which required a ÂŁ30,000 refit of their existing premises, is bright, spacious and colourful and a real pleasure to visit. It stocks everything from pens and paper to janitorial supplies and furniture and that means that they can offer a complete solution, from a box of staples through to a whole office refit.

Ink supplies are another speciality - they aim to be number one locally for printer cartridges for all makes. (Our picture right shows part of their range along with manager Trish Booth and supervisor Daley Lowe.)

They also offer full colour photocopying, binding and laminating at very competitive prices. Most items that are not in store can be ordered on a next day basis.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to help and advise on any product including

office machines and consumables and they also offer rubber stamps and a faxing and parcel service.

They don't just stock basics either - the ranges of stationery on display will brighten your work space and make being stuck in the office something to look forward to.

So whether your office needs a total revamp or just some new paperclips Office Friends is the place to go! They're on King Edward Street, Grimsby, there's free parking and the shop is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

News

In The Know Your indispensable guide to what’s going on where you live Further Adventures From Earthwood Now In The Shops

Care4All Cafe4 And Garden Centre Are Open For Business Top Town shoppers who are feeling peckish can now treat themselves to tea, coffee or a cooked meal at the Cafe4 on Queen Street. (Just look for the signs next to the Pasture St level crossings.) Café4 is run by Care4All Enterprises and offers a community atmosphere as well as excellent food at great prices.

Daily specials are available and the café also hosts speciality nights where delicious cuisine from all corners of the globe is served. The café is home to a very popular monthly prize quiz night which is open to the general public.

Care4All also run the 4AllSeasons Garden Centre based at the Health and Wellbeing Centre on Cromwell Road opposite the Leisure Centre. They're famous for their bedding plants and their range of beautiful hanging baskets and they also hold regular plant sales with fantastic

In The Know

discounts on a wide range of plants.

For any further information on these and other enterprises run

by Care4All please visit their website at www.care4all.org.uk

Friday the 5th April saw the launch of the latest books in the Earthwood series by local writer and illustrator team, Tim Michael and Sime Naylor. Full of humour as well as a strong message about the importance of the environment the series has proved very popular with children of all ages In ‘Red’s Tale’, Red the squirrel finds himself on the wrong end of a magic spell when his red bushy tale is burned to a cinder. Can Aunt Witchety cast a spell to put things right?

And in ‘The Oak and the Storm’ a terrible wind blasts through Earthwood and Beech loses his best friend Oak – but with a little bit of magic from the Green Man, Beech finds a new friend.

The new books are available from Waterstones and Amazon at £3.50 each.

In The Know All Ready For The Return Of The Rumble Band!

It'll be a rockin' good night when local legends The Rumble Band play a rare hometown gig at The Central Hall on June 8th.

Since their formation more than twenty years ago the band have established their reputation as one of the best sixties style soul bands in the UK. They have performed with legends like Edwin Starr, Martha Reeves, Jimmy Ruffin, and Ben E. King and their acclaimed act features tributes to Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and many others.

Tickets start at £10 and are available from the Central Hall Box Office on 01472 355025 so make a date and don't be late!

Grab that hat! Put on your shades & prepare to party!!

second time they have visited The Ropewalk and an excellent night is guaranteed. Tickets are £7.50 and may be purchased from The Ropewalk or by phone from 01652 660380.

Meanwhile in the Ropewalk Box Gallery there's an exhibition of ceramics by Merseyside based artist Simon Shaw.

Simon’s work is mainly thrown using stoneware clay with

7

porcelain, raku clay and glass additions. Barium based glazes give a textured, matt finish using a colour palette of blues, greens and lilacs. The work for this show is mainly thrown and then deliberately distorted trying to achieve a balance between control and chance.

The show runs from May 4th to June 2nd.

The Red Hair Mountain Devils Come To Barton The well known German covers band the Red Hair Mountain Devils are back in Barton for a charity fund raising night on May 11th bringing their very own special blend of high energy rock to the Ropery Hall for the second time.

The band cover a wide range of music from power ballads to out and out rocking tracks to get you on your feet - so bring them dancing shoes with you! This is

Poole’s Music

for everything musical 43-45 Hainton Ave, Grimsby  01472 342913/343211 www.poolesmusic.co.uk

At Poole’s we don’t just sell music and instruments - we’re also music fans. We have branches in Grimsby and Louth and we make sure that all our customers receive the best advice possible from our staff who are all professional, gigging musicians with plenty of experience. We stock virtually everything musical including a huge range of instruments from acoustic and digital pianos to a large selection of electric and acoustic guitars and PA systems too. We also have a huge selection of sheet music with over 25,000 titles available, so whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, we’re sure to have something you’ll love!

In The Know

8

In The Know

For a weekend with a difference why not try ...

The LinDhu

Lincolnshire’s very own festival of music and spirituality!

If you’re a believer in the power of the human spirit and in harnessing the goodness of the natural world then the LinDhu - one of Lincolnshire’s best kept secrets - will be right up your street.

This year sees the tenth LinDhu Esoteric Gathering from August 9th-11th 2013 at Cabourne Parva in the beautiful Lincolnshire wolds, not far from Caistor and to celebrate the anniversary the organisers are promising a very special line up of performers and speakers.

Events will include talks on the Law of Attraction - Problem Solving and the Elemental Kingdom of Nature Spirits, Encounters with Faeries, Ghosts & Spirits, The Science of Magic, Telepathy & the Complete Human, Personal Darkness, Cancer of the Mind, and The Enneagram of Relationships.

You can also get your self going each morning with 30 minutes of Shibashi Tai Chi or if you want to get creative you can join the scheduled craft sessions.

This year’s 2 hour Independent Workshops are:

In The Know

Past Life Regression, Physical Mediumship, Voices and Angels, and Dowsing for Healthy Homes.

There’s plenty of fine music on offer with appearances by Leafblade, Merlin’s Keep, Michael Keane, Susan Raven, Si Hayden, The Naira Project, The Unknown Stuntmen and Thirteen Veils and poetry and roaming troubadour performances as well.

There is also a children’s programme of workshops including Colour, the essence of Light, Creative Dance, Pirate Bread Making and the Earthbound Misfits will be offering classes in circus skills.

Please note that pre booking is essential as no tickets will be sold at the gate.

Prices for this weekend event are: Adult Early-bird (until end May) £25, Adult ( from 1st June) £35, Juvenile (13-17yrs) £15, Children (12 and under) free.

For more information go to www.lindhuesotericgathering.co.uk

In The Know

9

Whatever your favourite style of music you'll find everything you need to sound pitch perfect at

musical instruments for everyone UP SET AND ING IS TOM CUS

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In The Know

Grimsby Amateur Radio Society Hosts Magazine Editor Grimsby Amateur Radio Society will be hosting An Evening With Rob Mannion, editor of Practical Wireless at The Cromwell Social Club, on Thursday 9th May from 7.30pm. Admission will be free and there will be a raffle held on the night with a prize of a year's subscription to PW and other radio related items.

If you are interested in coming to this event please book your place by email with your name, call sign and contact details to chairman@ gars.org.uk

Museums Open Their Doors For Night Time Visits!

On May 17th 2013 a cultural catch of venues in the centre of Grimsby are throwing open

their doors for an after hours collaboration as part of the UK wide ‘Museums at Night 2013’ Celebrating the diversity of the heritage and arts venues this year's theme is ‘Restoration’ and at each of the venues you will experience an interpretation of this. Five venues are taking part The Fishing Heritage Centre, Time Trap Museum at Grimsby Town Hall, Abbey Walk Gallery, Gate Gallery and Grimsby Minster.

Driftnet Poets and Merlin’s Keep will be making appearances throughout the evening at the venues and The Culture House is hosting theatre at the Minster.

All venues are FREE to enter and you can pick up a trail guide at any of them that will lead you round the town from one to another. This is open to all and it is a family friendly event and for those coming into town, there is free parking to the side of the Fishing Heritage Centre and Sainsbury’s car park.

Among the events taking place on the night will be brass rubbing

and detective activities at the Minster, landscape paintings on display at Abbey Walk Gallery in an exhibition titled Excavations and Estuaries and a display of stitched textiles by acclaimed local artist Sue Stone at the Gate Gallery. Sue uses recycled materials and her work often references the passing of time and the transience of life. Sue will be on hand to talk about her work and demonstrate her skills and techniques.

YORK HOUSE

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Hospital In York

York House is a specialist 38 bed Brain Injury Rehabilitation hospital that provides support for adults with an acquired brain injury and specialises in neurobehavioural assessment and post-acute rehabilitation for people with a non-progressive acquired brain injury. Since opening in 2001, York House has established an excellent reputation, offering rehabilitation services for people with short and longer term needs. This has been acknowledged by BIRT’s recent re-accreditation

by The Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), following an in depth and rigorous assessment process in May 2012.The clinical expertise and high staff-to-service user ratios allow us to offer exceptional levels of care and support for people with challenging behaviour and complex needs. York House also offers a vocational pathway for service users. Within the Retreat grounds service users work in the community café known as The Q P Coffee Lounge and the Retreat charity shop. Upcoming Charity Events – Soul & Motown All Dayers. De Grey Rooms, York in the beautifully restored Victorian Ballroom – 2pm to Midnight, 26th May & 24th August 2013.

For more information please contact York House Ventures Ltd 107 Heslington Road, York, YO10 5BN Tel: (01904) 412666 yorkhouse.admin@thedtgroup.org www.birt.co.uk

In The Know

CCLR

11

Come and relive the golden age of rail travel at ....

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway When you step onto the platform at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway it's like stepping back in time to the golden age of steam! All the sights and sounds of the heyday of the railways are recreated for you with meticulous attention to detail and all in perfect miniature. It's a great day out for mums and dads and for children of all ages.

You can ride one of our regular train services between our three stations, hauled by steam or diesel, investigate the history of light railways in our new museum, enjoy refreshments in our Brief Encounter Tearoom or enjoy a bracing glass of something a little stronger in the Signal Box Inn - the smallest pub in the world!

And of course the railway station is known for being one of the top event destinations on the East Coast with music festivals, concerts and celebrations of all kinds taking place throughout the year.

This year will see the return of the Folk and Cider

Festival from the 24th to the 27th of May with fantastic performers, Morris dancers and more than sixty ciders to try and Armed Forces Day on June 29th. On August 10th and 11th the railway combines with Meridian Park to host Operation Frying Pan - one of the biggest and most celebrated 1940's themed weekends in the country!

Featuring many dedicated recreators with superb period costumes, explosive World War 2 battle re-enactments with authentic weapons and vehicles, and loads of stalls selling period ephemera and militaria this is a weekend not to be missed.

So next time you're in need of a day out why not go down to the CCLR and immerse yourself in the spirit of the railways. Trains start running at 10am and the last return is at 4.40pm to Lakeside. For more details check out the website at www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk

CCLR

12

In The Know

Folk & Cider 25th - 27th May 2013

at Cleethorpes Light Railway established performers such as James J. Turner and Rebekah Findlay. A wide variety of styles of folk and acoustic music in the program ensures there will be something to appeal to a range of tastes.

As is now traditional, the cider bar will be crammed full of different varieties of the country tipple. There will also be hot food available and the station cafe will be open during the daytime. The Grimsby Morris Men and their guests from around the UK and Europe will be dancing throughout the festival.

The festival is once again a free and family-friendly event made possible through the support of N.E. Lincs Council.

Five years ago The Cleethorpes Folk and Cider Festival enjoyed humble beginnings with a small gathering of musicians at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. There were no expectations but after the event proved popular it was decided that it should become part of the cycle of events in the resort. After the roaring success of the fourth festival in May 2012, the team behind the event are hopeful that this year's will be the best to date.

This year live music begins at 12.00 noon on Saturday 25th May with the fine John Conolly, stalwart and supporter of the local folk music scene.

Alongside traditional sets from artists such as John there will be performances in more contemporary folk styles from Amy Naylor and Jodie McKenna.

Locally based artists Merlin's Keep and Helian Keys will be performing alongside more nationally

Appearing at this year's Folk & Cider Festival John Conolly (above), Roger Beard (right), Rebekah Findlay (below)

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In The Know

Cleethorpes Cars

13

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Cleethorpes Cars - the friendly cab company You know how annoying it is when you're sitting around waiting for ages for your cab home to turn up and every time you ring the office they tell you 'It's just on the way' or 'It'll only be five minutes'? And then you're still there half an hour later?

We've all been there. And it's not

of course and the cars are smart and clean - Baz and Craig operate a strict 'no bangers' policy. And drivers are always friendly and polite and willing to help with pushchairs or luggage.

"We also have two female drivers", adds Craig, "which is sometimes important to people - one on nights and one on days and both drive seven seaters.

our fares are regulars and our relationship with them is too important to jeopardise with silly games."

Cleethorpes Cars prides itself on being a proper, friendly old fashioned taxi office. 'Most of our drivers have been here for years', says Craig 'and our customers

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just the waiting around that's a pain - it's the feeling that you're being played for a mug.

That's why it's a refreshing change to find that Cleethorpes Cars of Sea View Street make a firm promise not to string you along with porkies when you ring them. 'We'll always give you the real time on a job' says Craig Codd, operations manager and son of the proprietor Baz. 'The worst thing you can do to a customer is fob them off with rubbish. Ninety percent of

know them all by name. It makes people feel a lot safer and happier when they know who's driving and of course very occasionally it's nice if the driver knows where you live, just in case you can't remember."

The firm is one of the cheapest in the area, both around town and on long runs with Humberside Airport on offer at only £25.00, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands at £100.00 and Manchester Airport at £120.00.

All their drivers are CRB checked

Above left - Craig Codd, operations manager at Cleethorpes Cars of Sea View Street.

And of course we're ideally placed to cover all of the popular venues in Cleethorpes from Sea View Street to the High Street and beyond, including of course the Light Railway, home of the Folk and Cider Festival.

So if you're reading this over your umpteenth glass of apple juice and listening to the folk music then give Cleethorpes Cars a ring and let them get you home safe and sound - at least when you ring them you know they'll tell you the truth about how long they'll be so you'll know whether or not you've got time for that swift half!

Cleethorpes Cars

14

Poetry

Grimsby Bound

NE Lincs is an area bursting with writing talent as regular visitors to www.thedock.info will be aware and here we thought we'd take a look at Grimsby Bound, a new volume of poetry by local author Gordon Wilson.

Grimsby Bound is a poetic retelling of the experiences of boy apprentices in the fishing trade. It records how boys were recruited from workhouses, orphanages and city streets all round the nation to crew the ships that brought the wealth that made Grimsby the world’s premier fishing port. Some apprentices flourished while others endured abuse and misuse at the hands of ruthless masters. The poems tell of life at sea and ashore, of daring and blame, of courage and shame, of imprisonment and career advancement.

The poems are available in print or on CD and there is also a CD of some of the poems set to music and performed by local band Merlin's Keep.

Birdhouse Theatre will be bringing their 3rd Festival of Children's Theatre to Cleethorpes this May, sponsored by Freshney Place and Arts Council England.

The festival kicks off on Sunday 26th May when Small World Theatre present The Fisherman And The Mermaid at 10.30am at the Light Railway and at

Theatre

Below - Going hunting - Peter in Sea Legs Puppet Theatre's production of Peter And The Wolf.

CDs and book are available from the Fishing Heritage Centre and directly from Gordon Wilson.

You can contact Gordon at grimsbybound@hotmail. co.uk The price is £5 per item or £10 for all three.

A Leicester Mother When I look dimly out across these hills and watch a human shape climb up the track, my heart halts and a salt tear spills with joy at thinking you've at last come back.

But where's the sense in me expecting that when your life's so much better now you're gone than ever it could be if you still sat beside me in this festering Union?

I take my comfort knowing that you ride the brimming waves; and on a wind that's true, bring silver harvest home on flowing tide and as an honest man take what's your due.

I should not wish for your return to me when fortune favours you in Great Grimsby.

Cleethorpes’ Children’s Theatre Festival, 26 – 31 May 2013 12.30pm and 2.30pm (both near the sandpit). Featuring a giant puppet, slippery fish and a flock of bicycle powered sea gulls!

Monday May 27th sees Peter And The Wolf by Sea Legs Puppet Theatre at the Cromwell Banqueting Suite at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Meet Peter and his Grandfather, the Cat, the Duck, quick witted Redbird, Ivan and Boris the blundering hunters and of course…. the big hungry Wolf.

On Wednesday 29th May Tucked In present The Golden Cowpat at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall at 11.30am and 2.30pm. The show is an amusing and moving tale of temptation, greed and friendship.

Join in with catchy songs, bid for a Golden Cowpat in a hilarious auction and even choose the

story’s ending!

Finally on Friday 31 May the M6 Theatre Company will be performing Mavis Sparkle at Signhills Academy on Hardys Road at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

With a magician for a Dad and a stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye! A feather duster in one hand and a few tricks up her sleeve, Mavis is on a journey north to see nature’s biggest light show with her own eyes.

The Fisherman and The Mermaid is a free show. Other shows are £4 for adults and £5 for children.

Available from the Caxton Box Office at Grimsby Library, Cleethorpes Tourist Information Centre and on line at www.birdhousetheatre.co.uk

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FREE HOME SURVEYS

16

Homes & Gardens

Time to pay attention to those outside spaces

Summer's on its way and barbecue time will soon be upon us but before you buy in the steaks and break out the tinnies it's time to treat your garden to a clean up to get rid of the winter grime.

De-winter your patio with a pressure washer.

Decking can be revived with special deck cleaner which removes mildew and dirt and refreshes greying timber. Scrape off flaking paint round all the external woodwork and then rub down with sandpaper and repaint. Remember to start early in the day so you can close the windows by night time; use masking tape around the glass before you start painting.

Use the pressure washer again to clean off any dirt and mould from walls. Then treat with a fungicide which you’ll need to leave on for 24 hours. Fill small cracks and holes with quick setting mortar.

Only paint when the weather is fine and try to avoid painting in direct sunlight. Always start painting at

Geoff’s Gardening Service  01469 569712 H 0790 4006635 geoff.oneill.gardening@googlemail.com

Green Cuts  01472 841100  info@greencuts.co.uk Chalk Farm, Salters Lane, Wyham, Grimsby

Homes & Gardens

the top of your house and work down as this will avoid splashes. Stop at least two hours before sunset so the last area of paint has time to dry.

Outdoor furniture will be in need of care too so sand down your wooden furniture, clean and re-paint it.

Use a medium grit sandpaper and ensure you prime your furniture before applying the top coat. If you want the natural look teak oil will restore the colour to your hardwood furniture.

Lastly let's turn to the gutters. Remove debris and clean thoroughly. Prime metal gutters with oil based primer and follow with a top coat. Paint plastic gutters with oil based gloss.

And that's it. The garden's all ready - now get that charcoal lit and let's get the party started. Have a happy summer!

Geoff ’s Gardening Services We all love to see our garden looking great but it can be a lot of hard work and that’s where Geoff ’s Gardening Services can help.

They don’t bother with fuss or gimmicks, they just provide excellent gardening services and let the work speak for itself. Whether it’s an occasional trim and tidy or a full clearance and makeover Geoff ’s are second to none and they offer treework, hedge trimming, pruning and power washing too! So when you need a helping hand make GGS top of your list!

Green Cuts are an established company specialising in all types of arboriculture (tree work), ranging from large scale park restoration and site clearance to general tree, hedge and garden maintenance for our domestic clients.

Our services include tree removal and pruning, crown reduction, lifting and thinning, sectional dismantling, storm damage response, stump grinding and removal, root removal, chipping, garden hedge trimming, shaping and topping, grass cutting and firewood sales, so if you’ve got a tree in need of attention give us a call for a free, no obligation quotation.

ecological solutions for arboriculture

Grimsby

Grimsby’s Local Garden Centre!

We believe your garden should grow up around your ideas, your favourite plants, colours, sounds, textures and scents, flourishing in the space and the design you have. Everyone has a picture in their mind of gardens they have seen, visited or loved so let us help you design what you love. With our amazing landscaping team with a little help we can give you an outdoor atmosphere, an invigorating place for a relaxing retreat, with new lawns, or paving or concrete pathways, to small ponds and fountains, flowers and trees making your garden all an added atmosphere and help you achieve your garden looking amazing.

We now offer indoor quality furniture, this is now the core of our business – because we sell furniture in such quantities we are able to secure very low prices with our many suppliers which we pass on to our customers so we often have some amazing clearance bargains on styles. Our new display showroom has ranges of vintage furniture, shabby chic, farmhouse style, pine, rattan and contemporary modern oak furniture for the dining room and bedroom. Alford’s Garden Centre is so much more than a garden centre our homestyle department offers a range of elegant indoor furniture for modern living, beautifully arranged with style.

GARDENS

FURNITURE

LANDSCAPING

CAFE BLUE

Cafe Blue is a spacious and fully licensed restaurant located within Alford’s Garden Centre. We offer everything from a full English breakfast to a small snack or choose one of our famous pies - all made in our own kitchen, or our legendary fish and chips days. We also have carveries on Wednesdays and Sundays, or maybe a quick coffee and a slice of cake.

Our friendly staff are here to help you make your choice. We look forward to seeing you. For something a little bit special come and try the delightful Cafe Blue experience and we are sure you will not be disappointed. We have been established for 20 years and have gone from strength to strength!

Alford’s Garden Centre is proudly celebrating our 20th year in the garden centre world. We consider ourselves and staff to be experts in every aspect of dealing with the garden landscaping to growing our own plants. We mostly pride ourselves on our customer service. Our Garden Centre comes fully stocked with everything you could possibly need to suit your garden centre needs. From fertilizers and home grown plants to any type of plant you can imagine and from tools and seeds to birdhouses and gnomes. Being a local family owned business, we truly pride ourselves on our quality work and our relationships with our customers.

Alford's is situated at the start of the Laceby bypass and facing Morrison's on the Grimsby Road.

Telephone - 01472 871280

Grimsby

18

Home & Garden

With house sales getting more and more difficult it's no wonder that so many people are choosing to stay put and renovate so the question is ...

To Move Or To Improve? granite worktops Bring adve this you t rt with o qu for e alify x disco tra unt!

With the UK housing market stuck in the doldrums, home owners are increasingly opting to improve their existing property rather than move home, according to new research from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Over 50% of chartered surveyors across the UK revealed that the slow sales market is prompting a growing number of people to improve their existing properties rather than move house - and this pattern is being repeated all over the country - even in London.

For those undertaking work to their homes, the addition of a new kitchen is most popular, while improvements such as adding an additional bedroom are also a preferred choice. However, RICS warns that costs incurred for improvements will not always be covered by the potential increase in a property’s value, as this also depends on the quality of work and other features of the property, such as its style and location.

According to valuation experts a loft conversion is the best way to improve a property’s value. This will increase the value of a home by an average of £16,000. A room extension will add £15,000 while a new kitchen will boost the value by £4,500.

New conservatories are a popular choice as well increasing value by an average of £9,000.

The RICS offer these simple tips to make sure you

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Ian J Dalton - Plumber

For all your plumbing needs look no further than Ian J Dalton Ltd. We have over 15 years of experience, our work is first rate and our prices are competitive - as our customers in Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Hull will testify. We also supply and fit heating systems to keep your home warm and comfortable and if you’re in the market for a bathroom refit you can count on us to meet all your needs. We can supply high quality tiling, bathroom furniture and fittings - all at excellent prices and with our 100% commitment to service guaranteed.

For further information contact Ian on 01472 235096 or mobile 0772 1785130.

Home & Garden

Home & Garden don't waste your money on improvements that don't pay their way.

Don’t be tempted to over value an improvement and expect high instant returns irrespective of market conditions If extending, make sure that the accommodation provided (i.e. property size) is balanced with the size of the plot, bigger is not always better When undertaking a loft extension or basement conversion try to keep the style of the new rooms in sympathy with the style of the rest of the property. A modern extension on a traditional property may look odd and lose appeal If you are trying

Kensway Classic Blinds Pasture Street, Grimsby Town Centre (opposite the Duke Of Wellington Pub)

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to sell, bear in mind most areas have a ceiling price, ie, a maximum sale price you can expect to achieve.

Improving a poor property in a good location is better than improving a good property in a poor location And finally don’t bite off more than you can chew stick to a budget and ask the experts.

So there you go - if we all stick to this good advice then we can make the home improvements that we want and reap the financial benefits as well - and that can't be bad.

AQUALINE services

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So whatever kind of blind you’ve got in mind give us a call and see what Kensway can do for you.

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DSB Damp Proofing

DSB are David Stiles and Steve Burrows - who offer a specialist damp proofing service including traditional and chemical systems. They’re happy to give free no obligation quotations and good honest advice and have built a reputation for carrying out work to the very highest standards at affordable prices.

Their testimonials file is impressive, including one job where DSB stepped in to finish work left incomplete by another firm and Julie from Grimsby for whom DSB damproofed, reskimmed the walls and even helped source a new kitchen.

For information call Dave on 0780 6881694 or Steve on 0790 5135856.

Home & Garden

ass h n o m a u h K n o m u K hee t e m n e h t iv e g m n give to e c n e d o fi t n e o c c n e confid wnn. . o y m n o w k o r o y w m workn, 13on ai Germn, mai 13stow Study Cenetre Ger Waltham udy Centr Walthamstow St

Boost your your child’s child’s Boost confidence with with Kumon Kumon confidence Our maths and English study programmes work to give your Our maths and English study programmes work to give your child a foundation for learning both in and outside the classroom, child a foundation for learning both in and outside the classroom, building the self-confidence they need to succeed and grow. building the self-confidence they need to succeed and grow.

Contact your local Instructor today Contact your local Instructor today

Grimsby, Healing Study Centre Grimsby, Healing Study Centre Sarah Prior Sarah Prior

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Cleethorpes Study Centre Cleethorpes Study Centre Jackie Cowling Jackie Cowling

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Kumon

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Unlock your child’s potential with ......

KUMON

We all know the importance of maths and English. Young people with better literacy and numeracy skills are far more likely to succeed in gaining good employment and fulfilling their potential later in life.

At your local study centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes for all ages and abilities. Established for over 50 years, Kumon’s unique worksheet based method can help your child to excel academically, develop their capacity for learning independently and boost their all round confidence.

As well as building speed and accuracy, Kumon’s maths and English programmes develop life long transferable skills such as concentration and independent learning, time management and problem solving: abilities which will prepare students for the future.

Not only are maths and English key to academic success, but the study skills and learning ability they gain through the Kumon programme will stand them in good stead for adult

life, as well as for the pressures of homework, coursework and timed exams. By working at their own pace over a period of time children acquire the self assurance to reach their potential both at school and elsewhere.

Before enrolling, your child will benefit from a free assessment.

This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that your child’s

Above & below Students at one of Kumon’s maths and English centres enjoy improving their skills

Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset.

Once enrolled, your child will start on the programmes at a level they are comfortable with. This ensures that they establish a daily study habit and that there are no gaps in their understanding of the subject before moving on.

Students attend their local Kumon centre weekly and have daily worksheets to complete at home.

There are currently more than 68,000 students studying with Kumon at over 670 study centres across the UK. For more information, or to take advantage of a Free Assessment, contact your local Instructor today.

Cleethorpes Study Centre Jackie Cowling 01472 230 251 Grimsby, Healing Study Centre Sarah Prior 01472 884 104

Kumon

22

Role Models

Franklin College students welcome female role models to celebrate 2013's IWD year of ....

The Gender Agenda

International Women's Day is a United Nations sponsored occasion which highlights both the achievements of women and the challenges which many face.

This year's theme is The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum celebrating the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change.

It is frequently pointed out in the media that young women today who seek careers in business, science or other traditionally male dominated areas of life are undermined by the lack of suitable female role models so students on the non-uniformed public services course at Franklin College decided to address that issue by inviting a group of high profile local female business leaders to visit the college, meet students and pass on their experiences and advice.

Among those attending were Anne Tate, North Lincolnshire Manager for the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, Jayne Chudley, founder of Fluent Coaching, Joanne Heywood, Regional Manager of charity Wish Upon A Star and Carolyn Mumby, founder and CEO of Employment Law Essentials and each role model was happy to be interviewed one on one by students who were keen to gather advice on career paths, educational choices and on the issues which are faced by women in industry.

So what did the students gain from the event? According to Kelly Thompson who organised the event as part of her course work they learned first and foremost that it was important to have a dream and to go after it,

Role Models

Above - students and role models at the Franklin College International Women's Day event.

and of course to never let their ambitions be constrained by considerations of gender - there's nothing that a woman can't achieve if she sets her mind to it.

As for the role models they all agreed that it was an excellent event, better run than many corporate events that they had attended, and a real pleasure to meet so many keen and ambitious young women all looking to make a name for themselves in industry. Plans are already afoot for a repeat event next year - so watch this space.

Role Models FORTHCOMING EVENTS 11 May 2013 Black & White Ball at Forest Pines 23 June 2013 Humber Bridge Walk 15 September 2013 The Great North Run Guaranteed Places Available 21 September 2013 Winteringham Fields Black Tie Dinner 12 October 2013 Gruesome Twosome Run at Swallow 14 September 2014 Orient Express Dinner on The Northern Belle from Grimsby Town

 01472 827100

joanne@whenyouwish.org.uk www.whenyouwish.org.uk

23

And of course the success of the Franklin College event set us thinking in the office about local businesses that we know that have a woman at the helm and we thought we'd devote a page to a few of them who are our good friends.

On the left is Wish Upon A Star the charity that makes the dreams of terminally ill children come true.

They've been brightening lives for nearly twenty years and they're headed up locally by Joanne Heywood, proud holder of 'the best job in the world'.

On the right, Jalousie, of 13 Abbeygate, our favourite boutique for perfect outfits for those really special occasions. Jalousie is run

by Kim Skiba, who is of course the daughter of Dee Skiba of Alford's Garden Centre who features on our cover.

Fluent Coaching is the brainchild of Jayne Chudley who set it up in 2010. They currently work with more than twenty schools delivering training in life skills.

And at the foot of the page our good friend Gill Crowley proprietor of TLC Introductions, the areas leading offline dating service.

www.facebook. com/Joatwish

TLC Introductions The Offline Dating Experts

The number one introduction service for over 40’s who love getting out there and meeting new people but who don’t do internet dating

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TLC Introductions

I started TLC Introductions because I was fed up with my job and wanted to work from home. I had read about a dating agency and thought it would be a great idea, as I had been divorced myself and found it hard to get out and meet new people. Once online dating took off I wasn’t sure whether TLC had a future in its current format, but after some research I realised that there are still many people who are not happy with having their details on the internet, so I decided to carry on with it and concentrate on the over 40’s market, which has turned out to be a good decision as we are still going strong and bringing lots of happy couples together.

Role Models

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Masters Of Their Craft

Masters Of Their Craft It's a great thing to find an expert - someone you can rely on to do things right and to never rip you off. In the old days there were craft guilds where master crafters passed their skills on to the younger generation but nowadays it can be hard to know who is trustworthy and who isn't. Recommendation is still your best bet so here we are pleased to suggest some people who we know and trust and are happy to recommend as masters of their crafts!

R

T

O

ST F O O D

S

F

GRIMSBY FISH D&M QUALITY MEAT E IN

O YOU R DO

straight to your door

Darren Bloomfield  07541 669052

 darrenbloomfield@hotmail.co.uk

Freshney Cleaners Established 1989

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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Commercial Premises Cleaning Application of Stainguard Allergy Protection for Carpets & Upholstery Carpet Whipping

01472 230400 freshney.cleaners@ntlworld.com

Approved by the Home Services Directory (Trading Standards) Yorkshire and Humber Accredited Member SM&MS (Health & Safety)

GL Commercials

Trailer Hire Specialists GL Commercials are known nationally for their high quality craftsmanship, service and professionalism.

Their premises in Grimsby, are within easy reach of the M180 and M62, and can accommodate the largest of commercial vehicles.

They offer a comprehensive mobile repair, servicing and MOT preparation service for single units or fleets. Commercial Trailer Hire Options Available Are: Flat Beds, Skeletal Trailers, and Taut Liners. Trailer Hire: Flat Beds/PSK/Skeletal Curtain Sliders Specialists. Whatever your needs large or small they can cover all eventualities, and can meet your individual requirements. For further information please contact Mr Graham Lockington on Tel 07711 496138

Serenity Memorials

Gillian and Steve of Serenity Memorials have more than 50 years experience in assisting the bereaved. They are both qualified funeral directors and take pride in providing top quality personal service. They can supply new memorials, add inscriptions to or clean and renovate existing headstones, undertake safety surveys and provide consultancy services. Serenity offer no obligation quotations with layout drawings so customers can see how the memorial will look before they commit to buying. Bespoke memorials are a speciality and nothing is too much trouble for the professional staff at Serenity. For information call 01472 269696, or email enquiry@serenitymemorials.co.uk.

Masters Of Their Craft

Masters Of Their Craft NO J OB TOO SMA LL

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Plastering Coving Skimming

• • •

Sound proofing Rendering Dry lining

your local plastering specialist

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Looking to make your life more comfortable?

A lift or stairlift can increase your freedom

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Martin Allenby Plastering Are you hunting for a local plastering expert that you can count on? Thinking about sound proofing your garage and hunting for a specialist to give you some advice? At Martin Allenby Plastering, they’re always ready to help. Whether you want a whole house re-plastered or some coving in your dining room they’re C.S.C.S. registered, City and Guild approved and fully insured for your peace of mind. When it comes to home improvement getting it right first time is vital and that’s why you need someone you can put your trust - and when you choose Martin Allenby you’re dealing with the experts.

Grimsby Lifts Ltd

Grimsby Lifts can increase your independence and help you adjust by fitting new or reconditioned lifts, straight or curved to any shape of staircase. We give a full warranty on any lift that we fit and we repair any make. We offer next day installation on straight lifts and we supply public access platforms, passenger lifts and bath lifts. We are a long established family business Dad Terry has been in the business since 1977 and our success is built on our product knowledge and quality of service. A stairlift can give you freedom, making life easier and letting you get back to doing things that other people take for granted. For information ring 01472 210200 or check out our advert.

Masters Of Their Craft

26

In Business

in BUSINESS turning the spotlight on local enterprise When I arrive for our chat John Jerrard is high up a ladder on the corner of Wintringham Road and Hainton Avenue where he is removing ancient wooden guttering and replacing it with new UPVC. It’s a tricky job because the wood gutter is in six metre lengths - it must have been quite a job getting it up there when the house was built! At the foot of the ladder is his van, with its four nodding bulldogs on the dashboard - gifts from his children which move with him from vehicle to vehicle.

He’s been roofing for all his working life, first for others and working for himself since 1995 so when he gets down I ask how did it feel - taking that big step and setting up on his own? Did he find it frightening?

"Not really frightening”, he says, “because I had lots of contacts, a good reputation locally and I’m not afraid of hard work. If you’re thinking about setting up in business for yourself those are three good things to have.

It also helped that I enjoy the work I do. I’m not a big one for hobbies. I work seven days a week most of the time and that’s because it isn’t just a chore for me. It’s something I take pride in. Let’s face it - when

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In Business

you’re high up a ladder in all weathers it can get pretty cold and unpleasant - it’s not a job you’d do if you hated it."

So what does he enjoy most about the job?

“Well obviously I enjoy being my own boss but I also like going out and actually doing stuff - getting my hands dirty. I was never cut out for an office job. A lot of the time I work with a colleague, Joe Roach, and it’s good when you have someone to chat to during the day.

No two days are the same in this job and there’s always something of interest happening. When we renovated the spire of Old Clee Church, replacing all the lead to remove the risk of theft we found messages left by the Victorian craftsmen who did the last renovation. So we had photos taken of the whole team and laminated them and we tucked them away up in the roof so that when our work is renewed in a hundred years or so people will find them and say who are those odd looking blokes?”

And how are things in the current climate? Does he worry about keeping the work coming in?

“Touch wood we’ve managed to stay busy all the time. We advertise a bit but a lot of work comes in via word of mouth and from people seeing us working and doing a good job.” As if on cue right at that moment a passer by crosses the road to get his card and details and discuss some roof repairs and I leave them to it. As I drive away John’s back up that ladder with the new gutter. The wind’s getting up and it’s pretty chilly for April, it’s a good job he loves his job because I’m not sure the rest of us would!"

Green Energy

Do you get the Green Deal?

The Green Deal has been around since October last year but uptake figures suggest that many of us are not yet fully clued up about what it is or how to go about getting involved.

So what is the Green Deal? It's a scheme by which the government will lend money to homeowners to have improvements made to improve their home energy efficiency in order to save money on bills. The money loaned is recovered through the electricity bill and the loan changes hands with the property - which is the first time such an idea had been tried in the UK. So what kind of work can be done under the Green Deal?

Right - When choosing an assessor look for the Green Deal Approved logo

Many kinds - provided it will save on energy bills. Typically it will include loft or cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, double glazing and installation of renewable energy technologies eg solar panels or wind turbines.

If you're interested you need to start by finding a Green Deal approved assessor - they'll have the house and tick logo displayed on their adverts. They'll assess your property and give you a Green Deal Advice Report - this will explain what improvements you can make and estimate how much you could save on your energy bills.

You can then decide which of the

How secure is your house?

Try putting yourself in the burglar's shoes!

We all like to think our homes are secure but are they really? One way to find out is to stand in front of your home and ask yourself twelve questions a potential burglar might ask. Try it and see how you do. You might be shocked by the answer.

1. Are there spare keys hidden somewhere?

2. Is there a door or window that is always left open?

3. Is there a door or window that you know is easy to open?

4. Can you get in through the garage?

5. Will you be able to get in making hardly any noise or without being seen?

6. Are there drainpipes that can

be climbed?

7. Are there flat roofs that give access to other windows?

8. Are there walls, wheelie bins, trees or other items to assist climbing?

9. Is there loose brickwork, woodwork or items left lying about which a burglar could use to break a window?

10. Can a burglar easily get into a shed or other outbuilding to find something to help them break in?

11. Can someone approach the house and get quite close without being seen?

12. Would someone be able to spend sometime trying to get into the house without being seen?

27

suggested improvements you want to go ahead with and when the work is done (by a Green Deal approved firm) you repay the cost through your electricity bill which should be lower because of the energy saved through the improvements.

Of course it's a bit more complicated than we've got time to explain here - but the fact is that Green Deal could be a great deal for you! Check it out soon!

So that's your twelve questions.

How did you do? If you did badly then perhaps you ought to consider making some changes - we're sure our good friends at N-Force would be happy to help.

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28

Motoring

It can be dangerous, costs British motorists ÂŁ50 million per year and most of us don't even realise it can be legal! Now the RAC joins the campaign against

Mileage Correction

When you go to buy a car what's the first thing you look for? Probably the mileage on the odometer. We all know that it's illegal to tamper with the mileage to increase the value of a vehicle -

act of clocking also hides the fact that the car is likely to have done considerably more miles than the driver realises. If vital components are excessively worn and/or not replaced as recommended by the

Left - An RAC check is one way of spotting the tell tales signs of excessive wear that may indicate that a vehicle has been clocked

that's called clocking.

Clocking has been practiced by dodgy used car sellers for many years as a means to make extra money. With the recession biting however there are signs that clocking is on the increase.

MyCarCheck.com recently reported a case of a Glasgow taxi whose clock had been set back by more than 100,000 miles!

However vehicle information expert, HPI, is warning that the risks from buying a clocked car could hurt consumers in more places than just their wallet.

They point out that clocking is used by fraudsters to boost the sale price of a vehicle, but the

Motoring

manufacturer, that vehicle could be a real danger to the driver and other road users.

HPI's concerns are echoed by vehicle inspection experts at the RAC. "Vehicles displaying untrue mileages carry an increased risk of costly defects being present. With use comes wear, and therefore higher mileages are a likely indication of when maintenance costs could start to rise," says Michael Hill, Vehicle Inspections Manager for the RAC. An RAC Inspection offers used car buyers a thorough vehicle examination that will help highlight unexplained gaps or leaps in maintenance records,

a potential sign of clocking or a hidden history. And whilst a vehicle examination cannot authenticate recorded vehicle mileages, the RAC Inspection does provide used car buyers with an independent condition report on vehicle performance, offering added peace of mind and protection against the threat of clocking.

Occasionally of course an odometer may develop a fault, in which case a specialist firm is needed to reset the mileage to its proper level but what many people find surprising is that although odometers fail only very rarely there are more than 70 firms in the UK who offer a mileage correction service.

Both the HPI and RAC are calling upon motorists to sign its e-Petition to force a change in the law and ban these firms. To signup to the HPI e-Petition which calls upon Government to put a stop to Mileage Correction Firms simply visit www.hpicheck.com

Motoring

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Kids and cars just don't mix. Peter Rodger advises on how to cope with long family car journeys.

Are we nearly there yet?

We all know how irritating it can be when you have to make a long car journey with a car full of kids.

There's the arguments and the cramps and the feeling unwell to cope with and even when they're being good (or sleeping as we call it in our house) they can still be distracting.

So here advanced driver Pete Rodger gives his advice on how to cope with a car full of kids!

"The first thing to remember on a long journey is stopping distances. Following too close to the car in front limits the time you have to react. Leave a minimum gap of two seconds between you and them and you'll be more able to spot hazards and keep your kids safe. On the motorway, if

you can read their number plate, you're driving too close.

Keep children occupied by introducing games that promote and reward quiet behaviour without needing the driver's direct involvement.

Portable games consoles or in-car DVD players will keep kids occupied for hours. But don't forget the headphones the soundtracks can be just as distracting as the children.

If you are planning a long journey, make sure you're organised take plenty of food and drink to avoid constant demands from the back seats and plan in time for extra stops. Find somewhere for them to stretch their legs and let off steam, such as a playground

or a park. You'll probably benefit from the break too.

If your kids are anything like ours then it's a good idea to have a plastic bag (without any holes!) with you in case of travel sickness.

A second adult in the car to look after the children makes a massive difference, leaving the driver to concentrate on driving.

If you are on your own don't turn round to deal with fighting kids while you're still in motion - find somewhere to stop first.

Rodger said: "Kids can be noisy, disruptive and distracting, especially if they get bored. The trick is to keep them occupied as much as possible and to keep your attention on the road."

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Motoring

Motoring

Keep your car healthy and save money!

As the recession bites and families trim their budgets one of the first things to go seems to be the annual new car. According to a poll by Be Wiser Insurance less than a fifth (17%) of British motorists are considering changing their car this year.

In the current climate it's not surprising people don't want to outlay huge costs on a new or more modern car when their current vehicle is serving them well but to get the most out of your vehicle it's important to know how to prolong its life and health. For those who want their car to last as long as possible Be Wiser has this advice to offer: Drive nicely - this means accelerating and braking gently along with letting your engine get to running temperature before putting your foot down.

Clean and wax regularly - Cleaning and waxing your car regularly will help protect and maintain its colour and appearance. A car that looks good will also be worth more in the future should you ever sell it.

Keep an eye on fluids - Oil, water, anti-freeze, power steering and washer fluid levels should be checked weekly. If you don't want to check all of this then at the very least check the oil level each week.

Check your brake pads - Replacing brake pads is not too costly a job, replacing brake discs and pads is! By making sure that your brake pads don't wear

down so much that your brake discs get ruined will save you money and hassle.

Annual services - Everyone knows this is a must, but a lot of us don't get our car serviced as regularly as we should. A change of oil and a check-up will do your car wonders - and it could flag up any problems before they get too big (and too expensive). Use a reputable garage - someone you trust. If you don't have one then our good friends at Lincs VWA and Danmat will be pleased to help.

So there you are. These tips on prolonging the life of your car should work for cars of all ages, shapes and sizes. Doing just these few things on a regular basis should mean your car is less likely to let you down and cost you a fortune! Happy driving!

LINCS VWA

the volkswagen & audi specialists

SERVICES

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Will Toyne

20 years of experience with Volkswagen & Audi All makes repaired without affecting your warranty

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DANMAT

MOTORS LTD Tel: 01472 353777

11A Pyewipe Road, Grimsby DN31 2QL

Motoring

Danmat Motors

Tired of paying through the nose for second rate work? At Danmat Motors on Pyewipe Road, Grimsby you get First Class Service! They give free estimates and guarantee a top quality job at a realistic price. Established in 1999, and with over 40 years experience in the trade, Danmat are experts in servicing and repairs, exhausts, brakes, steering, suspension and minor car body repairs and they work on all makes and models - so whether it’s a mechanical fault, bodywork damage, MOT or service time or if you just want to give your car a thorough check before you go on holiday (or before winter sets in) then head for Danmat Motors and let the experts take car of it! Ring 01472 353777 or call in at 11A Pyewipe Road, Grimsby.

Visit our showroom in King Edward St, Grimsby above

from English country gardens

to rural Ugandan hospitals At GardenAid we offer a wide variety of gardening services tailored to meet all your garden requirements including landscaping, fencing, weed control, lawn care, general maintenance and all types of tree work. We have over 40 years of horticultural experience and we promise the highest standards of workmanship, integrity and reliability.

We also promise to donate 10% of our proďŹ ts to Age Care Development Uganda, a charity based in the Kyenjojo district of Western Uganda which takes care of elderly people and survivors of HIV/AIDS and of the civil wars which have ravaged East Africa in recent years.

So when you use GardenAid not only does your garden look great but you really are helping to care for two communities.

Garden Aid Caring for two communities

07742 638423