The Peoples - Issue 32

the

Issue 32 Jan/Mar 2015

publication

PEOPLES SAVING ANIMALS ONE BY ONE The Ark Animal Rescue Centre at Donna Nook THIRTY YEARS ON TWO WHEELS George Petch receives a special award from Honda DSB DAMP PROOFING Keeping the weather out of your walls CRAVEN’S LANDSCAPING Keep your garden looking perfect!

INDEPENDENT LIVING Top tips for an active retirement MARKET RASEN History and shopping - what more could you want?

VICTORIAN RETRO CHIC It’s just so century before last

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o here we are with another new year. Seriously where does the time go? the This issue we’ve been talking to George Petch about his thirty years with Honda and we’ve been out to The Ark at Donna Nook to see the great animal rescue work they do there. Oh and there’s some fantastic news about our favourite venue, Grimsby Central Hall, and a very A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR special big name gig they’ve got FREE • FREE • FREE • FREE • FREE coming up.

Issue 32 Jan/Mar 2015

publication

SAVING ANIMALS ONE BY ONE The Ark Animal Rescue Centre at Donna Nook

THIRTY YEARS ON TWO WHEELS George Petch receives a special award from Honda DSB DAMP PROOFING Keeping the weather out of your walls

CRAVEN’S LANDSCAPING Keep your garden looking perfect!

INDEPENDENT LIVING Top tips for an active retirement

MARKET RASEN History and shopping - what more could you want?

VICTORIAN RETRO CHIC It’s just so century before last

From the nice people at Oriental Express

Look out for us in .......

16 Publisher: Diva Publications, Grimsby & Cleethorpes 01472 238140 www.divapublications.co.uk Advertising Sales: Deborah Staff andrewstaff@live.co.uk Distribution: Andrew Staff andrewstaff@live.co.uk Design, Photography, Editorial: Ian Pickles All rights reserved. Diva Publications make every effort to ensure that content 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.

26

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8

6

In The Know

8

Home On The Rase

16

Just The Way Grandmamma Used To Like

26

Enter The Goat

31

Ouch Pouch Childcare

34

Elegant Sarcococca

38

Saving The Animals One By One

40

Thirty Years Of Honda

44

38

What’s going on in our area?

The perfect local day trip destination

Are you ready for some Victorian chic?

Chinese New Year and the Legend of The Jade Emperor

An out of school club the kids will love!

Colour and fragrance for the winter garden

We visit The Ark Animal Rescue Centre

The Japanese company makes a special award to George Petch

Motoring Icy weather and patriotic driving licences

To advertise in The Peoples or in Mouth Almighty or to let us know about arts and entertainment events or for general enquiries contact Deborah on 01472 238140

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INSANITY IS ON THE LOOSE! ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW AT THE CENTRAL HALL Well there’s no doubt about the nicest surprise we’ve had in a while - it’s the news that Grimsby Central Hall, until recently threatened with imminent closure has a three year reprieve.

They’re not letting the grass grow under their feet either and one of the first bookings they’ve made is rock legend Andy Fairweather Low and his band.

We’ve been fans since his days with Amen Corner but Low is also known as a solo artist (remember Wide Eyed And Legless?), for his work with Pete Townsend and The Who and as a member of Eric Clapton’s Band. He’s also been a regular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings.

The show is on Saturday February 21st, tickets are on sale now so we’ll see you there for what promises to be an unforgettable night of rock and blues!

Box Office is 01472 355025 or call in for tickets.

Fancy a spot of Devotion?

FEB

21

Good to hear that one of our favourite local musical acts - female pop duo Devotion have got plenty of gigs lined up for the New Year. You can catch the girls in February on the 14th at The Casablanca and on the 21st at The Queens in Barton. You can also see them on March 6th at The Kings Head in Laceby, March 7th at The Angel, March 8th at Walters. They’re at The Bluestone, Immingham on the 28th and the Welly Arms on the 29th. So if high quality pop is your thing then you know where to go to catch Devotion doing it with style!

IN THE KNOW

7

VINYL DESTINATION: REPLAY RECORDS RELOCATES TO FREEMAN STREET

N

ot many of us get to turn our hobbies into successful businesses but one man who has done it is Scott Wardle, proprietor of Replay Records.

Scott started collecting records when he was thirteen and by the time he was eighteen he had 6000 albums and his parents had to have the floor of his bedroom strengthened!

Fifteen years ago he started Replay, at first in Haven Mill, later moving to Railway Street and he has now upsized into new premises in Freeman Street opposite Boots.

So how was the move?

And the record he’d most like to see coming in? The A&M original 7” single of The Sex Pistols’ Anarchy In The UK – a £10,000 touch if you’re in the market.

So if you’re a music fan with gaps in your collection then get down to Replay but we warn you, better allow plenty of time for the trip because once you start sorting through those racks of vinyl you won’t want to stop!

Record Store Day 2015 will see the seventh annual celebration of the UK’s unique independent sector as independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances www.recordstoreday.co.uk for more information.

“It was hard work but I had a lot of help from good friends like Grimsby Signs, Carpets Galore and of course The Yardbirds Club. They made it a lot easier.

And now we’re in, it all looks great.”

18,000 albums and 6,000 CDs rack after rack of musical memories With a vast collection of vinyl singles, more than 18,000 albums and over 6,000 CDs to choose from it’s the kind of shop where grown men can spend hours leafing through rack after rack of musical memories and there’s plenty of new music on offer too. Replay carries music from every genre and is also a ticket outlet for many of the best live gigs in town. There are mugs, t-shirts and other collectables are on the way as well.

So what’s the most valuable album he’s sold? A stereo original version of The Beatles’ Please Please Me which sold for £2,000!

APR

18

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8

IN THE KNOW

home on the rase Do you get fed up with visiting the same shops week after week? Feel like a bit of a change? If you’re in the mood for some travelling you could hop on a coach from the nice people at Hough’s (see elsewhere in this issue) and head for the bright lights of the Trafford Centre or Meadowhall but if you want to stay local(ish) then Market Rasen is a destination that you ought to have on your list.

Situated midway between Grimsby and Lincoln on the A46, on the western edges of the Lincolnshire Wolds it’s a bustling, picturesque market town filled with reminders of its Victorian and Georgian heyday when it was a centre not merely for the sale of farm produce but also for brewing, and the manufacture of agricultural machinery.

Right in the centre of town is the market square, first granted a charter in 1219 and at the heart of the town’s prosperity ever since. It was a cattle market until 1877 and also the site of the annual hiring fair when workers and trades people would gather hoping to be recruited for a year’s work by local landowners and business people. It is still open for the sale of all manner of

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Overlooking the square is the Church of St. Thomas, founded in the fourteenth century but largely rebuilt in the Victorian era. Its biggest claim to fame is that in 1536 it sheltered the participants in the Lincolnshire uprising, an early stage of the Pilgrimage Of Grace. Close by runs the River Rase which rises near Tealby and flows to join the Ancholme.

The shopping delights of the town were championed by retail guru Mary Portas who selected Rasen to be one of her Portas Towns and the high street boasts plenty of fascinating shops. Our favourite is Special Editions Chocolate Drop but there are plenty more to choose from and after a pleasant morning of retail therapy what better than seeking refreshment at the King’s Head at Tealby, one of the most picturesque pubs in the county and with a reputation for first rate food.

You could always try combining your visit with a day at the races of course. Market Rasen is one of the few all year round tracks

in the country. It began as a point to point venue over 200 years ago but the present National Hunt circuit dates from the 1920s. The railway, which helped to put the town on the commercial map when it arrived in 1848 also boosted the popularity of the race meetings, especially the Feast Week meeting, held each year at the end of September.

If horses aren’t your thing maybe you could take a stroll in Willingham Woods, a large complex of woodland, plantation and water features a couple of miles out of town on the road to Louth, laid out with nature walks and trails suitable for all the family.

So if you’re looking for a day out that combines great shopping, first class refreshments and beautiful countryside all within easy driving or even cycling range of Grimsby then we heartily recommend Market Rasen. We’ll see you there. Have fun!

Market photos by Push Creativity. All others

by Paul Scott Photography

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13

Stay fit, stay healthy

W

e know that physical activity and exercise are good for us. We don’t need to be told that. But as we get older perhaps we forget just how good for us they are.

In fact staying active is just about the best thing we can do to keep ourselves healthy and although all activity is good, exercise in the form of physical activity that is specifically planned and structured, such as weight training, tai chi or aerobics, can have special value. Even for people whose mobility is restricted a routine that includes regular fitness sessions can have huge benefits.

Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay the onset of many diseases and disabilities and for some conditions exercise is part of

the treatment. For example people with arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes benefit from regular exercise and it can also help with high blood pressure, balance problems or difficulty walking.

The benefits may not just be health related however.

Exercise can have a big effect on our mood and happiness level. Regular physical activity can help manage stress and may help reduce feelings of depression. It can also improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks, plan an activity, and ignore irrelevant information. So just remember exercise in good for the memory.

So stay fit and you’ll probably stay healthy. It makes sense. Now where did I put that remote control?

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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

it’s new it’s old it’s just the way your grandmother used to like

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aul Stocks is used to people being surprised when they first enter the Kitchen Discount showroom in Wood Street (off Freeman Street, next turn down after Wellington). There’s a tardis effect in operation because the building (it’s the purple one) doesn’t look big from the

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The business was founded by Paul’s dad Norman in 1973 and Paul takes evident pride in the fact that while others have come and gone Kitchen Discount are still in the same place as when they were founded.

So how do they compete against the multiples who dominate the market?

“Most of our business is repeat business and personal Some things don’t change. People still want quality, recommendations” Paul explains. attention to detail and personal service.

“People know us and trust us. In the outside but when you step through the door time we’ve been here we’ve seen Freeman it just seems to keep on going - fifteen full Street change beyond recognition and fashions kitchens on display over two floors and in kitchens have changed too.” these are not just any kitchens.

“When I started working with my dad the Kitchen Discount specialise in kitchens by farmhouse style was all the rage but nowadays Schuller, famous for their superb German it’s all about clean lines and minimalism. But design, style and engineering. They also offer some things don’t change. People still want the British made K Range, and provide a quality, attention to detail and personal service. full design and project management service, That’s what we provide and so far it seems to taking care of everything from plumbing and be working, so we aim to keep it up for at least electrics to plastering and tiling. another forty years.”

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16

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

it’s new it’s old

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F

ashions change so fast. Don’t you think? We’ve no sooner had Scandinavian minimalism than shabby chic comes along, closely followed by 1960s retro. But that was then, this is now and 1960s retro is so .... well 1960s really.

What we need to know is what’s the big new look for our homes in 2015?

According to trend experts it’s going to be Victorian revival with a hint of Gothic rococo industrial thrown in for good measure. So fasten your patent leather boots and we’ll take a whistle stop tour around what’s hot and what’s not for the new Victorians. First thing to point out is that it can be quite difficult to say exactly what we mean

by Victorian style.

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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

Victoria herself reigned from 1837 to 1901 and in those sixty four years tastes and fashions changed frequently, driven by the availability of high quality manufactured goods from the new factories of the industrial revolution, by developments and discoveries in many fields of science and by the remarkable feats of world exploration and the growth of empire which brought new styles and imported goods back from all over the world, especially from the far east.

And for every new thing that became available during Victoria’s reign there was an old thing being rediscovered. The Victorians were cultural magpies and almost every antique style from Gothic to rococo was plundered by designers and the results of these revivals cheerfully mixed and matched with each other and with new elements by proud homeowners searching for exactly the right blend of luxury and culture.

There are however some features which may be said to epitomise the style of the century however and it’s these key elements which form the basis of Victorian revival design.

So how does the modern Victorian go about getting that distinctive period look? Remember this is not a style for the modest and self effacing. Status was crucial to the Victorians so this is about making big statements and letting the world know just how wealthy and modern you really are.

Let’s start with the colour palette. Rich dark colours, ruby reds, emerald greens, deep blues are the order of the day.

Gold detailing can be used for contrast. Purples and light blues weren’t available at the time and should be avoided. Try checking out the heritage ranges of the biggest paint brands.

Wallpaper is important too. Big patterns, bold stripes, and imagery drawn from nature are good, especially with the addition of dado rails. Medieval and ecclesiastical elements can be incorporated if desired.

Use tiles in areas where there is heavy traffic and where carpets are used allow a wide peripheral layer of dark floorboards.

Wooden surfaces should be dark, furniture overstuffed, fabrics should be colourful and richly patterned. Silks, velvets and chintzes will all work well. Light fittings should be in brass, cast iron or pewter, fireplaces of marble or ornamental plaster, and every available surface should be filled with pictures, curios, plants and dried flowers and other nick nacks.

Stuffed animals or birds are a perfect addition as are antique scientific instruments like microscopes or astronomical telescopes and if you’re into steampunk then there’s a chance to do a little bit of style blending of your own. Why let the original Victorians have all the fun?

A pair of porcelain dogs on either side of a mantelpiece clock or some quality oriental ceramics will set the whole look off a treat and on these pages we’ve put a few suggestions for items that might suit your new style.

So have fun experimenting you new Victorians and remember, we are very amused indeed.

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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

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24

SHOP LOCAL

buy local - for top quality food without the air miles!

F

rom Grimsby with its long fishing heritage to the flat landscapes around Boston that supply so much of our nation’s fruits and vegetables, Lincolnshire is a county where food matters.

Not just any old food either – the name of Lincolnshire is synonymous with quality and a ‘second place will not do’ attitude that means that when you buy Lincolnshire foods you know that you’re buying the best.

Lincolnshire’s famous food heritage includes the succulently marbled beef from the Lincoln Red cattle which graze many of the county’s pastures, Lincolnshire sausages with their rustic texture and rich sage aromatics, and fine lamb and poultry, including ostrich, for which the county has proven to be an ideal environment.

Grimsby fish is of course legendary but it’s not just a centre for cod and haddock. The local smoked fish was awarded protected geographical indication status by the EU in 2009 and the fish docks are also home many salmon firms and to boats dedicated

to the crab and lobster harvest, supplying quality shellfish to customers all over the continent.

There are also a wide range of delicious artisan cheeses, not just the peppery Lincolnshire Poacher but also many others such as Market Rasen’s Lincoln Blue and the Cote Hill range from Osgodby. And let’s not forget Lincolnshire plum loaves, each made to the bakers very own secret special recipe.

Many of these producers sell through the network of farm shops which makes Lincolnshire fine produce and fresh or organic foods available to everyone, whatever their locality.

And in this day and age when fuel prices are volatile and people are becoming more and more conscious of green concerns it’s important that buying local means that you keep the environmental costs of consumption low. The lucky part is that living in Lincolnshire means you can be green and eat delicious food at the same time - which has to be a good thing!

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

a warm welcome to the year of the goat!

C

hinese New Year’s Day, also known as the Spring Festival, is an important date in the traditional Chinese calendar. The date varies but this year it falls on February 19th. It is the high point of a celebration which lasts for fifteen days, from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival and by tradition it is a day for families and will often feature a reunion dinner.

Houses will be cleaned and decorated with red paper cutouts and scrolls of poetry. After the meal is done firecrackers will be set off and gifts of money exchanged in red envelopes.

The years of the calendar are named after the twelve animals who make up the Chinese zodiac and their order is drawn from the legend of the Jade Emperor’s great race.

According to the story the Jade Emperor wished to devise a new way of recording time and he called together his twelve favourite animals and decreed that the new twelve year cycle should be named after each of them in the order that they arrived at the meeting.

In order to reach the Emperor the animals had to cross a river and not all of them were good swimmers. The best swimmer was the buffalo, but the cat and the rat who could not swim persuaded him to carry them across. Half way to the far shore the rat pushed the cat into the water and as the exhausted buffalo clambered ashore the rat scampered to dry land and was the first to arrive.

For this reason the first year of the zodiac cycle is named after the rat, with the buffalo second. The tiger is third. After that it gets complicated as different animals adopt different strategies to get across but the goat, monkey and rooster, who collaborate on repairing a raft arrive are awarded eighth, ninth and tenth places respectively.

This year, being the eight of the cycle, is the year of the goat (or the ram or sheep if you prefer). People born in the year of the goat are often said to be kind and loving but can also be set in their ways and resistant to change. If that sounds like someone you know then maybe they’re goats too. If so then you’d better do as they say because it looks like this is going to be their year!

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EASTER TREATS

do you miss out on the joy of chocolate because of allergies? well miss out no longer. enjoy an allergy free easter with ....

In 2010 Mike and Andrea Jessop were searching the internet for dairy free chocolate. They were sure there must be some available somewhere. But their searches met with no success.

Some people might have just given up in disappointment at this point but for the Jessops this was more than a just a disappointment - it was an opportunity! It seemed that they had found a huge gap in the confectionary market so they put their thinking caps on and two years later Moo Free chocolate products were introduced to the world.

Moo Free is lactose free because it is made from rice milk and in order to maximise the number of previously chocolate deprived people who can now enjoy their

ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES Allergies occur when our body’s immune system incorrectly identifies a substance as a threat and reacts against it in an exaggerated way.

Intolerances are different from allergies because they don’t involve the immune system. They just mean that the body has trouble processing certain foods.

According to doctors more than a third of us will suffer from allergies or intolerances during the course of our lives, and that figure is increasing.

EASTER TREATS

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favourite treat it is also casein free, gluten free, wheat free, egg free (even at Easter) and vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Moo Free is made with organic and fair trade ingredients too and in case we forgot to mention it while we were getting the science bit out of the way they taste absolutely fantastic.

So the only people who can’t eat Moo Free are people who don’t like chocolate - and how many of them do you know? No, nor do we.

You can find Moo Free products at Sweet Indulgence of St Peter’s Avenue where they also have a superb assortment of your favourite sweets from when you were a kid.

They’ve got Sherbert Dabs, Liquorice Allsorts, Drumstick Lollies and lots of others.

What more could you ask?

Rhubarb and Custard anyone?

Sweet Indulgence take your sweet tooth for a trip down memory lane!

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Belgian Chocolates Handmade Fudge Tray Toffee Sweet Buffets Sweet Gifts Jarred Sweets Children’s Party Bags and Cones * Decade Boxes 1930s - 1990s

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Choices Egg - dairy free, wheat free, egg free and gluten free! Oh and did we mention that it’s delicious?

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Moo Organic Easter Egg - without dairy, wheat, gluten, egg and casein suitable for vegetarians and vegans

26a St Peters Ave, Cleethorpes 01472 697495 www.sweet-indulgence.co.uk sweetindulgence1@hotmail.co.uk

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EDUCATION

H

ans Christian Andersen (and he’s got a tale to tell) was born on 2nd April 1805 in the small Danish town of Odense.

He moved to Copenhagen to become an actor and get an education and had begun to publish stories by the mid 1820s. In 1835 he published his first installment of his Fairy Tales, a collection which would eventually include The Tinderbox, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid and The Emperor’s New Clothes, classics one and all, which would inspire generations of writers including Kenneth Grahame, A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter and Lewis Carroll.

Andersen died in 1875 but he is still celebrated all over the world. His birthday is International Children’s Book Day and there are children’s literature awards in his name, the famous Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen Harbour, a theme park in Shanghai in his honour and a statue of him feeding the ducks in Central Park, New York.

In 2015 the International Book Day will centre on the provision of books for children whose lives have been disrupted by war or natural disaster. You can find out more or get involved at http www.ibby.org

APR

2

Across the globe, the Kumon Maths and English Programmes advance students beyond their school level.

To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.

Grimsby, Healing Study Centre Sarah Prior 01472 884104

kumon.co.uk

CHILDCARE

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for top quality care before and after school and during the holidays

Ouch Pouch Childcare of Scartho

I

t’s a busy old world. Days start early and finish late and for lots of parents that means a conflict between work and their children’s school hours.

Holidays can be worse. Get the kids to school or get to work on time – it’s a tough choice - but that’s where Ouch Pouch of Scartho can come to the rescue.

Ouch Pouch offer before and after school care and activities for children aged between three and eleven years. They’re open from 8am until 9am and then from 3.30pm to 6pm and in the school holidays they open all day from 8am until 6pm.

sessions in fine weather, Ouch Pouch is a first class after school club and the fully qualified team make sure

that there’s always plenty for their young members to do. It’s always full of laughter and happiness so it’s somewhere that children will actually

twenty years experience of working with children including spells as a learning mentor in schools, a nanny and working in paediatric care he had seen at first hand the many difficulties faced by working parents it was a logical next step to set up in business on his own.

Manager Patricia Fanthorpe joined the team 3 years later.

And the name ? Well it’s pronounced ‘owch powch’ not ‘ooch pooch’, and it’s a souvenir of Simon’s world travelling days.

He saw it written on the back of some tea packaging, took a fancy to it, and the rest is childcare history.

So if you’re a working parent with school timetable issues why not give Simon a ring and see if Ouch Pouch can help make your busy world run just a little easier.

A club of quality and distinction in a child friendly, safe and stimulating environment where “Every Child Matters” With a friendly welcoming atmosphere and a wide range of activities including computers, baking, artwork and outdoor sports

look forward to going.

Director Simon Harrison founded Ouch Pouch eleven years ago. With over

Springfield Community Bungalow, Springwood Crescent, DN33 3HG Telephone 07952 143085 www.ouchpouchchildcarelimited.com

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IN THE KNOW

TWINKLES FANCY DRESS BRINGS CHILDREN’S CHARACTERS TO LIFE FOR WORLD BOOK DAY

W

hat’s the busiest time of the year for a fancy dress shop owner? Halloween of course. You guessed that right? So what’s the second busiest?

That’s a bit trickier. Christmas? Easter? No, it’s World Book Day. I bet you didn’t get that one but it’s an important date in some quarters and nowhere more so than at Twinkles Fancy Dress of Cleethorpes.

Twinkles has been in business for fifteen years now, based in old electricity showroom building at the foot of Isaac’s Hill, one of the area’s most beloved buildings. It started out as a retro clothing emporium but proprietor Kath Summers got so many requests to hire her stock for theme nights that she bought some purpose made costumes and the rest is history.

World Book Day

Nowadays she has thousands of outfits, ball gowns and accessories and it’s non stop, not just for her but also for daughter Melanie and grand daughter Tiffany, both of whom assist in the shop. Most requested costumes are Pirates Of The Caribbean, Frozen, 60s and 70s themed costumes, cartoon characters and mediaeval but Kath has to stay constantly on the look out for new trends. New films, TV and books will always create new favourites and the costumes need to be ready in advance!

For World Book Day they stock up on favourites from children’s fiction and throw open their doors to entire classes of schoolchildren (and their teachers) who come to choose their costumes for the big day but word about the event is starting to spread outside the classroom and demand for adult sizes is rising as the event gains popularity.

Who will you be?

TWINKLES FANCY DRESS

 01472 200127

located at the foot of Isaac’s Hill

www.twinklesfancydress.com

World Book Day is a celebration of books and reading marked in over 100 countries all over the world. The aim is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading by giving the opportunity to have a book of their own. This year will see the 17th World Book Day and on 5th March children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading. There’ll be a book token for every school age child, special £1 books that they can buy and loads of fun and games on the theme of books. For more information go to www.worldbookday.com

MAR

5

TIME TO STOCK UP ON WINTER FUEL!

LOGS AVAILABLE NOW

At Garden Aid we offer a wide range of gardening services 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 (www.agecareug.org), a charity based in the Kyenjojo district of Western Uganda which takes care of elderly people.

So when you use Garden Aid 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 www.gardenaid.net

Visit our gift and craft stall at The Ice House, Oxford Street, Grimsby for loads of great gift ideas that help to care for two communities!

An unsung gem offering winter flowers and a rich vanilla scent.

How well do you know your .....

Sarcococca

S

arcococca – it’s not a name that trips off the tongue exactly but if you’re looking for winter and early spring interest in your garden then it’s a very good plant to be familiar with.

And if it suits you better then you could try calling it by its alternative name – the Fragrant Box. Sarcococca makes a great addition to a winter garden because it’s tough and reliable and very easy to grow. It can be planted in a border, in containers or as ground cover and will

perform well in shade. It grows slowly and gradually to form low mounds of evergreen foliage, with red

and black berries once flowering has finished and because it’s a member of the Buxaceae family it’s ideal for neat, clipped

edging borders and works well in containers.

Fully hardy, compact and great when planted by the edge of a path or close to the front door where its glossy green foliage and delicate white flowers (which bloom over winter and early spring) can be fully appreciated, this dense evergreen shrub can be planted to great effect alongside other winter favourites such as hellebores and cyclamen.

It’s a pretty little plant, not gaudy or overstated, but it’s the superbly rich vanilla scents which make it such a favourite with so many gardeners.

Former Chanel model and founder of The Edible Bus Stop Mak Gilchrist is a real fan, she says “Sarcococca has incredibly intense scent and thrives at a time of year where there is little scent in the garden. I particularly like that about it. It’s a sensuous indulgence in the deep mid winter.”

So if you’re in the market for some colour and scent to get you through till Spring arrives why not give the Sarcococca a look?

Information and pictures from The Horticultural Trades Association.

Watch this space for the HTA Plant Of The Month series over the next few issues.

GARDENS

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35

SHOPPING IN STYLE WITH HOUGH’S OF LINCOLNSHIRE People kept telling us how good they were and we thought there’s nothing for it but to go and check fro ourselves. So just before Christmas we joined one of Hough’s trips across to the Trafford Centre.

And what can we say? Bang on time there and back, super comfy coach and the driver was great! We’ll certainly be going again. Much less hassle than driving and cheaper too! You can find more pictures and our full report on the day in our web edition at www.divapublications.wordpress.com

IF IN DOUBT ASK YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS

S

ometimes its okay to go DIY, to do things for yourself. But sometimes you need the help and advice of someone who really knows what they’re doing.

A proper old fashioned expert. The problem is that in this internet dominated age, many of us don’t know where to go when we need to speak to someone in person. We’ve got out of the habit of dealing with people face to face. So we’d suggest that the first place to start looking is right by your own front door, because a town like ours is full of local businesses who have been doing what they do for years and who are very good at it indeed. They’re probably a lot more reasonably priced than the internet based giants as well and the service they offer is much more personal and friendly. You’ll find local experts like Serenity Memorials, Saxby Roofing, Ian Dalton and Garden Aid throughout the magazine - so if in doubt why not ask your local experts?

York Chocolate Festival ONLY 3rd April £169 3 days

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Winter Warmers in Aberfoyle & the Cotswolds. 5 day holidays Monday to Friday from January to April with dinner, bed and breakfast, from 2 nights entertainment and a trip out pp all included

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14th February Wonderful Chester Weekend for Valentines Day

2 days £59pp

Food Drink and Rhubarb Festival 3 day foodie special 20th February £149

Dunoon & the Magnificent Clyde Songs that Won the War A fantastic show with lunch and afternoon TEA at Wicksteed Park in Leicester. 4th June 2 days

£139

16th March 2015 - a 5 day dinner, B&B holiday with coach tour itinerary. Usual price £225 but quote code PP/DUN to get a massive £40 off only the price and travel until the end of February or while spaces last

£185

Hough’s of Lincolnshire your first choice for coach holidays, city breaks and days out

80 Middlethorpe Rd, Cleethorpes  01472 601088 www.houghsoflincolnshire.info

The Ark Animal Rescue saving the animals one by one They say the British are a nation of pet lovers but sometimes animals are injured or lost or their owners can no longer look after them and when that happens we need people to take them in and care for them and eventually re-home them if possible. It’s vital work and that’s why places like The Ark are so important.

The Ark Animal Rescue Centre is set on the old airfield at Donna Nook. If you’re going from Grimsby turn left at the Axe And Cleaver and then follow the signs. It is run by Sue Riceassisted by her daughter Laura and a hardworking team of volunteers. It was established thirty years ago by Sue’s mum Pauline who sold her washing machine to raise the money to buy a caravan which she turned into accommodation for six abandoned cats. From there the place just grew. They also run a retirement home and kennels providing temporary accommodation for animals whose owners are ill or on holiday.

Among the hundred and fifty plus residents are plenty

of cats and dogs, but also bigger animals like horses, donkeys and goats and a wide variety of smaller furries including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and occasional ferrets. There are birds too including lovebirds, peacocks, ducks and poultry.

Animals arrive for a variety of reasons and unlike most centres they don’t give up on older animals. In their opinion no pet is too old for re-homing and because they are often placid and well house trained older pets are often well suited to older adopters.

Not every adoption applicant will be considered suitable however. The Ark takes great care to ensure that animals are re-homed appropriately and will do home visits before adoption is agreed. Where distance makes this impossible vet’s references are taken up. At The Ark the animals always come first.

Despite the vital work they do The Ark receives no public funding and is entirely dependent on donations and bequests. With vets’ bills running at up to £2000

THE ARK a month (which would be a lot more if it weren’t for the good will of Eastfield vets of North Thoresby and Cleethorpes) it’s vital for them to keep money coming in and if it doesn’t then problems can arise.

October 2014 saw a crisis when it seemed that the money would run out and the centre would be forced to close and although they managed to stave off closure over Christmas they had to shut their doors to new arrivals and they’re still very much in need of help.

Donations and bequests are an important source of income but sponsorship is another popular option especially with children. Residents can be sponsored for £10 a month or £90 a year and that includes letters from your adopted animal, a photo and key ring. Visits are welcomed and at the end of a year you can change animals if you wish. There are also collection points for animal food at Morrisons and Pets At Home and if you’re in the mood for a sponsored challenge of some kind then they’ll be

39

very glad to have your help. It’s not just financial help that’s needed either. If you’re an animal lover with a little time to spare then they’ll be very glad if you want to come and help out with the care of the residents.

Even if you don’t feel up to a lot of physical work the centre welcomes volunteers who come just to pet the animals and help them maintain their socialisation for the day when they leave for a new home.

The Ark is open to visitors from 12 until 3pm every day except Thursday and can be contacted by phone on 01507 358140. Their website at www. arkanimalrescue.co.uk is full of useful information about pet care and adoption and updates about new arrivals.

So if you’re an animal lover why not pay them a visit?

It’s a fantastic place and any help you can offer will be very much appreciated.

Opposite page - Sue and Pat with volunteers and a resident at The Ark Above - Boris the American Bulldog

“Helping you choose a fitting memorial for your loved one” Gillian and Steve at Serenity Memorials take pride in providing a sympathetic personal service. They can supply new memorials, modify or renovate existing stones and undertake safety surveys and consultancy.

With no obligation quotations and full layout drawings you know exactly how your memorial will look before you buy. Bespoke memorials are a speciality and nothing is ever too much trouble.

Serenity Memorials Ltd Showroom: 133 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7DG Telephone: 01472 269696 or 01652 633255 Email: enquiry@serenitymemorials.co.uk

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GEORGE PETCH WHEELS

A special award for local businessman from Japanese motorsports giants as George Petch Wheels celebrate ......

30 of YEARS

M

arch 1974. Ted Heath resigns as Prime Minister and is replaced by Harold Wilson. George Foreman KOs Ken Norton in 2 for the heavyweight title in Caracas.

Number one single is Billy Don’t Be A Hero by Paper Lace.

Meanwhile in Grimsby, a youthful George Petch starts as manager at Freddie Frith’s Motorcycles in Victoria Street. For the very young or those with a short memory Frith is one of Grimsby’s most legendary sons, five times winner of the Isle Of Man TT (out of six starts) and one of the few riders to win the TT both before and after the war.

Ten years later, Frankie tells the world to Relax, and George opens his own Honda dealership on Corporation Road. It’s the start of a long and successful business relationship, one which will see George, assisted by his wife Anne who acts as financial director, (pictured together above) build one of the best

41

42

GEORGE PETCH WHEELS

known Honda dealerships in the country and which has recently been celebrated by the Japanese motorcycle giants with a special award for thirty years as a main dealer.

George is still on duty in the shop most days - (although he does like to take some time out now and again for his other passion ‘O’ gauge model railways) - and it’s a privilege to sit and discuss bikes with someone who had his first in 1961, an Ariel Leader.

And his favourite? An easy one. A hand built Vincent Black Shadow, one of the greatest of British bikes, 998cc’s and a top speed of 124mph, the very machine ridden by John Surtees, amongst others, when attempting to set a world twenty four hour speed record at the steeply banked Montlhery circuit in 1952.

His passion for two wheels has taken him around most of Europe and on a two thousand mile figure eight around the South Island of New Zealand and he still loves bikes just as much as he did when he got his first one.

Nowadays of course George Petch Wheels is in Brighowgate (has been since September 1995, Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone) with GP Suzuki in the building next door. The shop was officially opened by Moto GP World Champion Colin Edwards and stepping inside is every gearhead’s dream come true; wall to wall motorcycles. They offer the full range of Hondas from the 50cc up to the 1820cc Gold Wing - one of the

GEORGE PETCH WHEELS

The Honda Gold Wing is one of the world’s most popular bikes. Introduced in 1974 it has changed a lot over the years but the current version is thought to be one of the most powerful and comfortable tourers in motorcycling history, featuring a fairing with heating and an adjustable windscreen, panniers and a boot, a seatback for pillion rider, satellite navigation and radio, a sixspeaker audio system with MP3 and iPod connectivity, antilock braking, cruise control, electrically assisted reverse gear and an optional airbag.

world’s most popular touring bikes, a wide range of accessories and equipment, and an extensive selection of second hand machines.

They also have a impressive state of the art repair shop, a team of mechanics which includes one of only a dozen Honda Master Technicians in the country and a reputation for customer service and good advice that’s second to none.

For those who like life in a slightly slower lane there’s a new range of electrically assisted bicycles from Batribike. Ideal for leisure use, especially for caravanners, Batribikes are made in Lincolnshire and can go between forty and sixty miles per charge (depending on whether they are used fully powered or power assisted). And although we mentioned the slow lane the batribike can do a very tidy 15mph on the flat so it sounds like they’re fun and practical.

And finally. Any advice for someone who might be considering buying their first bike? Simple. Get trained. It’s the best time and money you’ll ever spend. Bikes are still just as much fun as ever but the roads are busier now. Learn to use them properly and look after them well and they’ll give you thousands of miles of enjoyment.

And if you’re thinking about investing in a bike then you couldn’t pick a better place to start than George Petch Wheels. They’ve got everything you could possibly need whether you’re an expert rider or a beginner, plus good advice and an enthusiasts attitude that means that a visit to George Petch Wheels of Brighowgate is always a pleasure.

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Winter Draws On! Take The Sting Out Of Winter Driving

motoring

T

here’s no tougher time for driving than in the depths of winter. It’s hard on drivers and even harder on their vehicles but we can make the whole thing easier and safer by taking a few basic precautions.

Keeping your vehicle properly serviced is the best starting point. Good tyres, new wiper blades, a regular oil change and safe fluid levels – these all help a lot - and there are several businesses on these pages who’ll be glad to take the strain if you don’t want to do the servicing yourself!

Allowing extra time helps too. Set off ten minutes early and get your car ready properly. Clear the windows fully – don’t just scrape a patch clear! Plan your route to favour major roads which are more likely to have been cleared and gritted and put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in.

Allow extra time for winter journeys but be prepared to sometimes be late for work due to unexpected delays. Sometimes it just can’t be helped.

When driving in snow and ice gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving - stopping distances are 10 times longer than in the dry. Wear comfortable, dry shoes for because cumbersome, snow covered boots can slip on the pedals and pull away in second gear, easing off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

If you have to use brakes then apply them gently and if you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip.

Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

Avoid stopping part way up a hill by waiting until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of room to the car in front. Keep a constant speed when going uphill, choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to avoid having to change down on the slope. Coming down hill you should reduce your speed early, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front.

It’s a tough time of year but it doesn’t last for ever and with care a forethought you should be able to take the sting out of winter driving.

MOTORING

United Kingdom Driving Licences Get Cheaper And More Patriotic

British motorists will be able to fly the flag with pride in the new year thanks to government plans to display the Union Flag on driving licences. The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998.

Anyone applying for a new licence or changing their personal details will be issued with a licence showing both the British and European Union flags.

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The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity. The inclusion of union flags on licences is one of a number of improvements being made for motorists, all aimed at cutting costs and reducing red tape and unnecessary administration costs.

On 25 October last year, the DVLA announced a dramatic drop in licence fees for those who apply online from £50 to £34 for provisional licences and from £20 to £14 for online renewals. The fee for driver tachograph cards - used by businesses to record how far their staff are driving - fell from £38 to £32. Since October 1st 2014 the paper tax disc is no more and motorists can pay their vehicle tax by direct debit.

From June 8th 2015 the paper counterpart of the photocard licence will no longer be required and the DVLA has also introduced a service to allow the public to check the most up to date information on their driving record. To find out what information the DVLA holds about your driving record go to their website at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence or you can write to them at Driver Licence Validation Service, DVRE 5, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AJ. A £5 fee is required for the postal request.

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www.rgmotors.co.uk

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MOTORING

“when you need a mechanic you can trust”

DANMAT MOTORS • • • •

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 01472 353777

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the volkswagen & audi specialists • • • • • •

MOT’s & servicing brakes & tyres engine tuning genuine parts used courtesy car (subject to availability) all makes repaired without affecting your warranty Now offering engine remapping Your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) is usually set to the default when it’s delivered. Remapping involves complex diagnostics on the engine to find the perfect set up - delivering improved performance and economy.

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 01472 812130 Unit 3, Woodside Park Station Rd, Tetney

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