Andover Gazette - February 2023

Dear Residents,

Where has the summer gone? Well, I believe Spring is just around the corner, so let’s hang on in there and take a deep breath until March! In the meantime, this cooler weather and rain gives us a chance to look at the house and see what is needed to upgrade or change a few things around. Maybe there are people here in your local magazine to help you? We have electricians, plumbers, solar panel experts, builders, roof specialists, carpet cleaners, oven cleaners, window cleaners, carpet fitters, window fitters… and much more! Each of our loyal and trusted trades people and services would love to hear from you. Now is a good chance to get the help you need, so please do mention us when making those all-important calls. I am always very happy to hear this as it makes all our work worthwhile. You get a local person to help with what you need, and the company keeps busy. It is what we are all about. It also keeps our local economy thriving which is good for us all. A win-win all round.

I also hope you enjoy reading the articles and local data inside. If there is anything you would like to see or any suggestions for making your useful magazine, more useful I would love to hear from you! Do give me a call or send an email.

For now, we wish you a good month of February. May you have fun with, or even find, your Valentine!

Best wishes, Debbie, Stephen & all of us here at Modern Magazines

Printed on Carbon Balanced Paper by Pensord Press Ltd. Certified by the World Land Trust. Helping the planet one page at a time...

More organisations set to benefit as Test Valley Borough Council’s Cost of Living Grant scheme increases to £100,000

The Cost of Living Grant scheme, set up by Test Valley Borough Council, has doubled its budget.

Originally launched with £50,000, the local authority now has an additional £50,000 to distribute to groups, not -for-profit organisations and charities to help residents with the rising cost of living.

Since being set up at the end of September, nearly £35,000 has been awarded to 29 organisations.

This includes Portway Infant and Junior Schools who received £1,000 each to provide families with essentials such as warm clothing and bedding and the Community Life Centre in North Baddesley who got just over £950 to create a warm welcome hub with free activities, refreshments, internet access and support.

Meanwhile, Broughton Parish Council got some money to provide a warm space with free food, drink and fun games and activities for all ages, Balksbury Infant and Junior Schools each got £1,000 to provide breakfast packages for families and Roman Way Primary School got the same amount to help give out warm bedding and clothing during Winter.

There is now just over £65,000 left in the pot. Charities, not-for-profit and voluntary

organisations, parish and town councils, and schools can still apply for a share of the money to help them support people who may be struggling financially with the increase to bills and general cost of living.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, councillor Phil North said:

“We’re delighted that we have been able to increase the budget for the Cost of Living Grant scheme. In just a few months we have provided nearly £35,000, showing how popular and how important this scheme has been for the people of Test Valley. The increase to £100,000 means we will be able to continue supporting our local organisations who, in turn, will be able to provide help and guidance to those in the borough who may be struggling with the rising cost of living. I would really encourage any eligible groups to submit an application.”

For more information about the grant visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/ costoflivinggrantscheme

If you’d like to make an application, please contact the Community Engagement Officer for the relevant ward to confirm the eligibility of the organisation and project. You can find their details at www.testvalley.gov.uk/CEOfficers.

TVBC has also created a Cost of Living Support Hub at www.testvalley.gov.uk/ costoflivingsupport.

It provides useful information and signposts people to agencies and groups which offer a range of help, from local food banks and warm welcome spaces to financial advice.

Councillor’s Column

I’m pleased to report that Test Valley Borough Council has unlocked £1M from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to deliver six major projects in the borough, including creating a new health hub in Andover and supporting community schemes in Romsey.

The council submitted details of the projects in August last year and received confirmation that the government would be releasing the money just before Christmas. Now the £1M is secured, a contribution of £240,000 will go towards extending the teaching facilities within the Andover College campus to help deliver T Level courses in construction skills, bricklaying and carpentry.

A sum of £280,000 will help council and health colleagues to deliver a permanent health hub. A temporary hub has already opened in the Chantry Centre to help prove the concept, carrying out routine health checks on behalf of the five Andover GP practices. It also enables residents to pop in for blood pressure checks in a bid to help prevent and diagnose conditions early. As well as continuing with Covid boosters and providing support groups. This is the first step towards a permanent hub, which will also be complemented by the creation of outreach worker posts, part funded by a £110,000 contribution.

There will be a £100,000 fund created for community energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects across the borough, as well as £140,000 to help local rural land-based businesses to reduce

their carbon footprint.

Thirty thousand pounds will go to the University of Southampton Science Park’s Catalyst Programme, to provide innovation-led businesses with commercial expertise and experience through mentoring and peer support from world-class business leaders.

Finally, a new £100,000 fund will help deliver projects identified by Romsey

Future to improve public spaces, deliver environmental and infrastructure improvements and increase footfall and visitors to the town.

Ultimately, the additional money that we have been able to secure will benefit so many different projects all across the borough - with a particular focus on improving the health of our local communities, driving down carbon emissions and enhancing public spaces. As we have chosen to contribute funds towards projects in collaboration with other organisations and public sector services, not only can we expect to see more funding unlocked as a result, it will also have some incredibly positive impacts on people’s lives.

Cllr. Phil North

Leader of the Test Valley Borough Council

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06/12/2022 12:53:32

Avatar...again

Never an actress who rushes to take up film scripts, Zoe Saldaña very often opts for the ‘less is more’ approach – thus, a string of colossal projects decorate a CV that is notable for gaps in between.

Certainly in terms of the film that set her on her way to a string of big-budget projects from where she rarely now strays, the influence of James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar has been present for well over a decade now.

So it is with no small amount of relief that, finally, a sequel has arrived… and not just one. In what may turn out to be the biggest box office series ever, production of four more Avatar movies is in motion, through to Avatar 5, due for release in 2028, no less.

“The project is huge, but it has to be,” says Saldaña. “You have a film that took $3billion at

the box office, and yet here we are 13 years on. Perhaps it’s only right we’re getting this many sequels done if it’s taken us this long up until now!”

On the eve of Avatar: The Way of Water, one of the most-anticipated sequels in film history, Zoe Saldaña is a woman with a lot of work to do. does just different… different.”

While details over Avatar 2, or The Way of Water to give it its official title, are sketchy, what’s clear is this is no rushed project, nor is Saldaña taking her return lightly.

“I was very nervous because sequels can be dangerous, and we were feeling the pressure. I think the first couple of days, we all had moments of, ‘Can we do this again? What was the secret ingredient?

Do you know, does anyone? Should we just leave it there, not mess with it?’ There were a lot of nerves. It has been a long while.

“Yet [director and writer] James Cameron is in charge and his vision is present and trustworthy. And the film is very different from the first, way different… different planet different.”

While we are now in a new era of film that feels a world away from the CGI-laden original, the appeal of welcoming a new generation of filmgoer to the mystery of Eurasia is one Saldaña is relishing.

“We still retain the curiosity and interest of the millions of people who went out to watch it first time around, but the continuation of this story will bring new eyes to the story, and that’s a thrill for me.”

The Commercial Centre is a vital lifeline for the local business community, providing affordable first steps for fledging businesses and a thriving permanent home for established ones. It has a mixture of 86 offices and industrial units, with currently over 60 businesses operating from the centre. Having been a fully established, experienced centre for over 25 years filled with local independent businesses unique to Andover, you know that The Commercial Centre has things to offer that no other places can match.

Cafes, car servicing, home improvements, crafts and hobbies, health and beauty are just some of the different varieties of shops and businesses that you will find up at The Commercial Centre.

So why not come and have a look for yourself? With unlimited free parking and enough shops to fill your day, buying the perfect gifts or just treating yourself, you’ll find everything you need here in one place. It is easily accessible and only a couple of minutes’ drive from Andover town centre.

Based just the other side of Walworth Industrial Estate before the Wyke Down pub along Walworth Road, your journey should be very straightforward. With all the events of the past few months so far, it is even more important than ever to make sure that you shop local this year and keep all of Andover’s local retailers alive!

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the February Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include a close meeting of the brightest and dimmest planets in the Solar System, and the constellation Orion high in the sky.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted early in the evening until the 4th. Viewing then switches to our morning skies from the 18th. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

A conjunction is when objects in the night sky appear close to one another as viewed from Earth, even though they are actually thousands of miles apart in space. One such event happens at the end of the month when the two bright planets Venus and Jupiter appear extremely close to one another in the early evening western sky (see figure). The closest they reach is actually on March 1st, but they will be approaching each other rapidly the week beforehand, noticeably changing position and moving nearer to one another nightly. This conjunction can be easily seen with the naked eye, but a pair of good, steady binoculars may allow you to spot some of the moons of Jupiter.

Mercury

During the first week of February the innermost planet is visible low in the southeast just before sunrise, but is very difficult to spot.

Venus

Venus will be blazing brightly in the southwest every evening and will be impossible to miss! Apart from the conjunction with Jupiter mentioned above, the Solar System’s brightest planet is also very close in the sky to the Solar System’s dimmest planet, Neptune, on the 15th. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see Neptune, which will appear as a star-like object just to the lower right of Venus, at a 5 o’clock position (see figure).

Mars

The red planet can be seen until the early hours of the morning, and although fading every day, is still a bright object located relatively close to the orangered giant star, Aldebaran. It can be interesting to compare the colours of these two ‘reddish’ night sky objects.

Jupiter & Saturn

As the Sun sets, Jupiter is visible towards the southwest. It will have disappeared below the horizon by 10pm. Saturn is too close to the Sun to be visible this month.

Moon

February’s full moon occurs on the 5th.

Star of the month

Rigel, the seventh brightest star in the sky, marks the left foot of Orion the Hunter, and indeed the name Rigel stems from the Arabic for ‘left foot’ (see figure). It is blue-white in colour due to its temperature, a searing 12,000 °C (our Sun is comparatively cool, with a surface temperature of nearly 6000 °C). Similar to the star Capella featured in January’s issue, the Rigel star system actually consists of four stars. The largest star in the group (and the one we see) is 20 times more massive than the Sun, and will end its life as a supernova: a huge stellar explosion that leaves behind a neutron star or a black hole. Fortunately, that isn’t due to happen for several million years, and as Rigel is over 850 light years away, the Earth won’t be affected when Rigel’s demise does come about.

Orion The Hunter

View south during February 8.30pm

Betelgeuse

Rigel

Saiph

Bellatrix

Orion Nebula

Are You Septic Smart?

All across rural Hampshire, there are properties that are disconnected from the main sewer system. Instead, these properties use private ‘off-mains’ alternatives: cesspits, septic tanks, and sewage treatment plants. The three types vary in how they store, treat, and release waste, but aren’t a cause for concern when working well.

When something goes wrong, however, both people and wildlife are put at risk. While off-mains properties are in the minority, they have the potential to massively impact their surrounding environment. This is because systems that are incorrectly sized, sited, or maintained can cause chronic sewage pollution.

This pollution can damage homes and gardens, but is also rich in nitrogen and phosphorus - highly effective fertilisers. When it gets into our local chalk streams, it encourages the rapid growth of algae. The resulting ‘blooms’ starve the streams of sunlight and oxygen, with devastating consequences for wildlife.

The contamination of our waterways is especially serious in Hampshire, where pollutants can easily reach the underground chalk aquifer. As the source of both our chalk streams and most of our drinking water, this natural wonder is hugely important. Once inside, pollutants may continue to emerge even years later.

Luckily, expensive repairs and environmental harm can be avoided with a little know-how. Owners are responsible for ensuring that their system is suitable for their property and the number of residents. They must schedule frequent emptying and maintenance, and perform regular checks for signs of trouble.

Swampy ground, pooling water, a leaking tank lid, a grey film on the ground, and spots of lush grass growth can all be clues that something is amiss. Inside the home, look out for sinks, showers, and toilets draining slowly or noisily. Staying alert to potential problems is the best way to fix them before they escalate.

Care over what gets ‘flushed’ is also key, as the wrong additions can make off-mains systems inefficient or non-functional. Oil, fat, food waste, ‘flushable’ wipes, and sanitary products can cause blockages. Medicines, chemicals, bleach, and drain cleaner can kill the bacteria that help to break down the waste.

Learn more about how to keep your system safe and effective through the Septic Smart project. It forms part of the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

To get involved, visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/septicsmart or email

winterbournes@hiwwt.org.uk.

Free Online Talk – ‘Bats: Superheroes of the Night’

21st February, 7-8pm

Join Nik Knight for a look at our fascinating local bat species and how they thrive in the rich environments of our chalk streams. Book your ticket at: www.hiwwt.org.uk/events

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about the concept of space.

During lockdown, our understanding and appreciation of space was something that was challenged in ways we w had probably never expected.

Not only was even outside space challenged and conditioned to be accessed and used in very specific ways, but when at home, our rooms suddenly became multifunctional when they were never designed for such a purpose – our kitchen tables were work desks; our little creative nooks and crannies were filled with children and other imposters!

One of the positive take-outs many of us took from lockdown

was versatility, yet in my own life I’m keen to get back a certain amount of separation, because I find it absolutely essential for organising my mind and staying creative.

It’s for that reason that I actually have different work areas, spaces and locations for different types of jobs. By that, I mean I will do all my creative television thinking in a little bale- and stone-walled hut I have, called The Straw Bale.

It has a roof, some furniture in there, and serves as a studio away from prying eyes and everyday interruptions you would usually encounter in the house.

I felt I needed this little space because with a show such as Grand Designs I am pretty much on-location the whole time. That means there is no set base by which I can connect myself to a project and get in that headspace… unless I make one.

I have an office within the main part of the house, but that is used for much more menial matters, such as answering emails and firing off angry letters to all and sundry!

The concept of space is one that isn’t always objective – it can be

subjective as well. For instance, just because you have a big area with which to express yourself, it doesn’t mean it will actually feel big, or spacious. Similarly, very small rooms can be made to feel much larger than they are with clever techniques and smart aesthetics. I talk around this idea a lot when I mention high ceilings, uplighting and an abundance of floor space, utilising tables and chairs with legs, that guide the eye and light through the space.

In essence, it’s all about how we marry together space and comfort. If done well, you have the first building blocks for somewhere, home or office, that truly inspires you and brings happiness.

New Andover Health Hub pilot paves the way for town centre NHS services

The former covid vaccination centre in the Chantry Centre has today reopened its doors as the Andover Health Hub, enabling residents to pop in for blood pressure and other health checks in a bid to help prevent and diagnose conditions early on and improve people’s lives in the local community.

The unit closed just before Christmas, and since then Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) and colleagues from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and Andover Primary Care Network (PCN) have worked together to upgrade the space, with the PCN funding new flooring and furniture and temporary partitions to transform the unit and provide the new services.

From today, as well as still being able to get their covid vaccinations, residents can now visit the Andover Health Hub to have their blood pressure checked. The hub is also offering NHS health checks to anyone aged between 40 and 47 years old with no pre-existing conditions, particularly if they have not received a health check during the pandemic. The health checks have been designed to spot early signs of kidney disease, stroke, type two diabetes, dementia and heart disease.

The unit will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Eligible residents will receive text messages from their GP practices to book an appointment

direct through the hub. People can also pop in to the hub to check if they are eligible and book an appointment.

The move will help ease the pressure on stretched GP practices, but also builds on the success of providing NHS services out in the community, which has proved critical during the pandemic.

But NHS and local authority bosses have said that this is just the first step towards creating a fully functioning health hub that will provide a much wider range of services, and will be part-funded using money TVBC has secured from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

A sum of £280K from the UKSPF will help to expand the hub over the coming years and this will be complemented by an additional £100K contribution towards the creation of NHS outreach worker posts.

As part of the future plans for the health hub, TVBC and NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, will look to increase the range of services over time with a focus on preventing health issues and therefore reducing the number of people requiring NHS

treatment.

And with TVBC’s town centre regeneration proposals continuing to move forward, the health hub pilot will enable them to identify the longterm requirements for NHS services in the town centre and include them in the masterplan.

Dr Sarah Sierens, Andover Primary Care Network Clinical Director, said: “It is very exciting to open the Andover Health Hub, which has been a collaborative project between Test Valley Borough Council, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and Andover Primary Care Network. Situated in the old vaccination unit in the Chantry Centre, this is a central location for every resident of Andover.

“In the long run this “health on the high street” model will help deliver support to the people of Andover, including hard-to-reach communities, and reduce some of the pressure on the town’s primary care services, as well as local hospitals and the ambulance service. It will do this by delivering social and preventative medicine and health education courses that then empower self-care through coaching and support. Moreover, through patient participation, it provides an opportunity for the people of Andover to help improve local health services where our community needs it most.

“Andover Health Hub, while in its infancy, will plan to collaborate with the many excellent support services in our community. Without undermining the work of current services and charities, we aim to work with them to really improve our residents’ health and social outcomes.”

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, added: “This is a great example of partnership working and we are delighted to be supporting our NHS colleagues to pilot and deliver this much-needed local health hub.

“This is very much the first step towards delivering on our ambition to create a proper health hub in the town, which we hope will eventually reduce the number of people having to access the NHS for treatments for problems that, with the right support and information, could have been avoided. Thanks to the UKSPF, we are in a great position to take this work forward. And with the knowledge our NHS colleagues will gain from this pilot, we will be better placed to understand and shape our long-term plans for health services in the town centre, so we can deliver them as part of the masterplan.”

The government launched the UKSPF with the aim of reducing inequalities and supporting economic development and local communities through the provision of £2.6B of funding.

They had already allocated the sixfigure sum to Test Valley, but the council had to unlock the funding by identifying projects that would help deal with local challenges, bring communities together and support economic growth.

The Andover Health Hub is one of six projects set to receive funding locally.

Steve Hubble Master of Sounds

Performing for the WEOS concert on Thursday 16 February will be STEVE HUBBLE from Broadmayne in Dorset, making his sixth appearance for the Club.

Originally from Birmingham, Steve is particularly noted for his musical arrangements and orchestral style of playing and has performed many times on radio, including BBC Radio 2 and Radio WM.

and was one of the first artistes to use multikeyboard set-ups.

In addition, Steve provides music tuition, from absolute beginners to diploma standard in piano, keyboard, organ and music theory at his teaching studio and in state schools throughout Dorset.

He is constantly in pursuit of top quality sounds, having worked with many of the leading instruments of the day,

He also uses his studio to produce CD recordings and artwork design.

The concert commences at 7.30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) and tickets at £6.00 are available at the door.

Further information about the Club can be obtained at www.weyhill-eos.co.uk or by phoning (01264) 323213.

Greenfingers…

The Alan Titchmarsh Column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. is month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses how to keep motivation for your garden going.

e back might ache more than it used to and there’s more than a hint of a painful creak in the knees, but most days I still feel the urge to get out there and do my bit… and even when I don’t feel the urge, I always find it important to push on. A er all, my faithful beds and trellises rely on it!

It’s also worth remembering how beneficial the everyday rigours of flowering and weeding, pruning and digging are. It comes with the territory when you get to my sort of age, but I always remind myself that by the very nature of gardening you are outdoors, filling the lungs with oxygen and experiencing what it is to be around plants, trees and flowers. If that isn’t good for the soul, I don’t know what is!

I think what should motivate us to garden, even on those days when we would rather be in the pub, is the fact there is something unique about every outside space, and it changes on each occasion you set foot out into it. ere is always something that’s di erent, and special, and always ready to enchant you… always something you perhaps hadn’t noticed before!

It’s important to remember that although your garden is a wild space, you have, in e ect, tamed a lot of it; so like a pet or a child, it relies on you to keep doing the things you invested in it in the first place. It’s sort of saying, ‘you’ve started now, you can’t just stop!’

Remember too, it was you who had the vision, the idea, the perception of what this space should look like; so press on with those jobs and keep making your garden your own personal space – it’s an expression of who you are, and just like we get up in the

mornings and have a wash, comb our hair, so too do we owe that to our gardens.

So in summing up, of course the work can be hard and tiring and there are days when the body seems to be telling me to stop, but I am happy and healthy and have a loving family so things could be far worse. And what would I do anyway? Okay, yes… head to the pub!

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Looking for a live music lunch break? FREE Live Music at The Lights: The College Sessions

is back in 2023!

The College Sessions began in October 2022 and following successful events in October, November, and a Christmas themed December session, both The Lights and Andover College have decided to come together once again to collaborate on a series of free live music events this season.

Reconvening in January to March, The College Sessions are held from 1:452:15pm and this year there is the added extra incentive for students to be a part of the show and audience.

There will be a 10% discount applied to all students and staff with a valid

Andover College card on food and nonalcoholic beverages for The Atrium Café Bar on “The College Session” days. The event will be made up of Andover College’s Music and Performing Arts students for a half an hour set each month. The public is encouraged to support the students and be a part of the audience and experience free live music, and performances in the Arena at The Lights starting on Thursday, 23 February 2023.

There is no need to book these events, Andover College will be holding The College Sessions at The Lights on three separate dates this season, as follows:

Thursday, 23 February at 1:45pm-2:15pm

Thursday, 16 March at 1:45pm-2:15pm

The College Sessions are free to enjoy in The Lights arena and have proved popular so far, so The Lights recommends getting to the theatre early to get the best seats in the house.

For those interested, the venue address is below:

The Lights, West Street, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1AH.

Want to put your best foot forward with your better half?

These fashion tips on how to maximise your power couple status – while not looking too matchy matchy – cover every occasion from a gym outing to a super slick soiree.

Casual date

Want to show your one and only you have eyes for them? Then consider looking similar in the subtlest of ways.

Matching outerwear in the form of camel coats or bomber jackets; white trainers with jeans or a sweatshirt in a similar hue to her dress, can be touching without overbearing.

As with so much in fashion, the trick is to keep it subtle for maximum effect.

Gym hangout

Matching lycra is obviously a no-no, yet donning the same sportswear brand or t-shirts with a similar

font and style will give an effortless sense of cohesion, as will matching sports bags.

Wedding

When it comes to complementary fashion looks, it’s often about the smaller details… for example, his tie matching her dress. It’s a little nod to the one you love without going overboard.

Corporate event

If the event is semi-casual, then the guy can wear a black jacket paired with pitch black jeans and loafers. His partner can stick to the little black dress. If it’s a formal event, then adhere to the same rules as for a wedding.

Summer Soiree

You want to look and feel relaxed, so definitely choose breathable fabrics and cuts. Loose cotton shirts and light-coloured chinos with loafers or boat shoes for him, and a flowing, elegant dress for her.

Cleaning up our act

Keen to make your laundry routine as ecofriendly as possible? Well, we’ve got some simple and effective solutions for you.

1. Lessen the load

Sometimes the most obvious option is the best one, and in this case, that would be to simply do less washing.

Naturally, socks and pants can only be worn once before they need a clean, but perhaps you can at least strive to get a couple of days from the same pair of jeans or sweatshirt.

Going fewer days without doing a wash is also a good strategy: three larger loads a week is preferable to five smaller ones.

2. Curb the chemicals

Toxic detergents have a very negative impact on our local eco-systems – particularly marine life. Fortunately, there are numerous ecobrands on the market that are also effective and pleasantly fragrant.

Another good option is soap nuts - these are dried shells of berries from a tree native to the Himalayas. Entirely natural, chemical-free and gentle, these

nuts contain saponins, a soap-like chemical that foams when agitated in warm water. Soap nuts are also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and an effective alternative to chemical cleaners.

3. Get some balls

Your favourite scented dryer sheet is singleuse, non-biodegradable and packed with toxic chemicals, so invest instead in some wool dryer balls.

Not only do they reduce static electricity and wrinkles, soften fabrics and encourage them to dry faster, they can also be used over and over again – far kinder to your pocket, too! And to go a step further, sprinkle with essential oils to give your clothes a dreamy scent.

4. Ditch the plastics

It’s no secret that single-use plastic is enemy number one to the environment. Why not seek out a local store that provides refillable stations, or consider a detergent alternative such as soap nuts or even just distilled white vinegar -

don’t worry, the vinegar smell naturally neutralises!

5.

Cool it down

Even though most washing machines offer the option of a 90-degree wash, it really is an unnecessary temperature to wash linens at. If you do have nasty stains, pop half-a-cup of baking soda in with your clothes to banish them.

Even your colour clothes wash can be dropped from 40 to 30 degrees thanks to better formulated detergents (even the eco brands), a small change that lessens both the impact on the planet and on your pocket.

Going Green...

So much is being said about the need to protect the planet and use more eco-friendly material, but it is the small steps that each of us can do that will really make the difference.

Take the EcoEgg Laundry Egg... the innovative laundry solution. It replaces laundry detergent and fabric conditioner, reducing both harmful chemicals used and also single-use plastic packaging.

Dermatest has rated it excellent for use on sensitive skin, giving a kinder wash on both your skin and your pocket.

The mineral pellets in the egg, which are refillable (saving even more money!), work together in the water to effectively draw dirt from your clothes and softens them by changing the pH. Therefore leaving your laundry clean and fresh.

EcoEggs are available in Fresh Linen, Spring Blossom and Fragrance Free.

Recently, they have also released the EcoEgg Dryer Egg, which can be used when tumble drying. They reduce the drying time by up to 28%, saving you both time and money.

“I’ve been using mine for over a month now and I absolutely love it. It saves money, there’s no mess from washing powders and liquids. Also easy to use, and is better for the environment. Helps cut down on single use plastic and doesn’t use harmful chemicals.” KD

If you would like to know more about these products and many more, please feel free to visit my website at debbiegoesgreen.uk or email me at hello@debbiegoesgreen.uk as I would love to hear from you. Let’s look after ourselves and our environment!

Debbie Corney

The Adventures of Daichi

The Modern Magazines Camper Van

Daichi, The Dashing Dude, our wonderful, spirited Campervan is always ready to cheer us up, to take us on family adventures both near and far and generally take us away from any stresses or strains of everyday life. He doesn’t believe in watching the news or letting woes and worries get him down. He is all about living life, seeing friends and family and making the most of our beautiful British Isles. It is a great attitude to have. Christmas seems a long way away already, but at that time we have two important Birthdays (well I think so…), my own and Stephen’s. You see I was born 3 days before Christmas and Stephen was born on Boxing Day. It is a busy time of year! Daichi’s story this month is how very different we can spend our Birthdays and how we all enjoyed both of them!

Daichi drove us all the way to Hull for my Birthday… where I was born and lived until I was 18 years old. The family are still there and what I wanted was to see them all with my Mum and Dad. It gets to a certain time in your life, when, I don’t know about you, but you wonder if this Christmas could be the last, with certain people. I had this going on in my jumbled head for some time, so Daichi was very accommodating and drove myself and Stephen all the way to Hull. We arrived late on December 21st. What my Dad did not know

was that I had already been in contact with our 22 family members there, and each were coming to his humble abode the following evening. Dad worries a lot, and at 87 now and though still very fit and able to drive all the way down South, Daichi did not want to stress him out. A Mum with dementia is not at all easy and situations can never be predicted, but I managed to get her up and dressed and ready to go to a local garden centre the morning of my Birthday. For anyone with this problem, I had bought mum a gorgeous doll and it worked like a treat. This “baby” was a saving grace on many occasions this Christmas. It is very sad to watch in many ways, but believe me, Mum lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw her, and hardly let go the whole time we were with them. The people in the garden centre were marvellous too, mum had many smiles and hello’s, and I was very touched by all their gracious looks and helpful comments as Mum wandered around holding carefully her pretty baby. Daichi was all smiles too. What a great idea that worked a treat, for everyone’s benefit. During lunch I approached Dad and told him my Birthday plan. A little taken aback, but he knows me well, the next step of the plan was set. Shopping! The boys would do the shopping,

Debbie and mum in the garden centre

while I kept mum entertained at the garden centre. It worked! Daichi took the boys to the supermarket… and I lost Mum several times walking around the Christmas decorations! All good fun.

Seeing all my cousins and family members was what I had wanted. We don’t get together too often and when we do it is always good. I was particularly interested in the younger members… now in their twenties and thirties (I am showing my age now…). One cousin is buying her first house. Another cousin had gotten married and gone to Disney for three weeks. An aunt is planning a new life for herself. I loved it. Lots of life, living and forward thinking. It was a great way to spend my Birthday.

Mum and Dad came back with us for Christmas and spent a week with my sister over at their farmhouse in Margaret Marsh, near Shaftesbury. We spent a quiet Christmas Day with them in the countryside. Gorgeous. Log fire, wind whistling around the walls and windows and Christmas dinner…mmm…. From Hull to Margaret Marsh, and then to Weymouth for Stephen’s Birthday on 26th. Variety is the spice of life I have heard it said!

As you know we do love living in Weymouth with our sea views. The last two years, Boxing Day has been glorious! Really, sunny and blue skies. It has become Stephen’s day for a brisk swim in the sea with Hayden, our son, to

Stephen after a bracing dip on Boxing Day

celebrate his big day. They do have wetsuits, but nevertheless this is a brave move I would say! I, well, I take the photographs… Afterall someone has to do it! This year they stayed in the water a good 15 minutes all the while playing ball and diving in and out of the water. It is fun to watch, though people passing by gave us a few sympathetic looks… I think Stephen likes the challenge of it all. There I am bringing the family members together for my day, and Stephen absolutely backs me up with all of that, but on his day a bracing challenge and a full ‘alive feeling’ is what he wants. After a Birthday lunch, including ice-cream of course at our wonderful “Wafflicious” ice-cream parlour, “Avatar 2” was next on the menu! All within walking distance of where we live, the cinema, just around the corner was the perfect way to end a great day. The film is brilliant. Defense of the family is at the core of this adventure. Quite apt really. A three-hour movie, well worth it with gorgeous graphics and we were well entertained the whole time. An exhilarating end to a fabulous day!

So, how did you spend your Birthday? Daichi would love to know. Why not email him at debbie@modernmagazines.co.uk. Maybe we could add some of your Birthday photos in the magazine and Daichi will send you his Best Wishes? Birthdays are a great excuse to do what YOU want to do! Where will Daichi take us next, I wonder?

By Debbie Corney

Driven to distraction

Driving on UK roads is about how we respond to danger and hazards… both of our own doing, as well as those around us. We look at how these factors collide, and how being aware means being safe.

The actions of others

The AA regularly poll their members on a variety of road issues, and over time have gathered the responses of a quarter of a million people on the habits and traits that irritate them most. The results are revealing, with talking on a mobile phone, in recent years, having become the thing that creates the most ire.

Most frustrating habits of other road users:

1. Talking on a mobile (30%)

2. Tailgating (23%)

3. Middle lane hogging (20%)

4. Swooping or cutting across lanes to leave a motorway at the last minute (10%)

5. Overtaking on the inside (7%)

6. Driving too slowly (4%)

7. Speeding (3%)

8. Littering (3%)

Our own misdemeanours

Most of us know the key things we need to avoid on the roads, yet there are a few other

seemingly inoffensive actions that you may also land you in trouble.

A bad apple

Around two thirds of British drivers have had a bite to eat while behind the wheel – but how many of those would have snuck a piece of sandwich had they known it could mean big trouble?

The Highway Code, under Rule 148, states that “safe driving and riding needs concentration,” and advises against eating, drinking, smoking, listening to loud music and trying to read maps while behind the wheel.

Anyone tucking into their lunch could well be committing an offence of driving without due care and attention, or not being in proper control of a vehicle.

Making a splash

Mean-spirited motorists careening through surface water and subsequently soaking pedestrians may be infringing section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which states that driving “without reasonable consideration

for other persons using the road” is an offence. So next time you see an inviting puddle, steer well clear or risk being hit with a fixed penalty notice!

Horn blower

The horn is a vital part of staying safe on the roads and should be used to warn other drivers of your presence, particularly if you are about to tackle a sharp corner or a situation where there is poor driver visibility.

Beeping in a moment of anger can in fact be considered breaking the law; while sounding the horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built-up area unless is prohibited, unless it is an absolute emergency.

The Property Protection Trust Will package is based around how you hold the ownership of your home. All good estate planning nowadays considers the difference between owning your home as joint tenants or as tenants in common.

If you own your home as Joint Tenants; when one of you dies the ownership of the home passes by the Law of Survivorship and not by your Will. Therefore, the surviving partner will automatically own 100% of the property. This sounds right to most people. BUT should the surviving partner need care in the future, the Local Authority can take everything they own (including their home) to pay for the care fees, leaving just £14,250 to be inherited by children and grandchildren.

There is an alternative.

Nowadays many couples choose to own their home as Tenants in Common where each partner will own 50% of the family home. This provides for many benefits. Firstly, it allows you to legally leave your share of the property in your Will to whoever you wish. A properly written Will can ensure that your half of your house will eventually pass to your children even if your widow re-marries.

Unmarried cohabiting couples or relatives living together can also use this means of ownership as a way of minimising their Inheritance Tax exposure.

It can also help with long-term care costs. If one of you is still living in your home the Local Authority can’t include its value in the means test if one of you has to go in to long-term care. This also applies if the husband or wife still living at home dies while the other is in care as their share will go into the trust.

Dorset and Wight are your local experts in Property Protection Trust Wills.

Increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing to hold their properties as tenants in common to reduce inheritance tax and help protect their share from care fees

Turning the page

For February, four books that will weave a fictional spell.

The Angel Maker by Alex North

Haunted by the violent attack of her brother Chris years ago, Katie Shaw sees threats everywhere. When her brother disappears, Katie leaps into action to help him once more.

Meanwhile, Detective Laurence Page’s investigation of a brutal murder of a professor leads her to suspect the case is connected to Chris’s attack... and to a serial killer said to be able to predict the future.

Published by Celadon Books on February 28th

The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang

At the end of the First World War, Pauline Deng runs away from her Chinese family in Paris to escape an arranged marriage back in Shanghai. In the French countryside, Pauline finds shelter with Camille, a French woman planning to escape her own abusive marriage, until Pauline finds out a terrible secret about Camille, forcing them to make a decision that will bind them together forever. Published by William Morrow on February 23rd

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes

Globetrotting Nisha Cantor has the perfect life money can buy until her husband divorces her and cuts her off. Scrambling to hold on to her previous lifestyle, Nisha’s distress hits a peak when even her gym bag is stolen.

Meanwhile, Sam Kemp is desperately trying to keep her

family afloat. When she tries on a pair of expensive shoes from a gym bag she took by accident, the jolt of confidence inspires her to change her life.

This is a story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances. Published by Michael Joseph on February 2nd

The Worst Woman in London: A Victorian Romance by Julia Bennet

A defiant Victorian wife fights to escape a bad marriage but her love for a forbidden man jeopardises her chance at freedom.

James Standish knows how to play society’s game. He’ll follow the rules, marry a virginal debutante, and inherit a massive fortune. At least, that’s the plan until he meets Francesca Thorne. She’s not the sort of woman a respectable gentleman like James could ever marry… not least because, strictly speaking, she’s married already.

Francesca is determined to flout convention and divorce her philandering husband. When James sweet talks his way into her life tasked with convincing her to abandon her dream of freedom, she’s unprepared for the passion that flares between them.

James and Francesca must choose whether to keep chasing the lives they’ve always wanted or take a chance on a new and forbidden love. Published by Entangled on February 2nd

Vets Column: Obesity

Sadly this is the time of year when we all think about our size and shape...and it’s no different for pets I’m afraid. It is believed that as many as 50% of dogs and cats in the U.K are currently overweight or obese. This has many implications for their health and leads to an increased risk of Diabetes, Heart disease, Osteoarthritis and even some forms of Cancer.

So what causes obesity?

1. Overfeeding (including Christmas!).

2. Lack of Exercise

3. Neutering is known to be a risk factor for gaining weight, with neutered animals requiring an estimated 25-30% reduction in calorie intake compared to an unneutered animal.

4. Some diseases can cause obesity. These include underactive thyroids which decrease metabolism and activity levels, overactive adrenal glands which cause an increased appetite, and osteoarthritis which reduces an animal’s ability to exercise.

5. Some medications can cause weight gain, especially drugs like steroids which will increase an animal’s appetite.

In the majority of cases however it is overfeeding and lack of exercise which are the main factors causing obesity. So how can we change this?

Overfeeding is usually the result of too many extra treats as well as not properly measuring out the required amount of food every day. Many people rely on giving what seems to be a reasonable amount of food to their animals, or even

just allowing them to eat whenever and whatever they want. It is a common misconception that animals will only eat what they need. Most commercial diets will give a feeding guideline on the packet. Weigh out daily what is recommended. If treats are to be given during the day, then reduce the amount of food accordingly. It is also important to remember that these are only guidelines, and many dogs and cats will need less than the recommended amounts to maintain a healthy weight. If you have a cat that goes outside and is overweight despite controlling its food, you may need to consider that it is maybe eating elsewhere. It has been known for cats to sneak into other houses via cat flaps or open windows and steal food. Neighbours with good intentions may also offer food and treats if a cat spends a lot of time around their house.

As with humans exercise plays an important part in maintaining good health and weight. The average dog needs at least an hour walk a day, with many breeds needing more than this. Exercise is also important for cats, so look for ways to encourage your cat to move around more, such as providing climbing frames and toys to play with. If your vet suggests your pet may be overweight, don’t be offended instead see it as a positive step towards changing their diet and lifestyle for a happier, longer life.

Lisa Faulkner’s Choux Hearts with Berries

Having met her now husband, John Torode, on the 2010 series of Celebrity MasterChef –on which he was a judge and she a contestant – Lisa Faulkner knows full well that food is the language of love. So, what better way to woo your beloved on Valentine’s Day than with these stunning choux hearts?

Ingredients

(makes 8 hearts)

For the choux pastry

• 90g butter

• 360ml water

• pinch salt

• pinch sugar

• 110g plain flour, sifted

• 3 whole eggs, beaten well

To serve:

• 500ml double cream

• 400g mixed fresh berries

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Put the butter and water in a medium saucepan, add the salt and sugar, and bring to the boil. Ensure the butter is melted. Remove from the heat, add the sifted flour all at once and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan. Return to the heat and cook for 2 minutes until the paste is pale. Cool a little.

2. Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, incorporating fully with a wooden spoon after each addition. The mixture will go glossy then back to dull. Add the eggs until the mixture is shiny again and it just drops off the wooden spoon. Cool the mixture for about 10 minutes. Put in a piping bag and pipe heart shapes on to a baking sheet dampened with a little water.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then reduce the temperature to 160°C, gas mark 3, and bake for a further 15-20 minutes until golden.

4. Pour the cream into a chilled bowl and whisk, either by hand or with a hand mixer, until stiff peaks form. This may take a few minutes.

5. When cooked, turn the hearts over and pop back into the oven for 2 minutes to dry out a little. Split each heart in

Top Tips

Be careful not to overwhip your cream. As soon as you have firm peaks (you should be able to hold the bowl over your head without it spilling out!) you should stop.

If berries aren’t your thing use whatever fruit you prefer… mango and passion fruit, for example.

half horizontally and then spoon or pipe the whipped cream on the base. Top with the other half and fill the centre with the fruit. Serve immediately.