The Dorchester Directory - January 2023

Dear Residents,

A Very Happy New Year to you! 2023 here we are. We cannot say that the last three years have been uneventful, that is for sure. Here at Modern Magazines with your local Directory, we sincerely intend this year to be successful for all of us, despite anything the news may try and tell us. I hope you have made some good New Years’ resolutions and that you feel you can create and have some fun. Our local trades and businesses inside really want you to call them. Please use their services for the help you need in the home, for the car, your business or even for yourself. Do tell them that you have seen them here, as this makes all the difference. I just love to hear you found their details in “My Directory”. The index at the back is a quick guide to find who you are looking for. There are local groups and societies that also wish to hear from you, so please give them a call too and join in with their activities. There is nothing better than getting together with like-minded people. It is very uplifting and may be the ‘therapy’ we all need to watch less TV. If you know of a club that needs more support, let them know of us. We can help spread the word.

In a number of recent editions we have carried a column that was associated with Martin Lewis. We have since found out that they were in fact not written by Martin Lewis himself. For the most up to date guidance and personal finance information, visit MoneySavingExpert.com.

Stephen, myself (Debbie), Mel, Julie, Steph, Tracey, Pippa, Beth and Jaidan, our new graphic designer, all wish you a fantastic 2023! May you expand in all areas of your life and laugh a lot. Best wishes, Debbie, Stephen &

Volunteer recruitment at Dorset Wildlife

Trust’s coastal centres

Dorset Wildlife Trust is appealing for local people, aged 18 and over, to help with its wildlife conservation work in the Isle of Purbeck, Weymouth, and Portland areas. New recruits are needed to join a keen group of volunteers at both the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, Kimmeridge, and the Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre, Portland.

With the current climate and ecological crises and increasing pressures from human activities, wildlife on the land and in the sea is under threat, so our conservation work has never been more important. Local people who would like to do something valuable for nature and have time to offer on a regular basis, are invited to take part.

No expertise is required as all volunteers will be provided with free training to equip them with the basic knowledge and skills necessary. Our aim is to enable those visiting our centres to leave feeling empowered to make simple changes in their everyday lives that benefit the planet and help tackle the environmental issues of our day.

This is part of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s strategy to inspire and empower 1 in 4 people to take action for nature by 2030.

Julie Hatcher, Wild Seas Centre Officer, said:

“We have an amazing team of volunteers at Kimmeridge with a wide range of backgrounds and ages. What they all have in common is a passion for wildlife and a desire to help ensure its well-being. The Wild Seas Centre sits in a stunning location and offers a great opportunity to do something both enjoyable and worthwhile.”

Wild Chesil Centre Officer Sarah Hodgson said:

“By joining our volunteer team at Chesil, you have the opportunity to learn valuable new skills, help local wildlife and share your enthusiasm for the natural world with visitors to this special site”.

Open sessions at both the Wild Seas Centre and the Wild Chesil Centre will be held in January, when you can meet the staff and volunteers and find out more about what we do. A limited number of vacancies are available at both visitor centres, so if you think you’re suited to join our hardworking teams, please contact the relevant centre to register your interest. To find out more about the volunteering opportunities at the coastal visitor centres, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org. uk/volunteering-opportunities

Photo: Dorset Wildlife Trust

Active investments

Keep your skin glowing and hydrated this winter with these active skincare ingredients that do all the hard work for you.

As far as complexion goes, winter can be a hard and unforgiving season. The fluctuations between indoor and outdoor temperatures ask more of our skin than any other time of the year, so start planning now how to counter the chills and chaffs.

Vitamin C

We all know how powerful vitamin C can be in banishing a nasty cold, but what is lesser known is the miraculous results it can have when applied topically.

As well as being calming, revitalising, and illuminating, vitamin C is a supremely powerful antioxidant, counteracting the effects of pollution whilst also improving overall skin tone by lessening dark spots and plumping collagen to reduce wrinkles and other associated sun damage.

Suitable for all skin types, vit C is like sunshine in a bottle and can be applied in various ways depending on your needs. A vitamin C sheet mask is a great way to brighten dull skin after a big night out or in a light moisturiser (alongside SPF) for those under the age of 30.

Acids

They might not sound like the most alluring addition to your skincare routine, but acids safely stimulate cell-renewal and work wonders on several issues: scarring, blemishes,

pigmentation, dullness, collagenboosting and even hydration.

Alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs, work by dissolving dead skin cells and encouraging the dermis to speed up

cell rejuvenation. Particularly suitable for dry and lacklustre complexions, skin is instantly brightened and improved.

Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) work in a similar way but penetrate more deeply to clear away embedded dirt, meaning they are ideal for acne-sufferers and more oily skin types. Other acids include malic and citric acid which both help to reduce sunspots and pigmentation; mandelic acid which is antibacterial and azelaic acid which is anti-inflammatory and great for reducing rosacea.

Retinol

Finally retinol, a formidable powerhouse which has potent

skin-reparative and age-defying benefits. A vitamin A derivative, retinol re-energises sluggish fibroblasts and boosts the collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin that keep skin smooth and supple making it a worthy

retinol

foe for wrinkles, acne, sundamaged and pockmarked skin. In other words, it boasts nearmagical properties.

However, many are specifically designed to be used overnight as they increase sun sensitivity. Some stronger formulas can also bring about redness and peeling.

Unless you suffer from any of the previously stated conditions (acne scarring, sun-damage etc.), you probably won’t need to include retinol into your skin regime until your late twenties/ early thirties, and even then it’s worth applying a weaker solution every other night to build up tolerance.

Pegg in Paradise

Not long ago, Simon Pegg was co-writing low-budget British comedy. Now he’s tasked with preserving the legacy of not one, not two, but three of cinema’s most beloved sci-fi franchises.

It’s a sizeable distance from the suburbs of North London to the final frontier of space, but Simon Pegg has made the journey without breaking sweat.

In 1999, Pegg first made his way into the British public’s consciousness as slacker Tim Bisley in Spaced, the sitcom he both starred in and cowrote. The show not only set a precedent for much of Pegg’s early career, it also helped him catch the eye of Hollywood’s elite movers and shakers. In 2006, just five short years after wrapping up the low-budget British hit, and at a time when the writer feared he may have to pen a third series, Pegg was approached by one of Los Angeles’ leading directors, J.J. Abrams.

With Abrams in the director’s chair, Mission: Impossible III saw Pegg appear alongside cinema royalty in the form of Tom Cruise as the nerdy Benjamin ‘Benji’ Dunn.

“When J.J. Abrams asks you to be in one of his movies, you don’t think, ‘Will this pigeonhole my range’ – you say, ‘When do you need me?’” the 52-yearold laughs.

Pegg and Abrams teamed up again as part of Star Trek, the cinematic re-boot of the much-loved sci-fi story. Add in his cameo as Unkar Plutt in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and this largely unassuming creative comedian has strolled almost effortlessly into the A-list franchise elite.

“Being handed the keys to these universes has been such a privilege and an honour. They are daunting prospects and I’ve always appreciated the importance of doing them justice.

“You have to tread a fine line between the two different types of

people who watch franchise movies – on one hand you have the super fan, and on the other, the newbie who knows nothing about this world,” he explains. “You want to appeal to someone who says, ‘what’s this Mission: Impossible business?’, and then goes back and discovers 20 years’ worth.”

“Yet at the same time you don’t want to alienate old fans and move too far away from the core model,” he continues.

With two new Mission: Impossible movies in motion –Dead Reckoning Pts 1&2, for release in 2023 and 2024, the size of the task doesn’t get any smaller.

“I feel like I’ve had a really nice run of smaller films before all this – with Hector, Man Up, Absolutely Anything and others. I’ve had a run of blockbusters, then balanced back into movies such as Lost Translations, Inheritance and others. It’s a nice mix. It’s keeping me away from having to write another series of Spaced!”

Duke is looking for a forever home!

Hello, I am Duke!

I am a large very friendly Mastiff cross Boxer and I am about 2 years old. I arrived at Waggy Tails from the pound and have not been able to give them my full background but they say it is very evident I came from a home. I am clean in the house and know lots of commands like sit and paw. I love treats and I take them very gently. I love people and I am friendly with other dogs. If you are able to offer me or one of my lovely friends a forever home or a foster home Please contact our office on: Tel: 01202 875000 Email: admin@waggytails.org.uk or visit our website : www.waggytails.org.uk

We also have lots of other dogs looking for their forever homes. Waggy Tails Rescue are in need of more foster homes. If you are at home most of the time, have a secure garden an experienced with dogs then please give us a ring and discuss fostering for us. It is a very rewarding experience and enables

us to continue helping these dogs. (No children under 10 in the house please.)

Waggy Tails Rescue is a registered charity based in Dorset, we rescue and rehome dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or otherwise in need of a new home. We also find homes for other small furries that may be in our care, so to find out more you can contact us on the number above or send donations or letters to:

Waggy Tails Rescue Helen’s House 143 Magna Road Wimborne BH21 3AW

Thank you for supporting us!

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

Eco-Co ee

How to ensure your morning beverage isn’t brewing up an environmental storm.

When, in the mid-Nineties, the likes of Costa Coffee and Starbucks began opening on our high streets, so too did there begin a coffee bean revolution that has transformed our drinking habits.

However, such pleasure has come at a cost. With 95 million cups of coffee slurped down in the UK every single day the resulting waste and environmental impact has also increased significantly. A colossal 2.5 billion coffee cups are dumped every year (with only 0.25% currently recycled), while 30,000 coffee pods end up in landfill every single month. And that’s before you even consider the global resource and human costs of what has become the most traded commodity after crude oil.

Fortunately, there is much you can do to ensure your caffeine kick is not compromising the planet. As with most products, knowing the origin

of what you’re consuming is vital, and many supermarkets are keenly aware of their responsibility to offer ethically sourced coffee. Check for sustainability certifications that ensure things are being done to help make production better for both the environment and the farmers involved. Associations like Fairtrade and the Rainforest Alliance are great examples of this, so look out for beans that feature their logos.

Even fans of pod machines can also lower their coffee carbon footprint. Many appliances are now compatible with foil pods which can be recycled using a very simple and nifty pod recycling device that separates the used coffee grounds from their foil casing. The grounds go on your compost heap, while the accumulated foils

head for the recycling bin. You can also source pods that are compostable in their entirety.

When it comes to drinking ‘on the go’, the obvious solution to limiting waste is to switch to a reusable coffee cup, and many cafes will offer a discount on your beverage when you proffer your own vessel. You can also upgrade to beans that are organic; and if your focus is on the imprint being made on the dairy industry, cow’s milk alternatives such as soy, almond, rice or oat have never felt closer to the real thing.

In other words, you don’t have to let your coffee consumption become a burden on your conscience.

With an abundance of options available in an industry that is positively booming, it’s actually very easy to make the right choices. It means if you still give in to the temptation of the odd instant coffee – and why should you not? – the assault will be only on your tastebuds, not the planet!

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

Super Shopper

Looking back 75 years to the opening of Britain’s first supermarket.

Given the evolution of consumerism over the past few decades, what’s remarkable about the fact Britain’s first selfservice supermarket opened 75 years ago this January is the fact the brand in question is still in business.

The store was a branch of the London Cooperative Society in Manor Park –the date was January 12th 1948.

It was clear that the moment people walked into the store, that a new evolution in consumerism had arrived. Gone was the wooden counter where shop assistants would stand behind, with an array of shelved products lurking behind.

In a scene probably most relatable by The Two Ronnies in their famous ‘fork handles/four candles’ sketch, the process of buying food and household goods had been formal and longwinded, leading to long queues.

The physical picking up and inspecting of goods was not permitted in shops – in fact there were numerous examples of people being prosecuted for handling goods before purchasing them.

The Co-op looked to change that concept. Inspired by an

American model, of course, goods were laid out in store, with people invited to browse, hold, sort and inspect at will.

The idea had actually first been floated some years before, in 1942, though rationing and a stark lack of choice in stores meant there was not sufficient supply to make the idea workable.

Six years later, when revisiting the concept, the idea stacked up almost as much as the goods around the store. While fears that people would shoplift given much easier access to products were not altogether unfounded, the opposite effect meant a much easier, more relaxed, pleasurable and choice-driven shopping concept, meaning increased revenues and higher profits.

And while shop staff had previously buzzed around in

a cramped environment behind a counter, often on their feet all day, now cash tills and a variety of job tasks (given a whole retail front-of-house to manage) meant a better and more diverse work environment.

Co-op continued to lead the way with the concept and had converted all of their stores to self-service within three years. Shortly afterwards, other retailers realised this sea change in consumer habits was the path to follow, with Marks & Spencer the first to follow Co-op’s lead.

As for that landmark Co-op store; sadly, the site no longer exists – it is now occupied by the 2012 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. However, the self-service supermarket concept has undoubtedly revolutionised the way we view, buy and consume things, to the extent that the old shop model is now almost completely redundant, with the exception perhaps of trade retail or jewellery stores.

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 returns to the subject of sustainability, both in terms of what we make our homes with, and what we place inside them.

To me, the relationship between making things and sustainability is essential, and I fear, as Western society, we’ve lost touch with the value of made things… with the value of raw materials, of the energy required. I don’t just mean fossil fuel energy, but also the human energy that goes into the process.

I’m very struck by seeing people producing lighting out of bits of recycled industrial stuff, or those who can put together and sell furniture they’ve handcrafted in small workshops all over the country.

A fabulous trend in the past couple of decades has been the

encouraging of home production creation –

everything from picture frames to jewellery – and how the internet has given these people a platform that is truly global.

When you meet someone who has made something in their workshop, you get the opportunity to sample their passion, influences, their own inspiration for doing what they do.

People talk a lot about sustainability using words like carbon and energy consumption – all that technical stuff – yet sustainability also comes in the form of the value of the objects we place inside our homes too.

After all, we are five times less likely to

throw away something we have made compared to something we have bought.

It’s also true that the longer we have something the less likely we are to bin itthere are records from the Seventies that I’ve still got; there’s a belt I’ve had all my life. We’ve all got stuff we love that we don’t want to let go of!

Sure enough, when we see our friends we talk about these things, we share the stories. I can bore people into infinity talking about my belt, or my old leather chair, and that’s the exciting thing: stuff as it gets older, gets better; it attracts more stories.

What I’m saying is we need to continue to keep creating homes that are rich in their fabric, but that are filed with things of value as well, so that we can share those stories with people, make friends, and embed ourselves into a community. That to me is actually a big part of what sustainability is about.

Nigel Slater’s Lamb Hotpot

Introduction

We’re getting to that time of the year when rustic food comes packed with extra appeal. Perhaps it’s the warmth, perhaps the fullness to see us through the winter months, or maybe we just want to treat ourselves when the weather outside is cold and inhospitable. Whatever it is, this lamb hotpot is simple to put together and a perfect cosy dinner for two on a cold day. Serve with some simple greens and you have something resembling perfection!

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

2. Lightly dredge the lamb chops in the flour. Heat the oil in a shallow ovenproof pan with a lid, then add the lamb chops and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside. Add the onions, parsnips and garlic to the same pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add the rosemary.

3. Return the lamb chops to the pan, tuck the potatoes around the chops, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and pour in just enough water to cover the pan contents. Cut out a circle of greaseproof paper the same size and shape as the inside of the pan. Place the paper circle over the lamb and vegetables, then cover the pan with the lid.

4. Cook in the preheated oven for an hour or so, until the meat is tender.

Ingredients

(serves 6-8)

• 4 thick lamb neck chops

• plain flour, for dredging

• good glug of fruity olive oil

• 3 onions, peeled and cut into wedges

• 2-3 large parsnips, peeled and cut into sixths

• 6 large, juicy garlic cloves, peeled, cut in half

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 6-8 fresh rosemary sprigs

• 6-8 small potatoes, cut in half

The Adventures of Daichi

The Modern Magazines Camper Van

London! Daichi has never been to London. Many years ago I was at university there, so this was a real adventure for me. A trip down memory lane. The easiest and cheapest way to get there was to park Daichi in the car park at Richmond. A mere £8.50 for the day. The Richmond train station is just a ten minutes’ walk away and we were on our way into the Capital! It was 25th November and Hayden’s 19th Birthday so what a great excuse to book a show for the evening and wander around our wonderful city for the day. Hayden has never seen Buckingham Palace so that was a must. St James’s Park is one I remember well. Having spent three years at Goldsmiths College and regularly taking the train to Charing Cross then walking from there, it was a place I recall with fondness. We stopped in the park for a coffee and sandwich, looking at the ducks on the water and enjoying the sunshine – Yes, in November! The palace was surrounded by people taking photos. I heard one European sounding accent say, “Oh that is where he comes out on the balcony!” I smiled. Isn’t it incredible how well our late Queen passed over her duties so smoothly, after all that time on the throne, and how well we are recognised for the good work we do as a nation.

I really enjoyed being there. The King was there too – the flag was up! I would have gone in to say ‘Hello’… but we were a little short on time.

Next was a trip to Camden Market. You see, owning a Waffle place, it is good to get ideas and we set off there all determined to see what we could do, to lift “Wafflicious” in Weymouth even further. Lindsey, a friend, came with us as she is a chef and is full of great ideas of her own. Camden Market is not a place I frequented much at all when I was living there. It is an amazing place. We immediately saw lots of street food vendors and lo and behold there were two very colourful and popular I have to say, waffle sellers! Wow. They looked amazing. Of course, we all had to try one. They tasted as good as they looked. So… if you are ever in Weymouth this coming spring or summer you can come and see our own version of the delights that we relished. Let’s see how we do! After dessert, we had lunch (obviously) outside, under the canopy, of a bar overlooking the Lock. Fabulous! Smoked salmon salad this time, so healthier, but not nearly as much fun. A barge even floated by for us to watch.

Hayden has joined a ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ group recently. This is a fantasy tabletop

First stop... Buckingham Palace!

role-playing game where you create your own character and can enact it while you play. How exciting! We found a wonderful leather book at a bargain price, with a dragon on the front. All ready for him to take notes and plan his manoeuvres. This world famous and iconic market really does live up to its reputation. We spent a few well–spent hours there, looking at clothes, games, toiletries, food stalls galore, paintings, decorations, in fact anything you could think of to buy. Daichi would have loved it, if he wasn’t too expensive to drive into London itself!

Then it was time to make our way to the well anticipated West End Show! We had tickets to see the renowned musical, “Back to the Future”. Seats in the upper circle, second row from the front, and we were ready. It is such a long time since I have taken in the full atmosphere of a truly professional setting like this. It was glorious. The whole show was spectacular. The special effects of lighting and scenery were remarkable. The singing and dancing were outstanding. Ben Joyce who played Marty McFly was brilliant and he only graduated in summer 2021. His list of

Night lights of London across the Thames

already acclaimed credits was much shorter than Cory English who played ‘Doc Brown’. What a fantastic start to his career. All of the performers were perfectly cast, and I have to say that Oliver Nicholas who played the father, George Mc Fly, as his debut West End performance, was excellent. To be able to dance ‘wrongly and awkwardly’ deliberately is a skill in itself! Bravo I say. The finale was totally unexpected and incredible to watch. Having a seat in the circle I do believe was a bonus as we had all the full effects of the lighting, sound and visuals. I will not spoil it for you as you must see it for yourself! All in all, a day trip to London was a real hit. We walked to the Thames before leaving. I looked at the Charing Cross Bridge I used to cross all those years ago and remembered times when I was much younger. Fortunately, I was not sad. I feel I have been leading a full life and those days set me on my path. The lights of all the towering buildings that night seemed particularly bright and were shimmering Thames water. Then there were the opulent boats carrying well dressed passengers for a luxury 4 course meal. Not quite the street food we had been drooling over earlier. London of course is full of diversity and that is why we love it… or maybe you don’t. I love to visit but am happy where we live. I think a day trip to London will be on the cards again soon. It was a great success and Daichi was as happy as Larry to take us home and Hayden was all smiles after his Birthday treat. Where will Daichi take us next I wonder…

By Debbie Corney

Pond Life

Water features are back in fashion. Here are five ways to do them right…

1. The free-standing fountain

The look: Consider the breathless, artistic energy of the Italian renaissance, and create your own version with consummate abundance.

The execution: Ideal if you’ve got a small garden or as a welcoming feature for out the front of your house, the freestanding fountain is one of the easiest features to install and maintain. For a minimalist look, select one made from a natural stone, or for something more fabulous choose the classic cherub.

2. The water wall

The look: Imagine your garden as a subtle and secret oasis – your route to perfect privacy may be closer than you imagine.

The execution: Forget Wonderwall: this is a garden ornament that really rocks. Another space-saver, this is for small gardens and equally small budgets. Some also have light options, making them

the perfect centrepiece for alfresco dining and evening soirees.

3.

The reflecting pool

The look: You are the person who wants a touch of Japanese zen in your garden, with echoes of peace and harmony emanating from a garden of process and precision.

The execution: For a feature that requires very little digging and even less maintenance, reflection pools are a surprisingly impressive addition to the more subdued space. Plus, if you install an automatic re-fill system, all you need to do is start them up and shut them down

4. The waterfall

The look: You want imposing and impactful, sinking back into a trickling trip to a place of calm – it can only be a waterfall.

The execution: Don’t go chasing this waterfall because if installed right, this ecofriendly feature will work in a loop, using very little energy and water. One of the bigger and more impressive additions to your garden, it is also surprisingly versatile and doesn’t necessarily need a pond. Tiered cement waterfalls are ideal for a modern aesthetic, or choose natural rocks for a more organic, outdoorsy theme.

5. The outdoor pond

The look: For the gardener who adores everything that is English, with rural resplendence lapping away at the side.

The execution: For all the modern innovations, you still can’t go wrong with the classic pond – though this is only recommended if you don’t have pets or small children. Ponds are fantastic because they are naturally beautiful and attract a diverse array of wildlife to your garden, including frogs, water beetles and butterflies. However, do be sure to install properly with inlay, edging and filters.

However,

Used Cars: Banging Bargain Or Buyer Beware?

The checks you need to make when it comes to buying a used car.

The used car market is awash with quality motors, yet it’s important to lean on the talents of a mechanical mind who can give your prospective purchase a once-over. Alternatively, if the seller agrees, book it in for a professional health-check.

Before you get to that stage, there are a number of checks you can perform yourself on the driveway:

1. Beginning with the outside of the car, have a good look at the wheels and tyres. Make sure that you confirm the tyre depth and tread are road legal and do the 20p test by inserting a coin into the grooves.

2. Make sure you take a torch along on a viewing in order to check bodywork, both the exterior and underneath. Rust, leaks and splits should be evident.

3. Next is the interior. Check all warning lights work properly, and that the mileage is ticking along properly on a test drive. Electronics are important and could be costly to get replaced.

4. Next look at the engine. Check for leaks (when you previously looked underneath the car, you may have seen liquid on the tarmac). Inspect pipes and hoses for any splits or abrasions.

5. The test drive is where you will truly put your new motor through its paces. If you have someone else with you, get them to check the colour of the smoke from the exhaust.

Drive along with windows open and music off so that you can listen out

for any unexpected noises – squeaks, purrs and grinds should cause alarm.

Ensure you drive at varying speeds to get an accurate idea of what the engine has in it (or doesn’t!).

6. Gear box and clutch issues can be particularly expensive, so ensure you move through all configurations. If the car doesn’t get through each of the gears happily, there could be an issue.

7. Documents and paperwork should include the car’s previous service history. Perform an online vehicle history check to confirm nothing is outstanding regarding MOT and tax.

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Summing up, although the fun of landing a new car can seem like it’s being taken away by an exhaustive look at possible motor issues, you may well save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses his move to incorporate horticulture into the National Curriculum, and a sidestep into novels.

I’ve written three autobiographies and people have expressed surprise that I do sometimes, even now, lack confidence in my work. I always wonder if it stems from my childhood and my parents who were very much realists. I wouldn’t swap them for the world, but in their very blunt Yorkshire way they would say ‘he’s not that bright,’ and I wasn’t then. I suppose it has been a bit of a curse and given my success I probably should have more confidence, but then

again it has made me who I am. When you’re not that good when you’re young, there is the fear that you won’t get better, and it came as a kind of revelation when I did.

Even in the 11 novels I’ve penned, I’ve never had faith in my prose; in secondary school I remember doing ‘when composition becomes essays’. I don’t think my English teacher was particularly convinced about my capabilities; I’ve still got my essay book and it’s got some very harsh comments at the bottom in red ink.

Yet my English teacher, bless her, I was in touch with her a few years ago and she said she felt she hadn’t been a particularly good teacher,

and I wrote back saying ‘well whatever it is you did, I’ve ended up doing the job I do now, writing pretty much for a living, so you can’t have got it all wrong’. I thought it was terribly generously spirited of her to admit that she was wrong.

I think my point here is that I was no more a gardener at school than I was a novelist, and I became both; but I did that through exposure and opportunity, and this is what we need to give our children.

And in my mind, there is no greater exposure to the world than you will find in the garden on a frosty Sunday morning, so get your kids and grandkids out there, and let’s really inspire the next generation!

Nurturing a garden can give you a real sense of achievement, and connection to the earth; I always say it is an escape to reality, or a different reality… and for our young people, that’s where real inspiration can emerge.

New Year Health MOT

Get into gear this new year by giving yourself a DIY health MOT that will power you into and through 2023.

We book our cars in for an annual MOT, yet rarely show the same level of care for our bodies… which often take on more stress than our trusty motors. So this January, why not start the year with a health checklist to set you on the road to wellbeing success.

Calculate your BMI

One of the most effective ways to see where you are weightwise, is to work out your BMI. You can do this using an online calculator, a visual chart or with the following formula:

weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared

This will tell you whether you are underweight, healthy, overweight, obese or extremely obese. And, while you may not be thrilled with the result, it is a helpful tool to plot where you want to get to as the months go by.

Measure your habits

January is the month we allow ourselves to get really honest about the effects our lifestyles are having on our bodies. So, while you may tell the odd white lie to your doctors, try to be frank with yourself.

Put your best foot forward, whilst accepting it may take a few goes to get your pistons firing again.

Check your diet

If you’ve had a decadent festive period, you may want to embark on a strict regime to reset your metabolism. Studies show that national wellbeing initiatives such as Dry January

NHS health check. This a simple check of your heart health which tests your vascular or circulatory health, and works out your risk of developing some of the most disabling – but preventable –illnesses. It is free of charge, including any follow-up tests or appointments.

Make a plan

Make the next 12 months count by setting yourself achievable goals.

or Veganuary make us more likely to stick to our personal goals thanks to the comradery and exposure they provide us. So bite the bullet (or butternut squash) and devote at least 31 days to the new you.

Run a risk assessment

Anyone over the age of 40 – but under 74 – is entitled to a free

Perhaps you want to run your first 10K by the start of spring, or be down a dress size by summer. Maybe you are determined to quit smoking once and for all or are keen to get your five-a-day on a regular basis.

Whatever your aim, make life easier by plotting a course to success and by giving yourself small rewards along the way.

Gyspy Swing with Moscow Drug Club

Following previous sell out tours in Dorset, Bristol based band Moscow Drug Club are back on the Artsreach rural touring circuit by popular demand and kicking off the new Artsreach spring season in January. In the darkness of late winter, in a shady watering hole South of the river, in Bristol, North American chanteuse Katya Gorrie and a guitarist Will Edmunds met to have a quiet drink. Through the door walked an old friend, jazz trumpeter Jonny Bruce, and soon the three of them found themselves chatting about the swing music of the 1930’s & 40’s, German Cabaret Songs, and the Parisian songwriters of the 50’s.

Not long after this fateful evening, the three friends met Mirek Salmon, a classically trained accordionist from Poland, whose passion for French musette and Argentinian tango was both infectious and inspiring and together the four musicians started to create a small set of music derived from these ideas. Finally, long time comrade and exceptional double bassist Andy Crowdy was called in to complete the quintet, and so Moscow Drug Club was formed.

Moscow Drug Club is a curious place, where elements of 1930’s Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo tango and Gypsy Campfire

meet, have a few drinks and stagger arm in arm into the darkness of some cobbled street in eastern Europe, on a mission to find the bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after hours jam with the local Tziganes.

The band has wowed crowds across the UK with their intoxicating and infectious sound. With previous performances at venues and festivals including Womad, Larmer Tree, Marlborough Jazz festival and the Royal Albert Hall, Moscow Drug Club cordially invite you to share a wry smile with them as you enter their darkly comic world, but be warned, early booking is advised!

Catch this outstanding live band as they tour to Portesham (01305 250212) on Friday 13 January at 7:30pm

Sixpenny Handley (01725 552812) on Saturday 14 January at 8pm

Further information and tickets are also available online at www.artsreach.co.uk

Why

Did you know that your next of kin will not automatically be able to take on your legal rights if you need help because of illness, or mental incapacity? Your nearest and dearest will only have legal rights if you have given them by making a Lasting Power of Attorney. The people you name to help you must be people you trust to look after you and your money, and you can decide exactly how much authority you give to them. If you leave it too late, your family won’t be able to access your bank accounts, even to pay for your care, without formal Court authority. We can help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney to protect your interests and give your family any extra authority you think they may need.

I’m a Dementia Friend You can join me at: dementiafriends.org.uk Would you like a home visit for advice about making a Will, or Lasting Power of Attorney? Call Christine on: 07860 772274 or email: christine@winterbornelegal.co.uk Christine is a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly, Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Dementia Friend Visit us at: www.winterbornelegal.com

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the January Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include an opportunity to see four planets in our evening skies, and some close planetary encounters with the Moon.

International Space Station

The ISS can be spotted early in the morning until the 6th. Viewing then switches to our evening skies from the 17th, with sightings between 5pm – 8pm. 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

The annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on the night of 3/4th January. The constellation that the meteors are named for, Quadrans Muralis, is now obsolete, but was located where the constellation Boötes is today. The dust that causes these meteors may come from an old comet that is now classified as asteroid 2003 EH1. Unfortunately, a bright moon spoils the show, but it is still worth having a look towards the north to see if any can be spotted.

On January 4th the Earth is at its closest point to the Sun, known as perihelion.

Mercury

In the latter half of the month the innermost planet is visible low in the southeast just before sunrise, but is incredibly difficult to locate.

Venus

Venus, the brightest celestial object in the night sky after the Sun and the Moon, is visible just after sunset, and by month end is setting around 7pm. Saturn forms a pretty pairing with Venus on the 22nd and 23rd (see figure).

Mars

Mars can be seen all night, and although fading every day, is still a bright object located near the Pleiades star cluster (see figure).

Jupiter & Saturn

As the Sun sets both gas giants are visible in the south - southwest. This is your last opportunity to see Saturn in our evening skies until later this year, as come the end of the month it has set by 6.30pm. Bright Jupiter is visible in the sky until around 10.30pm.

Moon

January’s full moon occurs on the 6th.

Star of the month

Capella, the sixth brightest star in the sky, and the alpha star in the constellation of Auriga the Charioteer, is visible high in the southern sky at 9pm during January. It has a similar surface temperature to our Sun, but is much larger. The Capella star system is actually made up of four stars, but only the brightest can be seen. Capella was the brightest star in the sky 200, 000 years ago, but has gradually moved further away from us, and therefore appears less bright than before. To find it, locate Orion the Hunter. Capella is the bright yellow-tinted star much higher up, directly over Orion’s head. Be careful not to confuse it with orange-red Mars which is lower in the sky.

Saturn

Venus

Aldebaran

Taurus the Bull

Mars

star cluster

New Year, New Book!

This month, four books that will lead you into 2023.

A Nation of Shopkeepers: The Unstoppable rise of the Petite-Bourgeoisie by Daniel Evans

Lifting the lid on the UK’s modern class structure, Daniel Evans’ forthcoming book, A Nation of Shopkeepers: The Unstoppable Rise of the Petite-Bourgeoisie, focuses on the class of people existing between the working class and the bourgeoisie – those shopkeepers, small-time landlords and self-employed artisans who were expected to be swallowed up by monopoly capitalism, but who’ve actually grown in recent years.

Referring to them as a “mysterious class”, he investigates what their seemingly unstoppable rise might mean for the Left.

Published by Repeater Books on February 14th

You Are

Not Alone

by Cariad Lloyd Cariad Lloyd losing her father at 15 inspired her awardwinning podcast, Griefcast, in which she talks to celebrities about navigating their own experiences of loss.

In You Are Not Alone, the comedian and writer explores society’s reluctance to talk about death and its impact. Amid stories from those she’s interviewed,

including Stephen Mangan, Sara Pascoe, and Adam Buxton, are Lloyd’s own thoughts on therapy and friends as, amongst other things, she debunks ‘the five stages of grief’ in appraising loss and heartache in all its unexpected forms. Published by Bloomsbury on January 19th

8 Rules of Love by Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty, author of the no.1 New York Times bestseller Think Like a Monk, offers a revelatory guide to every stage of romance, drawing on ancient wisdom and new science.

Instead of presenting love as an ethereal concept or a collection of cliches, Shetty lays out specific, actionable steps to help you develop the skills to practise and nurture love better than ever before.

He shares eight rules, each teaching and empowering, detailing how to win or lose together, how to define love, and why you don’t ‘break’ in a breakup, and more. Published by Harper Collins on January 31st

The latest breakneck thriller from powerhouse writer Linwood

Barclay introduces us to Sandra Montrose, who hasn’t been the same since her husband died after he fell asleep at the wheel of his car, leaving her a single mother to Archie and Katie.

When, in an experiment, the cars on Garrett Island are switched for driverless vehicles called Arrivals. Sandra is hesitant. Sure enough, as the day of the big reveal gets underway, a member of the press has gone missing and there are rumours of industrial sabotage.

Shortly afterwards, the sleek driverless cars stop taking orders. In fact, they have rules of their own and start targeting the trusting residents of Garrett Island. Published by Harper Collins on February 3rd

Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay

Lorraine Pascale’s Soda Bread

Bread, on its own, is always enough! There is a warmth and simplicity that no other type of food can rival.

Sure, add some butter, some oil, and maybe a dusting of salt, and jam of course; but bread, no matter how you dress it up, comes equipped with such perfection that I don’t feel it will ever let me down!

This recipe is probably the easiest route for baking bread. It’s also quick – and the bread won’t keep for long, so you get the pleasure of scoffing it all on day one!

Ingredients

(serves 4)

• 370g/13oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting

• 130g/4½oz wholemeal flour

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 40g/1½oz butter, melted

• 1 tbsp black treacle

• 300–340ml/11–12fl oz buttermilk (or alternatively use warm milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6 and ensure the top shelf in the oven is in position. Now place the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl and stir together. Make a large hole in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the melted butter and treacle, plus enough of the buttermilk to make a loose sticky dough.

2. Tip the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. The dough will be quite sticky. Knead the dough for one minute, then shape it into a large ball with a taut, smooth top. Place the dough on a baking tray and flatten it a bitI find the easiest way to do this is with a rolling pin.

3. Take a wooden spoon, put some flour over the whole handle, then hold it horizontally over the bread. Put the wooden spoon handle on top of the bread then push it down until

you feel the baking tray at the bottom. This mark is the first half of the trademark soda bread cross. Repeat with a line at right angles to this.

4. Dust with some flour then bake in the oven for 30–40 minutes, or until the bread is brown, has risen nicely and the dough inside where the cross was made is not damp.

5. Serve fresh from the oven with butter and jam. Enjoy!

Top Tips

This recipe calls for buttermilk, which is available from bigger supermarkets. However a homemade version can be made by putting lemon juice in regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.

Also, the best way to remove treacle from the tin is to run a tablespoon under a really hot tap for 10 seconds before dipping it into the treacle. This ensures the treacle runs easily off the spoon.