Many people are concerned about the cost of care later in life and are worried that they might lose their homes to pay for that care meaning their children could inherit next to nothing.
If you own your property Jointly with your spouse then a Care Home could use the equity in your property to fund your care after your spouse has passed away, this doesn’t have to be the case, please call us and we’ll be able to explain what you can do to reduce the risk of that happening.
In order to protect your property for your loved ones, you need to own your property as Tenants in Common and have Protective Property Trusts in your Wills.
We can do this for you for very little cost, and give you the peace of mind that you’ve done the best you can for your loved ones.
MW Legal Services is a well established Legal Services and Will Writing company, operating for 17 years we have over 12,500 clients worldwide all serviced from our office in Weymouth.
For our clients’ peace of mind, we are Members of the Society of Will Writers and have £2.5 million Professional Indemnity Insurance.
We specialise in all forms of Will Writing, Estate Planning and Tenants in Common transactions. We only charge fixed fees for our work, regardless of how complex or complicated your affairs may be. This way, our clients always know how much a service costs in advance.
Home visits are available which means our prices are much lower than “High Street” charges for similar work. We can even return all your documents back to you personally, and can be present while they are signed and witnessed. We take the worry out of legal work.
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 Wonderful Weymouth with your local magazine, 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 “Wonderful Weymouth”. 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.
DISCLAIMER:
Whilst every care has been taken
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
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
Dorset Abilities Group (DAG) are an independent activities provider for people with disabilities and additional needs.
Based in Weymouth, DAG has been providing much needed, valuable and person-centred support for Group Members since 2015.
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!”
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!
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!
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.
“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
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.
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
Water features are back in fashion. Here are five ways to do them right…
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.
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 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
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,
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.
For this year’s ‘Arts in Care Homes’ week, the residents of Friary House have created amazing paintings on the theme of ‘Nature Inside’
A selection of nature-based items (shells, stones, feathers, rosemary, autumn leaves, bay leaves, pine cone, driftwood and twigs) were displayed on the table for residents to choose from. Residents then assembled their art using the items as their ‘paint’, with either singular or multiple objects grouped together. We all had a really wonderful time, and very much enjoyed getting in touch with our artistic selves, and we hope you enjoy our art too!
Come and join us and make your home in one of our care homes in Weymouth, call the owner of Friary Care, Peter Fry, on 01305 78 78 11 or visit www.friarycare.co.uk
Or
The artwork that’s been created has beenvivid and full of movement. Artist Sarah Jane Ross, who led the session, said:“Residents responded really well to the still life objects – there is visibly a lively feel totheir work as a result ofpainting directly from nature.”
Come and join our staff team, our pay rates are in line with the Real Living wage, we offer a comprehensive pension scheme and operate as an inclusive team, come and talk to our staff to learn more.
Farewell to the balletic and graceful Roger Federer.
Roger Federer did things on a tennis court that no-one had done previously – his power, poise, purpose and punishing ability to keep going way beyond the point where many would have quit. And unlike so many others who went before him, the Basel-born athlete conducted himself with grace, with a sense of immaculate class, and always as someone who appeared to love every moment on grass, clay or hard court.
“I always said I would carry on until the very last point I could,” said Federer, in the immediate aftermath of his retirement announcement, “and I feel I have done that.
“I don’t think there’s anything much left to give – I am done, but only in a good way!”
‘Fed-Ex’ didn’t so much as participate in a way that was competitive or ruthless, more he demonstrated theatre which wouldn’t have been out of place on Broadway.
“I was always fascinated by movement, and it’s something I thought about a lot during my career,” he says. “When you are moving during a rally, the shot looks so much nicer. It really is art.
“People like to see a tennis player using the court, the ball, the opponent – so, that’s what I’ve always done.
I certainly have found so much satisfaction in the artistic beauty of the sport.
“I saw the majesty and the beauty in gliding and movement - I understood it and I decided to play that way.”
That arguably the three greatest tennis players ever to have lived (he, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) were forced to share the spoils during the same period, might be seen as unfortunate; yet for Federer, the power of competition was the thing that ultimately drove him forward. “I never wanted to win easy,” he admits. “I never took satisfaction in turning up and smashing some guy around the court.
“To win in a way that feels worthwhile must be the very first thing a sportsman aims at. If you don’t reach the personal satisfaction of having had to
battle and fight for your reward in life, then I don’t see how you can ever feel fulfilled.”
fight has
In retirement, Federer has promised fans he’ll never be too far away from the sport, yet exploring new avenues is clearly something he feels he will relish. “I am excited about a free schedule, about enjoying a meal without counting calories, and of course the thrill of spending more time with my family is very special.
“I have projects that have been on hold for many years, and now I can play them out and see what the next chapter in my life brings forward.”
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.
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
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
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 CorneyGet 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.
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.
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 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.
Preston
St Andrews Church Rooms, DT3 6BU 5.45pm Call Debbie 07986 709671
Portland
Easton Methodist Church Hall, DT5 1BX 5.30pm & 7.00pm Call Karen 07484 647558
Portland
Easton Methodist Church Hall, DT5 1BX 9am & 10.30am Call Karen 07484 647558
Upwey
Upwey & Broadway Memorial Hall, DT3 5NG 9.30am & 11.30am
Call Teresa 07854 402259
Wyke Working Mens Club, DT4 9AB 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm
Call Karen 07484 647558
Littlemoor
Littlemoor Community Centre, DT3 6AH 5.45pm & 7.15pm Call Debbie 07986 709671
WEDNESDAY
Portland Islanders Club, DT5 1ES 9.30am Call Anne-Marie 07754 582219
Chickerell Willowbed Hall, DT3 4AJ 5.30pm & 7pm Call Lucy 07884 316063
St Pauls Church Hall, DT4 0JX 9am & 10.30am Call Anne-Marie 07754 582219
slimmingworld.co.uk
St Pauls Church Hall, DT4 0JX 4.45pm & 6.15pm Call Anne-Marie 07754 582219
Portland Islanders Club, DT5 1ES 5.30pm Call Sue 07810 232016
FRIDAY Weymouth
Radipole United Reformed Chuch, DT3 5EN 7.30am, 9.30am & 11am Call Lucy 07884 316063
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Here’s how our corporations are gearing up for an extension of remote and hybrid work processes in 2023.
We are in a new wave of industry, where the traditional 9-5 work structure is changing in front of our eyes.
Even now, in 2023, millions of people are yet to return to the office, and with companies alert to the upside of remote working, the introduction of better technology for those looking for hybrid employment is the next inevitable progression.
The pivot for this modern work process is, without doubt, Smart Conferencing. A meeting revolution – think Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype and more – has become as beneficial to junior staff as it is management, and enables the ability to link initiatives and ideas irrespective of location.
And despite rapid connection speeds, companies are still investing huge sums in set-ups that offer better efficiency, stronger security and more versatile easeof-meeting functions, such as the ability to share screens, documents, presentation media, and more.
While most business owners, in these tough commercial times, will point to operational trends, there is no doubt a growing tendency to pursue environmentally responsible methods. Being seen as ‘green’ is as much a marketing tool and badge of honour these days as it is a true desire for corporations to make a positive imprint on the planet.
Regardless, many are taking up initiatives that help them reduce their carbon footprint. Smart lighting and smart energy are at the forefront of this – while the former is self-explanatory, the latter revolves around educating companies in the area of eco tariffs, smart meters and data accessibility, in order to support business in reducing their energy consumption and costs. With greater control over energy usage, they can contribute to a more sustainable future. For instance, heating and air conditioning can be programmed in accordance with office usage patterns, functioning where people are present and in attendance, and winding down to sedate settings when not.
Similarly, Smart Lighting sensors are now able to tell when a room is empty, meaning lights can be turned off or dimmed, leading to huge reductions in energy consumption.
Companies are also being heavily incentivised to employ green energy systems (namely anything generated by sunlight, wind or water). These may range from the traditional, such as solar panels, to the new and innovative – a big recent trend has come in the form of rainwater harvesting, whereby roof water is collected, stored and used, for instance, to flush urinals. There’s also paperless working, and windows fitted with automatic blinds in order to adjust maximise natural sunlight and sustain room warmth.
Health, safety and security
The monitoring of in-office air quality and airflow has never been more important with the echoes of Covid still around us. Thankfully, intelligent robotics and AI are able to assist in creating an office environment that is modern and safe.
And as far as security goes, the adoption of smartphones and app technology now means employees can access office and car parking facilities using just their mobile devices. This eradicates the need for cards, keys and fobs, with face and fingerprint recognition door entry and alarm systems making businesses, and its employees, safer than ever.
Leaning Tower of Pisa (55.86m)
Statue of Liberty (92.99m)
Statue of Unity (182m)
The Shard (306m)
Eiffel Tower (330m)
Empire State Building (443m) 8. Shanghai Tower (632m)
Merdeka 118 (678.9m)
Burj Khalifa (828m)
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!
(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)
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!
- 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.
