Friday-Ad by Elise Kerr

HELLO Happy February! If you’re as glad to see the back of January as I am join me in a cocktail to celebrate. We’ve got a refreshing fruity classic on page 39 to transport you to a sunnier place for just a few minutes.

Valentine’s is just around the corner so we’ve compiled the ultimate list of the best alternative date ideas on page 18. No beau? Everything on the list will still be fun with friends.

Elise

Creative Editor

www.facebook.com/TheFridayAd @TheFridayAd blog.friday-ad.co.uk

features 39

contents

Dry January is over!

Celebrate the end of dreary January with a classic cocktail recipe.

Alternative Date Ideas

Pancake Day

Looking for something different to do this Valentine’s Day? Give one of our different date ideas a try. Secretly everyone’s favourite day of the year, try our recipe for beautiful fluffy pancakes.

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festival picks Glamping on a budget isn’t an easy task but with a touch of inspiration and some bargain finds you can make sure your festival experience is an unforgettable one

6 5

1 Vango Tigris 8 Man Tent & Side Canopy, £270 - Newhaven 07725 632849 (YI522KDCG) 2 Animal Rucksack, £12 Eastbourne 07044 318641 (YI517N4B4) 3 Two Large Throws 240x260, £17 - Eastbourne 07717 783065 (YI519KA0A) 4 Town and Country Wellingtons, £12.50 - Eastbourne 07947 426625 (YI502HGH9) 5 Four Folding Chairs, £25 - Cranleigh 07043 514152 (YI5209GDB) 6 Camping Stove, £5 - Crawley 07514 719574 (YI520L4B6)

MORE CAMPING GEAR ONLINE

get the

look FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST

Photo Credit iStock/Jovy86

You can acheive this sleek modern look for your home with our top finds on Friday-ad.co.uk. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget as well you can sell your unwanted pieces for free online.

Gold Ornate Mirror £85 Eastbourne 07890 813337 (YI523OH53)

Vintage Tripod Floor Lamp £125 Seven Oaks 07044 345100 (YI434O5GF)

Extendable Table and Four Chairs £145 Littlehampton 07947 559245 (YI524G1A3)

Black Gloss Chair and Desk £30 Brighton 07042 695258 (YI515MG09)

upcycle queen

My Story

A peek around my home

n my house I’ve skimmed all the walls, chased lighting wires into the plaster, repaired problem areas and designed the rooms, decorated and tiled it myself. I thank my dad for passing on his knowledge and teaching me the DIY skills I use daily. I then came up with a design for each room that was functional for my needs, made good use of the space and kept a young and funky vibe throughout the house. I took time to find pieces of furniture and furnishings that fit with the look I was going for and at the right price. Reusing and upcycling is always paramount to me, when I am finished with an item I either sell it or give it away to make sure it is used again. My sister and I were taught not to waste from an early age, my Dad grew up during World War 2 when food and textiles were rationed. This stayed with him and he cannot abide waste of any kind, he drove us mad as teenagers, we would only be allowed one toilet roll a week between us. You can imagine being a teenager and having friends over, Dad was so embarrassing. We took to having to bring home rolls from school to last out the week. And if we accidentally dropped a roll down the toilet it was like the end of the world! We were also scared to open the fridge or turn on a tap in front of him! I still get nervous of opening my own fridge when he comes around! My mother started up the first

vintage shop in Brighton’s North Laine 26 years ago, we travelled the UK and Europe looking for 50’s, 60’s and 70’s outfits, platforms and accessories. Being a young girl this was a lot of fun, and I didn’t realise at the time but I was learning valuable lessons in bargain hunting and bartering which I now use every day in my line of work. I also grew a real love for secondhand and vintage clothing and this is another area which I have become a savvy shopper and keen upcycler. I’m glad my parents instilled these

I am passing on these values to my children

values in me, and I wish more people were so waste conscious, maybe the environment wouldn’t be in such a state if they were. I am passing these values onto my children and teaching them about the environment, reusing, recycling and reclaiming. Children are like sponges when they’re young and it’s never too early to start teaching them about the world and where their waste goes and the effect it has. They see their mum always working hard every day to make their home beautiful and earn a living, I am going to teach them everything I know. I believe as a nation, we should never stop teaching our children the skills we have and passing our trade knowledge on because learning a trade also teaches them respect and responsibility

st wilfrid’s hospice retro and vintage affair St Wilfrid’s Hospice will be holding their annual Retro & Vintage Affair at the Assembly Rooms in North Street, Chichester on Friday 28th August from 9.30am until 3pm.

Dawn’s Vintage Starlets and Johnny Zero to entertain the crowds. Creations Hair and Beauty Salon will be on hand to offer hair demonstrations, enabling visitors to achieve a complete look!

This is a fabulous opportunity to get kitted out for the Goodwood Revival and support your local Hospice at the same time, with rails of period clothes, jewellery and accessories. The event also appeals to all Vintage lovers with bric-a-brac, music and Vintage Tea Rooms helping to create a wonderful atmosphere of nostalgia.

It costs just under £6.7 million per year for the Hospice to operate, and St Wilfrid’s Hospice Shops make a substantial contribution to this amount.

The Retro & Vintage shop at 11, Eastgate Square in Chichester will also have a fabulous range of clothes and accessories in the two weeks leading up to the Revival.

St. Wilfrid’s Hospice Chichester Fundraising: 01243 755827 www.stwh.co.uk

illustration by freepik.com

The event is slightly different this year with free entry to encourage more people to come and join in the fun. The fabulous ‘Dawn’s Vintage Do’ will have everybody swinging in the aisles again, and this year she will be bringing

This year the two large Furniture Outlets at Terminus Road and Summersdale will be joining in the fun with period roomsets and items of Vintage furniture and bric-a-brac for sale.

england’s medieval festival England’s Medieval Festival celebrates its 23rd spectacular year this August bank holiday weekend and it promises to be an unforgettable experience for all the family. The largest and most authentic medieval festival in the UK - which is held at Herstmonceux Castle, near Hailsham in East Sussex - will include new features this year. For the first time ever in England, there will be a wooden hand-powered ferris wheel. Other exciting additions are Theatre in the Mud, with muddy beggars performing a hilarious Mud Show; Dragons in Flyte soaring high above the castle each day; axe throwing and a Have-a-Go catapult. There will also be an outdoor cinema under the stars, plus medieval music and dancing each night, exclusively for those staying at the festival. Visitors will feel as though they have stepped back in time as they witness the Knight in the Joust and deathdefying duelling from authenticallyclad re-enactors. They can also watch spectacular flying displays with falcons and a twice daily medieval parade. Minstrels, live theatre and jesters will add a splash of mayhem, music and dance to the festivities. There will be

win including:

a royal exprience

Two Adult One Day Entry VIP Royal Box Seating for Two VIP Car Parking A Souvenir Programme

over 100 trader stalls and many ‘handson’ activities including basket weaving, chain mailing, candle making, brass rubbing and painting. For the children (and the young at heart) there is a huge Kid’s Kingdom with have-a-go archery, medieval skittles, ongoing stage shows, a ‘jester school’, drumming school, face painting, play area and much more. When it’s time to take a break, visitors can relax at one of the medieval style taverns which will give them an opportunity to savour hogs roasting over open coals and sample over 40 locally-sourced real ales, cider and mead from England and Europe. In addition to the festival, a Medieval Banquet will be held in the grand ballroom of Herstmonceux Castle on Saturday August 29th, from 6:30pm to 10pm. It’s a ‘feast fit for a King or Queen’ with music, dance and strolling entertainers. Costumes are optional, groups are welcome and there will be seating for children and families.

People are welcome to attend for the day or stay for the weekend by either camping, glamping or staying at the B&B on the Castle grounds. The festival is on the 29th, 30th and 31st August and opening times are 10am-6pm daily. For more information and tickets, visit www.megl.com.

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RYE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL This bank holiday, treat your ears to a collection of world class headline acts at the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival. We caught up with Jazz and Swing singer James Tormé to find out what you can expect from the unique event.

ussex-educated jazz singer, James Tormé, still has strong affections for the county. “It’s one of my favourite corners of this earth so it’s very special for me to be performing here.” With his mum and stepfather living close to Chichester, Tormé regularly finds excuses to divide his time between his home in LA and here. “It’s not every day you get to go to your old stomping ground and I was lucky enough to be one of the main performers at Love Supreme festival last year, so it was cool to get off the station at Lewes where I used to play for the Sussex rugby club back in the day.” Rye Jazz and Blues festival returns this bank holiday weekend with an incredible array of talented musicians and singers including Clare Teal, Ian Shaw, Gwyneth Hubert and Theo Jackson. Jackson praised the upcoming event as “an opportunity for artists to perform to a new audience and have some fun and see what comes of it”.

James Tormé has spent his entire life immersed in music and still can’t get enough of it; being the son of jazz legend Mel Tormé allowed him to learn from the greats. “I’m getting to share not only my own music but the legacy that I’m fortunate enough to come from. All of the music that inspired me as a child: Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra… I was osmosisising all of those people from very early on in my life. Both their on and off-the-stage antics have somehow found their way into what I do.” It’s this exuberant showmanship that you can expect to see at his performance in Rye as well. “I think the church I’m playing in is like 2000-years-old or something ridiculous so we’re going to try and have a religious experience, if you know what I mean. Obviously I leave it for other people to judge what I do, but I think one of the things people really respond to is a narrative. In other words, I tell a story with my shows. People say that what you do in between songs is almost as important as what you do during the songs and I try to really set a backdrop with

titbits that I have picked up from being from a socalled ‘music jazz family’.” Now in it’s fourth year, the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival has plenty going on over the weekend. “One of the things that’s cool about the Rye Jazz Festival is that it’s just genuinely a chance to see fabulous talent in a really intimate setting that you wouldn’t really ordinarily get to see.” With a combination of free and ticketed events and film screenings, even those very new to jazz can still get involved in the action. “Our hope with what we do in the jazz world is always to attract new fans who haven’t had much exposure or who unlike me, weren’t totally immersed in all of this from childhood.” His excitement for the event has been two years in the making, with nine never-performed-before songs added to the setlist. “That really keeps it fresh and challenging for me, making sure I’m kept on my toes and also gives an element of spontaneity that I think is a big part of what jazz is about.”

He has his own radio show on Jazz FM every Tuesday at 6PM and Sundays at 2PM. He was able to go to university after his father wrote the Christmas classic ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’. He teaches jazz masterclasses in his spare time. He recently performed sold out shows in Miami and Vegas - next stop Sussex! During secondary school, he played rugby for the Lewes and Sussex teams. His new tour ‘Celebrates the Greats’ features the music of everyone who inspired him as a child.

Delivery on the way? If you’re expecting a little one any time soon, it will come as no surprise that they can rack up some pretty hefty costs. Save yourself a bundle of cash when you buy secondhand with Friday-Ad.

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Old Moses Crib, Worthing, 07043 524566

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Vintage Silver Cross Pram, Crowborough, 07043 592656

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Traditional Vintage Style Pram, Haywards Heath, 07044 378094

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Cosatto Giggle Pram, Bexhill-On-Sea, 07043 538052

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Changing Unit with Bath, T Wells, 07044 303662

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Portia Changing Station, St. Leonards, 07044 336086

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Baby Changing Table, Peacehaven, 07042 693017

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Light Up Music Player, Brighton, 07043 594440

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Circus Baby Bouncer, Eastbourne, 07043 595004

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Brand New Teddy, Hove, 01273 414445

music lessons

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5 5 £

Technics Electric Piano, Worthing (07042 671734)

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Washburn Maverick Series Guitar, Haywards Heath (07043 573364)

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Roland Electronic V Drum kit, Worthing (07043 574816)

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Holton Clarinet, Lewes (07889 831515)

Music lessons are a great way for children to learn something new and have fun in the process. If your child wants to learn to play a musical instrument, here are some points worth taking note of... Which instrument should your child go for? The instrument that your child chooses to learn can depend on their age and their interests. One of the first instruments children are introduced to in school is the recorder. Other possibilities as they get older include the violin, the piano, the guitar, brass instruments such as the trumpet, tombone or flute. Where can they learn? Your child can either have group or individual lessons in school, or private tuition outside of school. With either option, lessons are usually held weekly, with learners being given pieces or exercises to practise during the week. What are the benefits? Whatever instrument your child picks, they will learn new skills such as being able to read music and keep to rhythm. Their concentration span and hand-eye coordination are also given a boost. Your child will get a sense of achievement as they go from being unable to read music, to knowing just a few notes, to being able to play whole songs - they will start to feel proud of themselves,

£1

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Full f/b Flat 4 Valve French horn (07014 786118)

and you’ll be proud of them too. Nobody who sits at the piano or picks up a violin for the first time is an expert in how to play it, so your child will be taught about perseverance and commitment, as they practice regularly and learn not to give up if things don’t quite go to plan. Learning will also introduce them to new people and experiences. If your child learns with another pupil, they’ll build a new friendship in the process. If they can play in a school orchestra, they’ll gain more friendships and experience performing in front of an audience and overcoming stage fright.

of their choice. This might mean that they should start learning a ukulele, for example, until they can progress to a full size guitar. • How will the instrument impact your home life? For example, do you like the sound an instrument produces and are you prepared to constantly hear your child practising? Can you afford the instrument or will you need to loan one or buy second hand? Do you have room for one in your house, or will you have to arrange for your child to keep their instrument in school and practice during their lunch breaks?

Points to consider: • Does your child actually want to learn an instrument? It’s no good pushing them into something you want them to do. If they are not interested, they won’t stick with it. • Does your child have a preference for a certain instrument, or are they not sure what they would like to learn? If your child’s school has an orchestra, you could ask the school if you and your child can sit in on a rehearsal. They might see someone playing an instrument and exclaim ‘Wow! I want to try that!” You should also see if private tutors would be open to taster sessions, workshops or open days where your child can try out different instruments and see what appeals. • Is the instrument appropriate for your child’s age and size? They will need to be able to handle the instrument

How to keep costs down: • If your child already plays football, goes to dance lessons or attends Brownies or similar clubs several nights a week, do they want to learn an instrument too? It’s important that the number of activit take on too much. If they really want to learn an instrument, make sure they still enjoy the other activities they are already signed up for. If not, perhaps they will give up playing something. • If your child’s lessons will be school based, depending on the instrument, it’s possible that you can hire the instrument for the term or for the academic year. • See if you can pay the cost of lessons per term, rather than upfront for the whole year. If you are in receipt of any benefits, you should check whether you are entitled to any sort of concession.

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4/4 White Violin, Horsham (07044 391261)

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Flute Notus FL-21, Lewes (07043 539724)

local lessons r

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Nigel - Redhill, 01737 778747

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Hastings, 07014 789571

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Isabella - Haslemere, 07043 593759

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Challen Upright Teak Piano, Haywards Heath (07043 510405)

jeans for genes People across the country are being encouraged to leave their suits or uniforms at home and wear their jeans to work or school on Jeans for Genes Day 2015.

Caroline Harding, chief executive of Jeans for Genes Day, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support for Jeans for Genes Day over the last 20 years. Just by wearing jeans and making a donation, people have already helped us to raise millions of pounds to provide vital care and support for children with genetic disorders. To mark our 20th anniversary, we’re asking people to

go the extra mile in helping us to improve the lives and experience of children and families affected by genetic disorders.” It is estimated that one in 25 children is affected by a genetic disorder and 30,000 babies and children are newly-diagnosed in the UK each year. Some disorders are apparent at birth, while others are diagnosed during childhood or into adulthood. In addition to wearing their jeans for the day, supporters can buy a range of merchandise from www. jeansforgenes.org/shop including denim bags, pin badges and T-shirts. This year’s limited edition fashion T-shirt was designed by 20-year-old Edinburgh College of Art Illustration student Elle McKee. Famous faces such as Kate Moss, Katie Price, Coleen Rooney and Emma Bunton have already been snapped wearing the design.

Members of the English National Ballet rehearsed for their Lest We Forget touring performance wearing tutus and ballet points over a pair of their favourite jeans.

Sussex resident

“

Katie Price

I have been an avid supporter of Jeans for Genes since 2012 and it’s a cause that is very close to my heart. I understand first-hand some of the obstacles that families’ battle with while raising a child with a genetic disorder. I feel honoured to be supporting Jeans for Genes Day again this year as it’s a charity that deserves recognition for its support with families and children affected by genetic disorders; we should all

do something extraordinary this year to celebrate 20 life-changing years of Jeans for Genes Day. I will be wearing my jeans on September 18th, and I want to encourage as many people as possible to sign up and wear their jeans and help transform the lives of others.

www.jeansforgenesday.org

“

Jeans for Genes Day, which takes place on Friday 18th September, raises money for Genetic Disorders UK. The day has been raising funds to help children affected by some of the most serious and life-threatening genetic disorders for 20 years, and in this time more than £40m has been raised. Supporters will wear their jeans for the day and contribute a small donation, but could also organise other events during the month to help raise funds.

@JeansForGenes #JeansForGenes

world 29.09.15 heart day World Heart Day, the world’s biggest awareness campaign for cardiovascular disease, takes place on 29th September. Here we find out more about heart health, the day itself and how you can get involved. What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)? Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term used to describe all diseases of the heart and circulation, including heart disease, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), cardiovascular disease causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK, or around 155,000 deaths each year - that’s an average of 425 people each day or one every three minutes. The BHF also says that around 41,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die from CVD each year. What is World Heart Day? World Heart Day is organised by the World Heart Federation. The focus of this year’s World Heart Day is to create heart-healthy environments. The campaign believes that places in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and recognises that individuals cannot always make heart-healthy choices due to environmental factors, such as the availability of healthy food or smoke-free zones. How can heart disease be prevented? Whatever your age, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent and manage heart disease. Eating a healthy diet and exercising are important ways of keeping your heart healthy. Cutting down on alcohol, giving up smoking and reducing your stress levels also all contribute.

How can you show your support for World Heart Day? All sorts of activities can be organised by World Heart Day supporters to mark the day. A really simple and fun way to get involved is to take a Healthy Heart Selfie - a photo of you, (or a group including your family, colleagues and friends) making the heart symbol using your hands. Share the image with @ worldheartfed using #heartchoices or #WHD2015 to get involved. What else can be done? Other ways to support vital, life-saving heart research is to donate to the British Heart Foundation. You can make either a single or regular donation. You could also donate to the Bag It, Beat It campaign, which is collecting good quality clothes, accessories, books, DVDs, bric-a-brac and toys to be sold in charity shops. Why not ask your loved ones to clear out their clutter as well?

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British Food Fortnight is an annual celebration of the diverse and delicious food that Britain produces. It returns from 19th September to 4th October, and many top chefs, national institutions, politicians, pubs, restaurants, cafes, canteens, farmers and fishmongers will be showing their support. British Food Fortnight was founded in 2002 in response to the foot and mouth crisis in order to encourage the public to support British farmers and food producers. It is organised by Love British Food, a small independent organisation that educates consumers, retailers and caterers about the benefits of buying British. Hundreds of shops, pubs, and restaurants take part every year with special menus and promotions. Many schools also use the event as an opportunity to teach children about food. National Farmers Union deputy president Minette Batters said: “The NFU is proud to be a supporter of British Food Fortnight. It acts as a great focus point where people can talk about the importance of British food to the nation and celebrate the diverse range of British produce on offer at this time of year.” “The overwhelming recent levels of public support have demonstrated that the British public want to back British farming and we would encourage consumers during British Food Fortnight to keep asking retailers what they are doing to ensure their farmers receive a fair price and above all keep buying British.” “As a farmer I want to be able to share my passion for producing, in my case, great quality beef. Farmers across the country are rightly proud of what they do in bringing British food to the table and I would encourage everyone to get involved whether that’s by attending their local harvest festival, holding an event or simply by buying British food.”

It’s easy to get involved in British Food Fortnight. Visit your local Farmers’ Market, visit independent stores such as butchers, bakers, fishmongers and greengrocers. In supermarkets, always look for the Red Tractor label and make sure you are buying in season – these products are much more likely to be British. Buy milk direct from the farmer if you can. Chef Raymond Blanc OBE is supporting the campaign and said: “British Food Fortnight is the opportunity for producers, processors, retailers, caterers and consumers to join together in connecting more people with what they eat and drink, and increasing the opportunity at every level to choose healthy, seasonal, local produce. British Food Fortnight is about reconnecting with growing food, enjoying food, respecting food and celebrating food. We should all celebrate during the fortnight, and I hope beyond.” Check out www.lovebritishfood.co.uk for details of 14 things you can do - one for each day of British Food Fortnight. There’s also a What’s Happening Map listing events taking place near you. You can also keep up to date by looking up Love British Food on Facebook, following @LoveBritishFood on Twitter, or using the hashtag #LoveBritishFood. Photo credit: Hampshire Farmers Markets

british food fortnight 19th September - 4th October

Decorating your

home for Halloween Just like at Christmas time, decorating your house can really get you in the Halloween spirit. Here are some super fun projects anyone can have a go at to transform your place into a haunted house. What’s more, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to make your creations look good.

Firstly, pumpkins are a classic choice for getting in the spooky mood. You can carve them, draw on them, paint them, decorate them - the possibilities are endless and there is plenty of inspiration online to help you decide what you’d like to do. You can also find templates online to help you get the perfect design to carve. Some fun ideas include painting multiple pumpkins to spell out ‘Halloween’ or your name. You could also cover your pumpkin in lace and paint over it to create an interesting effect all the way around. If you’re having a party you could add black food colouring to your snacks or even in ice cubes to make

the drinks look like potions. Ice cube moulds can be bought in different designs such as ghosts, pumpkins and frankenstein monsters. You can buy metres of fake spider webs to drape over the walls and tables and put crisps and sweets into cauldrons on the table. Fairy lights are available in pumpkins and ghost and monster designs to provide light in a haunted house. You could also make your own bunting by cutting your favourite spooky fabric into triangles and sewing them to a strip as long as you like. If you’re having a dinner party light as many candles as you can find to

give the room a transylvanian twist. Start collecting empty glass bottles and wash the labels off to use as candle holders. If you start melting them a few days before they will melt down the sides. Spook your trick-or-treaters all the way up to the door by sprinkling spiders up the path and transferring silhouette stickers of shadowy figures in the windows. You can also buy solar paneled lights fairly cheap to create an outdoor atmosphere that will give chills to anyone who walks by. Be careful if you put any candles outside as they could get knocked over by passing animals or small children.

What’s On

halloween In Sussex Shriek Week Saturday 24th Oct to Sunday 1st Nov Drusillas Park, Alfriston Stake out the fun at Drusillas in scary Sussex this Halloween! We always conjur up oodles of eerie Halloween events and seasonal surprises to keep your little horrors half term happy from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November. Expect to discover the Haunted Heights, Spooky Happenings, Mummy Mayhem, Creepy Crawley encounters, Crime solving scooby-doo and the Parlour.

Halloween Happy Hauntings Saturday 24th Oct to Sunday 1st Nov Fishers Farm Park, Wisborough Green

Tulleys Shocktober Fest Saturday 3rd Oct to Sunday 1st Nov Tulleys Farm, Crawley This multi-award winning attraction features live actors, special effects and scary surprises. An event not for the easily scared, it is rated 12A and children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Hugely popular with Sussex residents throughout October, we highly recommend booking your tickets online as this can also save you money. Visit www.halloweenattractions.co.uk for more info.

Families can enjoy ‘Pumpkin Carving’ in the pumpkin patch with the creative crew or for the braver visitors there’s The ‘Gory-ent Express’ Ghost Train ride, with actors, sound effects and lots to make you jump! The spell-binding live ‘Spook Show’ will be performed daily in the enormous Barn Theatre, the perfect entertainment for the whole family.

Ghoulish Entertainment and Activites Sat 17th to Sun 18th and Sat 24th to Sat 31st Oct Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells Between 10am and 5pm, families can witness the spooky adventures of Hansel and Gretel, as they stumble into the Monster Mash Halloween Party! Other activities include crafts, games, face painting and dancing. As night falls, step into the Enchanted Forest for a haunting tour you’ll never forget, plus fire shows with brave fire eaters and an exclusive evening theatre performance. See www.groombridgeplace.com for full details.

Halloween Horror Show Saturday 31st Oct Grand Hotel, Brighton A spooktacular evening of entertainment whilst raising funds to support people affected by HIV to live independent and healthy lives. Hosted by celebrities Lorraine Chase and Robin Cousins. Over 18s only, tickets priced at £95 each or £850 for a table of 10.

how to

Carve your Pumpkin LIKE A PRO

This October, we’re giving you the chance to win tickets to Drusillas Shriek Week ! To get your hands on these tickets all you need to do is upload a picture of your carved creations next to your copy of Friday-Ad or send them to competitions@friday-ad.co.uk. The best ones will go on Facebook and you can get your friends to vote for you to win. If you want to be in with a chance of winning Friday-Ad’s Big Pumpkin Carve Off you’ll have to pull out all the stops. Here is our advice for carving like a professional this Halloween. You will need: • Pumpkin

• Template (optional)

• Small Knife

• Newspaper

• Spoon (optional)

• Candles or LED light

• Permanent marker

• Matches/Lighter

Search high and low for the perfect pumpkin In October pumpkins are everywhere. You could find them at your local market or supermarket, or you could even grow your own in advance. The ideal choice should have no bruises or nicks and cuts, preferably with a consistent colour all around. A sturdy stem that doesn’t bend or snap will help you achieve the perfect lid. For more elaborate designs you’ll need a bigger pumpkin with a large surface area for carving. Small to medium pumpkins are better for young children to get involved. Methods The most popular option (and best for beginners) is to draw on your design with a permanent marker

and cut out each piece. Other ways to make your pumpkin stand out is to opt for a silhouette design. To achieve this you carve out the negative space around your design (for example a ghost) along with a few small details so your ghost is illuminated around the edge. Another way is to chip off the outer skin of your pumpkin to reveal the pulp, this method is a bit more challenging but can give you some great results and you wouldn’t need to scrape out the insides. Carving Lay out a spacious workspace with newspaper to avoid getting messy. Choose an appropriate knife, preferably a small bread knife with a serrated edge. You want to draw the knife back and forth like a saw and

TOP TIP Don’t buy your pumpkin too far in advance as it will go rotten inside. If it sounds hollow when you knock on it then it’s ripe and ready to be carved.

it needs to be small enough to carve intricate details. Start with the lid Carve around the stem (about 5cm away all around) you can do this in a circle, square, star, or any other shape you like. Try to push the knife in at an angle to create a base for the lid to sit in which will prevent it from falling through. Cut the excess pumpkin from underneath the lid so the surface is flat. Scoop out the insides Warning: this is the messy part. Using either a spoon or your hands, starting pulling all the strings and seeds and place them in a bowl. Scrape the inner edge as clean as you can to make your pumpkin shine brighter later on.

Bring your design to life After you’ve perfected your design and drawn it onto your pumpkin, gently draw the knife back and forth and take your time. Discard the unwanted sections as you go. Let there be light Historically candles and tealights were used to light pumpkins, nowadays you can go all out with your lights by using torches or LEDs. Candles can create great aromas - try sprinkling pumpkin spice around the top and as it burns, the scents will released. If you choose to place a candle in the centre of the pumpkin, make sure it’s kept well away from flammable materials such as curtains or any clothing and kept in a stable place that you know it won’t get knocked over.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pumpkin Carve Off

Carve your pumpkin

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how to

choose a reliable

According to a study carried out by B&Q, in 2014 £1.6bn was spent by the nation on fixing botched jobs. For that reason alone finding the right tradesperson for a particular home improvement project is an important job that you can’t rush or avoid doing altogether. Putting a bit of effort into your search can help you avoid ill-informed decisions and save you money in the long run.

TRADESPERSON

The trade industry can be a tightknit group with many people being hired to work on a project at the same time. You may find that if you’re looking for a good electrician and you’ve previously had a good experience with a plumber, you could ask the plumber if they’d be able to recommend someone.

The initial search The first way to find a reliable tradesperson would be by searching the Trading Standards website to find your local office, then contact them for recommendations.

The Trustmark scheme is a Government-endorsed quality mark that directs people to reputable traders in their area. All firms’ technical skills have to be independently checked to ensure high quality workmanship and trading practices.

Alternatively word of mouth is a good way to choose a reliable electrician, plumber or builder. Try asking around your family, neighbours, friends and work colleagues about their positive (and negative) experiences.

Be sure that any business you choose has an office address and landline phone number. Be more wary of any firms only advertising a mobile number. Only use established firms and when you speak to them you should also ask how long the trader

Have a trade business?

With F-AD‘s new business profiles you can reach thousands more customers local to you and keep all your ads in one place. To celebrate the launch, we’re giving away a free one month trial for our Featured and Premium business profiles. Give one a try and see if you notice the difference, if not you can cancel at any time - WIN WIN.

has been in business for to give you an idea of their experience level. Requesting quotes So you’ve found a few reputable tradespeople, the next step is to give them a call. Always aim for at least three different quotations so you can get a realistic idea of the costs involved and you’ll know if one person is trying to rip you off. When you’re explaining the job, try to be specific about what you require. If you give as much detail as possible you’ll receive the most realistic quote and are less likely to have any nasty surprises at the end. The most important thing to check is that a business has the correct licences and you should ensure that they carry full insurance which will protect your property. It would be a good idea to request references or testimonials, speak to any previous customers and if possible, visit their

previous jobs to see how similar work was carried out. Once you chosen a tradesperson to hire, ask for an in-depth written quotation, with start and finish times. Also agree the payment terms, such as stage and final payments, before any work starts. You should only pay for work that has been done and if possible try to avoid paying for things in advance. If there are any materials that do need to be bought in advance, be aware that a trader may ask you to contribute towards these costs as the job progresses. If things go wrong In the event that things don’t meet your expectations, the Citizens Advice Bureau provides practical information on how to solve problems such as how to make a claim if your feel that a builder has carried out work to a poor standard.

dont break down this winter A Guide to Winter Checks The winter weather can be unpredictable, with hazardous conditions such as snow, icy roads, high winds, fog, heavy rain, hail and flooding all possibilities. If you’re going to be driving a long distance to see friends or relatives this Christmas, here are some useful tips for taking care of your car. Clean your car Clean your car from top to bottom, inside and out. Get rid of any rubbish, vacuum the interior and clean the inside and outside of the windows to improve visibility. Battery According to the AA, a battery is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. It takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather than in warm, so if you’re unsure about the condition of your car’s battery, take it to the garage to be checked by a professional.

Don’t be left in the dark Make sure you test your car’s headlights, indicators and brake lights. The lights need regular checking to ensure that you can see clearly when you are driving at night - they also make sure that you are seen by other drivers. Have your fluids checked Before you hit the road, check the engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and wiper fluid and re-fill any that need it. Check the condition of your tyres regularly According to the AA, tyres should have at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Make sure you check the condition of the spare tyre as well. Tyre pressure should always be checked when the tyres are cold, and never adjusted halfway through or straight after a journey.

Make sure the wipers work Check the condition of your wipers, as the blades wear down and need to be replaced roughtly every six months or so. Don’t be a ‘fuel’ Don’t wait for the red light to come on on your fuel gauge before you fill up. You don’t want to be driving miles away from a fuel station and running dangerously low. Check you’re up-to-date Make sure that the car’s MOT and servicing aren’t overdue, and that your vehicle has valid tax and motor insurance to avoid facing a hefty fine. Before setting off on a journey… • Make sure you have the number of your breakdown cover in your phone and that you have packed an in-car phone charger.

• Pack an emergency kit with items such as blankets, warm clothes, a reflective jacket, de-icer, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, plus non-perishable snacks, a flask of hot drink and bottled water. • Take time to plan your journey, factoring in traffic, accidents and places to take a break. • Let friends or relatives know what time you will be setting off and when you expect to arrive. • Listen to the radio as you’re driving to hear the frequent weather and traffic updates. • If the weather is particularly bad, ask yourself whether your journey is essential, or if it can be delayed a little bit longer. For more advice, visit www.theaa.com or www.rac.co.uk

Christmas Market LISTINGS SUSSEX HAS PLENTY OF CHRISTMAS MARKETS HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AND HERE ARE A FEW.

November

BACKGROUND IMAGE BY RENE SCHWIETZKE/FLICKR | IMAGE ON RIGHT BY RPAVICH/FLICKR

Brighton Christmas Gift Fair Spectacular - Brighton Racecourse Battle Christmas Shopping Market - Battle Memorial Hall Littlehampton Town Artisian Market - High Street, Littlehampton Made in Sussex Art, Craft and Food Fair - Open Market, Brighton Bright ‘n’ Crafty - St George’s Church, Kemptown Stylish Christmas Fayres - Amex Stadium, Brighton Go! Craft Christmas Market - The Hope and Ruin, Brighton Lindfield Bonfire Society Christmas Fair - King Edward Hall, Lindfield Birdcage Barn Craft and Gift Fair - Assembly Rooms, Chichester Heathfield Christmas Shopping Market - Kings Church, Heathfield Brighton Craft Fair - Friends Meeting House Indoor Food and Craft Market - Boship Lions Farm Hotel, Hailsham Autumn Creative Craft Fair - Brighton Unitarian Church Family Christmas Fair Extravaganza - The Charmendean Centre, Worthing

December The Bridge Christmas Fair - Bridge Community Education Centre, Brighton Lewes Craft Market - Market Tower, Lewes Battle Christmas Shopping Market - Battle Memorial Hall Chichester Christmas Market - Chichester City Centre The Winter Fair - South of England Showground, Ardingly So This is Christmas - The Charmendean Centre, Worthing Cuckfield Crafts and Market - Queens Hall, Haywards Heath Rye Artisan Arts and Crafts Market - Conduit Hill, Rye Pagham Elves and Fairies Christmas Fair - The Pagham Village Hall Handmade Festive Fayre - The Huntington Hall, Shoreham Wadhurst Arts and Crafts Market - Commemoration Hall Go! Craft Christmas Market - The Hope and Ruin, Brighton Lewes Craft Market - Market Tower, Lewes Made in Sussex Art, Craft and Food Fair - Open Market, Brighton

christmas markets Christmas markets are a wonderful opportunity for all the family to well and truly get into the spirit of Christmas. Christmas markets, which are usually held during the later part of November and throughout December, are filled to the brim with stalls selling a variety of goods. Handmade items could include Christmas cards, candles, jewellery, toys and much more. They are a great opportunity to support local traders and you might be able to find something unique for someone special in your life in the process. To help keep you feeling festive as you browse, there may even be entertainment, such as Christmas music playing, and a visit from Father Christmas if you’re lucky. Many markets serve pretzels, cupcakes, cookies, mulled wine, German beer and hot chocolate - some even have ice rinks too! Top tips for attending a Christmas market: • Wrap up warm - Some markets are held in the great outdoors and you’re likely to be in the cold for several hours as you take everything in. Make sure you’re wearing plenty of layers. A good coat, plus a hat, gloves and scarf are a must. As you’ll be doing a lot of walking, make sure you’re wearing sensible boots or shoes. • Take lots of change with you - Lots of traders are unlikely to have a credit or debit card facilities and would likely appreciate the correct money. • Sample some festive food and drink - They are guaranteed to tempt your tastebuds, so it really would be a shame not to indulge in some. • Take along some friends or family members - Christmas is a time of gettogethers and socialising, so why not take along your family or friends and make a real day of it?

• Have an idea of what you’re looking for - You’re likely to be inundated with a lot of beautiful items to look at. If you go along knowing who you need to buy gifts for, and the type of thing you want to buy, hopefully you won’t end up buying something that you don’t want or need. • Don’t be scared to haggle - If it’s getting near the end of the day, or you’re buying quite a few items from one stall, see if they’ll knock a little off the price. There’s no harm in asking! If you’d like more information on Christmas markets close to home and abroad, visit www.christmasmarkets.com. The website lists hundreds of markets located in the UK, Europe and North America. You can also book hotel accommodation safely and securely.

half term activites ARTS AND CRAFTS Paper, card, glue, glitter and crayons can lead to hours of fun for little ones. Ask them to draw Halloween pictures, or make decorations and masks. You could also get some colouring books.

READING BOOKS When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with some hot chocolate to read some stories. Books are a must for this time of year, and whether you read the story or your child reads it to you, there is sure to be some laughter along the way.

HOME CINEMA AFTERNOON A nice children’s film can be watched by the whole family, and if you can find one with a Halloween theme, the little ones are likely to be glued to the TV. You could even make some popcorn to enjoy with it.

GAMES Games such as musical statues or hide and seek don’t just belong at parties, they can be played at home too. Hangman and noughts and crosses just need a pen and paper, and a pack of cards can be used for snap and pairs. You could also invest in a selection of board games, but be prepared for things to get competitive!

BAKING Dig out the recipe books or search online for a simple recipe for cupcakes or biscuits. They could even be decorated to look spooky, with orange and black icing. Whatever you make, your children can have great fun getting their hands dirty - and probably even more fun tucking in!

TREASURE HUNT The beauty of a treasure hunt is that it can be organised indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. You can draw a map, or leave clues around the house and garden. The treasure could be a colouring book and some crayons, or a bag of sweets.

top

family dogs

Border Collie

Labrador

The original sheep dog, required to gather and Turn the cuteness up a notch or two, soft natured and direct sheep in the Hilly border between England hard working, Labradors are kind, fun and take most and Scotland. Another perfect addition to an active things in their stride. One of their most loveable traits outgoing family, Border Collies have unlimited energy is that they are friendly with everyone, so if you are and will certainly be able to keep up with you. Highly looking for an affectionate companion, look no further. disciplined and a pleasure to train and wonderful Labs are late to mature, providing spirited teenage years company due to their undeniable devotion. but if trained well just adds to part of the family fun!

Siberian Husky

A truly beautiful dog which has a thick coat of fur that comes in many different colours. Their handsome faces and stunning eyes only add to their charm. Husky dogs are very athletic so can become quite a challenge for an inexperienced owner. Make sure you have no potential escape points from your home as these independent mutts have been known to go on their own adventures which means they can be a challenge to train.

Dachshund

German Shepard

Our most intelligent addition, German Shepards are well known for their savviness. Along with this their devotion and courage is unrivalled, no wonder they’re a true man’s best friend! They are especially easy to train and extremely energetic and versatile, making the training process so much fun for both you and your new friend! You may be left wondering if there’s anything a German Shepard can’t do!

Cockapoo

An ever present in the most popular dogs list since the A barrel full of laughs can be expected from this small 1950’s. Their cute look and lively nature are just two dog with a big personality. These friendly little guys reasons why they are so popular and such a common are totally loyal but also easy enough to manage that selection for a family pet. You can’t help but be in training isn’t a chore. Another plus is that Cockapoos awe or laugh at a proud Dachshund carrying it’s long hardly moult so they are low maintenance in every muscular body on it’s little legs! However, they’re not sense of the word. Whether they’re clowning around just pretty to look at, Dachshund’s are affectionate, loyal kids or simply curled up in your lap, a Cockapoo will and easy to train and groom. make an excellent addition to any family.

Beagle

French Bulldog

Beagles are energetic and so much fun to play with! Cute with a capital C, French Bulldogs are a very rare They can be very difficult to train, so we recommend breed so you will do very well to get your hands on puppy classes for the little mavericks. A Beagle is a one. However, if you are lucky enough to call one happiest when sniffing something out, which goes back your own they make for wonderful family pets! French to their roots of a being a scent dog. Their dark brown Bulldogs are known to be very adaptable so expect hazel eyes and pleading expression are always difficult minimal trouble in settling the little guy in, as long as to resist! Forever sociable and a real hit with kids, your provide them with all of the love and attention especially when causing mischief together. that they require!

Pug

BACKGROUND BY FREEPIK.COM

The clown of the canine world with an incredible sense of humour, not to mention they also like to show off. They can’t help but make you smile, the comical face, deep wrinkles around the eyes and flat face make them too adorable to ignore. Slightly harder to train to some of the other entries, however they make for loving, kidfriendly pals who adore playing and being the centre of attention!

Cocker Spaniel A friend for life and a beautiful one at that! Cocker Spaniels are stunning but require a lot of work. Their cheerful, bubbly nature make them excellent with all of the family, especially kids. Much like Cockapoos, they’re at their happiest when pleasing you, because of this training is never normally an issue. If you can make the effort in keeping up with the labour intensive grooming involved with having a Cocker Spaniel.

learn a new

Skill in Sussex

You’re never too old, or young, to try something new. Learning a new skill could allow you to find a hobby you really enjoy. We’ve hand-picked some of our favourites from our website. If you want to find out more about any of them go to Friday-Ad.co.uk and put / before the ad ref number of the class you’re interested in.

Learn to Hula Hoop and dance with a hoop. This 6 week course is suitable for absolute beginners. 6pm at The Hanover Community Centre, Brighton BN2 9UD 6 week course - £48 Tone your body and become fitter. Hoop Dance also develops hand-eye co-ordination, rhythm and self-confidence. Suitable for all ages - Everyone Can DO this!! Get Fit-Have Fun-Be Inspired! DreamSpin Hoop Dance is the original and longest running hoop dance company in Brighton. I have been teaching people to hoop for 8 years. Classes are fun, friendly and challenging. AD REF: 14591880

BACKGROUND BY FREEPIK.COM

Sussex Shaolin NPC Kung fu - first lesson free, all levels welcome! Come and try the traditional martial art of Shaolin Kung fu. Classes are varied and include exercise routines, stretching, pad work, footwork, self-defence and meditation. The first class is free and all levels are welcome, just turn up! Classes are as follows... Monday 16:45 – 17:45, Tuesday, 20:00 – 21:30, Wednesday, 19:00 – 20:30, Thursday, 17:30 – 18:30, Thursday, 18:30 – 20:00, Sunday, 12:30 – 14:00. If both you and your child would like to try it, feel free to bring them to the kids class on a Thursday and stay on for the adults class. AD REF: 14593965

6 week course every Thursday from 22nd October to 26th November 10.00am - 12.30pm. At The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5WU. £60. + costs of materials. Come and learn how to make your own beautiful cards, tags and decorations. AD REF: 14522621

Beginners and improvers Sewing Classes – Book 4 classes and get your 1st free. Want to become a domestic sewing goddess but not sure where to start? Sewing classes and Workshops at Sew Retro are all about giving you the skills to take, making into your own hands. Oh! And did we mention there is tea and lots of yummy homemade cake too. Tuesday mornings 10am to 12.30pm and teenage after school class (year six and above) 3.30 to 6pm, Tuesday Evening 7 to 9.30pm. Wednesday Mornings 10am to 12.30 and Wednesday Evening, 7 - 9.30pm Friday morning 10am – 12.30. Never used a sewing machine? Perfect for complete beginners no sewing experience necessary! your own project, we can help you. Learn how to alter and resize your clothes. AD REF: 14544282

Upholstery Classes at Eridge Village Hall - starting in September (places still available). Tues evenings, Thurs mornings and afternoons. All abilities welcome. For more info go to www. carolineranceupholstery.co.uk or tel. 01892 668270 AD REF: 13407538

HUTSON AND GREY UPCYCLE TIPS... Painted and Stencilled Lamp with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ can be used directly onto fabric, perfect for transforming your old lamp shades, chairs, cushion covers, the list goes on! We loved this natural linen shade as it was but thought it would look great with something a bit extra. Annie Sloan has recently released a range of over 20 gorgeous stencils, all designed for use with Chalk Paint™. We needed to choose a stencil that could be repeated and overlapped all the way around; as we didn’t want to end up with a big overlap or gap on one side. After a bit of practice on spare scraps of paper we decided the perfect stencil for the job in hand would be ‘sand dollar’. Some people prefer to tape their stencil down using masking tape to hold it in place while they’re working, but we prefer to work free hand. Get the shade into a comfortable and stable position and hold the stencil down firmly in one area. For this task we used Annie Sloan’s stencil brush, as they are specifically designed to work with her paints. Start by picking up a bit of paint on the tip of your brush and then dabbing off the excess on newspaper or kitchen towel. It’s best to work with barely any paint on your brush, this way you get a natural faded look to your work and the paint won’t bleed under your stencil or into the fabric. Dab the paint on lightly,

8 THE HORNET CHICHESTER PO19 7JG 01243 696625 www.hutsonandgrey.co.uk

but don’t worry if you miss small areas or some parts are darker than others, this will just look as though the paint has gradually faded away over time. Once you have completed one pattern, you can move the stencil. Provided you haven’t used too much paint the area will be dry within minutes so AFTER you can keep moving on. Keep the pattern overlapping and try to keep it random. This is a home produced piece so you don’t want it to look like it’s straight off a factory line. When you get near to the edges you can use just part of the stencil to fill in the blank areas, again making sure not to do the exact same pattern all around. The shade is now ready to return to its base, which we have painted in Old White to refresh and lighten it. When using Chalk Paint™, decorative paint by Annie Sloan there is no need to prep or prime the surface so we were able to paint straight on with no fuss. To do this we used a small oval Annie Sloan paint brush to apply a thick coat of paint all over the base followed by a coat of Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax to protect and add depth to the colour.

Meg and Julie

Try it yourself...

BEFORE

with 1930’s Style Lamp Friday-Ad.co.uk/14587080

BEXHILL ON SEA 07952947122

£10

Pair of Bedside Lamps

Pair of Wooden Lamps

Friday-Ad.co.uk/14587295

Friday-Ad.co.uk/14583127

EASTBOURNE 07546505227

£15

WORTHING 07042695852

£10

get

Comfy

Winter is a time for settling down in front of the TV and spending quality time with friends and family. Make sure everyone has the best seat in the house with these incredible bargains, all found on Friday-Ad.co.uk!

Black Leather Armchair, £295 Hastings, 07043536092 www.friday-ad.co.uk/13383494

Orange Leather Sofa, £185 Brighton, 07044301088 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14522010

Floral Arm Chair, £15 Lancing, 01903866181 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14520271

Cappuccino Fabric Sofa, £150 Poling, www.friday-ad.co.uk/14583475

Tube Chair in Brown and Pink, £70 Brighton, 07044349721 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14605509

Cream Two Steater, £40 Uckfield, 07747141103 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14638765

Three Seat Terracotta Sofa, £50 Ninfield, 01424893255 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14574891

Two Toned Charcoal Large Sofa, £350 Steyning, www.friday-ad.co.uk/14568464

Two Seater with Footstool, £70 Crowborough, 01892 652471 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14598288

Modern Grey Leather Sofa, £349 Littlehampton, 01903 367899 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14577967

Reclining Armchair, £75 Eastbourne, 07044307284 www.friday-ad.co.uk/12616688

Canterbury Reclining Sofa, £216 Littlehampton, 01903 367899 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14624064

Dark Blue Sofa and Armchair, £100 Haywards Heath, www.friday-ad.co.uk/14587927

Large Sofa and Two Armchairs, £105 Crowborough, 07044358175 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14564714

Two Seat Conservatory Sofa, £28 Lancing, 01903866181 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14572669

Six Month Old Office Sofa, £80 Eastbourne, 01323652276 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14606898

Two Seat Reclining Sofa, £30 Eastbourne, 07044327486 www.friday-ad.co.uk/14593593

prepare your home

for winter

IMAGE BY PAVAN TRIKUTAM/UNSPLASH

Another year is flying by and winter is officially coming. Before the cold weather sets in, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your home is prepared for any problems that could occur in the winter months. Check your energy tariff Contact your energy supplier and see if you are on their best possible deal. If you’re coming to the end of your contract, compare it with a few other suppliers to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere. If you come across a better deal but you’re only part way through your current contract, it’s worth finding out what the penalty is for switching supplier early. You might still save money in the long run, even if you have to pay a penalty fine now. Get your appliances serviced Call in a professional to give your boiler a checkup and make sure everything works as it should. The last thing you want is for your boiler to break down when you are really relying on it. According to the Energy Saving Trust, boilers account for about 55% of what we spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler can make a big difference to your bills. If you need to replace your boiler, your

energy supplier may have some sort of special offer, or there may be grants available to cover all or part of the cost. It’s also worth checking that your washing machine and tumble dryer are working correctly. Any strange noises while the machine is going through a cycle might indicate a problem, so it’s best to get someone to check it out, as both machines are like to get plenty of use during the winter months. Don’t forget to check that your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms work as they should. Bleed the radiators Radiators need maintaining, just like a lot of appliances around the home. By ‘bleeding’ the radiators in your home, you let out any air that has become trapped. A bleed key is needed to release the air but instructions can be found online if necessary. It’s considered a relatively straightforward job, but if you are unsure what you’re doing, get advice from a qualified professional. Insulating and draught-proofing It’s not only better for the environment, but insulation around the home can greatly reduce heat loss as well as your heating bills. In

an uninsulated home, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof. Loft insulation is effective for at least 42 years, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Other insulation options include walls, floors and around tanks, pipes and behind radiators. If your home is in need of insulation, there may be grants available to help with all or part of the cost, such as British Gas - and you don’t have to be a British Gas customer to qualify. Draughtproofing your home involves blocking up unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out. Common places that require draught-proofing include around windows and doors. According to the Energy Saving Trust, this could save you £25 to £50 per year. If you’re going to carry out the work yourself, look for draught-proofing materials with a Kitemark, as this shows that the product is made to a good standard. The Energy Saving Trust advises that although calling in a professional will be more expensive, you are more likely to save more energy in the long run because the installer will know the best ways to save you money. Outside the home Before it gets dark too early, there are a few jobs outside the home that can

be looked at. Clear leaves, dirt and debris from guttering, as blockages can cause water damage. If your chimneys are in use, getting them swept can remove the buildup of dirt from your chimney walls. You should also have the roof checked for any signs of damage, such as loose tiles. You might also want to have any trees or branches trimmed in your garden that could cause damage if they fell during windy weather or stormy conditions. The last thing you want is to be chasing your furniture around the garden as the winds take hold. Apart from not being a fun job, the furniture could cause damage. To be on the safe side, clean down any items that are usually left in the garden, and store them in a shed. Preparation Keep some emergency supplies ready incase a power cut occurs. Include batteries, a torch, candles, matches or a lighter, a battery-powered radio, some non-perishable food items and bottled water. You should also have a first-aid kit and essential medication such as paracetamol. Make sure you have spare tins of pet food in necessary and formula milk if you have a young child.

plan ahead for a

PHOTO BY KABOOMPICS.COM

stress free

christmas Does the thought of Christmas and all that planning give you a sense of panic? Here are some ways of ensuring your days are merry and bright. Organising the Food Christmas Day without enough food would be something of a disaster. Start by making a list of exactly what you want to buy, this will help you avoid getting swept up in all the offers on unnecessary items. Buy your non-perishable items early in December and clear space in your freezer to make room for anything you want to freeze over the festive period. Festive meat is available from either the local butcher or the supermarket, either way you’ll need to order or purchase it by a certain date. Make sure you know what you want, the right quantities and when you will need to order it by. You should consider ordering your fresher items (such as milk, bread and vegetables) online and arranging a delivery or in-store collection nearer the time. This way everything will come to your door or be packed ready for you to turn up and collect it and you’ll beat the rush of shoppers trying to buy fresh items to last over the festive period. To minimise stress when cooking the Christmas dinner, a lot of vegetables can be prepared the night before, and many choose to cook their turkey on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Cards If you plan on sending Christmas cards, start early, as it may take longer than you think to get through them all. Make a list of everyone you would like to send a card to, and check that you have their correct addresses. Buy plenty of stamps, and for speed and convenience, consider typing the addresses on your computer and printing labels to stick on the envelopes. Don’t forget about the last postage dates, which this year are 19 December for 2nd Class, 21 December for 1st class and earlier for international mail. Set aside a bit of time in the evenings to get the cards all written, ticking each person off your list as you go. Gifts When it comes to gift buying, you’ll need another list of everyone that you need to buy a gift for. You should then set a budget, as sometimes it’s very easy to get carried away, especially if you pay for things on a credit card. Buy more wrapping paper and sticky tape than you think you’ll need, so you don’t run out mid way through wrapping a gift. Wrap presents as you buy them, and label so you don’t forget who they’re for.

Going Away If you’re driving to visit family or friends this Christmas, you should check that your car is up to scratch, particularly if you have a long journey ahead. If you are going to travel by plane or train, you should book your tickets as early as you can in advance to get the best price. With trains, it may be cheaper to buy two single tickets rather than a return one, or if you have to change trains at any point, buying separate tickets for each leg of your journey. Spend some time researching the best deals, rather than just paying for the first option you find. Check that your suitcase is still intact, and if you have pets, remember that you will need to make arrangements for them to be looked after. Clothing If you have any parties or special occasions lined up over the festive period, make sure you have an idea of what you’ll be wearing. If you’re looking to buy something new remember that a lot of other people will be looking for similar items so you may struggle to find your size. Online shopping could really help you if you think you might struggle

to find time to shop. Around this time of year the shops get extremely busy so try ordering a few options to try on at home. Then you can just send back the others, saving you the stress of going into the town centre. Hair and beauty Everyone wants to look their best at Christmas, so hairdressers and beauticians find themselves in huge demand. If you know you’re going to want a haircut and colour or your nails done just before Christmas, make your appointment as soon as you can to ensure you are fitted in. Transport Whether you’re going to the work Christmas party or just catching up with old friends in the pub, you’ll need to figure out how to get there and back. Local taxi companies are always in huge demand once the party season has kicked off, so it’s important to plan in advance if you’re thinking of having anything to drink. You could investigate the cost of minibus hire to take you home if a large group of you live close together, or you could hire a limousine to add some glamour to your night out.

cosy nights in When the weather outside is frightful, it may feel like you want to go into hibernation for the rest of the year. When you feel this way, normally cosy nights in are the way forward. Here are just a few suggestions of ways to fill your evenings. © Dennis Wong via flickr.com

take a relaxing bath The easiest way to make a nice warm bath even more relaxing is to pour some of your favourite bubble bath into the water. Treat yourself to some luxurious products with amazing scents that you will keep on smelling for the rest of the evening. You could also try lighting a scented candle or two and playing some soothing music.

roaring log fires Along with your pyjamas and hot chocolate, a roaring log fire has to be one of the best things about winter. There’s just something about the mesmerising flames that really tops off a relaxing evening. As well as looking attractive, they make a room feel welcoming and comfortable. If you don’t have one at home you could try and venture out to a local pub...

comfort is key When you’re all snuggled up on a cosy night, you don’t want to be dressed in your best finery. Search in the back of the wardrobe for your comfiest pyjamas or a onesie, or splurge on one during your next shopping trip. Swap your shoes for your slippers and get comfy on the sofa with lots of thick, soft blankets or a duvet.

watching films There’s nothing quite like a Christmas film to make you feel festive. There are lots of Christmas films worth a look. Kids (and big kids) will love titles such as Home Alone and Elf. Films such as Love Actually and It’s A Wonderful Life are also incredibly popular. You might also want to pop yourself a bowl of popcorn to get an authentic cinema experience!

hot chocolate A mug of hot chocolate not only tastes delicious, it’s also warm and incredibly comforting. If you drink tea and coffee on a regular basis it makes a nice treat to try something sweet and delicious. If milk chocolate doesn’t quite tickle your tastebuds, there are mint, orange, caramel and many more varieties available.

christmas crafts If you’re particularly creative, you might like the idea of making your own Christmas cards, table decorations or ornaments for the tree. There are a whole range of simple ideas for both beginners and the more advanced craft lovers. Handmade items make Christmas all the more personal for you and your family and having the satisfaction of making something yourself is more special.

get your christmas tree on the best dressed list If you choose a real tree There are various factors to take into consideration when you set out to choose your Christmas tree. Here’s are the British Christmas Tree Growers Association’s top tips to aid your search for the perfect tree: 1. Look for a BCTGA member farm, or ask your garden centre about the sourcing of the trees. The more you know about the origins of your tree, the more you can be assured of its likely longevity. 2. Turn the experience into a fun family outing. Plenty of families look forward to choosing the tree every year as it symbolises the start of Christmas for them. 3. Be sure you know what height and space you have. It’s all very well getting carried away by how statuesque some trees look, but will it get through your front door, or stand upright in the corner of your living room? 4. Ask the grower/retailer about varieties and consider what suits you best. Trees vary according to their shade of green, the size of needles, their drop-rate, and even their scent. 5. Ask to see a tree unnetted. Many people buy trees once they’ve been

netted and then are surprised they don’t look as lovely as they would expect them to. 6. Give the tree a little shake. It shouldn’t drop too many needles if it’s been well grown and cared for. 7. Pull at a needle or two. These should be reasonably firm. 8. Always feel free to ask questions. Growers should be happy to tell you how long a tree has been grown for and when it was cut. It is important to be really happy with your choice! Keeping your tree at its best The BCTGA advises the following: 1. When the tree is brought home, cut about half an inch off the butt in order to open up the pores of the pine tree. 2. Keep your tree outside in a cool shaded place, standing in water, until it is required indoors. 3. When the tree is brought indoors mount it in a water-holding stand and place it away from sources of direct heat, such as radiators. 4. Keep the container topped up with water every day; you might be surprised how much the tree will drink.

Decorating the tree There are a number of choices when it comes to choosing a tree, whether you decide to choose real or artificial. If you decide on artificial, you can have a variety of colours or ‘snow covered’ options. Whichever you decide to go for, keep in mind that it should compliment the room that you intend it to stand in. Don’t choose a tree that’s too tall or too wide for where you want it located. The top The decoration at the top of the Christmas tree is the most noticeable part of the whole tree. Stars or angels are popular choices for the top of the tree. The size of topper that you pick will depend on how big the tree is overall. If it’s too big or too small, it will look out of place. Lights There are lots of options for lights on your tree. You can opt for coloured fairy lights, or white LED lights. As well as the standard lights, some retailers have previously stocked star or snowflake shaped bulbs, which might give your tree a more quirky look. How many lights you opt for will depend on the size and shape of the tree. You might decide that you don’t want lights on your tree

at all, but they do give a magical look to the room as the dark nights draw in. Baubles and ornaments With so many beautiful designs available to buy, it’s safe to assume your tree will probably have a variety of baubles and ornaments of different shapes and sizes. Some people choose to stick to a colour scheme (such as red and gold), while others mix up a whole range of colours. A general tip is to arrange one colour or design of bauble first, spacing them out to leave gaps and not clumping them all together. You can then put other kinds of ornaments in the gaps. The tree will look best if smaller ornaments are near the top and they get bigger towards the bottom. It’s also important to find the right balance between not having enough ornaments or having too many in one place so make sure they’re evenly spread. Tinsel Tinsel comes in many colours and lengths, and if you want to use tinsel on the tree, you should pick a colour that complements the other decorations you intend to use. If you would like to use tinsel but feel your tree is looking crowded, you could use it to decorate your home along mantle piece.

back in susse From now on, all of our sales and communications will be coming from our brand-new office in Sayers Common, Hassocks. Join the celebration with #NewYearNewFADOffice.

WHY IS THIS GOOD NEWS FOR FRIDAY-AD? Check out our

e c i f f o new in on! Sayers Comm

1. We’re providing new 2. opportunities for businesses Friday-Ad is even closer to 3. the community We’ve launched our exciting 4. new packages We’re putting your 5. feedback into action We have plenty more room 6. to expand We have a fun vibrant office 7. to work from Our team is as passionate 8. about Sussex as you are Friday-Ad is once again a 9. 100% local product We’ve returned back to our 10.founding roots You’ll see improved customer service

Christmas Planning CHECKLIST

USE THIS AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR GETTING THE BIGGEST TASKS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY.

November ∆∆ Buy Christmas cards, stamps, wrapping paper, batteries and sticky tape. ∆∆ Finalise plans with family. For example, will your parents be coming to your house for dinner, or will you be going to eat with them? Do you have space for guests to stay? Consider who might need to stay the night. Do you need extra sheets or towels? ∆∆ If you’re travelling anywhere over the festive period, book your tickets as early as possible to get the best price (and guarantee a seat). ∆∆ Put activities on the calendar/in a diary. Once you know the details of Christmas concerts, parties, etc. write them down on the calendar or in your diary. When someone calls to invite you somewhere, you’ll know straight away if you are free. ∆∆ Write a list of people you need to send Christmas cards to and check that you have the correct addresses. ∆∆ Start writing your Christmas cards and printing address labels. ∆∆ Make a list of everyone you need to buy items for. ∆∆ Make sure the children have written their letters to Father Christmas. ∆∆ Start buying gifts, particularly any you will need to send in the post. ∆∆ Take your Christmas decorations out of storage, along with your artificial tree if you have one. Check whether anything needs replacing.

December

∆∆ Start clearing out your freezer to make room for any Christmas food. ∆∆ Shop for your real Christmas tree. If you shop too early it may not still look its best on Christmas Day. ∆∆ Send your Christmas cards early in the month. Double check the last postage dates for any presents. ∆∆ Plan your Christmas menu and make a list of what you will need to buy. ∆∆ Complete your Christmas present shopping. Shop locally where you can, but utilise online shopping when you need to. ∆∆ Order as much as you can in advance to save the last minute dash to the shops, including the allimportant turkey. ∆∆ Buy any nonperishable items.

Just before ∆∆ Clean your house and deal with the inevitable mountain of laundry. You don’t want to be hanging out washing on Christmas Day. ∆∆ Shop for perishable items such as vegetables, milk and bread. To make it less stressful, consider ordering online and arranging to collect from store or home delivery. ∆∆ Finish any present wrapping. ∆∆ Make a timeline of what needs to be cooked on the day and when. Be aware that some items can be prepared the night before and it’s a good idea to do what you can in advance. ∆∆ Lay the table on Christmas Eve. ∆∆ Defrost the turkey on Christmas Eve. If you want to cook your turkey on Christmas Eve, defrost it earlier.

supporting your local butcher Are you thinking of checking out your local butcher this Christmas instead of buying meat from the supermarket? There are many reasons that supporting a local butcher is a good idea, and here are just a few... You are helping the economy Visiting your local butcher is good for the economy. You are helping to keep a business in your town by supporting both the staff on the premises and the farmers who supply them with the meat. There is more choice and you can be more specific If you buy meat in the supermarket, you often have to buy the quantity that is prepacked. When you go to a butcher, if you only want two sausages, you can buy two sausages. A butcher will also often have more unusual choices and different cuts of meat that the supermarket does not stock. There may even be a few things you really were not expecting.

PHOTO BY ISTOCK/MINERVA STUDIO

You know what you are getting Over the years, many of us have become more conscious of what we are putting onto our plates. When you buy from your butcher, you’ll get exactly what you ask for. The butcher will also be able to tell you where the meat came from and the meat should also be of good quality and incredibly fresh.

Smaller businesses can devote more time to focusing on a customer If you have a complicated recipe you’ve never followed before, or you’re attempting to cook turkey and all of the trimmings for the first time, don’t be afraid to ask your butcher for advice. They will be able to give you tips on how to cook the meat you are buying, and might even suggest good accompaniments. Butchers are very passionate about the products they sell and they’ll happily chat to you and give you advice. Special offers and plenty of stock In the run up to Christmas, chances are your local butcher will have a savings club, where customers can pay a little each week towards the cost of their festive meat. You’ll find turkey, sausages in bacon, ham - and plenty of it too! It’s also more than likely that there’ll be special offers and promotions to entice customers. Many will be open on Christmas Eve for customers to collect their order, and some might even be able to deliver the meat to your door if you live in a fairly local area.

leftover wine bottle diy Photo by Steven Depolo/Flikr

With so many reasons to celebrate during December and plenty of soirees to be had over the festive season, it wouldn’t be surprising if you had an abundance of glass bottles leftover. It would be a shame to let the bottles head straight to the recycle bin without a second thought for what they could become. Upcycling is a great way to express your creative side and a fun way to pass the time if you’re partaking in Dry January. Having a beautiful set of vases in time for spring will be even more of a bonus knowing they are your own creative masterpieces and will create a topic for conversation with any guest. The process is simpler than you might think, and you can find plenty of inspiration online if you don’t know how to decorate your bottles. The first step would be to remove the label. There is a super easy way to remove the labels without leaving any paper behind and having a smooth, untarnished label incase you want to reuse them for another project. All you

need to do is pour boiling water into the bottles and fill them to just above the label. After a few minutes the heat will loosen the glue that sticks the label to the glass then, with the water still inside the bottle, start peeling the label from one side. Don’t forget to remove the one at the back as well. After taking off all the labels, you may be left with some glue residue on the bottles. The best thing for this would be with an adhesive removal. Then just give the bottles a rinse with some washing up liquid and hot water and your bottles are ready to be decorated! You may wish to paint them by hand, or alternatively you could use spray paint for a quick and easy method. Just make sure you put down plenty of newspaper and spray them outside in the fresh air. You can find glass paint in plenty varieties including metallic colours and chalkboard paint - perfect for decorating with temporary messages. All that’s left is choosing a beautiful bunch of flowers.

Photo by Jordan Johnson/Flikr

dry january After a busy month of celebrations and festivities, going on a detox might sound like a good idea to many people. We looked into the benefite you might experience if you participate in Dry January 2016.

PHOTO BY LEONARDO DORATHOTO/FREEIMAGES.COM

The benefits of abstaining from alcohol might exceed most people’s expectations. Many people who participate in the annual event Dry January report sleeping better, having increased energy levels and clearer skin. The campaign was introduced by Alcohol Concern in 2013 and last year helped 2 million people cut down on their drinking. Whether you’re a sucker for a challenge, hoping to lose weight or need to save some pennies, you could really surprise yourself if you decide to participate in Dry January. The premise of the challenge is to give up alcohol for 31 days beginning when you wake up on the 1st January (or the 4th January if you don’t want to change your weekend plans). Aside from improving your own health, you might also decide to benefit the lives of others by

donating or even fundraising for Alcohol Concern. They’re a national charity that helps children and adults affected by alcohol. They have plenty of useful tips and advice online including different ways for you to fundraise during Dry January. You don’t have to go at it alone you could team up with friends and family, or even with work colleagues. Working together will keep you going and you could even make things interesting by seeing who can last the longest! Like anything, the first few days will be the hardest and you may experience some withdrawal symptoms if you’re a regular drinker. Post-Christmas veg outs on salty snacks can leave you feeling dehydrated and experience hangover-like symptoms so remember to keep drinking plenty of water.

You could also take the opportunity to introduce some more exercise into your weekly routine. Throughout January in Friday-Ad we’ll be giving you tips and advice on how to get fitter and promote a healthier lifestyle. Without the need to recover from alcohol, you’ll find you have a better sleeping pattern and more energy in general. Starting out with some light exercise will also improve your energy levels and you’ll soon start to notice a difference in your fitness. Stick with it and it won’t be long before you’re bounding up the stairs without a second thought.

Alcohol Concern’s work. “£1,250 could fund a research project, such as Alcohol related brain damage.” If you need any more information or guidance, or to sign up go to www.dryjanuary.org.uk

By the end of month you’ll feel a huge sense of achievement. Even if you don’t manage to stay completely teetotal the whole month, stick with it and persistance will pay off. Any money you manage to raise will make a huge difference to

63% of participants got better sleep

85% of participants felt they benefited from the sense of achievement 46% of participants lost weight 62% of participants had more energy

81% of participants say they saved money

How to Get

your dream job Photo by createsima/freeimages.com

A new year always signifies a fresh start and for many people this may mean that they are considering a change of direction in their job. Whether you are in a role that is no longer a challenge for you or you no longer enjoy what you do, there’s no harm in having a look and seeing what else is out there. When exploring other options you have the freedom to imagine what you would really love to do. Start by having a look online and in print to see what roles are on offer in your local area. If you don’t know where to begin, make a list of all the skills you believe you possess (be honest!) and start to think about which roles require those skills. If you’re very organised you could look at PA and secretarial positions, if you’re excellent at talking to people and have the powers of persuasion then sales might be the role for you. Think outside the box and ask your friends and family about how they would describe you.

The next stage is to create a blinding CV - one that no employer in their right mind would turn down. Think logically about your experience and tailor it to the job you’re applying for. When applying for a sales role, mentioning that you spent four weeks working at a fast food restaurant, might not be as relevant to your future employer as the year you spent in retail meeting targets and interacting with customers. Once you get to the interview stage you really need to know your stuff. Employers will be able to see straight through a candidate that’s unprepared and waffling. Do your research about the company and make sure you understand what it is they do. Practice some questions you think they may ask you and make sure you have a clear, concise answer. Even if they don’t ask you those exact questions you’ll find it a lot easier to think on your feet and can incorporate some of the same information into it.

Practice Questions... 1. What makes you think you’re the right candidate? ________________________________________________________________________ 2. How have you demonstrated ............... skill in the past? ________________________________________________________________________ 3. When have you worked well in a team? ________________________________________________________________________ 4. When have you had to overcome an obstacle in the workplace? ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Where do you see yourself in five years? ________________________________________________________________________

unwanted gifts Receiving something you didn’t ask for can put you in a sticky situation at the best of times, let alone when your whole family is gathered around the Christmas tree with baited breath to see your reaction to your presents. We won’t judge you if you didn’t quite get around to confessing to Auntie Mildred that those Playstation games won’t really go down too well in your Xbox 360. You will however find that there are plenty of people searching for those games on Friday-Ad.co.uk and you could make a quick buck to spend on something you would have chosen for yourself.

What can I sell on Friday-Ad?

If you have anything to sell, you’re bound to find someone to take it off your hands in the local area. Just snap a picture of it and go to www.friday-ad.co.uk where you just need to click ‘place an ad’. Then you’ll see the responses coming in and someone will be there to take it off your hands in no time.

Books

Gaming

Cameras

Bikes

Fashion

Gadgets

Musical

Toys

Furnishings

looking for a new home? With January being one of the most popular times to sell your house, now is as good a time as any to put yours on the market. Let us help ease the stress of buying your next place with our tips on how to get the most out of a house viewing. From what to ask, to what to look for, these are the basic pointers you should consider each time you go to see somewhere new. Moving house can be a hugely exciting time for many people who wish for a change in surroundings. However, it may come as no surprise that in a survey by EstatesDirect.com, buying or selling a property was voted the most stressful experience in modern life, even above planning a wedding and being made redundant. This being said, it can be extremely rewarding to find a new home and make it your own, if you take the right steps to accomplish it. House viewings are one of the most important factors when buying and selling, as this is your opportunity to discover as much information about the property as possible. You may find that you fall in love with a property when looking online just to discover that the photography has made the rooms appear larger, or they haven’t showcased any faults the house may have. When searching through properties if you see something you like, there are a few factors to consider before arranging a viewing. Is the location of the property appropriate? Do you need it to be close to a school and would you need to drive to the nearest shop? Does it have space for a car if you need one, or would you have to park further away? Is it on a main road where there could be issues with noise and traffic? Once you feel that you’ve seen a property that ticks all the right boxes, you should phone the estate agent and agree on a time that suits you and the seller. Bear in mind it’s better to see it during the daylight so you

can see how much light the house lets in and can have a good look at the garden or outside space. Whilst the estate agent is showing you around, try to ask as many questions as possible. Things to enquire about are: Why are they selling? How long has it been on the market for? How long have the owners lived there? Have the sellers found another property and how soon are they moving out? Is the property listed and if so, what grade is it? What can they tell you about the local area? Make sure you have a really thorough look around the property, the agent should let you take pictures to remind yourself. Try the taps and test the water pressure and look for any signs of damp and mould. Consider how much work, if any, you’d want to do to it to get the house how you’d like it. Would you need to extend? It’s better to ask yourselves these questions now so you can have a clearer idea when comparing it to other properties you view. It is important to listen to what the estate agents says, but not always take it as gospel. Remember that as helpful as they are, their job is to sell you a property. Trust your instincts before rushing into a sale and it’s always best to go for a second viewing to help you make up your mind about placing an offer. If you have several big doubts about a property it might be better in the long run to hold out and keep looking - it’s a marathon not a sprint!

Photos (clockwise from left): Angelina Litvin, Tim Gouw, Evelyn Chin and Bench Accounting via stocksnap.io

make moving day stress-free So found a new place to live, congratulations! Now that the hard part is out of the way, you might be thinking that the stress of it all is over. Well the majority of it is, but without the right organisation you might find yourself stressing out on moving day as well. Here are a few things you can do to make your day run as smooth as possible.

Preparation Planning ahead is the best way to save yourself from becoming overly stressed. Confirm your moving date as early as possible and start packing at least two weeks before. This will ensure if any last minute complications do come your way, you won’t have too much on your plate to solve them. Book a removals company to help you out on the day and call them up for a quote as soon as you agree on the moving date. Use this as an incentive to spur you into getting started with packing everything up. You’ll want a decent sleep the night

before you move, not be up late still packing everything! Pack smart Buy plenty of labels before you start and invest in some good quality boxes. You can always fold them away and keep them in the loft until you need them again. Alternatively you can grab some from your local supermarket but make sure they’re the strong, study kind. Start in the room you use the least, with items you won’t be needing until after you’ve moved. Group similar items together and label each box with its

contents and destination. Don’t place items from different rooms together unless you want to spend forever unpacking. Pack a separate box with all the immediate essentials - kettle, mugs, toothbrushes etc. Make sure each family member has an overnight bag and keep a close eye on the box of toys if you need to keep kids entertained. The quickest way to move your clothes is by keeping them on their hangers and with a drawstring bin bag around the bottom, tie them up together. Then just hang them up in the new wardrobe and remove the bin bag.

about the move to refrain from receiving any more bills. If you’re worried about any of your valuables, keep them all together in one box and keep a close eye on it throughout the day. Any fragile items should be wrapped in plenty of bubblewrap and clearly labelled. Don’t pack to the extent you can’t move any of the boxes yourself. Heavy items should be placed in smaller boxes and lighter items can fill up the big ones. Make a list of how many boxes belong to each room and tick them off the register as they arrive at the new house.

On the day If you can, try and get a friend or family member to look after kids and/or pets for the day so you can just focus on getting things moved across. That way you won’t have to worry about keeping them calm with all the chaos that will, no doubt, be occurring. Double check you’ve told the utilities companies

After the move Congratulations, you’ve survived the move! Celebrate with your family and any friends who have stepped in to give you a hand throughout the day by treating yourselves to a takeaway or bottle of wine. Then you’re ready to begin the unpacking process and turning your new house into a home.

easy exercises Getting into fitness can be a daunting prospect if you’re new to it all. These moves can be done in a gym, at home, anywhere really! Remember to start carefully and don’t push yourself before you’re ready. Then just build up the number of reps or weights as and when you’re ready.

Bicep Curls To make this exercise work best for you, use dumbbells, start with a smaller weight and work your way up as you progress over time. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly with your feet facing forward. With the back of your hands resting on your thighs, take a weight in each hand. While slowly exhaling, bend your arm to bring the dumbbells toward your chest. Inhale and lower the dumbbells three quarters of the way down, maintaining tension in the biceps. Repeat the process ten to twelve times, if you find that you struggle to get to the sixth or seventh, use a lighter weight until you can do twelve.

The Plank Start by kneeling on a mat on all fours and place your hands directly under your shoulders and your legs stretched out behind you. To really work all over make sure you engage your ab muscles and keep them tight throughout the exercise. Make sure you keep your back straight and don’t lift your bum too high. Hold the position for 30 seconds then turn your body so your weight is on the outer edge of your right foot and push up for a side plank and repeat on the left side.

Push ups Position yourself on the mat and place your hands in front of you, shoulder-width apart, and spread your fingers. Stretch your feet out behind you like the plank, or on your knees if you want to simplify the move. Tuck in the abdominals, keeping your upper body in a straight line. Always make sure your chin comes over your fingertips. Bend your arms and lower your body down towards the floor without touching it. Don’t worry if you can’t get down very low, it’s much better to build up strength over time than injure yourself trying a move you’re not comfortable with.

The Squat This move is great for strengthening your legs muscles to keep them looking lean and muscular. Stand with your feet hip width apart and push your hips back to transfer your weight to your heels. As you lower yourself, squat down into a 90 degree angle, making sure you knees don’t cover your toes. Stand back up while still pressing down on your heels. Adapt the move by holding and pulsing when you reach 90 degrees and you’ll soon feel the burn. Repeat these mini bounces for 15 seconds and then get low and hold for 15 seconds. Repeat.

The Hip Extension This one is perfect if you want to tone your tooshie because it gets you working your glutes and hamstrings. On a mat, get on your hands and knees, and keeping your leg bent, push it up behind you until your thigh is in line with your back. Flex your foot so it’s parallel to the ceiling. Do this for 60 seconds and then repeat the exercise with your other leg.

The Short Bridge Bridges can help with back pain and strengthen your spinal muscles. Lay on your back with your arms by your sides, palms facing down. Bend your knees with your feet planted into the ground. Then lift your hips, make sure your body creates a straight line, squeezing everything as you do. Slowly lower your hips back to the floor then immediately lift up again. Keep going and see how many you can do!

Get fit this January

1 month

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The Lunge Standing with your feet hip width apart, step your left foot out in front of you. With your arms by your sides, bend your right leg to reach a 90 degree angle. Your right foot should be balancing on your toes with your weight transferred to your left heel. Step back into your original position and repeat 20 times then swap legs. Add weights such as dumbbells to increase the difficulty and build more muscle.

We want to know your New Year’s resolution!

Whether you want to lose a few Christmas pounds or ditch the midweek glass of vino, share your resolution with us to be in with a chance of winning a free membership for a month at Coral Health & Fitness Club, Hove.

Just send us your resolution with your name, address and phone number by 27th January to:

competitions@friday-ad.co.uk The Toe Touch Lunge Adapted from the previous move, lunge down and then kick your back leg forward. Reach your fingers toward your right toes and bend your left knee 90 degrees. Keep in this position for a second and then return it back behind you ready to kick it up again. Do 10 reps on this side, switch sides, then repeat.

www.coralfitness.co.uk Orchard Road, Hove, BN3 7BG T&C’s: UK entrants and over 18’s only. Only 1 entry per person and/or IP address. Friday-Ad reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in promotional activity and material. This competition is open to all residents of the UK except for employees of Friday Media Group. Closing date: 27th January 2016 at midnight. Prize is not exchangeable and no cash value can be given. Not in conjunction with any other offer.

Smoooothie does it It’s easy being green

Pack a punch

Berry cold out there

A COUPLE OF HANDFULS OF SPINACH

1 PASSION FRUIT (HALFED)

TWO HANDFULS OF FROZEN RASPBERRIES

ONE PEELED AND CHOPPED CARROT

HALF AN AVOCADO

1 MANGO CHOPPED INTO SLICES

300ML SKIMMED MILK

ONE PEELED AND QUARTERED ORANGE

300ML COCONUT WATER

JUICE OF A LIME

ONE HANDFUL OF FROZEN BLACKBERRIES

CHUNKS OF PINEAPPLE

300ML ALMOND MILK

TWO HANDFULS OF FROZEN BLUEBERRIES

300ML WATER

BLEND

SMOOTH

WHIZZ

SPIN

Wakey wakey

ONE BANANA

t’s fair to say that smoothies have made a big comeback recently, with the help of more practical dedicated blenders. Gone are the days of washing out a heavy, industrial style blender, you can now just load your cup up, screw on the blade then whizz and go. The health benefits of drinking smoothies are clear but you may not have considered how delicious the results can be. We’ve shared some of our favourites here, all with just a few ingredients but you can swap in and out some of your choices too! If you still need convincing here are our top 10 reasons to blend yourself healthy.

1 2

Nutritional The body needs fruit and veg to stay healthy but we don’t always have time to get them in our normal meals. Quick and Easy Smoothies are so simple to make and plenty of blenders now require less washing up and hassle.

Delicious There are countless combinations you could try so you can add in your favourites to make sure they’re super tasty.

More Energy Getting your five a day in your diet will make sure you have plenty of energy to keep you going throughout the day.

Loss Hydration 7 9 5 Weight You could decide to tailor Many people don’t drink your smoothies as a meal replacement plan which will help you lose weight.

Digestion The body doesn’t have much to break down when you drink smoothies so it digests them much quicker.

enough water so mixing it with your smoothies will increase your hydration levels.

Beauty Upping your fruit and veg intake with greatly improve the condition of your skin and hair.

Cost Effective Making smoothies at home will save you plenty of cash compared to buying drinks from the shop. Fun Anyone can make smoothies so those young and old will be sure to enjoy mixing together the different combinations.

love your home UPCYCLE INSPIRATION You’d be amazed how much potential there is for the things you find in Friday-Ad. With a little bit of inspiration and hard work you could create something beautiful for your home at a fraction of the price. If the furniture is made from high quality solid wood it can easily be revived to its former glory. You should always carefully assess items before you buy to see the amount of work it would take to repaint and whether you’re up for the job. If the piece of furniture you want to rework has a lot of holes and chips

you can go over these with wood filler, making sure you blend it out to leave a smooth surface. Wash down the wood with a sponge that’s been dipped in warm water and detergent, or you can buy specific soap from DIY shops. Your next step is to take some fine sandpaper and work it into the wood all over the sections you want to paint, paying attention to the parts that were filled earlier. If the furniture has a lot of paint build up or is flaking you’ll need to strip it back to bare wood which can be done with a steamer and a scraping tool.

BEFORE

Wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove the residue and dust then you’re ready to paint. Prime your wood first of all to ensure you have a smooth and professional finish but don’t worry about it being too neat and tidy. A roller would be useful for the large sections of wood but you’ll need a paint brush for hard to reach areas, edges and corners. Once you have completely covered the wood, let it dry before you paint

over it. Test if the paint is dry in a spot that won’t be seen to avoid leaving any fingerprint marks. Go over it again with your wood paint, first with your roller to evenly disperse over the large sections. Then go over it again with a paint brush to make sure it looks nice and neat. Pay special attention to the difficult areas and grooves within the wood. You may find that you need a second coat but it’s not essential.

AFTER

running

playlist

It can be really difficult to start exercising when you’re lacking motivation. Music can help drive you forward and will keep things interesting as you’re running along. This is our top workout playlist to take you from start to finish without giving up early. Enjoy!

Start When a Fire Starts to Burn h a ligh tj og

Eye of the Tiger

ate

run

survivor

m o re speed

i n c or

A-Punk

vampire weekend

s t a r t to b

chase and status

Blind Faith

rt off w i t

g n i n u p so s me hill

sta

per

disclosure

keep

ooi

One More Time oul d

daft punk Ne

Omen

fina e h at t arly

b e feeling the bur n

You sh l

the prodigy Give it al l y o u ’ v e g o t o n t h e h o m e run

ee stre

now

Runnin’

naughty boy

etch

Hot Right Now

dj fresh You made it!

Dry January January is finally over and to celebrate, we’ll be sharing our favourite mojito recipe with you. Whether you’re in love this February or not, we thought you deserve a little treat so we’re welcoming in February in style with this tasty cocktail. It’s so simple to make and is sure to impress anyone you invite over for a soiree during these few freezing months. The mojito originated in Cuba so will definitely have you dreaming of warmer times, hopefully transporting you to a sunny beach instead of a rainy evening in Sussex (as much as we love it).

Per cocktail you will need: 50ml white rum Half a lime 2 tsp brown sugar

8 fresh mint leaves Ice cubes Soda water

Cut the lime into four wedges and throw them in a tall glass with the sugar then muddle them together by smashing the lime until it releases its juice. Place your mint leaves in one hand and clap them together once to release the aroma. Swirl the leaves around the top of the glass and gently push them into the mixture in the glass. Fill the glass halfway with the ice and add your rum over the top. Stir everything together til it’s well mixed and the sugar has completely dissolved. Add some more ice and a splash of soda and a sprig of mint to garnish, then enjoy!

Pancake Day

American Style Fluffy Pancakes

Gently sift together all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Whisk the milk and egg together in a jug, then whisk in the butter.

135g self-raising flour

Pour the contents of the jug into the bowl and beat with a fork until you have a smooth batter. Keep mixing until all of the lumps have disappeared then leave the mix to sit for three minutes.

2 tbsp caster sugar 1tsp baking powder

Heat a frying pan on a medium heat and add a knob of butter or some olive oil. Use a ladle to pour in a serving of batter which should be thick and around 10cm in diameter. Fry the batter until you start to see bubbles on the top, then it’s flipping time. Turn it over and cook until both sides are golden brown and then once the pancake has risen to 1cm in thickness it’s ready to serve.

1/2 tsp salt 130ml milk 1 large egg

Keep repeating the steps until you’ve used all the batter. If you need to keep them warm you can place them in a low oven until the others are ready. Serve with maple syrup or raspberry compote with plenty of fruit and extra butter if you like.

2 tbsp melted butter

february

HALF TERM

10 Rainy Day FREE

Kids Activites ‘Mummy, I’m bored!’ Sound familiar?

Keeping the kids busy and yourself sane on wet days or during the holidays can be tough. Entertaining small children without resorting to screen time or spending money on expensive activities leaves many parents tearing their hair out. Here are just a few rainy day suggestions to try.

Build a Den

We all love den, right? A great way to waste an hour or two. If you haven’t built a den for a long time, WHY EVER NOT? PHOTO BY HON KIM/STOCKSNAP.IO

Artistic Flair

Gather up some old clothes or magazines, dried pasta, sticks and leaves, bits and pieces, anything you like. A bit of PVA and some glitter if you have it (and can handle the sparkle), and see what the kids create.

Gloopy Goo

Use some cornflower and get the kids to add a little water. If you have food colouring you can add a drop or two. This simple activity can keep kids busy for longer than you think. Be warned, it gets a little messy but is easily cleaned up when dry.

Have a Themed Day

Mermaids, Pirates, Aliens, Romans, fairy folk? Or pick a country and have a fun day around that. Invite the kids to suggest a theme or try throwing some ideas in a hat and pick one. Create your own character and try and remain in the role all day whatever you do. Dress up, decorate the house, play games, cook food, do some internet research and listen to music that your character would enjoy. Even big kids love seeing their parents be silly. It’s a fun way to waste the day and the kids may even learn a thing or two.

about Sarah

Brighton blogger Sarah is an eco-mumma of two who writes at afieldsomewhere.com. Her family spend as much time as possible going on adventures in their campervan and discovering amazing new places to explore.

a field somewhere if only life were that simple

HALF TERM

Give Nature a Home

No matter how big or small an outside space, everyone can make a difference and create a home for nature. Even if you don’t have a garden you can create something to take to the park or a local communal area. The RSPB website has all kinds of ideas like simple bug home from a stack of twigs.

PHOTO BY AARON BURDEN/STOCKSNAP.IO

Go ‘Camping’

OK, it’s pouring with rain and force 10 winds outside, but if you have a small tent and can make a little space then indoor camping for the night is great fun. Turn off the TV, snuggle up and tell some spooky ghost stories with hot chocolate and midnight feasts.

Museum Madness

Although not everyone lives near a museum, there are hundreds across the country that welcome visitors and most are free. If your children haven’t visited your local museum you might be surprised how much they enjoy it. During the holidays, many offer kids workshops and treasure hunts. Google your nearest museum for info.

Snail Races

Toy Hacking

A good way to get them to clear out the toy box. Gather up any broken or torn toys and add in the odd cardboard box, tube or any other bits of packaging or rubbish you can find. Use some strong glue and a needle and thread and let their imagination go wild. Create your own toy monster characters and make up stories about them.

Mud Pies

Mud, mud glorious mud. Find a bucket full and get stuck in! Old clothes and a bit of freedom are essential. When it’s cold a wet outside be brave. Cover everything and bring it in. It’s only MUD after all.

PHOTO BY SKITTER PHOTO/STOCKSNAP.IO

It’s raining outside? Perfect! Pop your coat on and go hunting. Every child will enjoy finding a favourite snail. Give him a name and work out your course. It’s easy to make a race track from a piece of paper of card, or even the side of the bath makes an easily cleaned circuit. Remember, snails are living creatures so must be handled with care. Teach your kids to respect them and make sure you return them to where you found them after the race. Once you’ve said goodbye you can ask the kids to draw a picture, make up a story or create a little book about their snail.

YOUR WE N A L P O DD T W ING O H Planning your wedding is an exciting time, as your wedding day is unlike anything else you’ll experience. This handy timeline will help you to make your dream day become a reality.

Budget Start saving, and discuss the budget and who will pay for what. Be realistic about what you can afford as this will prevent you from getting carried away and spending too much. See what’s out there Decide on possible dates, visit a few possible venues and check availability. Visit some local wedding fayres and start reading wedding magazines for ideas and inspiration.

12-18

Coming together Having done your research, book your ceremony and reception venue as early as possible, plus the registrar or vicar. Knowing the capacity you have to work with in both venues, draw up your guest list and send out the save the date cards.

Book your team You may wish to hire a wedding planner to take the stress out of everything as well as a photographer, wedding cars, entertainment and a florist, who should also help with decorations. The food If you’d like to have a caterer, now would be the time to sample their menus. Also go to cake tastings and have a think about what type of cake you would like, taking the size of the guestlist into consideration.

If you’d like a professional hairdresser & make up artist, book these now.

TO GO...

The party and their outfits Choose the Bridesmaids, Best Man, Groomsmen and Ushers & Flower Girls if you’d like them. Start looking at wedding dresses and accessories, suits and bridemaids’ dresses. Choose an album you like and start filling it with all of your ideas. Things like photos of potential dresses and hair ideas as well as the stationary you’ll use for the invitations. This will give you a taster of the wedding planning process when you look back on it for years to come.

6-12

Finalise Give notice to your local registry office of your upcoming nuptials and buy your marriage licence. If you’re having a church wedding, attend the reading of the banns.

MONTHS

3-6

MONTHS

TO GO... Scrapbook it Choose your dress as early as you can to ensure you have enough time to make any changes if things don’t go to plan. You should also order your cake in advance, especially if you’re getting married in peak wedding season (June-September).

MONTHS

TO GO...

The guests Send out your invitations and book any accommodation needed for you and your partner and the guests. Plan your wedding gift list and send this out to all attendees.

Celebrate Take a break from all the planning stress and let your hair down to have your hen and stag parties! This will be where everything starts to feel real.

1-2

Favours and fittings Choose and buy your wedding rings and favours. Have a dress fitting with your chosen lingerie and shoes on. The vows If you’re writing your own, start planning these now and get lots of practice in reading them out loud.

MONTHS

TO GO... Cue the music Choose the music you’ll walk down the aisle to and play during the ceremony, the readings and order of service.

The gifts They’ve been a huge help throughout your planning process so you may wish to thank your wedding party with gifts.

The food Give the caterer the RSVP head count and organise the seating plan and final menu choices.

One week to go

Final run through Hold a rehearsal with the Bridal party so that everyone knows where they play a part. They can practice walking down the aisle, standing where they need to be once they have got there and all of the timings. Getting ready Practice walking in your shoes so that they feel comfortable on the day. If you don’t normally wear heels and have bought some for the day, get lots of practice so you feel confident walking down the aisle. Pick up your dress and keep it somewhere safe where it won’t get creased. Rest assured For peace of mind, confirm everything with the wedding vendors and your honeymoon arrangements. Finalise the delivery of the cake and flowers and appoint someone on the groom’s side to organise dressing the room.

Relax Treat yourself to a massage and facial and try to just unwind. Don’t panic nerves are a good thing and everything will run smoothly. Do your last minute beauty preparations including your nails and a spray tan. Give yourself a day off from wearing makeup to ensure your skin looks its best.

The day before

Prepare Organise the day from start to finish so you have a good idea of timings and where you need to be by when. Factor in how long it will take you to get ready and try to account for delays and traffic on the way to the venue. This should keep you from getting too stressed out on the day.

Discover

Sussex

Sussex is the home of more than one and a half million people and has a rich history that dates back centuries. We thought we’d delve into a bit more of why Sussex is such a popular location for tourists and locals alike. It has an incredible stretch of beautiful South Downs which make it a walker’s dream reaching from

Portsmouth wide across Sussex and down to Eastbourne cliffs. Whilst Brighton’s busy city life combined with the stunning coast makes it the cultural hub that has it all with countryside just up the road. Sussex is host to a number of popular films including The Snowman as well as Quadrophenia and Brighton Rock.

Sussex holds a wide array of events and festivals throughout the year that showcase local arts, food and music from around the county. In 2011, Brighton was the most populous seaside town with 273,400 inhabitants. Many tourists are drawn to the city from around the world due to its reputation of being

multicultural and open minded. Eastbourne is home of Beachy Head, the highest sea chalk cliff in Britain and has evidence of human occupation from as early as the stone age. While Hastings has accumulated enough history to fill a library of books over the years, including the famous battle of 1066.

{

sussex specialities

SUSSEX DAY is held on 16th June every year.

DUKE OF YORK cinema is one of the oldest in the UK, open since 1910.

HOME OF English sparkling wine with over 70 vineyards across Sussex

1.6 MILLION approximate number of people living in Sussex

260 SQ MILES the size of the picturesque South Downs.

{

BANOFFEE PIE was invented in 1974 in Jevington, Eastbourne.

Gingerbread

Sussex Pudding

has it’s own 200 year old

includes a whole lemon

recipe to include treacle

encased by suet pastry

which derived from

with caramelised sauce

Horsham, West Sussex.

to create a ‘pond’.

Slipcote Cheese

Southdown Lamb

a soft spreading cheese

bred for 200 years on

made from sheep’s milk

the local hills. The taste

in Haywards Heath at

is down to the amount

High Weald Dairy.

of tiny snails consumed.

51A SOUTH STREET CHICHESTER PO19 1DS 01243 696625 www.hutsonandgrey.co.uk

HUTSON AND GREY UPCYCLE TIPS

Painted Multi-Drawer Unit with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™

with

When we picked up this little drawer unit it was bare wood. It looked fine as it was but we wanted to liven it up a little while still letting the rustic charms of the natural wood show through. We decided to paint it using ‘Old White’ Chalk Paint™, decorative paint by Annie Sloan. ‘Old White’ is one of three whites in the range and has just a slight hint of grey in it, so wouldn’t look too stark on this rustic piece. We wanted the piece to look quite aged so we decided a limed effect would be just right because there was a lovely open grain to the wood which is needed for this technique. Liming is where the paint is retained within the natural grain of the wood, wiping away any excess paint from the surface thus letting the natural wood show through. We started by applying a thin, slightly watered down coat of paint. While this was still wet we used a soft, absorbent cloth to go back over the surface pushing the paint into the grain of the wood and wiping off the excess. We kept turning our cloth to reveal a clean area and changed to a fresh piece whenever necessary. We find it best to work one surface at a time when using this technique – otherwise we find that the paint may have dried too much in some areas to be removed properly.

Once we had painted the whole piece and removed a satisfactory amount of excess paint we left the whole thing to dry. This doesn’t take long at all, especially with such a thin coat. For us this piece was fully dry in around one hour. If you wanted to you could at this point add more paint and repeat the previous process, but we were happy with how the piece looked. When the paint was completely dry it was then time to wax. For this we used Annie Sloan’s Soft Clear Wax. This will absorb into the paint to seal and protect it. We used one of Annie Sloan’s waxing brushes to apply the wax which helps the wax to glide easily across the surface and into all the crevices. Less is more when it comes to the wax, as long as all areas are covered, then you have applied enough. Once the wax has been applied we then needed to remove the excess. This is done by wiping across the surface with a lint free cloth until the surface feels smooth and non-tacky. Be careful not to rub too hard at the surface immediately after waxing as this can remove too much wax – making the surface vulnerable to damage. The wax can take up to a few weeks to completely cure but you can start using the piece straight away with care. After this time you can ‘buff’ the finish to a shine if desired, however we didn’t feel a shiny surface would suit the rustic features of this piece, so left it matte.

Meg and Julie

secondhand

Tv Cabinet White TV cabinet with 2 drawers and 2 additional adjustable shelves. Has children head protectors on top corners. £20 and I will deliver to you locally in Haywards Heath/Lindfield or £15 if you want to collect.

1950s Retro Dressing Table Lovely solid beech and oak 1950s dressing table. It has been painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paints and waxed to protect it. W 121 - D 48 - H 80 CM

Cathryn, Haywards Heath 07043 527823

Drab to Fab, Eastbourne 07947 851201

£20

Corner Sofa Barely used corner sofa. Still has that new furniture smell. Sold as seen - make me an offer! Longest side 2.70m shorter side 1.90 and seat depth 1m Natalie, Newhaven 07921724078

£750

£149

Large Rustic Coffee Table Very large coffee table made from reclaimed pine and oak. Recycled from old joists etc, this piece is full of character and history..... Originally from Mexico! 120 W x 100 D x 44 H cm Michael, Brighton www.friday-ad.co.uk/14946840

£39

saviours

Pair of Solid Pine Bedside Cupboards Painted in soft stone colour chalk paint. H: 52cm, W: 52cm, D: 42cm

Fennel and Plum, Ticehurst 07043 532006

£42

big bundle

Double wardrobe, six-drawer chest, two bedside cabinets and two single headboards. Excellent condition. Available as a set or individually at the prices listed. From a petfree, smoke-free home. One very careful owner. Downsize forces sale. Buyer collects from Eastbourne. More items available. Please call for further information.

Chest of Drawers Hand painted by RGFs Restoration Measures H71cm, W76cm, D46cm

Recycled Goods Factory, Lancing 01903 866181

£360

£145

Double wardrobe with useful bottom drawer, £120 (W103cm, H192cm, D53cm) Six-drawer chest, £120 (W135cm, H90cm, D51cm) 2 bedside cabinets, £80 (or £40 each) (W56cm, H59cm, D46cm) 2 single headboards, £40 (or £20 each) (W96cm, H107cm)

Call 07044316949

Four ways to

make mum’s day No matter how often we see our parents, we don’t always appreciate them as much as we should. It’s important to use Mother’s Day as an opportunity for making our Mums feel special and treat them to a lovely day, whatever that might involve. If you think that you’d like to make your Mum’s day but aren’t sure how to do it, here are a few ideas.

PHOTOS BY STOCKSNAP.IO

Breakfast in Bed Whether you live with your Mum or not, treating her by making the breakfast is a small gesture that can mean an awful lot, especially if she’s normally the one waiting on everyone else. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, a cooked breakfast is always a winner, try a fry up with all the trimmings. If you’d prefer to get the little ones involved have a go at whipping up some pancakes and stock up on a selection of fruits and jams to accompany them.

Homemade card Ever since you were a child, she’s probably been collecting and saving your artwork. Whether your artistic skills have improved over the years or not, I’m sure she’d appreciate receiving something you’ve designed and decorated yourself. Either raid the kid’s crafts drawer or starting printing old pictures to stick down onto some card and then top your masterpiece off with a thoughtful message or memory.

Bake something tasty Spend some time on Saturday cooking up a storm in the kitchen and show off what a baking expert you’ve turned out to be. Choose one of the thousands of cake recipes available online and dig out the baking equipment from the back of the cupboard. It will only take you a couple of hours and then not only do you make sure you don’t turn up empty handed, you also get to tuck into the tasty treats yourself.

A good old fashioned favour There’s nothing quite like offering someone a helping hand. It could be anything from hanging out a load of washing, walking the dog or just making her a brew. They say it’s the thought that counts and that’s definitely true when it comes to your Mum. A kind gesture like this will go a long way in showing her how much you appreciate all that she does for you.

family friendly festivals in sussex

KIPPERKLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Elderflower Fields – 27-30 May - Pippingford Park, Nutley A magical weekend of wild adventure, discovery and inspiration designed especially for families with children in mind. Camping with nature and great local food & drink, all set in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside. With the focus on trying new things, the event offers so many activities for children to experience, and on Sunday provides a communal taster picnic for all guests. Kids can book a sports or arts camp while adults relax in the woodland spa, enjoy some local food and drink, or discover the eclectic range of music, performance and DJ’s. Celebrating its 5th birthday this year, it’s easy to see why many families return to Elderflower Fields. An exciting and unique family experience that opens minds to new opportunities in sport, music, food, art and the great outdoors. At just a few thousand people, Elderflower Fields is the perfect environment for kids and grown-ups to fully escape for the weekend. Chilled in a Field – 29-31 July - The Hop Farm, Tonbridge Grown from the ‘90’s London party scene, Chilled in a Field is a lovely small, independent festival for grown up ex-ravers and their kids. Moving to its new home of The Hop Farm on the Kent / Sussex border this year, the weekend offers dance music from some of the UK’s top independent labels. Activities for children and adults all day with bands, musicians, artists, science, theatre and performances, DJ’s and dancing well in to the night. A real ale festival bar, local beer and dozens of ciders, bubbles and cocktails compliment a range of delicious street food. Chilled in a Field is a friendly weekend of family fun and tickets are kept to under 1000 so it’s very manageable with little ones. Forgotten Fields – 5-7 August - Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells Forgotten Fields is an intimate festival set at the beautiful Eridge Deer Park in Sussex. A great party atmosphere, incredible music and good food and drink. Very much a music festival, there are several stages including the Gypsy Disco Presents stage which takes families late in to the night with interactive theatre, music and burlesque and circus performers. The inaugural Forgotten Fields show cased new talent plus some undiscovered future stars. Plenty of festival favourites as well as a Late Night Cinema, a host of world beating cuisine and the Kendal Calling Real Ale Festival. There are also glamping options from bell tents, pod pads, octopads and bunk pads sleeping up to 6.

BACKGROUND BY FREEPIK.COM

Englands Medieval Festival - 27-29 August Herstmonceaux Castle Step back in time and immerse your family in the spectacular magic of the past. England’s Medieval Festival is the most authentic, one-of-a-kind event with a very special blend of history and fun for the whole family. The largest event of its kind in the UK, from the moment you arrive you are surrounded by the sights, smells and excitement of medieval times. Realistic historical re-enactments, battles, performers, horses, archery, music, traditional crafts, eating, drinking, shopping and day to day life of the past. Herstmonceaux Castle is a fairy tale setting with for a totally different family weekend. Wizards, jesters, knights, dragons and princesses await the kids. Guests can enjoy medieval glamping, regular camping, or even a real bed in the onsite B&B.

Words by Sarah Ryman Sussex mum and festival veteran www.afieldsomewhere.com

Enjoy your summer kids! Sarah

PHOTO BY ALISA ANTON/STOCKSNAP.IO

The days of the wicker basket are well and truly over. Over the last few years, we have fallen more and more in love with crates. In our houses we use them for storage in the kitchen, living room, anywhere and now we’re adding them to our bikes. It’s not as tricky to master as you might think. Simply hop onto www.friday-ad.co.uk and find a beautiful bike in your local area (and you can even sell your old one). Then just search around for the perfect vintage crate, big enough to keep your bag in but small enough to attach to the

bike itself. If you want to upcycle your crate you could try painting it, sanding it or varnishing it depending on what finish you’d like. The last step is just to buy some metal hooks from a DIY shop and screw them onto the crate. Then you can hook and unhook your crate onto your handlebars as often as you like. Now you have the perfect vintage bike for the summer, with enough storage for a towel and suncream so you can cycle back and forth to the beach throughout all the warmer months.

Try it yourself with Completely Renovated Raleigh (c.1970s) Worthing £345 01903 232884

Original Schweppes Wooden Crate Horsham £12 07800 836033

Tips for getting more organised Now that March is underway, the days are getting longer and the temperature is slowly rising. Spring is approaching and it’s only natural to feel like dusting off the cobwebs and starting again. Spring cleaning comes naturally to some people, who flourish in the idea of having a sort out when it gets to this time of year. You may feel that you know how you want to feel by the end of it but you’re unsure what steps to take to help you get there. Here are a few easy steps you can take to organising your life a bit more and clearing out the clutter you might have gathered over the winter.

will soon start to build up and you’ll find that some of it will have fallen down the back, forgotten about. If your wardrobe is particularly untidy, it may be easier to take everything out and organise it as you put things back in. Try to be as strict as possible and follow the rule ‘if you haven’t worn it in two years, get rid’. The charity shop will probably appreciate it a lot more than you so do the right thing and donate the clothes you no longer wear. Then when it does eventually get warmer, all of the jumpers taking up much needed room can go into vacuum-packed storage bags.

The best practice to get into at the start of summer and winter is to sort out your wardrobe. The accumulation of clothes over the past two seasons

When it comes to your workspace, it can very quickly feel like everything’s getting on top of you. If you have sheets of paper piling up, you might

start to feel unnecessarily stressed which can be damaging to your health. Make yourself a cup of tea and start working through all the loose sheets on your desk. Anything you don’t need anymore can be recycled, anything you need but not everyday can be put in an intray and the documents you need all the time pop in your drawer. You’ll be amazed how much bigger your workspace will seem once you have room to work on it. The kitchen is another place that can build up with clutter over time. Juicers, toastie makers, blenders, baking equipment, is all very good at the time you need them but how often is that? If you don’t use something in your kitchen at least once a year it might be worth selling

it on Friday-Ad and using the cash for something else. Once you have a bit more space start on the food. It’s easy to let time slip by and cans can pile up in the cupboard with all the tins at the back going out of date. No matter how often you clear them out it always seems to be that you’ll find something with a use-by date of 2009. Remove everything from the cupboards and give them a good disinfecting to prevent mould build up then replace the ones still in date nice and neatly. These few small changes might seem obvious but it can be hard to give yourself the push to get them done. Chance are you’ll get everything done in one weekend and you might even make some extra cash, guaranteed to make you much better afterwards.