The Watford Flea Magazine Issue 302

Watford

FREE MAGAZINE

Image copyright Roger Plummeridge, Secret View Photography

Volume 3 Issue 2

FLEA

M A G A Z IN E S

2002 - 201 2 Se rv in g lo ca co m m un it ie l s fo r 10 ye ar s

For local information, event listings and the best Watford businesses at your fingertips.

online

www.watford.theflea.co.uk Follow us:

@TheWatfordFlea

fleamagazine

MORE TO READ ONLINE!!

Extended editorials from this edition of The Flea

S PLU

REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS

HOROSCOPE Mayan predictions were wrong!

THEATRE REVIEWS from the Watford Palace Theatre AND The Colosseum.

Invicta

AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

and interview with Joe Payne.

n n n

The new album by The Enid. Review by Joe McKenzie

Spin Doctors

What’s on

Music, Theatre, Art, Clubs and Organisations.

Flea had the great fortune to speak with Aaron Comess, drummer and original member of New York funk rockers.

Need more internet exposure?

Get your business known online with

5 local websites!

Great promotion AND amazing value!

FREE search-optimised internet Business Listing plus at least 3 inward web links with every printed advertisment!

SPECIAL OFFER!! Superflea business listing ONLY £95 for 6 months!

Includes: graphic banner, fleapage with up to five images, unlimited text and an un-restricted number of web links to your site! Free business listing upgraded to clickable link direct to fleapage and event listings!!

So much more than just a magazine The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the views of flea ltd and therefore we do not accept liability.

The Watford Flea Magazine is published by flea ltd Watford Printers Building 58 Vicarage Road Watford WD18 0EW

ADVERTISING Email: watford@theflea.co.uk Phone:

01923 731161

EDITORS WANTED

Enquire without obligation Email: ed@fleauk.com Phone: 01923 731160

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Winter...

WIN a pair of tickets to

Images of winter in Watford (also Front Cover), Jan 2012.

Copyright: Roger Plummeridge, Secret View Photography. rogerplum@hotmail.co.uk

4 POOFS & A PIANO just email watford@theflea.co.uk with ‘tickets for Welwyn’ in the subject box. 3 pairs to give away!

The sparkling 4 Poofs & A Piano captured the hearts of BBC viewers during the 9 years they were the house band on the Jonathan Ross Show.

They are now back with a new line up and a piano twinkling extravaganza of a tour.

Camp, high octane and naughty but fun entertainment with original comedy songs, musical parodies, pop standards, dance, physical comedy and light-hearted banter, this new line-up of the fab four will have you in stitches.

See them at The Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City on 15th February.

Watford’s premier independent business forum

The Weekly Business @

People buy from people

Watford Indoor Bowls Club rear of Woodside Leisure, Horseshoe Lane, Watford WD25 7HH Charlie Kenny 07804 038570

Matthew Bashford-Hayes 07789 620825

www.theweeklybusiness.co.uk

info@theweeklybusiness.co.uk

Freephone 0800 8565686

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.”

Robert Kiyosaki

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Watford Music Scene Last month I took you on a whistle stop tour of some of the finest bands in the area - hope you took a little time out to visit some of their websites. As I indicated, there’s such a range of musical styles out there, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something to suit your particular tastes.

Happily, those days are long gone. Today, most or all the choices, however, almost all the children who express an interest in playing musicians hereabouts (indeed, anywhere!) pretty much any instrument can access courses began with the same impulse - that is, to pick locally, whether through their school, or via up a guitar and jump around a bit, having music stores, or by way of the classifieds. caused irreparable damage to tennis racquets everywhere.

Watford has a good range of choices available for

F

I was given my first guitar at 6, when The Beatles and The Stones were horrifying everyone over 30 with their wild untameable hair and indecipherable lyrics (even as the rest of the planet was electrified). Sadly, facilities for tuition were beyond limited and I didn’t progress very far...good thing I could sing! Schools and guitars were mutually exclusive back then, electric guitars being regarded with the same kind of suspicion as a gateway drug, and I didn’t much fancy the violin, for some reason.

JKDT

Drum Tuition

For the young and the not so young, novice or experienced

Whether you want to learn from scratch or need to brush up on your skills; I have a formal education through Tech Music schools and more than ten years experience in a live performance and recording environment.

I can help you reach the level of proficiency you wish to achieve.

Lessons are held on a one-to-one basis in a purpose built studio based in central Watford, and hourly costs are very reasonable*

For bookings: Jack Kenny

www.facebook.com/jackkennydrumtuition

07896 439088 * paid in advance, discounts for block bookings.

your budding Brian May or Rat Scabies, Amongst the local studios who offer tuition facilities perhaps the best known is Sanctuary, who can arrange lessons across a range of instruments and who have won awards for the excellence of their services from the “Rockschool” examinations board, which is extensive and fully accredited.

Hooters music stores, on Queens Rd and along St. Albans Rd are another source of excellent teaching, their schooling facilities having been established for some ten years now, with many local musicians of considerable ability and expertise on hand to supply first class coaching.

Finally (for the purposes of this article, at least), there is The Sound Cube, who offer a wide range of facilities and opportunities, many of which are aimed specifically at the 5 - 12 age range, and are well worth your consideration.

Ultimately, learning an instrument is a wonderful thing to do whatever your age, but for children who are keen - and so many are - it’s an ability which will never cease to enhance the rest of their lives, whether they take it up professionally or merely choose to play for their own pleasure.

Sanctuary Studios 01923 288177 Hooters 01923 248491 The Sound Cube 01923 222654

It goes without saying that there are more facilities available than can be covered in this short article - if you run such courses, feel free to post your details to the FLEA website - always appreciated. And - of course - you can Google all of the above.

Next month, we’ll have a look at some of the excellent open mic nights in the area - now that you’ve learned a few licks, it’s time to go play them!

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Chocolate Brownie in a Mug! All you need for this chocolate treat are the following ingredients, a mug and a microwave.

Ingredients • ¼ Cup of sugar • ¼ Cup of flour • 2 tbsp of cocoa • Pinch of salt • 2 tbsp cooking oil • 3 tbsp water

Method • Add all dry ingredients into the mug • Add water and oil to the mug • Mix until a consistent sludge is achieved • Put in microwave for 1 minute 40 seconds to 2 minutes • Remove from microwave (Careful, its hot!) • Add ice cream (optional) • Enjoy!

20 years After about I’m finally of marriage, ratch the sc to ng starti t women ha w surface of in th k the want. And I somewhere s lie answer ersation nv between co e. at ol oc ch and Mel Gibson

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Austerity Measures with Troddy

C

alling all dinosaurs! Where are you? Ah! There you are, in the depths of winter, yet lying comfortably ensconced on a lounger in the cosy warmth of a Watford conservatory.

And what’s this? Perusing a newspaper whilst munching a toasted crumpet, little golden butter droplets plopping onto the printed page. Well congratulations on being a degenerate and indulging in the pleasantly anachronistic pastime of reading a newspaper.

Not paying for that paper I hope. This must surely be a golden age for devoted readers, since so many newspapers are totally free these days. Forget the Mirror or the Sun, a worthy equivalent is the Metro. Full of interesting little tidbits, the paper is available free of charge every weekday morning from the foyers of Watford’s principal stations.

Next in line, and at least as good as the Daily Mail, is the excellent London Evening Standard. Freebie does not necessarily equate with poor quality and this is amply proved by much first class journalism published in this on-the-button paper. The London Evening Standard is, moreover, of venerable pedigree, being first published in 1827. So…it’s not any ol’ freebie, it’s been around for 185 years and merits respect. Currently, it is Russian owned, a 76% stake having been acquired by the Lebedevs for a mere £1. No matter, they have shrewdly saved it from extinction and done us all a big favour.

However, the Standard is slightly trickier to obtain because distribution does not extend to the Watford area. But, call in at any Watford station after about 4.30pm and, in short time, you’ll see a discarded copy thrown by a nonchalant traveller.

Better still, ask your commuting, friendly neighbour to bring a virginal copy home for you. He or she can poke it through your letter box everyday on the way back to their abode. Free delivery as well!

The Thursday edition is best because it’s the eximious Brian Sewell’s day. His art criticism is incisive and frequently funny and a must for art aficionados. Incidentally, this

latest collection of essays is offered

by Waterstones at an attractive discounted price.

Of course, if you want to read it, or indeed any book, there’s no need to buy it. Ask Watford library to get a copy: read for free!

Finally, here’s another freebie. That wonderful weekly Time Out cost £3.25 until a few weeks ago. It’s now totally free and available at London stations and venues on Tuesdays.

Alternatively, you can subscribe by direct debit to receive the magazine through the post for around 50p per week. Happy reading!

How do you ? ? re-cycle your newspaper?

HOW environmentally friendly is it to leave your newspaper on a train? Unless your paper is lucky enough to be picked up by Troddy or another likeminded re-user, it will only end up in a landfill. Rubbish left on train carriages is NOT re-cycled.

Ideas for re-using newspapers in your home: n Excellent for cleaning windows and mirrors; use vinegar and water for a superb finish! n For scrubbing stainless steel sinks, the ink is an excellent abrasive without leaving scratches! n Press newspapers into logs for the fire or pots for seedlings, or shred them and use to “bulk out” heavy soil or compost.

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What is there not to film?

W

hy would you spend hundreds, or even thousands on a party or event and not record it, or worse still, try and record it yourself? Why risk uncle Charlie doing the video - you KNOW there will be at least half an hour footage of the floor and you won’t be able to hear anything that’s being said.

Who made the video of the Children’s Christmas show this year? Was it any good? Jordan’s dad might have a smart new camera but does he know how to use it properly? And, by the way, did you know you need a mountain of permissions and CRB checks to record the kids nativity?

Have a look at their website for examples of what is possible.

All their staff are Enhanced CRB checked to work with children and vulnerable adults.

J3 Media productions put “Your Memories in Motion” - no event too big or small so give them a call on 07773 902231.

Institute of Videography (IOV) & Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) members.

Have you got a short film about your product that can be posted on you-tube or facebook?

Why not? It’s a brilliant marketing technique.

J3 Media Productions use the very latest digital camera and editing products and have experience and imagination, creating fresh, unique and vibrant films for broadcast, corporate communications, TV commercials, music promos, product launches and brand videos...as well as weddings, parties and shows.

Westminster lodge See www.watford.theflea.co.uk for full report by Joe McKenzie.

Building of the new facilities at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans started on the 21st March 2011 and its completion was celebrated with a wonderful open day. The day was filled with activities for children using the new equipment with expert tuition from Olympic medal winners including Max Whitlock, winner of an individual bronze medal in the pommel event and bronze team medal.

The facilities include 3 swimming pools catering for all abilities, climbing walls, an adult’s gym and a children’s gym, a crèche for the youngsters, a Spa and a totally new sports hall.

There is something there for any and everyone.

For opening times visit: www.everyoneactive.com/westminsterlodge Tel: 01727 736080 Email: westminsterinfo@everyoneactive.com

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DIY or ask a professional?

A man went into a hardware shop to buy a chainsaw. The shopkeeper sold him one that was guaranteed to fell even the largest tree in under a minute. The man took it home but came back the next day to complain.

‘A minute, you told me!’ he said. ‘I started cutting down a tree yesterday lunchtime and by six in the evening, I’d only managed to get halfway through the trunk.’

The shopkeeper apologised. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.

‘Perhaps the engine’s air-to-fuel ratio is out of adjustment. I’ll just check.’ With that, he pulled the starter cord and the chainsaw roared into life.

‘Crikey!’ exclaimed the startled man. ‘What’s that noise!?

The Complete Property Service

The best prices for the best products, with our attention to detail guarantees the best possible finish to your dream bathroom or kitchen.

Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting Specialists n

Painting Decorating Carpentry Plumbing n

n

n

01923 662183 07968 054915 kginsideout@aol.com

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How to change your oil...

Men:

Keeping your wheels in motion Winter is most definitely upon us as is winter driving. Making sure your car is able to keep its “wheels in motion” is very important, especially at this time of year.

There are a number of things you can do to make sure you are not left stranded on the side of the road in the freezing temperatures: 1) Antifreeze is a very important part of the car’s maintenance and winter protection, so it should be checked. At Automaster GB we have the specialist equipment to do so. If the engine coolant is allowed to freeze it could crack the engine block or radiator!

2) The windscreen washer with its antifreeze additives should be checked and topped up. You should also check your wiper blades (front and back) and replace them if they are worn; at Automaster GB we keep a full range in stock.

3) Cold starts can put extra strain on a car’s battery, as does the increased use of the headlights. If your car is reluctant to start in the mornings, you might need us to check or replace your battery. Checking for and cleaning the grime from the terminals on the battery is advised.

Covering the terminals in grease to avoid charge Pick up & leakage and corrosion is also a good idea. delivery

FREE

4) Winter driving means that you will experience less grip from the tyres at some point, giving you the shock of your life when you start to slip on the road. Checking your tyres for wear and check the depth of the treads. The law requires a tread depth of 1.6mm – try doubling it to 3.2mm to be as safe as you can. Don’t forget to check your spare!

10 mile radius

5) If you have it, you should have your air-conditioning on for about an hour a week. This helps the lubrication of moving parts and helps stop the build up of corrosive things that could damage the system. At this time of year it will help to demist your windscreen!

Automaster GB, Unit P2, Penfold Trading Estate, Imperial Way, Watford, WD24 4YY T: 01923 220863 M: 07876 031959 www.automastergb.com

1. Go to Halfords and buy oil, filter, saw dust and scented tree.

2. Go home, park the car in a flat place.

3. Look for a container flat enough to fit under the car and eventually ‘borrow’ the washing up bowl from the kitchen.

4. Place the washing up bowl under the engine.

5. Look for 13mm ring spanner.

6. Give up and use mole grip.

7. Run the engine just for a few minutes to heat up the oil for better flow.

8. Unscrew drain plug.

9. Drop drain plug in bowl of hot oil; get hot oil on you in process.

10. Clean up.

11. Look for oil filter wrench.

12.Give up; poke oil filter with Phillips screwdriver and twist it off.

13. Drag bowl full of old oil out from underneath car.

14. Throw saw dust on oil spilled during step 9.

15. Install new oil filter.

16. Pour first 5 litres of fresh oil into engine.

17. Remember drain plug from step 9.

18. Hurry to find drain plug in washing up bowl.

19. Hurry to replace drain plug before 5 litres of fresh oil drains onto floor.

20. Find somewhere to hide washing up bowl full of old oil.

Women:

1. Pull into a garage when the mileage reaches 3000 since the last oil change.

2. Drink a cup of coffee.

3. 15 minutes later, write a cheque and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.

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My head wants to explode....

It is well-known that ‘stress’ accounts for many (70%) complaints taken to the GP surgery. When no disease is found, there is only reassurance, but the symptoms are still there. That’s where AT fits nicely.

Mary had sleep problems and ‘a feeling like my head wants to explode’. I suggested she learn AT for an effective change, rather than have counselling. She would learn, over a few weeks, how to reverse her stress response (fight-flight-freeze), and over time bring about changed body-mind reactions.

Mary’s sleep pattern improved very quickly. She really enjoyed her ‘hot hands’ (showing she was switching off her stress response during those few minutes doing AT). No drugs, no long-term talking. Just good quality self-help. She now simply ‘feels better’.

Without AT, Mary might now be suffering longerterm illness. Instead, she has learned her own ‘forever’ skills for well-being.

Jane Bird, SRN, DipAT (see below)

Autogenic Training

is brilliant short-term therapy for long-term well-being. Jane Bird has 30 years’ experience helping people help themselves.

It all starts with a phone call and a short chat...

www.autogenic-therapist.co.uk jane@autogenic-therapist.co.uk

01923 675501

Passive smoking... a bit of a rant by David Degen Much has been said about the dangers of smoking and the air we breathe, and since the ban on smoking in public places, a mild hysteria has been whipped up against anyone who deigns to infect our airspace over health fears.

All the while, no one pays a blind bit of notice to the chap on the road with the ‘super-fag’ sticking out of his car’s rear end, in the guise of an exhaust pipe...pumping out a noxious cocktail of exhaust gases.

Concerns have now been raised however, about diesel fumes in particular.

Back in June, the World Health Organisation reclassified diesel exhausts from ‘probable’ carcinogens to a group of substances that have definite links to cancer - the same as passive smoking.

Air pollution from vehicle emissions is responsible for 24,000 premature deaths

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Think of the word ‘diet’

HELPING YOU ACHIEVE THE CHANGES YOU WANT

www.thrivewatford.co.uk www.hypnotherapychange.com 07717 410 910

If your next thought is something like … “mmm, I do need to lose weight” or, “… but it all goes back on again. I wish I could maintain a healthy bodyweight easily”, then you might like to read on.

I will help you to see and understand the beliefs and habits that prevent you from achieving your goal. Then you can change them. When you’ve knocked down the mental barriers, it’s easy.

Maintaining a healthy bodyweight is about balancing the energy you take in with the energy you use. Diets have shown you how to manage your food intake. You know that when you move about more you use more energy. So why’s it not working?

If you want to maintain a healthy bodyweight easily, call me today for a free initial consultation.

Looking for help and advice you can trust on Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney?

Want an experienced, professionally qualified Adviser?

Don’t want to pay extra for a home visit?

Want fixed cost with no hidden extras?

Planet Wills ticks all the right boxes

PLANET Wills 01923 460011 www.planetwills.co.uk in the UK every year, many due to asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.

If cigarette smokers have been curbed, then the message to diesel puffers has been ”please pollute more” with tax breaks to give a helping hand.

No surprise then is the increasing number of diesel cars on the road.

The Low Emission Zone in the London area isn’t exactly what it seems but more of a token bid to be seen to be doing something. It just means polluters must pay a fee to enter the zone.

With no roadside spot checks evident, the one solitary emissions monitoring is once a year at the MOT test.

WHEN will people whip up their own mild hysteria about passive exhaust inhalation?

Tania Clarke Thrive Consultant and Hypnotherapist

Are you living with a timebomb?

We all know that making a Will is important but some are reluctant to pay for it. It is possible to ‘do it yourself’ and buy a pack or arrange something over the internet.

But some people choose a far more dangerous strategy – using an old Will and cobbling something together unaware of the potential problems for the future, a Will that is also a timebomb.

Making a Will is not just about ‘writing up a few bits of paper’ – it is probably the single biggest financial transaction that you are ever likely to make and using a professional will not only ensure that you have a valid legal document but will also give you the advice to ensure that it will work in the way you want it to.

So why would you risk saving a few pounds when your homemade Will could be a timebomb waiting to go off in the faces of the very people that you most care about?

For more information and advice, contact Shirley Batten-Smith of Planet Wills Ltd (See advert above left)

01923 460011

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Employment Law - Talk to the experts!

Let us at Moore Solicitors advise and represent you with your work related problems; whether you are being bullied, harassed, vicitimised or discriminated against or if you are facing redundancy or have been dismissed. We can advise on a new contract of employment or simplify terms that have been given to you.

We advise on Compromise Agreements and Exit Packages.

We provide initial telephone advice for FREE and can then work on a fixed fee or hourly rate or charge your legal expenses insurance; we do some cases on a No Win No Fee basis.

Call Harsha Moore today to talk through your work problems and see what solution is best for you.

VoIP - the future proof solution for business.

Now more than at any previous time businesses should consider switching to VoIP. Broadband is cheap and stable and is getting faster and faster.

A fixed line means you are tied to that location and if you move your number is lost and so is contact with your customers.

Using VoIP for your business will allow you to be virtually future-proof, can result in dramatic improvements in efficiency and may well cut costs. As an example using VoIP means we can supply network based call-recording so there is no extra equipment to buy and no need to upgrade your switchboard provided it is VoIP capable.

Interested in what the future holds? Call Jon

Solving work related problems

01923 238 427 or 07930 968 788 Meridien House, 69-71 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1DS harsha@mooresolicitors.co.uk

www.mooresolicitors.co.uk

NEW app - NEW music! facebook.com/InsurgentsUK

Pentel direct on 020 8827 0722 for a noobligation review of how VoIP can improve your business.

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Good business!

After leaving the Gym with the business card of the Franchise expert, our man got home; his head buzzing and mind going over his business expansion plans.

He called the number and the next morning met up with How2Franchise to discuss how Franchising works; both as a Franchisor and also as a Franchisee. Phil from How2 asked many questions about the current business and what the plans and vision were going forward, but after about 30 minutes smiled and responded “It’s obvious that you know your buisness and your market, you already have an excellent reputation that has been built up over many years, and that’s what you will be selling to entrepreneurs. It is a highly tempting and opportunistic proposition to anyone thinking of setting up a new business: And to enable them to hit the ground running with such an already proven business model, the potential for both you and the Franchisees you will attract and take on is pure gold!”

Six weeks later the Franchise Agreement was complete and ready, as was a very comprehensive Operations Manual and a Franchisee Information Pack. These documents detailed everything the Franchisee needs to do to set up a business, including a business plan, marketing and selling, all the way through to operating and running the brand. The Launch of the new Franchises starts from the end of January. Let’s see how the story develops.

Franchising can provide opportunities for people wanting to expand and grow their business, but the real opportunity is for all the ‘budding Dragons’ out there. The people who want to take ownership of their own destiny, but starting something from scratch in the current economic conditions is just too risky. So why not hit the ground running and buy into something; you can still be your own boss and steer your own course to success: Just leverage and copy a trusted formula someone else has tested out!

How2Franchise also market and sell Franchises on behalf of the organisations we work with. Why not get in touch and see if there is a business and opportunity out there just waiting for you! (Contact info see advert top right).

How2Franchise

The most competitively priced company in the business.

Supporting you EVERY step of the way.

We will help you prepare, market and sell your franchise Call Phil Francombe:

07957 422235 722846

or 01295

phil@how2franchise.co.uk how2franchise.co.uk

Bloxham Mill Business Centre, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, OX15 4FF

Serving the franchise industry for 20 years

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Gloword

Answers on our website:

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

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Brain teezer Five words that contain IF as a letter pair have had all of their other letters removed. Select letters from below to put back in their proper places. What are the words?

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parties weddings portraits

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Blue Orange Images Abbots Langley T 01923 350596 pix@blueorangeimages.co.uk www.blueorangeimages.co.uk

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Edna & John A wife & husband team – great photography every time

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