Newtownabbey
Christmas 2016
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Forward by Principal: Mrs K. A. Mulligan -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ballyclare Primary School is a thriving 520 pupil school in the centre of Ballyclare Town. The character and behaviour of the children is exemplary, showing a willingness and enthusiasm to learn. ETI Report (2015) commends the Outstanding Leadership. Pastoral Care, Additional Needs Support and the High Academic Standards with Creative Teaching and Learning Experiences in place for all pupils. Extended School Activities are given high priority with Breakfast Club, Sports, Music, ICT, STEM and Outdoor Learning available.
Doagh Road Ballyclare Co. Antrim BT39 9BG Web: www.ballyclareps.co.uk Tel: (028) 9332 2389
CONTENTS: 8. 18.
8. DEMENTIA Most of us will know someone with dementia and some of us will be in a position of supporting or even looking after someone with dementia. If that is you, there is support available in your local area.
18. YOUR HOME
Heat rises, and in a poorly insulated home, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof. Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective way to reduce heat loss.
30. FAMILY 44..
All set for Christmas? Have you made plans? Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Where will you spend Christmas Day? I imagine, like so many other folk we’ll probably do the same sort of thing we always do?
44. MOTORING
30.
The automotive sector is always finding ways to cram more innovation into the vehicles we drive. Here is a fun look at some far out technologies coming to cars everywhere in the future.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Hopefully you will notice something different about this issue of In-touch. Maybe you’ll just think there are lots of these funny looking codes all over the place when actually they are there for your enjoyment. It’s called Augmented Reality, which means that you not only read the pages of this magazine but you can also view ‘augmented content’ via our In-touch AR App on your mobile phone. First things first, you need to go to the App store or Google Play and search for In-touch AR and install the App onto your phone. Then as you enjoy reading this issue you can scan the
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codes placed on certain pages to enjoy the Augmented content. Just one thing, make sure you have a nice cup of coffee and you’re connected to wi-fi. So what will you see? Well, go and have a look but here’s an example to get you started. if a client is advertising a range of products like stoves, or carpets or even cars, they would usually be limited to the size of the printed page. Not anymore, they can include their full range in the augmented pages on the App. Other examples are where we can deliver video, music, images or additional text to augment a particular page.You as a reader then have the
power to share the great content you are reading with your friends and family. We as the publisher can send you notifications when new augmented content is available. So, we hope you enjoy this brilliant new way of reading In-touch and we would love to hear your experiences of it. Happy Christmas. Contact: Susan Gilchrist t: 028 9332 4511 e: susan@newtownabbeyintouch.com w: www.newtownabbeyintouch.com
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HEALTHY LIVING
Fitness Goals for Christmas The clocks have gone back, Halloween is over, and we now inevitably start to look towards the festive season. Unfortunately, with the dark nights, cold weather and seasonal sniffles - we can start to feel decidedly un-festive. Starting or maintaining a fitness plan will help to lift our spirits, raise our energy levels and boost our immunity over the winter months. Immunity During the next few months we are all at risk of picking up any variety of coughs, colds and illness. Regular exercise will help boost our body’s defence systems by improving our lymphatic and cardiovascular circulation. This benefit could be achieved by taking a daily 20-30 minute walk, ideally outside, but coming into the season of icy footpaths, this can be moved inside, and onto a treadmill or cross-trainer.
day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week’. This equates to about 20 minutes a day, and studies have shown that even as little as 10 minutes of regular aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, can dramatically improve the quality of our night time sleep, especially when done on a regular basis. What’s more, exercisers may reduce their risk of developing troublesome sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Where to start? Set some fitness goals – make these achievable and set a timeline for them – for example – by Christmas I’m going to be able to walk two miles every day. Ideally try to build some exercise into your daily schedule, even if it starts at just 5 or 10 minutes a day. Choose an activity that you enjoy as you are more likely to commit to it and benefit from it. If exercise is fun then you’ll go back for more. Group based activities can help strengthen your motivation, and provide a valuable social support - check out what classes are held in your local gym. If you know that your motivation is low - then consider working with a Personal Trainer. They will be able to provide you with an initial fitness assessment, assess your goals and provide the guidance, support and motivation to help you keep moving forward. What next.... Maybe you’ve already started making changes... you’ve been adding regular exercise to your day, but feel you’re not challenging yourself anymore - and want to change things up a bit. Why not consider adding some resistance training to your routine? There are so many benefits of resistance (or weights) training for both men and women, no matter what age you are.
Managing Stress We all know that exercise has a positive effect on our whole body - including our mind and our spirit! During exercise hormones are released. Stress hormones such as cortisol are decreased and ‘feel good’ chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers) are released, helping to naturally enhance your mood and reduce stress. While exercising, we can take a break from our usual schedule and the endless ‘to-do lists’, and focus on ourselves. This regular break away from daily worries can help strengthen our minds and build our resilience to stress in the long term. Improve sleep According to the National Sleep Foundation ‘People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the
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These include: • Improving your ability to perform everyday tasks - such as lifting your children, gardening, lifting groceries out of the car • Increasing your bone density - helping to counteract the natural ageing process of bone density loss • Increasing the strength of connective tissue, muscles, and tendons. This can decrease risks of injury, help with flexibility and balance leading to a decreased risk of falling • Weight training will improve your quality of life as you increase the weights you lift, your confidence will also increase. If this is coupled with a sensible, healthy diet - resistance training will also help you manage your weight as it increases your metabolism - adds lean muscle mass, and decreases harmful fat deposits • You can start off with a simple body weight programme, and as you build your strength and confidence you can add in some free weights or Kettlebells to your plan. Again, this can be a great time to start working with an qualified Personal Trainer to set you a progressive, challenging programme. By Martin Cummings, Re:Form Health & Performance
HEALTHY LIVING
Who Cares For People With Dementia? Most of us will know someone with dementia and some of us will be in a position of supporting or even looking after someone with dementia. This can be a family member or loved one or it may just be a neighbour who we look in on every now and again. The level of care we give can depend upon how much the dementia symptoms are affecting the individual person. Some people may just need a reminder to take tablets or throw out -of -date food away. Others may need help with more complex things like paying bills or arranging appointments. Those who need most care may need help with everything such as getting washed and dressed, meals, going to the toilet and making sure they are safe from potential household risks. Supporting someone with dementia can be rewarding but it can also impact upon other areas of the carer’s life and may even cause stress. Some carers may leave work or reduce work hours to look after someone, others may lose their social contacts by not being able to go out so often. A carer needs to look after themselves too, to make sure their own health does not suffer. If you are supporting someone with dementia there is support available from the Alzheimer’s Society in your area. A new, free training course is available which has been specially designed for anyone who is supporting someone with dementia. ‘Training for Informal Caregivers’ is open to everyone who has contact with a person with dementia. The course usually runs over 6 weeks for 2 hours per week but it can be adapted to suit a family or group. Intensive courses can be run over a shorter time with the same information provided. All training is provided by trained facilitators from the Alzheimer’s Society. The topics covered on the course are: 1. What is Dementia? – A chance to meet the other participants and share experiences. The key aspects of dementia and its impacts. 2. Legal and Financial Issues – Explores legal and financial issues to help you understand the importance of planning for the future for all of us.
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3. Learning to Manage – Insight into the impact of dementia and how to cope. How and where carers can seek support 4. Communication – Behaviour, ability and communication – understanding and awareness of the issues 5. Personal Care and Wellbeing – Considering the support needs of the person with dementia and how these needs might be met 6. Available Services – What help is available locally and how to access it Carers who have already attended have reported great benefits in attending. They get to meet other people and share experiences, get tips and ideas on how to deal with certain difficulties and generally feel like they are not on their own. By attending the course you can help yourself and the person you care for live well with dementia. Here are some of the comments they have made:
“I was provided with more information that I was not aware of” “These sessions were very helpful and informative” “Useful to learn from others. Provided with lots of contacts and leaflets that we could read in our own time” “I hope all the information I have received over the sessions will be beneficial to me for the future” Courses are running throughout the local area on an ongoing basis. There will be two courses running over November/December in Carrickfergus and Antrim. Other courses are planned for other locations such as Newtownabbey, Larne and Ballyclare. To put your name down for the next available course or to request one in your area please contact Denise Bermingham on 028 9336 2940 or email denise.bermingham@alzheimers.org.uk.
Do you provide unpaid care and support for a family member, neighbour or friend living with a dementia?
• do you care for a loved one, relative, friend or neighbour on an unpaid basis? • would you like to meet with other informal carers? • would you benefit from finding out more about dementia, coping mechanisms, legal/financial issues, basic communication skills?
• are you aware of all the dementia services available in your area? … … … well this FREE training is for you!
Training will be available for 2 hours sessions over a 6 week period or it can be tailored to suit your group or family – evenings, weekends, daytime. Groups are being held in local areas near you.
Interested? Please phone: Or E-mail
028 90 387480 to put your name down
NICaregiver.Training@alzheimers.org.uk
Glossary of Terms – Informal Caregivers, “Refers to those who provide unpaid care and support for a family member, neighbour or friend living with a dementia.”
HEALTHY LIVING
Healthy Eating and Drinking This Christmas Christmas is a time of festive cheer for most of us, and what often follows is indulgence and spoiling ourselves one way or another! Christmas dinner, Christmas parties and lots of temptations with sweets and alcohol lead us into temptation and we are in the mood to indulge rather than be sensible. Often, and maybe mostly, we regret afterwards eating or drinking so much and so our advice this Christmas season is by all means spoil yourself with a little bit of what you fancy, but try to make it a little bit and no more, and do your eating and drinking in moderation. It might also surprise you to know that several studies by the British nutrition foundation have consistently shown that Britons gain on average 5 lbs in weight (2kg) over the festive period.
With some simple changes to how you prepare the various elements of your Christmas meal, nutrisonists estimate it is possible to reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories. Scan this page with our new In-touch AR app to see how this is possible. Food is often prepared in a rush and levels of food poisoning are typically higher over the festive period too. Indigestion, heartburn, irritable bowel and other gastrointestinal conditions often result following overindulgence in food.
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It might surprise you to know that British people drink 40% more in December than any other month of the year, and 14% of people studied admitted that they had taken more alcohol than they intended to. 54% of men and 41% of women drink more alcohol than the recommended limit of 21 units per week, or 3 units per day, or one unit per hour. (BBC news website quoting British think tank Policy exchange) New Year’s day and the Saturday before Christmas are the 2 days in the year with the highest number of alcohol related attendances at A&E units throughout the country. Drink driving arrests and alcohol related road traffic accidents are amongst their highest levels at this time of year too. Sadly domestic abuse rises by 1/3 over the Christmas
period and calls to the Samaritans are at their highest rates at Christmas and new year ( although this is not exclusively related to alcohol consumption). You may have noticed new alcohol guidelines just published have changed the recommendations for safe drinking. We now have equality between the sexes with men and women recommended to have a maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week, and in each week it is recommended that there are at least one or two alcoholfree days. This equates to 2-3 units 3-4 times each week. It
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cirrhosis of the liver? The guidelines do not prevent the harmful effects of alcohol, they simply reduce these to a much lower level. The harmful effects of alcohol are most acute in the young ( under 21) whose brains are not fully developed, the elderly who cannot process and detoxify the alcohol so readily, those taking other medications or with other medical conditions, and particularly those with mental health issues. So be warned. And be aware.
So what is the message? Simple. Everything in moderation. Stick to sensible eating and sensible drinking to ensure that you have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year in 2017.
is clear in the new guidelines that the 14 units should not all be saved up for the weekend!! I think most people are familiar with what a unit of alcohol is, but if you are not, this information is freely available from the NHS choices website or www.drinkaware.co.uk. Alcohol has become so much part of society that we often forget that it is a toxin, or a poison, which our body rapidly tries to process and remove. The liver can process about 1 unit of alcohol per hour. This means that by drinking only one unit each hour we will not overwhelm our system and won’t feel the effects of alcohol. It also means that if we drink 8 units in a night out that may end at 1am, we might still be over the legal limit if driving to work in the morning at 7am!! You may not know that alcohol not only causes alcoholism, but is detrimental to your health in other ways. Did you know that if you are a lady drinking ONLY 2 units per day, which is within the allowed limit, this increases your chances of breast cancer? Men and women drinking only 2 units daily have a greater risk of mouth cancer, throat cancer, stomach and duodenal ulcers and
By Dr. W.R, Brown Consultant GP Kingsbridge Private Hospital
HEALTHY LIVING
You Only Have One Pair of Eyes Tony McGinn Specsavers, Abbey Centre You could say getting older has never been easier – or more positive. Forty is now the new thirty, sixty is the new forty and there’s an emerging adage that eighty is the new sixty! We’ve got so many great role models who have embraced their age and communicated the positive benefits that age brings. It was great to see 50 year old Banbridge man Derek Dubery beat 12,000 people to win the 2016 Specsavers’ Spectacle Wearer of the Year award in London recently.
Changes to your eyesight By their mid-40s most people notice their eyes beginning to struggle to adjust between distance and close-up vision. This is known as presbyopia and affects everyone at some point. Certain other eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts are also more common with age, so regular eye tests become increasingly important.
eyes can’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears this is called ‘dry eye.’ Watering eyes occur when too many tears are produced or tears cannot drain away properly. Treatment for dry eyes includes eye drops or medication and for watering eyes lubricating eye drops and advice on how to avoid activities and situations that might aggravate the symptoms.
Important signs to look out for are when colours look a bit washed out; it’s difficult to judge the depth of steps, straight lines look wobbly; it’s hard to read; you’re struggling to see road signs when driving or when walking see destinations/numbers on a bus; blurred vision or floaters. These signs are not just a part of getting older – they are telling you something is wrong.
Most people will experience red, irritated or bloodshot eyes from time to time and this is usually nothing to worry about but can be indicative of something more serious. One of the most common causes of red eye is conjunctivitis. It can also be caused by a scratch to the cornea or grit in the eye which can be normally removed by an optician.
No matter what your age, it’s important to take care of your eyes. Your eyes do change with age and it’s useful to be aware of general changes. At Specsavers Newtownabbey, we care for all ages of eyes.
Glaucoma gradually destroys eyesight and there are no obvious signs of early glaucoma. But it’s easily detectable during a routine eye check and can be effectively treated with eye drops. Early diagnosis is important because any damage to the eyes cannot be reversed.
If you’re concerned about your eyes, you don’t need the GP to be your first port of call, just book an appointment and come in for a full and thorough eye examination.
Common Eye Conditions Minor eye problems such as dry eye, watering eye, red eye and blepharitis are easily detected and can be treated by an optician. When
Make an appointment At Specsavers Newtownabbey, our professional team, led by Tony McGinn; a qualified optometrist with over 27 years’ experience, are passionate about offering a professional and quality service. Based in Abbey Centre, we are very much part of the local community, supporting local charities and projects. With this free eye test voucher there has never been a better time to visit specsavers, Abbey Centre.
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YOUR HOME
New Kid on The Block number of lenders and competitive mortgage products available to the market are a good indicator also. All of these contributing factors have added confidence to the market, without this there is no market. Thankfully the increase in property prices has been gradual, which gives us hope that it will be sustainable, giving us all hope that it will be positive for the foreseeable future. All the signs are there. “
Colin Graham of CGR If you have been in Glengormley recently you will have no doubt spotted the striking black and white awning of the new estate agency, Colin Graham Residential. I recently caught up with local resident and managing director Colin Graham to find out about his new venture and why when it comes to business, he likes to keep everything simple in black and white. Having gained over a decade of experience working for established property companies in Northern Ireland, Colin felt the time was right to make the leap and head up his own company. He brings with him a wealth of experience, contacts, and expert excellent insight into the local property scene. Well respected in his field by customers and business associates alike he has a reputation for being straightforward and for keeping things simple in an area which can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming. Colin reflects,
“2016 has been another positive year in the local property market, with a gradual lift since the doom and gloom of 2008-2011.” “We have noticed that not only is more property coming to the market, increasing choice for the buyer, but property is taking less time to sell and is achieving stronger money than seen since the madness of ‘the boom’. The new build market, which is a very good indicator, is moving well, with more land sale transactions and new build developments being marketed than recent years previous. The increased
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“Another noticeable change over the last number of years has been the proportion of those wishing to rent rather than to commit to purchasing. This change will likely stay to a certain degree, however we still expect the trend of the majority buy to stay, unlike the likes of Australia, America and Germany, where the majority of people rent. Thankfully both the sale and rental market are extremely buoyant at the minute. The quality of rental properties available has lifted as a result, with new build options being the most popular. Our only problem currently is under-supply, but this should balance over the coming years as more Landlords return to the market, which is starting to happen already. Buy-to-Let Landlords are now able to achieve 6%+ gross yield in many cases, which is proving a much better investment than what they are able to typically achieve in their average savings accounts.” Colin’s simple approach is what led him to the black and white design of his company logo and the interior of his impressive new Glengormley office, “I asked myself the question, what type of service would my customers want? what would I want if I was buying or selling a home? and the answer was to keep things simple, black and white, and it grew from there.” Colin’s aim is to offer house hunters a more relaxed approach and to remove some of the formalities and stresses that come hand in hand with buying or selling a property. “We aim to make things as smooth as possible for customers. We have extended opening hours in our office and show houses and want people to feel comfortable to pop in and have an informal, no obligation chat with us about their property needs, whether they are thinking of buying their first house or selling an existing property.” In his new premises Colin has incorporated two (transparent) glass offices offering clients privacy to discuss their property needs. The coffee is brewing, the dress code is casual and the atmosphere friendly, there are sweets and yes, they are black and white...
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YOUR HOME
Power NI Helps You Take Control of your Home Energy Costs At Power NI we are always looking towards the future, seeking out new and innovative products and technologies to make life easier for our customers. You may have heard the term ‘connected home’ being mentioned more and more recently in the news, but what does this really mean and how could you benefit? Power NI has been actively researching the wide range of products on offer within the connected homes space and over the next few months we will be introducing new products to our customers so keep checking our website for details www.powerni.co.uk/savingenergy. In simple terms, the concept of a connected home is to make use of a selection of smart devices using your home wifi network, from wherever you are – at work, on holiday or even at home. Smart devices are designed to make your life easier and can often provide you with information on running costs straight to your smartphone, tablet or PC. If you are considering making your home smarter, a great introduction would be installing a Netatmo smart thermostat from Power NI to control your central heating. You could then consider adding smart lighting, plugs or even upgrading your home security with a remotely operated camera. A Netatmo smart thermostat has a number of functions, including allowing you to control your heating from anywhere, anytime using their dedicated app. If you’re out and about and your plans change, you’ll not have to return home to a cold house or waste money heating an empty one!
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The Netatmo thermostat can be programmed to come on using schedules just like a regular heating time clock. Best of all, it has an auto adapt feature which uses your home’s insulation levels and the outdoor temperature to programme when your heat should come on so you can have the temperature you want, just when you want it. A Netatmo smart thermostat from Power NI can help you save and monitor your heating costs.
If you would like to be in complete control of your home heating costs, you can purchase a Netatmo smart thermostat, direct from Power NI for just £99* including installation. Looking to the future, Power NI plan to offer a wider range of connected homes devices. Keep up to date by visiting our website. We are here to help you manage your home’s energy costs as well as providing a range of products and services including boiler servicing, boiler breakdown service 24-7 and even fitting a new boiler for you. We can also upgrade your cavity wall and loft insulation. To find out more about Netatmo and our range of services call our team on: 0800 0321 894 (Mon to Fri 9am-5pm) or visit www.powerni.co.uk/savingenergy
Get smart with your energy Introducing Netatmo, the smart thermostat that gives you control of your heating at your fingertips. Take control of the temperature in your home from the comfort of your sofa, cosy bed or even the other side of the world. Netatmo simply replaces your existing thermostat and time clock. You can then control your heating from your smartphone or just by using the Netatmo itself.
Average savings on heating bills of £103 per year**
Visit powerni.co.uk/netatmo or 0800 0321 894 (line open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm)
*The RRP of this product with install is £199. Funding provided by Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme amounts to a discount of 50 % off the RRP. Please me aware that funding is limited and offered strictly on a first come, first served basis. This product requires wifi in your home and a compatible boiler. **Source: Netatmo (October 2016), Northern Ireland census (2011)
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YOUR HOME
Heat rises, and in an uninsulated home, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof. Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Loft insulation is effective for at least 42 years and it should pay for itself many times over. Choosing Loft Insulation If your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation problems it should be easy to insulate. It is possible to do it yourself. If access is easy and your loft joists are regular, you can use rolls of mineral wool insulation. The first layer is laid between the joists – the horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft – then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth. This can be done by someone competent in DIY or a professional installer. Storage Space If you plan to use the loft or attic for storage, you will want to lay boards over the joists. Unfortunately, if you only insulate between the joists before doing this, the insulation won’t be thick enough.
Roof and Loft Insulation must be cut to the correct width so that they fit snugly between the rafters. They can then be covered by plasterboard. Rafters aren’t usually very deep, so to get the best performance you may have to insulate over them as well, using insulated plasterboard. If there isn’t room to do this, make sure you use the highest performance insulation board. Walls in the roof space and around dormer windows should also be insulated. This is typically done with rigid insulation boards. In all cases adequate ventilation should be maintained to the rafters. Inaccessible loft spaces If your loft is hard to access, you can have blown insulation installed by a professional, who will use specialist equipment to blow loose, fire-retardant insulation material made of cellulose fibre or mineral wool into the loft. This usually only takes a few hours. Flat roofs A flat roof should preferably be insulated from above. A layer of rigid insulation board can be added either on top of the roof’s weatherproof layer or directly on top of the timber roof surface with a new weatherproof layer on top of the insulation. This is best done when the roof covering needs replacing anyway. If your flat roof needs to be replaced you must insulate it to comply with building regulations. This should be carried out by a professional.
To get enough insulation you can do the following: Insulate between the joists with mineral wool and then lay rigid insulation boards on top, with wooden boarding on top of that. You can buy insulation board pre-bonded to floor boarding to make the job easier. Or raise the level of the floor so you can fit enough mineral wool beneath the new floor level. Either way, make sure you don’t squash the mineral wool when you fit the boards on top as this this will reduce its insulation value. Room in Roof If you want to use your loft as a living space, or it is already being used as a living space, you can insulate your room-in-the-roof by insulating the roof itself rather than the loft floor. This is typically done by fixing rigid insulation boards between the roof rafters. Boards
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Damp Lofts Insulation stops heat escaping from living spaces, so it will make your loft space cooler, which could introduce or worsen existing damp or condensation problems. If you are installing loft insulation yourself keep in mind that you may need to increase ventilation and you will need to get Building Control Approval. Get professional advice before installing insulation to fix any damp problems first. Is installing insulation a DIY Project? If your loft is easy to access, does not have damp problems and is not a flat roof, you could probably insulate it yourself. Room in roof insulation can be installed by experienced DIY-ers. In cases where there are damp problems or a more complex insulation system is needed, a professional installer should be used. If your home was built using traditional construction materials and techniques, you will need to make sure that the insulation materials used are suitable for your home, so that it continues to work in the way it was designed to. You may also find that you need a joiner or craftperson to do the work for you to ensure that the work is in keeping with the building. Courtesy of www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
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YOUR HOME
Ways to Keep Your Conservatory Warm this Winter Just because summer is a distant memory why should you not enjoy your conservatory as much during winter as you have done during the spring/summer. Especially with Christmas approaching you may be making plans to entertain and your conservatory will be a useful space to have. With that in mind, here are a few tips to keep it nice and cosy this winter. Carpet or Rug Conservatories are designed to have tiles or cold wooden flooring. This may be practical, but when it comes to warming the space, it’s not very helpful. A simple solution is to lay a carpet over the top of the flooring which will help stop heat escaping through the floor. Installing a layer of sheep wool insulation with your underlay will also add warmth. Without making it permanent, lay it in a way that allows you to lift come spring time. If you don’t
heat in the conservatory and block drafts getting in. When it gets warmer again, the blinds stop too much heat building up from the sun. Close Doors This may seem fairly obvious, but in the winter you need internal doors between all rooms to be kept shut. This creates heat pockets and can stop any colder air from spreading around the house. Always shut the interior door between the conservatory and the rest of the house, whether you’re sitting in it or not. Add Light Light is a source of heat, so it helps to make your conservatory as bright as possible! Floor lamps and candles will make the room seem really cosy, as well as keeping it warmer. Heating Having heaters in your conservatory is fine, but there is no point setting a heater to come on at certain times or to leave it on in order to get the room warm for you as most of that heat escapes through the glass panels almost as soon as it is generated.
Because the heat gets lost so quickly, you should only turn the heater on when you are in the room! Infrared heaters are a great source of heat for a conservatory. They heat the floor and furniture in the room which helps retain the heat that little bit longer. You can stop warm air from escaping with the use of draught excluders along the bottom of doors and by ensuring all windows have quality seals in place
have a suitable carpet, you can buy a thick rug instead, large enough to cover as much of the floor as possible. Install Blinds If you don’t already have specialised conservatory blinds, now is the time to get them installed. These blinds are clever in that they work to regulate the temperature in the room all year round. During the winter, they keep
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Blankets Regardless of where you are sitting at home, if it’s really cold outside you might want a blanket. Keep a box of blankets in the conservatory for people to snuggle up with when reading or watching the TV. It’s simple, inexpensive but can really work wonders for warming people up! Try some of these simple ideas and who knows, maybe the conservatory will be your favourite room this winter.
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FAMILY LIFE
Out and About This Christmas
By Luke North
Hard to believe, but it’s come around again! The usual debates, the usual what will we do, the usual what-ifs etc etc.
architecture interiors, with its acclaimed oriental style. A real joy to behold. And just sitting there at this time of year, DOES feel..... quite..... Christmassy!
So how about giving some thought to being out and about this Christmas?
Or as an alternative to all things theatrical, what about Christmas Day or Boxing Day away from the kitchen sink and constantly tidying around the living room?
For many of us, especially those with children and grandchildren, it’s a great opportunity to give the old panto a visit. Oh yes, it is!! (He’s BEHIND you!!) From the huge production at the Grand Opera House to your much smaller, church or community offering, the pantomime with its outrageous dame, its mischievous ‘silly Billy’ characters, its wicked witch, still has so much to offer families as a seasonal outing. The magic of the performance; smiling, awestruck children transported to a faraway, fantasy world; mums and dads chuckling at some of the more risqué one-liners, it really is a worthwhile experience for all. And, before we talk about expense – because – yes, it IS likely to be expensive – why not buy the tickets as a Christmas present??
The Hiss and Boo Company Pantomime
Ever been out for Christmas Day lunch? It’s expensive but you are paying for others to look after you and tend to your every need, while giving up their own family day. Hence, the high cost. I vaguely remember being out for Christmas Day once as a youngster. I’m not convinced the child sees it as a viable alternative, but for goodness sake, what about poor mum and dad?? Of course, many of us will automatically opt for Christmas at home – especially for the children. No one wants to open presents, play with toys, gather them all up, load the car, then set off with two or three howling offspring for a two hour drive, to unload the car, take the Christmas goodies into a different living room and proceed to move them from A to B, back to A, then to B as they constantly get in the way of adults trying to prepare dinner.....
No wonder the season in general, and the day in particular, is recognised by healthcare experts as extremely stressful. Is there a compromise? Yes, I think there might be. Christmas Day at home for children. After all, it IS Christmas. Anyone wants to see them on Christmas Day – come visit for a while. And perhaps think about Boxing Day as a ‘together’ day, an opportunity to put the feet up, to let someone else do the cooking...... Boxing Day at a nearby hotel or restaurant is not nearly as costly as Christmas Day in the same place, but it may just be worth consideration!
And if you’re fortunate enough to afford the professionalism of the GOH, the very magic of the auditorium itself is simply out-of-this-world. As you settle in with your warnings about noisy sweet wrappers to the youngsters, make sure you take time – take enough time – to raise your head towards the ceiling. In the past, it has been much vaunted as the most remarkable of theatre
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We had a go at it last year, and it honestly was lovely to leave a house that was relatively tidy, relatively clean, head for lunch, a short walk – depending on weather, and return home to laze on the settee, the house still relatively intact, tidy and clean. Another short walk ONLY if seriously under pressure to do so! Anyway, it’s up to your good selves, of course, but do have a think. There are other possibilities! Happy Christmas!
GREENACRES GOLF CENTRE A beautifully manicured course, 3 miles from Corrs Corner on the B56 Road to Ballyclare
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN GREENACRES Get 15 Months Membership for the Price of 12 It’s For all Levels - Beginners to Advanced European Tour Teaching Professional Available Club Competitions Throughout the Year No Bar Levy No Top-Up Fees Pay £150 deposit (Juniors £50) with remaining balance due by 31st March 2017 Membership can be Paid Monthly by DD
MEMBERSHIP CHARGES 7 day £620 5 day £415 Joint £895 Seniors (70+) 7 day £450 & 5 day £310 Young Adults from £260 Juniors £100 There is an optional charge of £35 to join Greenacres Golf Club which allows members to receive a GUI membership and play in club competitions. Join in December 2016 and get 3 months FREE
Winter Opening Hours
Mon - Fri 8am -9pm | Sat and Sun 8am - 6pm T: 028 9335 4111 | E: info@greenacresgolfcentre.com www.greenacresgolfcentre.co.uk
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GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT IDEAS
RANGE CARD £23.50 (10 Baskets of 50 balls)
2 BALL/18 HOLES £34 JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP £100
FAMILY LIFE
Magic of Christmas at the MAC In the heart of the city you’ll find the MAC, Belfast’s new arts venue. With two theatres, three art galleries, a FREE family room and a café bar, NATIVE by Yellow Door, the MAC’s a great spot for family days out. This Christmas, the venue is going all out by transforming into a winter wonderland to coincide with the magical family Christmas show, Pinocchio. There’ll be wishes come true with a magical Christmas window, free to visit Wishing Wood, and festive fun for all the family. Here’s a roundup of what you can expect.
Christmas Light Switch On
Sunday 20 November, 3.30-4.30pm FREE Help celebrate the start of Christmas at the MAC on Sunday 20 November from 3-4pm with our sponsors, Phoenix Natural Gas. We’ll be making wishes come true as we switch on our Christmas Tree lights and reveal our amazing Christmas window! With special guest, Northern Ireland’s mind reader David Meade performing, Christmas music and carol singing, and hot chocolate and tasty treats from NATIVE by Yellow Door, experience the magic of Christmas, only at the MAC
We know just how expensive Christmas can be, so we’ve created the most flexible Family Ticket in town. With our family saver, you’ll automatically save 10% on your booking. Simply add 4 or more Pinocchio tickets to your basket and we’ll do the rest.
Wishing Wood From 20 Nov FREE
Just like Pinocchio who longed to be a boy, tell us your wish and we’ll turn it to joy. Step inside where some dreams come true, wish hard enough and it might be you! Our Christmas sponsors, Phoenix Natural Gas, will make one family’s wish come true this year so make sure to visit our special Wishing Wood to make your wish.
Baby Wrap
11 Dec, 10am & 11am £7 per child Using sounds from Jepetto’s workshop and magical light projections, your baby will experience their very first fairy tale adventure in this multi-sensory workshop. Perfect for little ones aged 0-6 months.
Baby Wrappers 11 Dec, 12:30pm £7 per child
All puppets need to learn how to move their arms and legs. Help Pinocchio discover how to move around like a real boy in this multi-sensory festive experience. Recommended age, 6-12 months.
Puppet on a String
3,11,17 & 31 Dec & 1 Jan, 11am £7 per child
Family Show: Pinocchio 29 Nov – 1 Jan, Child £10, Adults from £12
Become a marvellous maker of a magical marionette in this Christmas craft workshop packed full of festive fun… no strings attached! Perfect for crafty kids age 4-11 years.
Festive Fairytales
17, 18 & 24 Dec, 1pm, £7 per child
Join us as we bring magic to the stage in our adaptation of Pinocchio, presented with our partners, the award winning children’s theatre company, Cahoots NI.
Be transported into a world of imagination as we open the pages of festive fairytale story books, full of magic and enchantment. Fun for the whole family.
Pinocchio promises to be an enchanting, magical show featuring all the characters you know and love. In this family musical, expect live music, lots of magic and dazzling illusions, the likes of which you won’t believe!
This is just a snapshot of what’s happening at the MAC this Christmas for families.
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For everything, visit themaclive.com.
FAMILY LIFE
rolls of what seemed like thin, coloured tinfoil. They were strung from the four corners of our front room in towards the central light fitting, from where they swayed perilously each time the door opened. And inevitably, they came twirling to the floor when we insisted in some silly game of throwing objects up over them........
Planning For The BIG Day! By Luke North
As I write this, the big day is still some way off. Needless to say, it has arrived in some of the larger shops; wrapping paper, chocolate snowmen and colourful cards called ......... ‘Seasonal Cards’! Who are they kidding? They, literally, cannot wait to get stuck in full swing, the only thing holding them back is the usual public outcry: “It’s far too early/What are they doing?/Honestly, it gets earlier every year.”!! One of the big supermarket chains has used the word ‘Christmas’ in ads for soft drinks while a well-known toy retailer hasn’t actually mentioned the word, but their most recent ads feature youngsters in sparkling, glittery surroundings with ideas for toys and gifts. So I might as well ask – cos by the time you read this, the shackles will be well and truly off and we’ll be hurtling fullpelt towards 25th December! Are you all set for Christmas? Have you made plans? Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Where will you spend Christmas Day?
We had a huge cut-out Santa Claus on the back of the door to the hall. I honestly loved that figure. And our modest Christmas tree stood in the corner, bedecked in little shapes and festive lights, quietly shedding its pins as each day of the season wore on. None of that for us today. The self-assembly tree which my wife and I have had for some ten or more years has gone. Consigned to the garage with its clip-on branches still showing signs of my dried knuckle-skin and blood; a beautiful object when erected, but by gosh did it take some patience and muffled naughty words for its construction...... Instead, we have what looks like part of a dead tree from a neighbour’s garden. A couple of gnarled branches on a slip of a stem, carefully manicured by its manufacturer to look frosty, mysterious, and ........ different! I wasn’t necessarily in favour of it, but after the usual discussion and exchange of ideas, I was told we were buying it! And you know what? I like it. it’s a godsend to put up, the cats have no time for it, and it sits quite serenely in the corner with its twinkling lights and, while simple, looks effective. And if you too are refreshing your decorations, go now while stocks last and see some of the fantastic little Santa Claus figurines, the solid miniature Christmas trees and the LED light displays which operate on just a couple of batteries. Wonderfully simple, but providing a wash of blues, greens or red across the room. A fitting addition or complement to garlands of realistic holly for the mantelpiece.
We’ve no real plans made yet – though to be honest – after a lot of talk and endless discussion, I imagine we’ll probably do the same sort of thing we do every year, like so many folk.
Stripped back might be the term. Little festive touches. I still get teased because I like tiny snowmen popping their head out from a bookcase, the small Santa gift bag alongside a clock, the glass snowflake beside a photo frame. It’s about the feel, that Christmas feel. Not overly done, but enough to keep a half smile on your face as you realise how childish you still are!
Last year we decided to refresh our decorations. I smile as I think back to my Christmas in childhood. Long swirly
Here’s to a wonderful Christmas for all In-touch readers!
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FAMILY LIFE
He knows if You’ve Been Bad or Good!!
By Luke North
Whether you love the sound of “Ho, ho, ho” or are set to head for the hills on a sleigh because you’ve heard quite enough of “It’s beginning to look a lot like …..”, make no mistake, it’s just around the corner! Derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas, Santa Claus has a number of different names around the world, including Père Noël in France and Kriss Kringle in Germany; he becomes La Befana in Italy – where he can also be ‘she’, and in Russia he’s jumped a generation and become a grandfather – Dedushka Moroz! Not sure what his greeting is in all those countries, though I do know that in Australia some years ago they asked him not to shout “Ho, ho, ho” as it frightens children!
of Santa aboard his sleigh, valiantly pulled by those muchloved reindeer and leaving a trail of brilliant presents for boys and girls in his wake! With the invention of the world’s most valuable marketing brand, Coca Cola, came further reinforcement of our ideas about Santa as their 1930s advertising campaigns left us in no doubt that Santa Claus/Father Christmas favoured a flowing red outfit, wore a crisp white beard, pushed his feet into big black boots – and was happiness personified! And in their more recent ad campaigns he not only ‘delivers the goods’ – but seeks comfort and refreshment from a bottle of you know what! (So much for my mother telling me he loved a glass of milk!!)
The typical image we have of this once-a-year visitor is, of course, the gloriously red outfit with white fur trim. But Charles Dickens’ ‘Christmas Carol’ refers to a jolly, genial man in green leading Scrooge through busy London streets on a cold Christmas morning – and that was in 1843. Various publications in the early 1900s paint a warmer and more attractive image of his character – dressed in red, not green.
Back to where I started. It is just around the corner so put on your best – and most patient - smile! Oh, and two things you might want to do …….
And the all-time favourite Christmas read for kids tucked up in bed has to be mum or dad flicking through the pages of the superb Clement C Moore poem, ‘The Night before Christmas’. Since that 56 line offering we have readily built up images of stockings by the fire in readiness for the arrival
Santa, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1
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One, read ‘The Night before Christmas’ to the kids (or to yourself!) – it’s absolutely magical and wonderful, and two, get the pens and paper out!! Here’s his address:
Happy Christmas!!
CHRISTMAS SPA EVENT 29 NOVEMBER 6PM - 9PM • Complimentary skin consultations with expert therapist Maura Alexander [Comfort Zone] • Huge range of special offers on Christmas gifts • Draw to win a hamper on the night
THE GIFT OF GOLF Every Golfer loves a challenge and our Championship Course serves up one.
£39.50 for a 2 ball with Buggy £79.00 for a 4 ball with buggy
CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH Take the stress out of Christmas lunch and join us for a relaxing, special day. Adults £79.00 Children 4-11 £15.00 Children 12-15 £39.00 Children under 3 eat complimentary
BOXING DAY PACKAGE Extend your Christmas break with a overnight stay, dinner and breakfast from £139.00 for 2 people.
CONTACT DETAILS
T: 028 9443 5500
Gift vouchers available at www.hilton.co.uk/templepatrick
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What the Kids Will Love These offers will change each week, so keep coming back to discover more great Christmas gifts.
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COMMUNITY
The Newtownabbey Way Perhaps you walked the Newtownabbey Way a few years back when it first opened but haven’t re-visited it since. Here’s a reminder of this beautiful and varied walk/cycle route suitable for all abiilities and ages. The route can be walked or cycled in either direction starting at Corrs Corner or the junction of Glenavna Manor and the Shore Road at Belfast Lough. The description below begins at Corrs Corner. Starting at the business park entrance off the Corrs Corner Roundabout, follow the path leading to the right after passing under the height barrier. The path is waymarked using the Sustrans Cycle Route 93 signage, and the Newtownabbey Way can be followed for most of its length using this signage.
Continue along the wide flat paths passing through landscaped parkland until reaching the Mossley West Railway Station. At this point continue following the Sustans 93 cycle route signage directing you across the road and into the grounds of the Mossley Mill Civic Centre. There is also signage present showing an alternative route, should the Civic Centre be closed. The Civic Centre, a former flax spinning mill, was saved from demolition when Newtownabbey Borough Council bought it in 1996 and a major restoration and conversion project resulted in refurbishing the remaining mill buildings and creating a new state-of-the-art Community Arts and Cultural Centre capable of conferences, exhibitions, functions and arts and cultural events.
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Continue walking through the Civic Centre and under an archway on your left. This section of the route passes by public art installations depicting Newtownabbey Heritage and continues before crossing a road, then descending to the Three Mile Water River via an accessible boardwalk. This section of the route continues to follow the Three Mile Water through a tree lined valley before reaching the Three Mile Water Conservation Park, an area of parkland popular with local walkers and the local angling club. The end of the path through the park merges with Hawthorne Road. Follow this to its end and bear left onto Bridge Road, leading you into Monkstown. Take care at the junction, cross the road and take the first left onto Cashel Drive. Bear right after 20 metres, taking the tarmac path opposite the play park. Follow this route through the
parkland and Monkstown Wood, managed by the Woodland Trust. Here you will find a mixture of habitats, including grassland, mature woodland and recently planted woodland. You will find at least 15 species of young native trees, over 8,000 in total including oak, cherry, hazel, ash and rowan. Continue to follow the path until reaching the impressive Bleach Green Railway Viaduct. The Viaduct was completed in 1933 to allow trains to run between Belfast York Road Station and Ballymena without having to reverse at Greenisland. Follow the route under the Viaduct, leading into Glen Park, another area of urban parkland in Newtownabbey. When the path forks, take the left path, leading onto Glenavna Manor, which joins the Shore Road, the end of the route. For more walks in Co. Antrim go to www.walkni.com
COMPETITIONS
WIN a Family Ticket to See Pinocchio at The Mac The Mac’s adaptation of Pinocchio, presented with the award winning children’s theatre company, Cahoots NI. Tickets are for two adults and two children for the 6.00pm show on Friday 23rd December. For your chance to win simply send in your name, address and contact number by post or via our website with reference: The Mac. Closing Date Friday 9th December To enter please visit www.newtownabbeyintouch.com and click on the competition link. You can also enter by post sending your answer along with your name and contact number to Newtownabbey In-touch, C/O Mallusk Enterprise Park, Mallusk Drive, Newtownabbey, BT36 4GN
Last Recommended Service Posting Dates
Tues 20th December
Christmas Postal Dates
Second Class Mail More Information is available at Recorded Signed For™ www.parcelforcesendbydates.com www.royalmail.com/greetings Wed 21st December First Class Mail Recorded Signed For™ Wed 21st December Parcelforce express 48 Thurs 22nd December Parcelforce express 24 Fri 23rd December Special Delivery™ Guaranteed (£9.00 Saturday surcharge) International Airmail
Sat 3rd December Africa and Middle East Thurs 15th December Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA Fri 16th December Central European Countries Sat 17th December Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg
COMMUNITY
Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On Guide 12 November
GLENGORMLEY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
There will be live entertainment from 2.30pm by local radio presenters, a showcase of local talent including carols and Christmas readings. Santa, Snow White and the Lord Mayor will arrive from 5.30pm and the switch-on of the Christmas tree lights thereafter.
VICTORIA SQUARE BELFAST’S CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
Gather around the famous Victoria Square Christmas tree and enjoy activities for all the family, with Santa’s very own reindeer and festive face-painting from 15:00, before Santa takes residence in Victoria Square with an official light switch-on parade at 6pm.
19 November
BELFAST CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
Join the Lord Mayor alongside the Cool FM Breakfast crew, Lily of Lily’s Driftwood Bay, The Clangers’ Tiny and Small and Springfield Primary School choir as we start the festive season.n. It will take place from 6.30pm in front of Belfast City Hall.
24 November
ANTRIM CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
Come and join us at the Market Square from 5.30pm as we await for the arrival of Santa and his crew. The action kicks off with musical entertainment hosted by Sonya Mac from Q Radio, a visit from Santa at 7pm. A spectacular fireworks display will round off the festive evening.
26 November
BALLYCLARE CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
Come and enjoy live entertainment by local radio presenters with a showcase of local talent from 2.30pm. There will also be a visit by Snow White and friends, Santa and the Mayor in their Enchanted Forest as they prepare for Christmas from 5.00pm.
1 December
MOSSLEY MILL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
Come join us from 6.30pm at Mossley Mill as we celebrate the festive season with a short service of readings and carols hosted by Claire McCollum and featuring the Junior Choir from Mossley Primary School. The evening will conclude with a visit from Santa.
10 December
ANTRIM FORUM CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
Join us at 3.30pm for a seasonal celebration featuring primary school children from across the Borough, accompanied by the Education Authority Youth Concert Band and hosted by Claire McCollum.
ENTERTAINMENT
What’s On at the Movies This Christmas
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RECIPES By: Simon Rimmer: BBC Food
Turkey Pot Pie These individual pies are a delicious recipe for leftover roast turkey. Serve with mash or bubble and squeak.
Preparation Time: Less than 30mins Cooking Time: 30 mins - 1 hr Ingredients (Serves 4) • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 tbsp vegetable oil 100g/3½oz smoked bacon lardons 1 onion, sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 carrots, chopped 200g/7oz leftover turkey, shredded 1 red chili, chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée 200ml/7fl oz red wine 100ml/3½oz chicken stock 1 free range egg, beaten for egg wash 250g/10oz shortcrust pastry
Method 1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the bacon lardons until crisp. Remove the lardons using a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. In same pan, fry the onions and garlic
for 5-6 minutes, or until golden-brown and softened.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, except the
egg and pastry. Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 5. 5. Divide the mixture between four
individual pie dishes. Cut the pastry into four pieces, each big enough to cover the pie dish. Brush the edge of each dish with egg wash and cover with the pastry. Trim any excess pastry and brush the lid with the remaining egg wash.
6. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the lid is crisp and golden-brown.
For more great Christmas recipe ideas and ‘how to videos’, scan this page with In-touch AR
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MOTORING
Make the Pledge for Road Safety Week Five people are killed every single day by something we already know how to cure. Our roads are dangerous places, where hundreds of deaths and serious injuries take place every week. But by changing our driving behaviour, we can help to make our villages, towns and cities safer places to be. Every action that we take, as a driver or as a passenger, can change the outcome of a journey and the future of a family. That’s why we’ve chosen to focus on the six elements of the Brake Pledge for Road Safety Week 2016: Slow, Sober, Secure, Silent, Sharp and Sustainable. We are asking everyone to make and share Brake’s Pledge online, and show their commitment to saving lives and keeping our roads safe. Anyone can join in – individuals, businesses and community organisations. Non-drivers can take the Pledge too, promising to help drivers stick to the six Pledge points.
SOBER: Having even one drink before getting behind the wheel can affect your ability to drive. In 2013 one in 10 (11%) drivers/motorcycle riders killed in a crash had alcohol present in their body, even though they weren’t over the legal blood-alcohol limit. One in seven road deaths are at the hands of someone who has driven while over the limit. SECURE: Seat belts are still seen as an inconvenience by some drivers, yet using one reduces the chance of dying in a crash by 50%. 21% of car occupants killed in crashes were not wearing a seat belt. SILENT: Drivers who perform a complex secondary task, like using a mobile, while at the wheel are three times more likely to crash than non-distracted drivers. SHARP: Booking in for a regular eye test should be at the top of any driver’s to-do list. Road crashes caused by poor driver vision are estimated to cause 2,900 casualties and cost £33 million in the UK per year.
21 - 27 November
So take action, make a difference, and Pledge to do six simple things to save lives this Road Safety Week. A few facts on why our theme is important: SLOW: Breaking the speed limit or travelling too fast for the conditions is recorded by police at crash scenes as a contributory factor in more than one in four (27%) fatal crashes in Great Britain.
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SUSTAINABLE: By minimising the amount we drive, and walking, cycling or using public transport instead, we are making our communities safer places, and doing the best we can for the environment and our individual health. Air pollution is a major killer: there are an estimated 29,000 deaths per year from particulate matter pollution in the UK, 5,000 of which are attributable to road transport www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk
Notice board
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We are a bi-monthly publication offering you local knowledge, topical issues as well as promoting local businesses.
Next January/February Nextissue: issue: Jan/Feb 20172015
Copy 12th December 2014 Copydeadline: deadline: 12th December
Distribution: 5th -6th 12th–January 2015 Distribution: 14th January.
As well as distributing to homes, copies of this magazine can be found at libraries, cafes, local hotels, health clubs, medical centres and local retailers.
MOTORING
Car Features We’re Likely To See In The Near Future Cars today are more high-tech, complicated and durable than at any point in automotive history. And like with any forward-looking industry, the automotive sector is always finding ways to cram more innovation into the vehicles we drive. Here is a fun look at some far out technologies coming to cars everywhere in the future. Three Dimensional (3D) Gestures Remember the movie Minority Report, where actor Tom Cruise’s character would control computers and devices just by waving his hands? He could move computer screens around simply by waving his hands side-to-side. Well, similar technology is being developed for cars. In the future, rather than having to fiddle with touchscreens, buttons and joy sticks, people are likely to be able to control their cars functions simply with hand gestures. It is called “3D gestures,” or “3D gesturing,” and it will allow people to open and close the windows in their cars by waving their hands up and down, answer an incoming telephone call by pointing at the dashboard and shut the engine off by waving their hand over the steering column. Efforts are underway to integrate 3D gestures with voice commands so that people can literally control their vehicles without having to take their eyes off the road. Air Scarf People who have a convertible love driving in the open air with the top down. That is, until it gets chilly outside. A cruise in the evening can be great. But when the sun goes down it can get downright cold outside. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has come up with a way for people to continue enjoying their convertible on a chilly evening. It’s called an “AIRSCARF,” and it essentially blows a current of warm air over the tops of people riding in a convertible to keep them shielded from the cold air outside. The ultimate form of climate control, the air scarf literally creates a bubble of warm air over the tops of people driving in a convertible, providing them with a warm and relaxing drive on a late summer evening or a crisp autumn afternoon. This could revolutionize the convertible as we know it, taking it from a seasonal feature to a year round luxury. Automated Car Parking You know that self-driving, automated cars are coming. But exactly how far are we, as a society, going to take this technology? The answer is pretty incredible. In the not too far off future, we will likely see automated car parking at high-end shopping centres and other venues. What would this mean exactly? Well, many cars on the roads today can already park themselves. Automated parking assist even
44
comes standard in many vehicles. It seems logical that the next step would be for cars to not only park themselves but for them to also find a parking spot on their own. The technology that will render all this possible is what’s known as “vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.” Basically, a high-tech parking garage will talk to the car through a network and tell it where an open parking spot is available. After dropping off passengers at the entrance to the parking garage, the car will then drive and park itself in an available spot as communicated to the car by the parking garage. In order to retrieve the car, the owner just needs to call it from a smartphone or smartwatch. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess. Aromatherapy Few things smell worse than the interior of a car. Once that “new car smell” is gone, it is game over for most vehicles. Over time, the stench of stale coffee, sweaty gym bags and the odor of old fast food containers fills the air inside
most cars. Well, the smelly car interior need not be an issue anymore thanks to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which has an option for a built-in “aromatherapy system,” that is linked to the car’s climate control and enables drivers to select from four different fragrances that it can have circulated inside the car. The scents have names such as Nightlife, Downtown, Fireside and Sport. And these scents promise to be pleasing to the nostrils and cover up any lingering stench in the vehicle, leaving occupants feeling refreshed and inspired. Breathe deeply, people. Breathe deeply… Courtesy of www.goliath.com
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