The worcestershire grapevine march 2016

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TThe Worcestershire

www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

March 2016 Issue No. 68

Your Free Magazine

WIN Tickets to West Midland Safari Park

Gardening Tips by Jonathan Bishop of Foliation

Mother's Day Beauty Special Offers at The Beauty Barn

Easter Specials The Berkeley & the Star Inn

BUSINESS EDITORIALS y HEALTH & BEAUTY y COFFEE BREAK y LOCAL EVENTS


y Fencing y Hedge cutting y y Patios laid y Decking areas y y Patio cleaning y y Mowing y Tree work y y Fence and shed painting y y Guttering cleaning y

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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile! It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Paul Papandreou feels that it’s all about service. ‘Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people

money, although that obviously helps. Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.’ Cloudy2Clear service the Malvern, Worcester & Hereford areas and 3DXO LV ÀQGLQJ WKDW KLV approach is a major

factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people

I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Paul a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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Dalton Bookkeeping Bookkeeping service based in Inkberrow

VAT returns

Payroll and CIS

Credit control

Bookkeeping

01386 576122 Debbie Dalton

www.daltonbookkeeping.co.uk

Parachutes An aeroplane was about to crash. There were five passengers on board, but only four parachutes.

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The first passenger, Holly Madison said, "I have my own reality show and I am the smartest and prettiest woman at Playboy, so Americans don't want me to die." She took the first pack and jumped out of the plane. The second passenger, John McCain, said, "I'm a Senator, and a decorated war hero from an elite navy unit from the United States of America." So he grabbed the second pack and jumped. The third passenger, Donald Trump said, "I am going to be the next president of the United States, I am the smartest man in our country, and I will make America great again". So he grabbed the pack next to him and jumped out. The fourth passenger, Billy Graham, said to the fifth passenger, a 10-year-old schoolgirl, "I have lived a full life and served my God the best I could. I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute." The little girl said, "That's okay, Mr. Graham. There's a parachute left for you. The smartest man in America just took my schoolbag ...!"

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Hello Readers... And welcome to the March issue of The Worcestershire Grapevine.

Grapevine TThe Worcestershire

Publisher & Advertising Grapevine Publications (Worcestershire) Ltd 5\H 6WUHHW ‡ %LUWVPRUWRQ ‡ :5 $6 7HO y 0RE info@grapevinepublications.co.uk www.grapevinepublications.co.uk

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Advertising & Editorial %HWW\ $QQ $PEXU\

This month we have both Mothers' Day and Easter, and there's lots on offer for both, so have a look at the Events page as you browse through. A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be invited to the official opening of Sister Charlotte's restaurant at Stanbrook Abbey. Apart from plying us with copious amounts of champagne, we were also given the opportunity to sample some of the many delicious dishes that will be served in the restaurant. If you are looking for somewhere for a special night out, I can definitely recommend Sister Charlotte's. West Midland Safari Park have a new addition to their dinosaur park, and this month we have three sets of family tickets for you to win, so look out for our competition.

Contributors

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Photography

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Printers

Also this month the Cats Protection are focusing on the many feral cats they are trying to re-home, so if you have a suitable property, please give them a call. That's all for now. Have a lovely Easter and see you next month.

DC Print (Yorkshire) Ltd 7HO

Betty

Next Issue Copy Date WK 0DUFK DISCLAIMER. All information published is correct according to those who supplied it and no responsibility is taken if it is not. Care is taken to ensure all advertisements are truthful and no liability is accepted for errors or emissions. Artwork is accepted on the understanding that there are no copyright restrictions.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All artwork and copy appearing in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The right to refuse advertisements is reserved. The use of this publication for canvassing, direct marketing or any other activity apart from sourcing local goods and services is strictly prohibited. Š 2016

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Contents...

24

34

Recipe of the Month Beef Wellington

36

Sister Charlotte's at Stanbrook Abbey

38

What's on in March

40

West Midland Safari Park

42

Coffee Break

43

The Wild Wood

44

Community Contacts

46

Index of Advertisers

10 Wines from Australia 15

The Cheeseboard

17

Age UK

20

West Mercia Police

22

Fascinating Crystals

23

The Downs

10

22 24

Soft Fruits

26

Cats Protection

28

Belle House Kitchen Table

30

Why Don't Men Sing?

32

ALM Fitness

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S Professionally designed, easy-to-follow garden border plans, which enable anyone with limited gardening skills or time to create a gorgeous garden

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Choose from: Sunny y Shady y Evergreen y Cottage y Contemporary y

Æ” General Building Æ” Conversions & Extensions Æ” Property Maintenance Æ” Groundworks

Over 20 years experience

Beautifully packaged to make the perfect gift for Mothers' Day or a house warming present.

Telephone: 01386 550002 Mobile: 07971 002637 Email: simon@shcsgroup.co.uk

www.shcsgroup.co.uk

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Images are representative only. *Terms & Conditions apply, removals paid for within a 15 mile radius. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, please ask Sales Advisor for further details.

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INKBERROW PRIVATE HIRE

Computer Problems? -

All local areas covered age National Coverage All UK Airportss Seaports and Train Stations Hospital Servicee

PC repairs and upgrades Spyware and virus removal Health checks and PC servicing Website design and site marketing PC’s and media centres built to order General troubleshooting & support Configuring wireless networks Email and Internet problems Advice and ongoing help Apple Mac and Windows p: m: e: w:

1 Worcester Road Inkberrow Worcestershire WR7 4EU Mob: 07414 736319

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The Cheeseboard 100 Barnard's Green, Malvern, WR14 3ND

The Home Care Specialists

01684 891900

Irish Cashel Blue

by Andrew Brooks

I

rish Cashel Blue is a fantastic creamy blue made in Tipperary.

Characterful but not strong, the youngest Cashel Blue will reach you at between six to ten weeks of age and is pleasant, firm and creamy, edged with an established blue character and offset by a mouth-watering tanginess. By three months' of maturation, Cashel Blue will have broken down to a richer, fuller and rounder flavour developing greater creaminess as it matures up to six months.

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Cashel Blue has a white paste when young turning increasingly towards a buttery yellow as it matures. Throughout this paste there is a blueing often referred to as having marble-like pattern. Established in 1984 and developed at a time when softer blue cheeses were a rarity in the English speaking world, Cashel Blue has set the trend as an alternative to the traditional and stronger Blue Stilton.

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A W Parker Coal Merchants Ltd Ledbury 01531 631675 or 07483 350639 www.awparkercoalmerchants.co.uk

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A New Year of Hope

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y the time you read this I expect Christmas Day will be a distant memory and New Year resolutions will either have been abandoned or starting to have real meaning! I have always found the New Year brings a sense of optimism and hope, but I know that is not the same for everyone. Every year we deal with about 25,000 information and advice requests about older people issues here at Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, and there are others across the voluntary sector doing likewise. I like to think we give people hope as a result of supporting them, a feeling they are not alone and a belief their problem does have a resolution. Our staff and

volunteers are well trained and dedicated in what they do - I hope that they are as successful in 2016 as they undoubtedly were in 2015. I think we sometimes forget it is a new world out there for older people. Many of them contributed to shaping that world and yet they have seen it develop beyond our wildest dreams. Whilst many people use the internet for many everyday things, it still lacks the credibility of a face-to-face conversation when we need to resolve a problem. We hope that in 2016 we recognise the diversity within our communities in a new way. Living with the internet is a reality for many under 65. For about 35% of the population it is

in danger of isolating them because it is unavailable or simply costs too much. These are many reasons why people contact us, sometimes it is simply an excuse to have a chat. I hope we will always be there for them. I also hope that you will consider the “art of the possible� and what you can do for someone in need. A revolution can start at any time. Why not volunteer and bring hope to someone else? Our Information & Advice service is available on 0800 008 6077 or 01905 740950. Philip Talbot Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire

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Do you know how to protect yourself against identity crime?

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here's only one you; keep it that way by protecting yourself against identity crime. That's the message from Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police as part of the #Be Cyber Smart campaign. Identity theft is the UK's fastestgrowing method used to carry out criminal activity and the internet provides numerous opportunities for fraudsters to harvest the personal data of unsuspecting members of the public. Once a criminal has your details they can use them to commit identity fraud. They may be able to take over existing accounts, open new bank accounts, obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits, take out mobile phone contracts, order goods and get genuine documents in your name, such as passports, for example. Identity theft costs the UK more than ÂŁ3.3 billion a year, according to the Annual Fraud Indicator 2013. However, there are some simple and yet effective steps that people can take to protect themselves against falling victim. Here is some more information about some of the key threats and how to counteract them. 20

Phishing This is a scam where fraudsters send an email, instant message or text message prompting you to provide your personal details, such as passwords and user names. The fraudsters often try to make their messages look like they are from legitimate companies. Sometimes they direct you to a website which looks legitimate but is actually bogus, to prompt you to input your details. The captured information is then used for crimes, such as identity theft and bank fraud. The message can also contain links or attachments which will infect your computer, or other device, with a virus. Advice r If you receive an email from an unknown source asking for personal details do not give them out. r If the email looks like it is from a legitimate company do not disclose anything without checking that the request is genuinely from the company it purports to be. Check via another means, such as by phoning the company with a number you have sourced yourself and know is correct. r Mark suspicious emails as spam and delete them. r Think before clicking on links.

Malware Malicious software, known as malware, disrupts the performance of your computer or other devices. It can be used to: r Prompt you to click on a link to a website which installs a virus or other malicious programming. r Track what you are typing on your keyboard, usually to try to commit bank fraud or to get hold of your personal login details. r Imitate valid software, like antivirus packages, to convince you that you need a bogus paid-for upgrade. r Copy personal files or images. The victim can then be told that these will be published online, or given to another person, unless they pay up. Advice r Use legitimate antivirus software and make sure you keep it up to date r Think before clicking on a link or opening an attachment. r Make sure you understand what you are installing on a personal device r Keep your firewall switched on r Keep up to speed with the constantly-evolving online world and try to be aware of the risks.

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Passwords Strong passwords are vital in protecting your personal details and identity. Advice r Make sure your password is not easy to crack r Use three words or more r Make sure it contains numbers and symbols, not just letters

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r Identity fraudsters will use whatever information they can get hold of to clone your identity. r Before throwing something away, think about the personal details it contains and how they could be used by a fraudster. r Shred receipts containing card details on and post showing your name and address.

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T Think Phishing. Could that email be from a fraudster trying to get hold of your personal details? If you have been a victim of fraud report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 20 40 Please mention THE WORCESTERSHIRE GRAPEVINE when responding to advertisers

21


Fascinating Crystals article & photography by Pamela Green

F

or millions of years, deep in the earth, crystals have formed in a rich variegated kaleidoscope of colours and shapes. As long as man has existed we have had an affinity with stones and crystals. The use of talismans and amulets dates back to the beginnings of mankind. Ancient civilisations used the crystals to heal and protect. Over the years a great deal of superstition has been attached to them. It is said that the Egyptians used turquoise for protection and orange carnelian to attract energy from the sun god. We can also read in history books, how many tribes from all over the world used them as ornamental jewellery. I suppose it’s fair to say that I’ve always been fascinated by them, especially the brightly coloured ones, such as purple amethyst, that sparkle brightly. Most people feel that a crystal is a treasured possession. I just love them for their beauty, and you’d be amazed how many there are to choose from. Moonstone, rose quartz, agate, mica, peridot, beryl, topaz, garnet, amber . . . the list is endless.

a crystal with your eyes closed? This was told to me many years ago when shopping at a Brazilian crystal stall, in Malaysia. All the crystals on the stall were so beautiful that it was impossible for me to decide which to purchase. The stallholder asked me to select six stones that attracted me. When I had made my selection, he placed the crystals on a tray and put it in front of me. He then asked me to close my eyes and handle each one in turn, and the stone would select me. I thought this a bit silly, but I held each stone in turn. Some were cold and sharp but others felt warm. The next stone I held made my hands tingle, just for a moment. I opened my eyes to see I was holding a beautiful smoky quartz crystal. The stallholder explained that this was the crystals energy attuning with my own energy field. I’m still not sure if I believed him but I did purchase the smoky quartz and an opal drop pendant, which I couldn’t resist. I also purchased a rosewood box of small crystals for my granddaughter. She collects stones and has them on display around her bedroom.

crystals. Here are just a few: Ç a crystal should always be kept clean, and never left to gather dust Ç some stones such as amber and amethyst, will dissolve in water if they are left too long Ç many people use salt water to clean crystals, but you must take care with copper based crystals, such as turquoise malachite and halite, as they react badly to salt Ç you should always treat a crystal with loving care and pick it up regularly. When a crystal is cut across the grain the colours form a natural painting which can never be repeated as they are unique.

Crystals can be found in large quantities in Scotland, Germany, USA, India, and South Africa. However the largest and most I didn’t realize how many do’s and productive deposits are found in don’ts there are when it comes to South Brazil. Did you know that you should select 22 To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk


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Creating Your Garden Paradise ĂƌƟĐůĞ ďLJ :ŽŶĂƚŚĂŶ ŝƐŚŽƉ

SOFT FRUITS

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oft fruit, by its name, is fruit that is grown on the ground on canes or as plants, such as Strawberry plants. Blackcurrants, Raspberries, Loganberries, Blueberries and Gooseberries are all soft fruits. Strawberries The easiest for any of these to grow, in very little space, is strawberry plants; they can be grown from a hanging basket to a windowsill box into a full vegetable garden. The great secret with strawberries is making sure that the slugs and birds don’t get them so by putting straw underneath the forming fruit this enables the fruit to be kept off the ground to stop them

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getting too wet; soft fruits will suffer a lot in damp conditions because they are such in abundance that disease will get in without sufficient air circulation. Watering Soft fruits hold a high content of moisture so they need watering on a regular basis and because most soft fruits are relatively large, feeding them in the growing season with a liquid fertilizer for fruit will get the best out of your plants. Most of them don’t like full sun. Strawberry Cuttings When taking cuttings; again strawberries are the easiest. They send out what are called “runners”,

which are new plants growing out from the mother plant. If you want to use these plants to grow to increase your stock, use the first plant on the runner, which is always the strongest. Place a pot underneath it, or let it root into the ground. If the runner is up off the ground, placing a gentle weight on top or a tent peg to hold it down will help it to make contact with the surface of the soil and allow it to root straight into the soil, then cut all the other runners off from it once rooted. This will allow all the goodness from the mother plant to transfer into the new growth. When it produces its own roots it can then look after itself and you can pot it up. For the first year I recommend not picking any fruit from it, just picking the flowers off so all the goodness goes back into the plant and let it fruit the following year.

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Raspberries Raspberries are a plentiful crop, you can get summer and autumn yields. These are best grown in a netted environment so the birds are kept off them. Grow in rows with two posts at either end and two rows of wires every foot, so 2 foot high. Any plants that grow out of the rows can be dug up and replanted keeping them neat. If you have two rows, ensure you have a large enough gap to enable you to walk between them for picking purposes. Any old stems that have died back, cut down to ground level and this will encourage new shoots to come up the following year. Planting time is up until April. Harvesting time is from June all the way through to October time. Black/Red/Whitecurrants Blackcurrants, Redcurrants and Whitecurrants; all these are small bushes with berries on. Obviously everyone has heard of Ribena, where blackcurrants are made into a very popular drink. Planting out again from October to March time and you harvest from June to September; quite a long harvest time. They normally come in a flurry and the best thing to do is freeze these, because once they start to come the common problem is that birds, especially pigeons, can eat and pull off what they don’t eat creating quite a lot of mess. They don’t usually suffer from anything else. There is a mite

that eats holes in the leaves, but they should create a reasonably good crop for you. Usually they provide one really good crop in every 3 years. Blackberries, Loganberries & Teaberries Blackberries, Loganberries and Teaberries; these are all very fast growing and you are probably more familiar with them as brambles in wooded areas, which needs a framework for it to grow up. These again could be single posts with wires running along, but they need to be up to 4 foot high with wires every foot and they need to be 6 foot either side of one plant, so you would only need 2 or 3 to create quite a large crop. Again planting out until the end of April and harvesting is a much shorter period; harvesting, depending on the weather is July until September. Again, freeze as soon as possible as they come in one glut of fruit, unlike strawberries that keep producing fruit over a longer period. Regular pruning is quite essential. Old canes to be taken out and they need regularly tying in of the new canes, every couple of weeks. The new canes; once they reach their first winter, cut out any side shoots produced off the main canes. This will produce more fruiting spurs in the spring. Gooseberries They have fallen out of fashion slightly, but are making a come-

back with desserts, gooseberry tart, etc., but they seem to have lost out. For such a prolific cropper it is rather a shame really. They were very popular in Victorian times. There is a long planting out period from October through to March and harvesting time is June through to September; again this all depends on weather. They produce a yield that is reasonably regular each year, which again helps when planting out. Pruning; prune the same sort of time as currant bushes. Usually end of the season just thin out some of the old growth, make sure that it is lifted up off the ground because they will runner themselves, which means, if the bark touches the ground long enough it will root, so keep up off the ground and thin off some of the older stems to let the air circulation go through. Then just tip some of the younger ones, which will help it to thicken up and produce lots of fruit. There is a gooseberry mildew that it can suffer from, which presents as white fungus on the leaf stems. Some years are worse than others; it really depends on the weather conditions. You can spray against it. If you are spraying, my recommendations would be “Don’t pick the fruit off that bush and have more than one bush�. Next month I will look at lawn maintenance.

If you have an upcoming event please let me know. If you have a problem in the garden then please contact me and I will do my best to answer your questions. Are you interested in Foliation looking at any aspects of your garden from hard to soft landscaping, small to big projects? Get in touch with your questions or WR GLVFXVV \RXU JDUGHQ SURMHFW FDOO P\ RIĂ€FH QXPEHU RU HPDLO MRQDWKDQ#IROLDWLRQ FR XN )ROLDWLRQ /WG /DNHVLGH 1HZHQW *ORFHVWHUVKLUH */ 6=

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Re-homing Feral Cats

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ince moving to the new adoption centre at 95 Pitchers Hill, we have had a busy time re-homing and caring for many domestic cats, which has been very rewarding, for volunteers and cats alike. Sadly not all of the cats that come to the adoption centre are domestic - some are feral or semi feral cats. These type of cats are not suited to a normal home life as generally they have lived outside and have had little human contact or socialisation. Therefore they do not always adjust well to a domestic home as this is not what they know, and it would not be fair on the cat to put them in a situation where they would not be comfortable. We have a number of cats, such Tramp and Monty, who are both looking for outdoor homes, such as a stable or small holding environments. They require a safe, secure and dry place to shelter and regular food, in return for this they will keep the rodent population under control.

In some cases once these cats become confident, they then become sociable. All the cats from the adoption centre are neutered (where old enough) and have had flea and worm treatments. If you are able to offer homes to one or two of these cats please contact the adoption centre on 01386 833343. More information about feral cats is available on our on the website. Also a timely reminder: if you have an un-neutered cat, whether male or femaile, please make an appointment at the vets to have them spayed or castrated. In the coming months the adoption centre will be inundated with unwanted kittens, which puts a lot of pressure on the centre, and limits the number of other cats being helped. Cats can start reproducing from the time they are about four months old, so please make that appointment today to avoid any more unwanted kittens and cats.

Tramp

95 Pitchers Hill Wickhamford, WR11 7RT 26

Monty

Tel: 01386 833343 www.eveshamcpl.org

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f you long to entertain friends and family in your home, but don't have the luxury of time to prepare it all then we're about to let you into a secret that could just be the answer.

Locals of Pershore can some-times be seen emerging from a discreet door in Bridge Street carrying their favourite casserole or pie dish brimming with a delicious meal ready to feed a small army. Belle House Michelin-trained chefs have been producing delicious dishes in their kitchen for years, not only to serve in their cosy fine dining restaurant but also for customers to take home to their own kitchen table. It's just that not many people know about it. Their Deli, The Belle House Traiteur, stocks hand-made delicious fresh food ready to go or to pre-order. The Kitchen to Table service means you can buy top quality ingredients made from scratch in their kitchen such as a chef-made stock, a starter for 6 or a delicious pudding for a family party. So if you're time-stretched but still crave fresh cooking made from scratch - why not get exactly what you'd like without the hassle? Belle House Kitchen to Table will provide

everything whether it's a mid-week supper, some canapes or three courses. Delivery, garnishes, table linen, crockery, glassware or cutlery if needed (no scrabbling around for old plates or knives here) - there are endless possibilities with this gem of a service on your doorstep. “Thank you for the delicious food you prepared for us for our party on Saturday … I only wish you could have heard the voices of appreciation when they saw the lunch set out, let alone after they had eaten it! The tea too was much enjoyed with everyone declaring it was such a treat to have afternoon tea. It only remains for me to thank you all for your help and advice and to say how lucky we are to have you in Pershore.” Regular Kitchen to Table customer.

Belle House, Bridge Street, Pershore, Worcs WR10 1AJ Tel: 01386 555055 mail@belle-house.co.uk www.belle-house.co.uk www.facebook.com/bellehousepershore 28

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WHY DON'T MEN SING? Now's your chance to learn with one of Britain's Best Choruses

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icture the scene: man taking a shower, singing his heart out at the top of his voice and loving it . . . because nobody can hear him above the roar of the water jets blasting at him. But ask the same man if he'd like to sing in a chorus and he'll shy away with a far too modest "Oh no, no, no I can't sing." It's such a shame, because so many men's voices are going unheard. If you're a man reading this and you recognise the picture, now is your golden opportunity to sing out and truly enjoy it. A one-day workshop to learn A Cappella singing is being held in Pershore next month with the finest tuition you could wish to get.

Singers from the nine times and current UK barbershop champions, the Great Western Chorus from Bristol, are coming to Worcestershire to pass on their brilliant skills to would-be vocalists . And not only are the Great Western holding the workshop but, in the evening, the 50-strong chorus will be putting on a full performance of their talents in Pershore Abbey in what's been titled an A Cappella Extravaganza. It's all being hosted by the Pershorebased a cappella chorus, Vale Harmony, who'll also be singing at the Abbey. Vale Harmony's Musical Director, Mike Gearey, says: "When people hear the word "Barbershop" they

automatically think of four men in straw boaters, . and tend to turn off. But this is not like that at all. Great Western are a spectacular, all-action chorus of male voices and choreography. Their show is amazing and to have the chance of this workshop where you can learn from the best is a real coup." Some of the money raised at the £10-a-head concert will go to two Pershore charities: the local Scouts and the Swimming for Children organisation in the town. If you're interested in either the workshop or the concert on Saturday 2nd April, contact Chris Franey on 07859 049377 or for more information, go to the website www.valeharmony.co.uk.

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Five Habits for Rapid Fat Loss

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he best kind of fat loss is steady fat loss. And while a slow-and-steady approach to weight loss will ensure that you keep the weight off for good, I have a few tricks to help you burn fat as fast as possible. So if you’re ready to speed up your fat loss (and are willing to do the work necessary!) keep reading . . . Rapid Fat Loss Habit 1: Bottoms Up! It’s not always easy to get to the water cooler or the sink. But if you’re going to shed pounds, you’re going to have to keep a tall glass of water nearby. There are many perks to drinking plenty of water. Doing this helps you feel fuller, which keeps you from overeating or thinking you’re hungry when you’re actually thirsty. Drinking water instead of other drinks also keeps you 32

from ingesting additional, unnecessary and worthless calories. And finally, if your body is going to perform at its peak, it needs to be well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps all your bodily functions operate well, which prevents you from holding on to water weight and suffering constipation, while also giving you what you need to push through the final stages of a difficult workout. Rapid Fat Loss Habit 2: Be a Planner If you're not a planner then you’re going to struggle to shave off pounds in a fast or even slow manner. Burning fat fast requires you to be disciplined. The beginning of discipline is a good plan. Know when you’re going to the gym, how many calories you’re going to eat and what foods the calories will come from, and how you are going to avoid giving in to that

tempting piece of chocolate cake. Once you have your plan, you’ve got to do the hard part: stick with it. If you’re willing to do this, your fat stores will burn away in no time. Rapid Fat Loss Habit 3: Get Intense with Your Routine Maintaining a steady pace on the treadmill will help you improve your overall health, but it isn’t the best tool for burning fat quickly. To speed up your fat-burning process, you’ll want to add some HIIT into your exercise regime. During a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout, you mingle bursts of intense exercise with lighter exercise. This could involve running, cycling, swimming, or other aerobic exercises. Whatever exercise you choose to do, do it hard for 30 seconds, take it easy for 60 to 90 seconds, and then go full force again for 30 seconds, repeating the cycle

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for 30 minutes. You’ll be exhausted when it’s all said and done, a sure sign that you’re burning fat! Rapid Fat Loss Habit 4: Lift Weights Think you can burn fat fast by doing nothing but aerobic exercises? You can. But you can do it faster and better by mixing in some weight-lifting sessions. In fact, if you don’t add weight lifting into your regular routine, you may begin to lose muscle. The scale may go down, but if you’re dropping muscle mass, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. When aiming to burn off fat, nothing helps more than extra muscle. Added muscle helps you feel better and perform tasks of daily living with greater ease, while improving your metabolism and ultimately helping you burn more of that pesky fat! Rapid Fat Loss Habit 5: Eat Right You know that what you put in your mouth is either going to fuel you to get through the day or simply add some inches to your waistline. So choose wisely! Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats all give you the upper hand on burning fat. But it’s not just the foods you eat. It’s how you eat them. Chew slowly, use a smaller plate, and leave the food dishes in the kitchen. When you’re finished with your plate of food, relax and give your brain time to figure out that your stomach is full. Then take the cue and stop eating. These small steps may seem significant, but they will boost your fat-burning potential exponentially. If you want to get in shape and are interested in Personal Training, Group Training or attending any of the Fitness Classes I offer, go to www.alm fitness.co.uk for more information. Alternatively call Amy on 07740 366419 or email info@alm fitness.co.uk Please mention THE WORCESTERSHIRE GRAPEVINE when responding to advertisers

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Beef Wellington When it comes to food, nothing shouts 'luxury' more than a Beef Wellington and this version is easy to make and suitable for a variety of occasions.

METHOD z

Preheat oven to 230°C.

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Place beef in a roasting dish, and spread with 2 tbsps softened butter. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until browned.

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Remove from dish and allow to cool completely. Reserve pan juices.

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Melt 2 tbsps butter in a frying pan over medium heat.

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Saute onion and mushrooms in butter for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

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Mix together pâté and 2 tbsps softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Spread pâté over beef. Top with onion and mushroom mixture.

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Roll out the puff pastry dough and place beef in the centre. Fold up, and seal all the edges.

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Place in a baking dish, cut a few slits in the top of the pastry and brush with egg yolk.

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Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 220°C for 10 to 15 more minutes, or until pastry is a rich, golden brown. Set aside and keep warm.

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Place all reserved juices in a small saucepan over high heat.

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Stir in beef stock and red wine; boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly reduced. Strain and serve with beef.

INGREDIENTS 1.2kg beef fillet steak 6 tbsps butter, softened 1 onion, chopped 50g sliced fresh mushrooms 50g pork liver pate salt and pepper to taste 1 375g packet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 egg yolk, beaten 300ml beef stock 2 tbsps red wine

Serves 6 34

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ottles were popped and the champagne was flowing at the historic Stanbrook Abbey Hotel when the iconic venue marked the official opening of its restaurant, Sister Charlotte’s.

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be served in an elegant, laid back environment, and the menus are set to indulge you during evening visits to the restaurant or during its special Afternoon Tea with Bubbles events.

The official launch of the secondfloor restaurant on Thursday 4th February, took place nearly a year after the hotel was transformed with a stunning new contemporary extension.

Martin Page, General Manager at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, said they planned to strive to exceed expectations at the Worcestershire hotel and create a restaurant people return to over and over again.

And Sister Charlotte’s merges the old and the new perfectly with a restaurant in the former Calefactory area of the hotel, which extends out onto a new and impressive terrace.

“I’m looking forward to really creating a special offering here in Worcestershire where people enjoy something new and different that they cannot find anywhere else in the region.”

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, which is best known as the former home to a closed order of Benedictine Nuns, has harked back to its roots by reflecting on its history into the name of its new restaurant.

Sister Charlotte’s officially launched on Thursday 4th February, and the restaurant is now open each evening, as well as for speciality Afternoon Teas with bubbles.

But while the traditional decor of Sister Charlotte’s will remain true to the historic nature of the Abbey guests can also expect to enjoy delicious, contemporary food. Created by the team at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel delicious meals will 36

On the menu are some truly locally inspired dishes, including the Snodsbury Goats Cheese, a Chantilly de chevre Cheesecake, 3 way beetroot and local herbs, which is named after the Worcestershire Village of Upton Snodsbury. There is the Burford Brown Hens

Egg, a deep fried egg, crisp choritzo and mushroom crunch, sourced from the local village, and of course the Hereford Beef, served as a 10oz Ribeye, aged for 28 days, served with triple cooked fat chips and sauce bernaise. Martin Page added: “We were really excited to open the doors to some of our local friends to show what we have here at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel. The building itself is a local landmark, and somewhere local people hold dear in their hearts. We look forward to welcoming them in for a taster of Sister Charlotte’s as we are sure the restaurant and the locally inspired – and sourced – menu, too will become synonymous with the local area.” For more information on Stanbrook Abbey Hotel or to book a table at Sister Charlotte’s please contact 01905 409300 or visit www.stanbrookabbey.com.

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Wednesday 2nd March 'Some People, Some Plants' Bishampton Gardening Some History, Villages Hall, WR10 2LY 7.30pm - Alan and Gill Whitehead, holders of National Collection of Irises. For details see www.bishamptongardeningclub.org.uk Friday 4th March Raw Comedy Laugh out loud with a fresh crop of new comedians as we hand over the Foyer to MC Ashley Frieze: high-octane musical comedian, IT geek and parttime sceptic. Adult Content: Min Age 16. 8pm. Tickets: £5 (£6 door, £4 students, EAA) from: www.EveshamArtsCentre.co.uk and Evesham Almonry, Abbey Rd, WR11 4BG. Tel: 01386446944. Evesham Arts Centre, Victoria Avenue, Evesham, WR11 4QH. Saturday 5th March Curry and Quiz Night Friends of St. James' Bishampton, Villages Hall. 7.30pm. £10. Tel: 01386 462847. Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March One Act Play Festival The 2016 Worcestershire Theatre Festival of One Act Plays is taking place once again at the Norbury. It’s a once-a-year chance to see some of the UK’s leading drama groups compete against each other in the Worcestershire round of the All England Theatre Festival. 2pm. Parking free after 6pm. Tickets £6 per session. Tel: 01905 770154. Friar Street, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8ED. Saturday 5th March The Daily Bread (Ashton Under Hill) August de Ville is a master baker and his tiny village bakery is the talk of the town. But does the cheery facade hide a dark secret? This is Theatre On Your Doorstep at its best with a brand new one-man show, starring the irrepressible Scottish actor, clown and raconteur Colin Moncrieff. Start 7.30pm. Tickets: £10. Box office: 01386 881225. Ashton under Hill Village Hall, Elmley Road, Evesham, WR11 7SW. www.liveandlocal.org.uk/ WhatsOnStandard.cfm Saturday 5th March Afternoon concert ’Symphonic Shakespeare’ The Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Neil Aston celebrates Shakespeare with a concert of music inspired by his works. Nicolai's

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overture, 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'; Beethoven Overture 'Coriolanus'; the incidental music to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Mendelssohn. Also includes Walton's Suite from 'Henry V' and finishes with the overture by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev's Suite, inspired by Romeo & Juliet. Tickets £12 (children free) on the door, Tourist Information Centres in Malvern, Worcester and Pershore, or Blue in Pershore. Tel: 01684 310487. Pershore Abbey, Pershore, WR10 1DT. www.worcesterphilharmonic.co.uk Sunday 6th March Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Whitbourne Hall Treat your Mum this Mother's Day to a decadent Afternoon Tea with a glass of fizz. Set in the Drawing Room overlooking stunning lawns and the Italian Garden. Afternoon Tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, home-made cakes, along with your choice of blended teas or freshly ground coffee and the all important Elderflower Fizz! Reservations Essential. Contact Anne: 07590 536768 or anne@countryhouse occasions.co.uk. Sittings at 1pm & 3pm Adults £19.95 per person, under 12yrs £9.95 per person. Whitbourne Hall, Whitbourne, WR6 5SE. www.whitbournehall.com Sunday 6th March Mother’s Day Carvery Enjoy a delicious roast meal with all the trimmings. There will be a choice of roast meats, as well as vegetarian and fish options available, desserts and coffee. All mums will receive a posy of flowers and a discount voucher for our Gift Shop. We are taking booking for groups of 9+ only at 12pm or 2.15pm. Tel: 01527 821272. Hanbury Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, B60 4BU. www.jinneyring. co.uk/acatalog/Mothering_Sunday.html Saturday 12th March Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby 3pm. Tel: 01905 454183. Pershore Lane, Hindlip, Worcester,WR3 8ZE. www.warriors.co.uk/rugby/ matchcentre/index.php Saturday 12th March The Elvis Years The Elvis Years is an outstanding musical production which brings to the stage the incredible and compelling story of the King of Rock and Roll,

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What's on in March Elvis Presley. 8pm. Tel: 01905 611427. £21. The Moors, Worcester, WR1 3ED. www.worcesterlive. co.uk/events_review.asp Sunday 13th March Croome Craft and Food Market What crafty and yummy goodies will you take home with you today? The Craft Market will be open from 10am to 5pm. Normal admission charges apply. Tel: 01905 371006. Visitor Centre, Croome D’Abitot, Nr High Green, WR8 9DW. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome/whats-on Fri 18th to Sunday 20th March Hands-on Yoga weekend retreat A weekend retreat combining gentle Hatha Yoga with extra focus on awareness of how we move, our patterns of tension and holding, that can cause back pain and stiffness. There will be five workshops exploring Hatha Yoga, plus two sessions of deep relaxation and meditation. From £335pp, includes workshops, meals and two nights’ accommodation. Telephone: 07866 801177. Holland House, Cropthorne, nr Pershore, WR10 3NB. www.yogawithchris.co.uk/handsonretreat.php Saturday 19th March Dare to Bungee - St Richard’s Hospice Take the leap and jump for St Richard’s Hospice. £30 admin fee and pledge to raise £100 or more. For more information and to register visit strichards.org.uk/events/bungee-jump. Restrictions apply. Please see website for details. Email appeals@strichards.org.uk for information and advice on raising sponsorship. Tel: 01905 763963. The Valley, Evesham, WR11 4TP. www.strichards. org.uk/event/bungee-jump/ Sunday 20th March Great British Dog Walk at Croome Park Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are bringing the Great British Dog Walk to Croome Park. This is a family and dog friendly event and everyone is welcome. Sign up today! Adults £10 (£12 on the day). Children under 16 years free. Dogs go free and are very welcome. Telephone: 01844 340720 / 07824 329063. Croome Park, High Green, Worcester, WR8 9DW. www.greatbritishdogwalk. org/croomecourt.php Monday 28th March Swan Lake - Vienna Festival Ballet Lavish costumes, stunning scenery, and glorious

music from Tchaikovsky make this a performance not to be missed. 5pm Easter Monday. Tickets £20 (£18 conc, £13 child) from: www.Evesham ArtsCentre.co.uk and Evesham Almonry, Abbey Rd, WR11 4BG. Tel: 01386-446944. Evesham Arts Centre, Victoria Avenue, Evesham, WR11 4QH. www.eveshamartscentre.co.uk/swan-lake Wednesday 30th March Orchestra of the Swan In the years since his unprecedented success as Silver Medal winner of the 1982 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Peter Donohoe has built an extraordinary world-wide career, encompassing a huge repertoire and over forty year’s experience as a pianist. See website for times. Tel: 01789 267567. Tickets: £29.12, £25.76, £22.40, £19.04 (including 12% booking fee). Grange Road, Great Malvern, WR14 3HB. www. orchestraoftheswan.org/event/prestigious-doubleconcerto-series-with-peter-donohoe/ Wednesday 30th March The First World War Diaries of Sister Edith Edith Appleton served in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) throughout the First World War. Often near the Front in Northern France, she wrote an amazing daily journal. Her website is at www.anurseatthefront.org.uk. The presentation, by Dick Robinson, tells her story with extracts from the. Copies of the book will be available at a discounted price. 5pm to 6.30pm. Tel: 01386 859047. £10. Tudor House, High Street, Broadway, WR12 7DP. www. ashmoleanbroadway.org/ Saturday 2nd April A Cappella Extravaganza The 9 times and current UK champion A Cappella Barbershop champions , the Great Western Chorus from Bristol , entertain in a spectacular and energetic and show of male singing at its best. Doors open at Pershore Abbey at 7pm for a 7.30 start. £10 a ticket from Blue in Broad Street Pershore or ring 07859 049377. The show is preceded by a rare all-day workshop for men who'd like to learn singing techniques from Great Western Chorus singers. 11am to 4pm. Contact 07859 049377. Also visit www. valeharmony.co.uk

39 ToWORCESTERSHIRE advertise yourGRAPEVINE event, email Please mention THE when betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk responding to advertisers


The new arrival causes training troubles for Head Dinosaur Keeper, Emily Brooks!

MOVE OVER T-REX . . . . . . SPINOSAURUS HAS ARRIVED! Complete with long claws, a ferocious crocodile-like head and large pointy teeth, the new arrival is a commanding presence and even makes the Park’s life-size tyrannosaurus rex look small.

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ginormous spinosaurus dinosaur has set foot at West Midland Safari Park, just in time for half term. Reaching a huge length of almost 50 feet, the new addition to the “Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is one of the largest and longest dinosaurs in the exhibit, staying true to scientists’ belief that spinosaurus was the largest predatory dinosaur to ever roam the Earth.

40

Head Dinosaur Keeper, Emily Brooks said, “Spinosaurus is one of the most recent carnivorous dinosaur discoveries and will make an incredible addition to the Land of the Living Dinosaurs. It was ginormous, bigger than t-rex by a good margin, but it would rarely have been seen on land. In fact, spinosaurus is one of the first dinosaurs palaeontologists have come across that is perfectly adapted for an aquatic life. It had a great, long tail, webbed toes found on the end of huge paddle-like feet and powerful arms.”

She continued, “The most striking feature of this dinosaur was its enormous sail, which was brightly coloured and as tall as a person. This would have been used to communicate to other animals that it was the ‘top dog’ in its area. As the leading contender for the longest and largest theropod, I’m going to have quite a job training this one, but thankfully he prefers to eat fish and large reptiles rather than humans - so I should be quite safe. Hopefully he won’t go scaring any of my smaller dinosaurs away!” Although both spinosaurus and t-rex ruled the earth during the Cretaceous period, they would never have had a ‘Jurassic Park’esque battle over food or territory, as they lived on completely different continents and were

To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk


alive millions of years apart. Spinosaurus’s closest predatory contender would have been a 25 foot long sawfish! Like its new companions, the spinosaurus is animatronic, with moving eyes, mouth, neck, arms and tail which are accompanied by life-like noises, creating an extraordinary sensory experience, giving the feeling of walking amongst these pre-historic beasts. The spinosaurus is the newest addition to the UK’s largest animatronic dinosaur attraction, bringing the total number of life size, moving and breathing dinosaurs to forty. “Land of the Living Dinosaursâ€? reopens with the rest of the Park for their summer season on 13th February 2016 and starts with Explorers Week. This is included in the standard admission charge of ÂŁ22.00 for adults, ÂŁ17.00 for children aged 3-15 and ÂŁ20.00 for concessions. Admission prices include a free return ticket. Theme Park rides are charged extra. Prices include half term Explorers Week activities, such as a Dinosaur Explorer Craft Club, Twilight Cave feeds, Dinosaur Explorer Trail and Facebook photo competition. Further information is available from the Park’s official website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. You can find out more about the dinosaurs and animals on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page: http://www.wmsp.co.uk/facebook

Round up a tax specialist Crowthers help private clients complete Tax Returns and minimise tax bills For Income Tax and IHT Planning that makes sense: Ledbury: 01531 631500 Pershore: 01386 552644 tax@crowther.co.uk

www.crowther.co.uk

**********

We have three family tickets for you to win in our West Midland Safari Park Competition this month.

If you'd like to win one of these tickets, then just answer the question below: How big is the spinosaurus dinosaur? Is it: (a) nearly 20 feet long (b) almost 50 feet long (c) about 100 feet long Send your answers on a postcard to: Grapevine Publications, 3 Rye Street, Birtsmorton, WR13 6AS or email to info@grapevinepublications.co.uk. Winners will be announced in next month's magazine.

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41


Trivia (answers on page 78) 1.

On a computer keyboard what letter is directly to the right of 'Y'?

2.

Actor Robert Redford named which film festival after a Wild West outlaw?

3.

Who owns the television production company called Harpo?

4.

What letter is represented in Morse code by a single dot?

5.

The 'Duchy of Cornwall' is one of two royal duchies in England, can you name the other?

6.

In which American state is Yale University?

7.

Which trivia quiz game show run from 1971 to 1984 and was hosted by Nicholas Parsons?

8.

In the quiz show 'Deal or No Deal' how many sealed boxes are there?

9.

In pop music, whose 1986 album was entitled Graceland?

Sudoku Fill in the grid so that each line, row and 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 without repetition.

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ACROSS 1 Extravaganza (9) 6 Respite (3-2) 7 Sudden collapse (5) 9 Part of the neck (4) 10 Hat men (anag.) (6) 12 Soup dish (6) 14 Saintly ring (4) 17 More secure (5) 18 Hints (5) 19 Thirty-day month (9)

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Erect (3,2) Mimic (4) Missing (6) Chuckle (5) Cough syrup (7) Self-important (7) Memorised (6) Firearm (5) Ill-treatment (5) Confidence trick (4)

To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk


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VETS & ANIMAL CARE (9(6+$0 %RZOHU /HZLV 3DUWQHUV Tel: 01386 442804

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To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk


DIRTY OVEN

Hate H ate cleaning cleaning your your oven?... oven TThen hen let let us us do do it it for for you! you

Dalton Bookkeeping Bookkeeping service based in Inkberrow

SAFE TO COOK STRAIGHT AWAY

* All totally t non-corrosive ĂŜĚ Ć?Ä‚ĨÄž Ć?ŽůƾĆ&#x;ŽŜĆ? * SSpecialist equipment * OFTEN copied but never equalled ÎŽ EŽŜͲÄ?Ä‚ĆľĆ?Ć&#x;Ä? * No smells

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D.I.Y? Paddy is painting his lounge, his wife walks in and can't believe how well he's doing, but the sweat is dripping off him. She says to him, "Why are you wearing a leather jacket and a parka?" Paddy rolls his eyes, and replies, "Helloooooo, read the instructions on the tin! It says: 'for best results put two coats on'!!"

Answers to Trivia on page 42: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

U The Sundance Film Festival Oprah Winfrey E Duchy of Lancaster Connecticut Sale of the Century 22 Paul Simon Wallpaper

Answers to Crossword on page 42: ACROSS: 1. Spectacle, 6. Let-up, 7. Slump, 9. Nape, 10. Anthem, 12. Tureen, 14. Halo, 17. Safer, 18. Clues, 19. September. DOWN: 2. Put up, 3. Copy, 4. Absent, 5. Laugh, 6. Linctus, 8. Pompous, 11. Learnt, 13. Rifle, 15. Abuse, 16. Scam.

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45


Accountants Crowthers Haines Watts Bathrooms & Kitchens A Job 4 John Dream Doors Bookkeeper Services Dalton Bookkeeping

41 19

37 5

4

Building & Construction Evesham Trade Centre Simon Haines Construction

11 8

Butchers Abbey Butchers

12

Car Hire Services Inkberrow Private Hire

11

Cars: Parts, Repairs & Sales BD Auto Services 4 Marshalls of Evesham Ltd 35 Cleaning Services Chris James Cleaning Pro-Smart Driveway Cleaning Chimney Services Elite Sweeps Coal Merchants A W Parker Community Services Age UK Aspen Retirement Helping Hands

41 13

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Computing & IT Services Pendas CS Ltd 11 Decorators & Painters A Job 4 John Aztec Painting & Decorating CR Decorating Driveways & Paving Castle Paving Pro-Smart Driveway Cleaning Premier Paving & Driveways

46

37 37 31 27 13 31

Education The Downs

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Electricians Craig Merchant Electrical Marchwood Maintenance

Oven Cleaning Ovenclean Ovenclean

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Pershore Retail Market Conkers Corner Pershore Engraving

48 48

Funeral Directors E Hill & Son

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Fencing Luke's Fencing Services

Pest Control Opkill Vale Pest Control

15 45

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Pet Care Cats Protection Fern's Cattery Grooming at Fern's

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Picture Framing Huxley Imaging

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Plumbing & Heating J S Plumbing N A Taylor

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Pubs & Restaurants The Berkeley The Star Inn

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Recipe of the Month Beef Wellington

34

Roofing Services G.M. Roofing

37

Shoes Humphries

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Waste Disposal Active Welfare

27

Gardening & Landscaping Border in a Box 8 Bowbrook Gardens 19 Cut Above The Rest 35 Foliation 24 Garden Machinery Mobile Service & Repair 19 Luke's Garden Maintenance 2 Luke's Fencing Services 2 Haberdashery & Material The Fabrik Shop 35 Handyman A Job 4 John Health & Beauty ALM Fitness The Beauty Barn Heating & Plumbing J S Plumbing N A Taylor Interior Design & Soft Furnishings Sunflower Soft Furnishings Kitchens & Bathrooms A Job 4 John Dream Doors Locksmiths Alcester Locks MOT BD Auto Services Marshalls of Evesham Ltd

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Windows, Doors & Conservatories Cloudy2Clear Windows ETC Windows, Doors & Conservatories Malvern Glass

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Wood Burning Stoves Chase Heating Elite Stoves

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To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: betty@grapevinepublications.co.uk


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47


Conkers Corner Upcycled quality furniture and knick knacks.

telephone: 07875

425421

Pershore Engraving We stock a range of gifts & trophies. Engraving done on the premises, while you wait. Trophy catalogue available - very competitive prices

telephone: 07784 48

750710

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