Drapers Hall – the restaurant, the bar, the boutique hotel
Our new cocktail and champagne bar is open to all. Join us for tapas or dinner, try our new bar menu or simply visit us for drinks. We’re currently taking bookings for Christmas and New Year, including our boutique rooms. Also open for private dining and bespoke weddings
10 St Mary’s Place Shrewsbury SY1 1DZ Tel: 01743 344679 | Email:goodfood@drapershallrestaurant.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @Drapers_Hall | Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrapersHallRestaurant Visit our new website www.drapershallrestaurant.co.uk
Brrrrrrrrr…well it’s winter again! But it’s not just the hats and scarfs that come out thank goodness, as good old Santa will be on his way soon! There is lot’s to love about winter, glasses of mulled wine, mince pies and cosy nights by the fire, bliss! As always we have a bumper edition of the Hype magazine. We were lucky enough to speak to Matt Cardle about his new album and what’s next for the former X-Factor winner. Songstress Eliza Doolittle stopped by for a chat about her new album and tour. We were lucky enough to be sent a copy of Rockstar’s GTA V – be sure to read the review. It wouldn’t be Christmas without taking a look at the toys that are hitting the top of kids Christmas lists and some lovely winter warmers, from those snazzy Christmas jumpers to cosy hats. From all of us at The HYPE, have a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
THE
HYPE
Henry Tudor Review...P6
Toni&Guy Competiton... P13 Shrewsbury Market...P16 Film Releases...P22-23 FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please contact the Hype on
01952 787 786 www.hypemagazine.co.uk
The Hype Magazine is proud to support local businesses, although we do not accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission by error in the printing of an advert. All artwork and editorial is accepted on condition that permission has been given for use of publication.
Eliza Doolittle...P24-25 Matt Cardle...P26-27
GTA V Review...P28-29 Kids Gifts...P30-31
Miruji Beach...P38-43
Bromford Homes...P50-51
? n O
a h W
sh
s ’ t
Y Ur
sB w rE
oswEstrY christmas liVE oswestry town centre Fri 6 Dec Free event - street entertainers, ice rink, Christmas food market, firework spectacular and more.
alaDDin oakengates theatre thurs 12 Dec - sun 5 Jan 2014 Jump on board the magical carpet to Oakengates Theatre in December 2013, where Widow Twankey, Wishee Washee, the Genie of the Lamp and the Slave of the Ring will be joining forces with our handsome hero Aladdin to tackle the greedy, gruesome Abanazar.
pEtEr pan nia Birmingham Fri 13 - sun 15 Dec Starring Stacey Solomon (X Factor and winner of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here), Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story World Arena Tour is a high-flying, hi-tech fantasy adventure that combines the drama and excitement of live theatre with the epic visuals of a blockbuster movie. Pinch yourself as you watch Peter Pan fly high above the stage without wires – a world first in theatre! Marvel at the spectacular scenery, brought to life by state-of-the-art digital imaging – Neverland like never before. Lose yourself in the show’s original music score and specially arranged classic songs.
December/January
Victorian christmas at Blists hill Victorian town Blists hill sat 14 - sun 15 Dec Experience the atmospehere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations from the 1800s, listen to the stories of life more than 100 years ago and have a chance to do some Christmas present shopping. lUDlow racEs ludlow racecourse wed 18 Dec Racing at Ludlow racecourse. This friendly racecourse, often referred to as "Lovely Ludlow" by Radio 5 Live, is just 2 miles north of Ludlow centre. An exciting day out for all race fans. thE GrEGorY s DaViEs BanD live @ the willow Fri 20 Dec A sell out success when they first performed at the Willow, we are looking forward to welcoming back The Gregory S. Davies Band. Fronted by singer-songwriter and multitalented musician Gregory Davies accompanied by drums, fiddle, guitar and bass the band have diverse styles encompassing gypsy folk, latin, blues, boogie-woogie and Americana.
christmas markEt in thE sqUarE the square shrewsbury sat 21 Dec Shrewsbury's Christmas Market offers visitors the best of seasonal shopping, fine food and family fun. Seasonal products include Christmas Trees & Holly Wreaths, local contemporary crafts, stunning designer jewellery, fresh turkey, geese & duck, hog roast and handmade chocolates.
santa stEam spEcials severn Valley railway sat 21 - sun 22 Dec Travel from Kidderminster to visit Santa in his grotto at Arley. With presents for all fare paying children.
For more information please visit www.svr.co.uk or call 01299 403816.
nEw YEar’s EVE the wroxeter hotel tues 31 Dec Enjoy a 5 course gala dinner followed by live entertainment, with dancing until the early hours. Party goers can also take advantage of fantastic overnight accommodation deals.
psYchic sUppEr EVEninG serenity wed 8 Jan Why not try an evening of all things pyschic plus a delicious meal in relaxing surroundings in Shrewsbury. Serenity health and beauty spa in Shrewsbury is hosting psychic suppers on the first Wednesday of every month. Join some of the county's best pyschics for supper and enjoy readings through clairvoyance, psychometry, and tarot while enjoying a meal in the beautiful surroundings of Cafe Retreat. Tickets are £30 per person and include readings and supper. GisEllE ludlow assembly rooms mon 27 Jan A ballet in two acts. Giselle remains one of the most popular Romantic ballets of all time. The story brings together an engaging mix of human passions, supernatural forces, and the transcendent power of selfs sacrificing love. Streamed live from the Royal Opera House to our cinema screen Auditorium.
pUnt & DEnnis the auditorium wed 29 Jan Life on the road is all rock-n-roll glamour. STEVE PUNT and HUGH DENNIS live the dream as they cruise the contraflow lanes, follow the one-way systems, unwrap the pasties and sip the service station coffees of Britain in their quest to find somewhere to park vaguely near a theatre in your town.
to advertise call 01952 787786
Beverley Craven at Shrewsbury’s Henry Tudor House ake one of the oldest, most historic half-timbered, buildings in Shrewsbury and give it a beautiful zinc bar, bathed in ever changing colours. Add a conservatory with elegant chandeliers framed by stunning iron birdcages. Combine it with an exquisite oak framed Restaurant and a luxurious Private Dining room. Top it off with a big vaulted function room with some of the best acoustics in town . . .and you have Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury.
T
Home to many live music events, Henry Tudor house is a fantastic venue for nights like this, the welcoming atmosphere and the lovely features make for a warm and intimate experience. The BRIT Award-winning seller of four million records, who enjoyed a huge hit with the single Promise Me and two albums Beverley Craven and Love Scenes, played a handful of dates, including two at Shrewsbury’s Henry Tudor House. Originally scheduled for one night, the first date sold out so quickly that she immediately added a second. Beverley spoke about the night and explained “It’s a small venue, which I like, because my show is quite personal. I talk fairly openly about my life and I think people appreciate that. They come up to me afterwards and tell me about their own lives. I feel very honoured, you know, that people trust me with what’s going on in their lives.” As well as big names like Beverley and well-known singer, Julia Fordham, there are resident performers such as local lad, 21-year-old Dan Owen from Shrewsbury, better known as Blues Boy Dan. His big break came when he was playing the
Newark Blues Festival last year and a fan filmed it. It went viral and has since been watched by almost half a million people. Dan explained “It did nothing for a while, you know, 500 hits in three months, which is normal. Then a girl posted it to reddit and it went crazy. The next time I looked 25,000 people had watched it. I went out for a while and it had gone to 30,000. Then I went to gym and by the time I came back it was 35,000.” Up and up it went as blues fans around the world told one another. Their word-of-mouth recommendation made Dan one of the most sought-after young blues players in the world. “It was incredible. I didn’t think about the numbers. You can’t imagine 400,000 people watching you, can you?” To check out the upcoming events, go to their website: www.henrytudorhouse.com/live
B&B
Prices as little as £40 per night
The Old Bell situated in Abbey Forgate changed hands earlier this year. The new owner Simon and his team are keen to bring back a traditionally English pub experience. We had dined their previously and were looking forward to see what had changed. My husband and I went in and were greeted by the friendly staff; we chose our drinks and took a seat. The Old Bell is warm and inviting, and had a relaxed and comfortable feel.
We browsed the menu and were spoilt for choice, but finally decided that some BBQ ribs starters were just what the doctor ordered. We sat for a moment, enjoying the chilled atmosphere, and in
no time at all our starters had arrived. We tucked straight in, fingers of course, as it’s the only way to properly enjoy BBQ ribs. The meat was cooked beautifully and peeled from the bone effortlessly and the smoky taste of the BBQ sauce was perfect. They were perfect for wetting our appetites!
We took a moment to let them go down and decided on our main courses. There are loads of offers available, but I had spotted a rump steak covered in BBQ sauce and cheese! I couldn’t resist. My husband, Stef, has always been a lover of the classic Mixed Grill, so was delighted to see it on the menu and at a price of just £6.15 you can’t go wrong! The Old Bell has lots of nice features,
one of which is the classic style Juke Box. We relaxed and enjoyed the sounds of Lana Del Rey, who is one of my favourites at the moment. Very quickly the main courses arrived. The rump steak, was amazing, juicy and succulent, it was delicious. Stef’s Mixed Grill didn’t disappoint either, there was rump steak, gammon, sausage, and fried egg, all cooked to perfection. Both were accompanied by a generous portion of chunky cut chips and fresh salad.
We were absolutely stuffed, and took a few minutes to relax and enjoy our drinks. We decided that we would share a dessert as that was all there was room for. We decided that it had to be the Belgian Waffle with Ice Cream. I always enjoy dessert the most, and this one was certainly one to savour. When it arrived, we suddenly developed a second wind and eagerly sampled it. It was warm and crispy, and the Ice Cream finished it off perfectly. The Old Bell have great offers on food like daily deals Monday to Friday which is 1 course £3.50, 2 courses £4.50 and 3 courses £5.50. I also noticed that they are offering a great xmas fayre menu which is 3 courses for £11.95 including traditional turkey dinner and trimmings. The food is wonderful, freshly cooked, lovely and hot, with lots of choice and the service is excellent.
The Old Bell 115 Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury, SY2 6BA
www.theoldbellpub.com
Food Served 12-9pm Everyday and 12-5pm sundays
Tel: 01743 246185
The King & Thai’s Suree Coates AWARD WINNER UK South Asian Chef 2013/14
Shropshire Chef crowned UK South Asian Chef Winner!
8 lucky finalists from across the United Kingdom put up a hot battle at the final of the United Kingdom South Asian Chef Competition (SACC) 2013. The competition was staged at the International Food & Travel Studio (part of the Bradford College family) with its state of the art facilities. With an ever increasing high standard of entries, it was very difficult for the judges to arrive at their final decision. The competitor’s skills were measured by a panel of influential chef judges representing the Craft Guild of Chefs, the Catering Industry and Education. Chair of Judges Andrew Green, supported by Stephen Gomes and Richard Jones had the very challenging responsibility of defining the winners at the final.
The lucky winners were awarded their trophies at the glittering Aagrah’s 31st Annual Charity Business
Dinner, hosted by TV Personality and Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth to a distinguished business audience of 450 guests in the magnificent Aagrah Midpoint Suite.
The first prize Awarded to The Executive Chef and Chef Patron of The King and Thai Restaurant, Suree Coates, at the Forester Arms Broseley, Shropshire.
Self taught Suree was commended for her professional approach in the kitchen, cleanliness and creative dishes with presentation flair, flavour and innovation. On collecting her award Chef Suree commented "I am delighted to have firstly reached the finals of this prestigious award, and to have the opportunity to compete with such accredited fellow chefs, but to have actually won it against such high caliber fellow competitors on my first year is beyond my imagination. I would like to thank the judges for their kind comments, as well as the support of our regular customers at The King and Thai in Broseley, who have all been very supportive."
The King and Thai The Forester Arms Avenue Road Broseley Shropshire TF12 5DL tel: 01952 882 004
C La B hris o st o tm Fe kin as w g Sp s ac 2 Courses from ÂŁ18.50 es
Available Tuesday - Thursday ONLY. Orders taken BEFORE 7.15pm.
Amazing food by Chef Suree Coates South Asia Chef of the Year.
Contact us for full details and to book your table. Specially selected dishes. Exclusions apply.
The King and Thai, The Forester Arms, Avenue Road, Broseley, Shropshire, TF12 5DL | tel: 01952 882 004 | website: www.thekingandthai.co.uk | | Follow us on: twi er.com/kingandthairest |www.facebook.com/kingandthaisuree |
Learn to play the Piano Accordion
the narrowboat
where you're welcome
Home cooked food sourced from local produce for a real taste of country cuisine .
All ages and abili es welcome, from total, absolute, can’t-read-a-note-of-music beginners up to grade 5. Learn just for pleasure or even take grades; the choice is totally yours.
All styles catered for, such as French / con nental, classical, folk, La n American, Sco sh, etc. Spare accordions available to borrow. Free taster lesson.
Call Ed Moseley (Church Stre on) on 07813 520 282
Ellesmere Road , Oswestry SY11 4DJ Tel : 01691 661051
Take time out with us at the narrowboat We are now taking christmas party and family gathering bookings
WIN a year’s free hairstyling at TONI&GUY Shrewsbury! TONI&GUY has long been renowned as an innovator within the hair industry, bridging the gap between high fashion and hairdressing and 2013 will mark 50 years of this iconic British hairdressing ‘superbrand’.
Founded by brothers, Toni and Guy Mascolo, who opened their first salon in Clapham, south London, in 1963, TONI&GUY is now the largest independent salon chain worldwide, offering the best in innovative cutting, colour and styling. Hairdressers who are part of the TONI&GUY team are qualified beyond industry standards, having completed their NVQ training and a further year's training specialising in either cut or colour and learning TONI&GUY's unique methods and techniques. They then complete a final intensive six weeks TONI&GUY diploma, at one of the company’s international academies.
The brothers pushed the boundaries and turned hairdressing as people knew it, on its head. They positioned TONI&GUY as a hair fashion brand, which quickly became known for its innovative, creative and rather avant garde approach to hairdressing. Driven by this philosophy and the belief of delivering creativity, quality and consistency to every client, Now the TONI&GUY branch in Shrewsbury Castle Street, is celebrating this 50-year achievement by offering you the chance to win a year’s free hairstyling at the salon! To be in with a chance to win just answer this question What year did TONI&GUY open their first salon? A. 1953 B. 1973 C. 1963
Send your answer to: competition@hypemagazine.co.uk
Terms and conditions
1. Quote Hype competition when making your appointment to confirm your discount. 2. This offer is valid from 1st Dec 2013 to 30 Nov 2014 3. This offer is valid Monday to Thursday with selected stylists, please enquire when booking appointments. 4. The offer is strictly subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounted offer. 5. No cash alternative. 6. Offer does not include retail or electrical products. 7. This offer is for eight hair cutting appointments and two colour appointments and includes a consultation, (prize value £500)
Call Us Today! 078 54 038 152 events@scweddingsandevents.co.uk
Your Day Your Way
jx Åt~x |à {tÑÑxÇ
S
hropshire Countryside Weddings and Events is a Shrewsbury based catering and event Management Company, that offers a unique and friendly service for weddings and any other special events. We are always very flexible towards all requirements. With over 10 years experience in the industry on an international level. We are all about organisation and creativity to make sure that your dreams come true just the way you always wanted.
P
edro’s Catering: Our bespoke catering services are available for any special events. We have a group of talented chefs from all over the
world. Our great passion is Mediterranean food, that is why we specialise in Tapas, Paellas and BBQs but we can also do formal 3 course meals, or anything else you may require. Just talk to the Chef!
A
t SC Weddings and Events we believe in our motto “your day your way” for the perfect wedding. The most popular of all the services we provide. Perhaps because it combines the choices of the full or part wedding planning, On the day coordination and catering service too. This part of the service is always based on the Bride and Groom’s special requirements. Once the venue is chosen, the planning of your
W
wedding day can begin.
e will take care of everything. Our banqueting team will be at the venue the day prior, or early on the day to start preparing both in the kitchen and in the reception room too following your instructions that we agreed to. Our Toastmaster will meet and greet you and your guests. Our bar staff will make sure that no one has an empty glass. Our floor managers and team will take care of all the food service, cleaning, tidying and anything you and your friends and family require on the day. “Just leave it to us and relax!”
Unique Christmas Shopping at Shrewsbury Market Hall
From fine foods for the festive table to unique gifts, Shrewsbury’s award-winning indoor market has a wealth of goodies awaiting the discerning Christmas shopper. The market hall, off Claremont Street, is a destination jam-packed with ideas that are distinct from the humdrum of the High Street. Artisan foods, heritage bicycles, contemporary art, traditional toys, gourmet chocolates, a board game specialist and Shrewsbury’s last remaining independent bookshop are among the 70 plus stalls.
And that’s not to mention the market’s line up of four traditional butchers – one of whom has been trading here for almost 50 years – or its reputable seafood specialist, artisan cheese counter and eclectic mix of memorable cafes and restaurants.
Photo by Michael Longlane Authentic French crêperie Les Crêpes De Sophie, is now also serving bottles of Westvleteren, the world's rarest beer that's made by monks in Belgium.
year she has unveiled an array of Christmas effused flavours, such as mulled wine truffles, chestnut and truffle oil caramels and extremely chocolatey ‘Umami’ truffles containing the unusual ingredients of shiitake mushroom and dried seaweed.
Julia’s festive chocolate shapes - perfect for luxury stocking-fillers - include santas and reindeer and wreaths made of white, milk or dark chocolate topped with nuts, stemmed ginger, candied orange, cranberries and toffee chunks.
The market will hold shopping evenings on Wednesdays leading up to Christmas when shoppers will be able to enjoy a bite to eat and browse the stalls accompanied
by the sounds of choirs. It will open until 6pm on all Wednesdays, except for December 18 when it will stay open until 8pm in a festive party atmosphere.
Other additional Christmas openings will take place on Sunday December 22, 10am to 4pm, Monday December 23 until 6pm and Christmas Eve until 4pm.
Extra Christmas opening hours at the Market Hall: Weds Nov 27 – open until 6pm Weds Dec 4 – open until 6pm Weds Dec 11 – open until 6pm Weds Dec 18 – open until 8pm Sun Dec 22 – 10am – 4pm Mon Dec 23 – open until 6pm Tue Dec 24 – open until 4pm
Whether shoppers are looking for the Christmas turkey or goose, their free range pork chipolatas, organic sprouts, gluten-free Christmas pud or special after-dinner cheeses and treats, there are few places in Shropshire that can combine all of these things in one place. On top of that, there’s the chance to snap up a smart traditional Dutch bike, for an example, a book signed by the author, ethical perfumes and much more besides. The market is home to one of the region’s leading chocolatiers Julia Wenlock, of Toot Sweets: Shropshire Chocolates. This
Photo by Michael Longlane Velveteen Me specialises in cruelty-free cosmetics and beauty products
The Market Hall, Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QG
enough 1) Lose just ur belly t tha yo weight so ou gle when y doesn’t jig teeth. brush your
4) Start using facebook for something other than stalking ex-partners or playing farmville
2) To simply remember to write 2014 instead of 2013 as the date
3) Stop bu ying worthless junk on eb ay
5) Under no circumstances listen to Justin Bieber
10 Unusual New Year Resolutions 6) Never do the Gangnam style dance...it’s not cool!
8) Do not p ut a shot of vodka in a fr iends drink when they are not watching
7) Stop writing LOL on every text message you send
9) Do not pass wind and blame it on the dog
om lly work fr m 10) Actua fro rk o your “w home on ” s home day
HOAR CROSS HALL SPA RESORT
eep in the heart of rural Staffordshire lies the beautiful Hoar Cross Hall Spa & Hotel. On the drive to Hoar Cross, my partner and I were filled with excitement, as neither of us had been to a spa before and really did not know what to expect.
building we were shown to the changing rooms, where we were supplied a robe and slippers to walk about the facilities. First port of call was the pool and hot-tub. The temperature of the water was just right and I felt at ease with others around me.
This description really did not disappoint. As we pulled into the car park, I was amazed by not just the visual beauty but also the sheer size of the building.
Originally, our treatments were scheduled nearly two hours apart; however, I cannot thank the staff enough, who went out of their way to make sure our treatments were straight after one another. The staff really are attentive to your every need.
D
When looking at Hoar Cross’s website, the spa was described as “Set in 50 acres of quintessential English countryside, Hoar Cross Hall Spa Resort is a Grade II listed stately home retreat that pairs period style with modern luxury and attentive service”.
Walking into the reception we were greeted with a warm welcome and a smile plus a glass of Champaigne (having just the one glass, may I add, after all I was there to do some work). After being given a guided tour of the
After our swim, my partner and I decided to try out the steam rooms at Hoar Cross. Again, I felt in complete luxury, a feeling that Hoar Cross definitely conveys throughout.
Hoar Cross,who have recently teamed up with Aromatherapy Associates, offers a wide range on treatments using the very latest treatment techniques; the friendly, expertly trained therapists take you on a unique sensory journey, leaving you relaxed and refreshed – exactly what I
needed on a cold wet Wednesday afternoon.
I could not wait for my treatment; a back and neck massage using some of Aromatherapy Associates’ luxurious products. I was shown to the treatment room by my therapist, where I filled out a simple form which allows the therapist to decide on a selection of treatments which she feels would best suit me. The massage itself lasted approx 30 minutes and was so relaxing, and I could feel myself falling asleep. The minutes flew by and I would definitely recommend booking a treatment for an hour. Unfortunately we could not stay for the twighlight spa, so we ended off the day with a refreshing shower.
All in all, my time at Hoar Cross was an unforgettable experience, and my partner has already commented she is looking to book up a spa day in the near future. For more information on Hoar Cross Spa visit www.hoarcross.co.uk
EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE SERIAL KILLER... et in the extreme heat of Miami, Dexter tells the story of Miami Metro Police blood splatter analyst expert Dexter Morgan. However Dexter isn’t your usual lab geek, he also lives a double life as a serial killer hunting down criminals who have slipped through the cracks of justice.
S
One thing I love about Dexter is that the show does not take itself too seriously. Yes granted it’s a show about a serial killer (what’s more serious than that?) but it is also quite witty, especially with the voice overs of the character of Dexter. With the final season of Dexter drawing in a record number of viewers (2.8million) the Hype takes a look back at one of TV network Showtime’s greatest protagonist (or villain).
The show's first season was largely based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. Orphaned at the age of three by his mother's murder, Dexter is adopted by Miami police officer Harry Morgan and his wife Doris. After discovering at a young age Dexter had been killing neighbourhood pets for years, Harry tells Dexter he believes the need to kill "got into" him too early, and Dexter's need to kill will only grow, and to keep him from killing innocent people, Harry teaches him The Code: • Most importantly, Dexter must never get caught.
• Dexter's victims must be killers themselves who have killed without justifiable cause and are likely to do so again.
• Dexter must always be sure of his target's guilt, thus he frequently goes to great lengths to obtain undeniable proof of his victim's guilt.
Throughout the whole 8 series we see flashbacks of Harry (who died several years previously) teaching Dexter how to fake normal human emotion and social behavior and how to cover his tracks after a kill. Dexter follows The Code religiously to satisfy the "Dark Passenger" inside him (the name assigned to his urge to kill). Despite working in a station full of detectives no-one suspects Dexter of being a serial killer apart from Detective James Doakes. Doakes suspects that Dexter is hiding something, and has no reservations about telling him so. Ultimately, Doakes realizes that Dexter is withholding vital information on the Ice Truck Killer case (from season one), to the point that he is driven to physically attack him, only for Dexter to expertly fight back. Like any serial killer, Dexter tries desperately to live a normal life as possible, and has numerous relationships including his friendship with his Detective sister Debra and his marriage to Rita, who herself suffers from her own demons.
Dexter’s foster sister Debra is a tough, foul-mouthed tomboy, who craved her father's attention and envied Dexter for the amount of time Harry spent with him. Although very smart, Debra is unsure of herself, and so she relies upon Dexter's seemingly limitless expertise on murderers and his ability to solve difficult
cases. Initially assigned to Miami Vice, she is desperate to be transferred to Homicide. After Captain Matthews promotes her, she starts to grow self-confident, relying less on Dexter's abilities and more on her own. Not one for hiding her emotions we see Debra’s and Dexter’s relationship stretch to the limit as she uncovers afew secrets from Dexters past. By the time the final season begins, we see the great lengths Debra will go to protect her brother. Rita never learns the truth about Dexter and in the first series she is portrayed as a loving and caring mother who is emotion-
ally damaged due to physical abuse by her former husband, Paul. This suit’s Dexter as initially he considers Rita little more than part of his disguise to act and feel like a normal human being. He later admits to growing quite fond of her, they eventually marry and have a child ‘Harrison’ together. In the finale of season four Dexter convinces Rita to go out of town for her own safety. Dexter tracks down Arthur (The Trinity Killer) and captures him. Dexter then proceeds to do what he does best…kill his victim. Dexter kills Arthur with a framing hammer and disposes of the body. When he returns home, he finds a message from Rita that she
returned to pick up her identification for the flight, is she safe or will Dexter make a terrifying discovery. Being such a popular show I have to admit I was very surprised when Showtime announced series 8 would be the last. I cannot wait to finally start watching the final series, as my partner has now become hooked herself and is catching up on the first 7 series so we can watch the 8th and final together. With the fantastic cast and the season’s cliff hanger finales, I have been gripped since day one and I would definitely recommend Dexter to anyone.
WHAT WOULD
DO
FESTIVE FILM
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Released December 13th
After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard. If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to? And what is his secret business to the south?
Cast:
Benedict Cumberbatch – Smaug / The Necromancer Cate Blanchett – Galadriel Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins Orlando Bloom – Legolas Richard Armitage – Thorin Oakenshield Ian McKellen - Gandalf Christopher Lee - Saruman Andy Serkis - Gollum
M RELEASES Cast:
Cast:
Steve Carrell
Naomie Harris
Will Ferrell
Vince Vaughn Paul Rudd
Christina Applegate Tina Fey
Specail Appearance:
Idris Elba
Jamie Bartlett Terry Pheto
Tony Kgoroge Riaad Moosa
Jim Carey , Nicole Kidman, Harrison
Ford, Kirsten Dunst
Anchorman: The Legend Continues Released Dec 20th
With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.
Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Released Jan 3rd
Madela is a chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Cast:
Cast:
Matt Damon
Bill Nighy
George Clooney Bill Murray
John Goodman
Hugh Bonneville Cate Blanchett Bob Balaban
The Monuments Men - Released Jan 9th Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history. In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renowned works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them.
Aaron Eckart Aden Young
Jai Courtney
Yvonne Strahovski Miranda Otto
Caitlyn Stasey
I,Frankenstien - Released Jan 24th
Set in a dystopic present where vigilant gargoyles and ferocious demons rage in a battle for ultimate power, Victor Frankenstein’s creation finds himself caught in the middle as both sides race to discover the secret to his immortality.
Interview
Hi, Eliza. Hi, how are you?
I’m ok, how are you? Great, Good good.
How has your year been so far? How has it all been going? Great it’s gone fast, i can’t believe my album is finally out, at the beginning of the year it seemed such a long way away, but it crept up really quick. I bet it’s been a busy year getting it all ready and just the way you like it? Yeah it’s really been busy but I’m loving it, being back to business again.
Yeah, what have you been doing since your last album. Have you’ve been on tour? What else have you been up to? Yeah I’ve been out on tour for the last 3 and a half years and then went straight into writing the next album basically. I didn’t take any time off, I went straight to South America, Columbia and Los Angeles.
What is the inspiration behind your new album, What’s it all About? It’s really documented my life and what I’ve been going through and done since the last album; being honest and letting it all out. I’ve
been more within myself. The last time I was more observational with things around me and not things within me. Wow, and have you got another tour planned for the coming months? I think I might be doing a little one in November but doing one next year for this album. I want to get it out to people and have them hear it. So it’s going to be another busy year ahead again? I hope so. Fantastic, how long have you been playing the piano, I know you play? I had lessons as a little kid. I had classical lessons and when I was ten years old I gave it up and I really regret that. When I was fourteen I was really upset I gave it up. I never practiced it and I don’t know why. I was never into it as a young kid so when I was fourteen I picked it up again.
I had a teacher at the school I was at, he showed me some stuff, he was like an improvisational jazz teacher he showed me chords and songwriting. Then when I left school I just carried on playing by myself. I still have lessons, now you know. I’m not the best player but I do use it to write and play as much as I can and I get the confidence to play live.
Right yeah..I read that you have eight siblings. What is it like being part of a big family? Yeah, it’s great. I’ve always got someone to call and they are good characters. I love them, they are my family. Oh, family is mega important to me I got six myself. So do you show them your music or maybe send them stuff you’re are working on to see what they think? Yeah I do send them stuff all the time but I don’t want to put stuff on them. If they ask I will.
“
“
Yeah it’s really been busy but I’m loving it, being back with business again
Eliza’s new album ‘In Your Hands’ is available now!
Eileen: Hello Matt, How are you? Matt: I’m really good, brilliant thank you. Eileen: You have been working on the new album, how’s that been? Matt: Yes, I literally just finished yesterday!
Eileen: Really! So you just wrapped it up? Matt: Yeah, it’s taken a long, long time to write and it’s been really hard work. A whole year, a lot of the work spills over from the last album to this album but you know I’m just super happy to have it finished and so happy to get it out there and play it to the fans, you know.
“
your performance with Rihanna which was amazing. Who would you most like to work with? Matt: Ooooo I reckon it would be Chris Martin, he is just absolutely amazing. Eileen: So have Coldplay always been a band that you loved? Matt: Yeah, I think they are incredible, they always stay true to themselves and done what they do best and done it amazingly.
Eileen: What’s been the highlight for you so far? Matt: Oh god! I can’t pick one, there have
I skate board, I go out and I write and just try and take time to relax and reflect.
Eileen: Its crazy how long it all takes from start to finish isn’t it? Matt: Yeah it takes a long, long time. Eileen: I suppose things have changed a lot for you since your days on the X Factor? Matt: Well…..everything changed when I went on it and things have kinda stayed that way since. Eileen: Is it a change for the better, you must be enjoying what you do? Matt: Oh yeah, absolutely. I love what I do! Eileen: Going back to that, I remember
”
been so many! Winning X Factor, singing with Rihanna, my first tour, singing in Hammersmith Apollo and doing my second tour….. There are just so many you know? Eileen: What was that like? Do you enjoy the live tours more than working in the studio? Matt: I love it all in equal measure, for different reasons.
Eileen: It must be amazing playing somewhere like the Apollo? Matt: Oh it’s incredible, you know, we did the arena tour to start with, with the X Factor and that was not quite reality!! It’s
a bit like a cabaret show. But that was back to real life gigs is amazing.
Eileen: I read that you were into heavy metal when you were younger, is that true? Matt: Oh yeah, my favourite band is Rage Against the Machine, but I love all sorts of music, Kath Bush, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and Alanis Morisette. It’s just classically good music. Eileen: What sort of theme does the new album ‘Porcelain’ have? Matt: It’s got lots of different themes really you know, there’s some real heavier stuff, some soulful stuff on there, acoustic and some really stripped back stuff in there too. We have just gone further in every direction that we have been before. Eileen: So when you play your guitar, is that when you feel most at home? Matt: Yeah definitely, I like to play and yeah I am.
Eileen: Yeah, you could see on stage that you were at your most comfortable when you had your hat on and guitar in hand, just singing! Matt: Yeah exactly. Eileen: When you are chilling at home, who do you put on your IPod to listen to? Matt: I dunno, I have been listening to Rudimental and I do like a bit of John Mayer. Oh and Pearl Jam and I love Emile Sande. Then there’s a lot of the old stuff, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, it’s all really mixed up you know. Eileen: So if you get any free time, what do you like to do?
Matt: I see my friends, I skate board, I go out and I write and just try and take time to relax and reflect.
Eileen: So after the album and tour what will be next for Matt Cardle? Matt: Next year we will be touring the album, once all the details are sorted. After that I’ll take a little break and then I will be back even bigger and better! Eileen: My son in law is a massive fan of yours, I tried to get him to interview you but he was too shy! Matt: Oh bless him! Well tell him I said Hello and give him my love.
Eileen: You have a really good fan base, what’s that like? Matt: My fan base is awesome; they come through and surprise me every time, bigger and harder each time and I just want to thank them all. Eileen: Where’s your hat gone?? Matt: Well I had to sort myself out a bit, you know.
Eileen: But it was so you Matt! Matt: I know but people sometimes don’t like you being yourself and want to change you but you know, it’s one of those things. I just want to thank everyone; I’m having the time of my life. I just have not stopped but I want to just keep being my best and cracking on you know? But just thanks to everyone for their support. Eileen: Thanks so much for taking time out to talk to us, and I wish you all the best with the album! Matt: Thank you!
Grand Theft Auto 5 “This is probably the best game ever made”.
I know this statement may seem to overhype what is just a videogame but I will attempt to explain why I have said it.
Essentially, Gta 5 is hundreds of mini games all delivered in the same, seamless, package. There is a driving game, an aircraft game, a 3rd person shooting game, an exploration game, a sports game, a sea and water sports game and so on and so on – you get the idea. So no matter what kind of game that you enjoy you are guaranteed to find activities within the game that you will love. Immersion is an important factor, and you can easily forget that you are playing a videogame and actually feel as though you are living the life that you are seeing on the TV screen. The level of detail is astonishing with thousands of buildings, vehicles, people, animals, weapons and all manner of objects all present. You can walk into a convenience store and you will see individual products all stacked on the shelves, or a clothes shop and see outfits on their hangers. All these little details draw you in and you find yourself just casually looking at items to buy in a convenience store. However, the graphics on display are truly beautiful and there are day and night cycles along with stunning weather effects. Sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, fog and clouds all add to the realism. Even the sea is incredibly dynamic; it ebbs and flows with
actual waves that glisten in the sunlight. The game world feels absolutely enormous with locales that vary from city to desert, to seas, lakes and rivers as well as from mountains to valleys. All this sets the stage for what is the most important part – the gameplay.
Now this is where Rockstar has excelled, creating an open sandbox for the player to just have fun with. There is a single player campaign in which you can take control of one of 3 main characters and switch between them as you like. This feature makes missions really exciting because all 3 characters can do solo missions or can come together to do bigger missions at the same time with the player deciding which character he wants to play at any time during the missions. The cut scenes during the missions are all handled within the game engine so the
cinematic moments all feel seamless and part of the main gameplay which adds to the overall storytelling.
There is a 4th character that can be switched to, and this is where it gets even more exciting, because this gives you access to the online portion of the game. I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun this mode is, with other players adding to the shenanigans! Rockstar intends to add additional content to the game over time, and are even allowing the players to build their own missions, which should keep the game growing and growing. I would recommend that you go and buy a copy of this game right now, because this literally is the most amazing experience that you will have on a games console.
Whatever Santa brings for your little angels, we at The Hype Magazine hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
V-Tech innoTab 3S The InnoTab® 3S offers a wealth of fun, age-appropriate learning games for kids on their very own learning tablet! InnoTab 3S includes Wi-Fi, providing a bunch of new ways to play and learn. The rechargeable battery pack that comes with the InnoTab 3S lets kids play for hours of fun learning, £99.99 www.vtechuk.com.
Furby Boom Sunny Polka Dots Furby is back at the top of Christmas lists with a whole new generation of Furby critters about to hatch! The Furby Boom has a mind of its own, and the way you treat your Furby will shape its personality. The more fun you have with it, the better it develops with a deeper understanding of the English language. Tickle it, talk to it and feed it with your finger or alternatively, play some tunes, pull some tails, and party on with your Furby Boom creature, £54.00 from Tesco. Xbox One Console
Neck and neck with the PS4, at the top of Christmas lists is the Xbox One Console. A new generation of games and entertainment. With games that push the boundaries of realism & television that obeys your every command. There will be some excited faces on Christmas morning, and it probably wont just be the kids! Prices start from £429.99
The PlayStation®4 system Top of lots of kids Christmas list this year is the highly anticipated PS4 from Sony. With dynamic, connected gaming, powerful graphics and speed, intelligent personalization, deeply integrated social capabilities, plus innovative secondscreen features. It combines unparalleled content, immersive gaming experiences, all of your favourite digital apps, the PS4 system focuses on the gamer, RRP £349.99.
Teksta Puppy Teksta is a life-like robotic puppy that responds to your voice, physical gestures, lights and sounds. With stateof-the-art artificial intelligence, Teksta offers many emotions - barking, crying, whimpering, and expressive eye patterns to share his feelings. As your devoted companion, Teksta will fall asleep when the sun goes down and will wake up happy to greet you in the morning, £59.99 Toys-R-Us.
Disney Planes Tilt and Fly Remote Controlled Plane. Kids will love to take Dusty out for a spin with this fantastic remote controlled plane! Accelerate using a button and steer by tilting your arms, like wings! Dusty will call out commands and phrases from the movie, £39.99 from Argos.co.uk
Nerf N-Strike Elite RapidStrike CS-18 It’s Nerf or nothing! Go in all guns blazing with this streamlined, lightweight Rapidstrike CS-18 blaster complete with serious rapid-strike firepower. The blaster's acceleration trigger powers up the motor for super-speed firing! The clip holds all 18 of the included elite darts and it's transparent so you can do instant firepower checks. £25.00 from www.asda.com
Despicable Me 2 Talking Minion Dave Kids can’t get enough of minions at the moment and with this adorable talking minion Dave in their Christmas stocking they will be kept happy for hours! With over 45 minion sayings and a Banana mode you will not want to put him down. With his original voice included, your kids will actually think they are in the movie! £29.99 at Argos.co.uk
Oliver Bonas Embroidered Lace Dress red
M&Co. Boutique bow prom dress £69.00
Monsoon Esme Dress £169.00
£70.00
The Vestry Strappy Colour Block Dress £70.00
PARTY PERFECT DRESSES
Get The Label Lipstick Boutique Womens Jessica Wright Millie Dress £19.99
The Vestry Embellished Waist Plunge Dress £55.00
Bank Kardashion Kollection By Lipsy at BANK Fashion Blue Lace, High Neck, Midi Dress £tbc
Pilot - Delilah Foil Lace Mesh Neck Dress in Gold £23.99
Missguided Rhoa Brocade Sequin Detail Contrast Skater £44.99 The Vestry Metallic Lace Overlay Dress £55.00
LOOKING good isn’t just for Christmas, but it’s as good a time a any to pamper yourself!
We had the opportunity to try some fantastic products, so that we could give you the low down on what you should make sure is top of your Christmas list.
1.
Aromatherapy Associates Overnight Repair Mask -This intense treatment leaves skin looking plump, radiant, youthful & Supple. (50ml RRP £51.00)
4.
COLOR WOW- Root Cover-Up is the next handheld device to change your life! 4 versatile shades cover grey roots between colouring and the blonde shade lightens dark re-growth.
2. Color Serenity Shampoo & Conditioner- Restores healthy supple texture, flattens & seals the cuticle, gives coloured hair the WOW factor!
3.
A Beautiful Christmas & New Year
Lanolips 101 Ointment Designed to simplify your beauty regime, 1 product - 101 uses! Take the Lanolips 8 hour challenge... layer it on your lips thick before bed and feel how silky soft they are by morning!
6.
Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath and Shower Oil - 7.5ml Awaken your senses with the delectably uplifting and invigorating wonders of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper for a truly reviving start to the day. (£10.00)
7.
Experience the ultimate therapeutic splendour with this multi-award winning Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection. Complete with all the Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oils in 3ml bottles, each allowing for one unique bath or shower experience, this set of nine miniature oils is the perfect collection to get you or a loved one immersed in the compelling power of aromatherapy. www.aromatherapyassociates.com (9ml x 3 £32.00)
5.
Shavata Brow Studio Double-Ended Pencil has two colours, dawn & dusk. Blend or use alone for perfect brow definition. www.shavata.co.uk (£8.50)
3 Old Chapel Court English Walls Oswestry SY11 2PD 01691 676326 07805 160181
Enjoy first class beauty treatment in Oswestry Butterfly Beautique offers: •Eyebrows •Spray Tan •Facial Line Softening •Eyelashes •Teeth Whitening •Cosmetic Fillers •Manicures •Facials (conducted by local GP) •Body Wraps •Full Range of Massages Available •Nails •Pedicures •Waxing •Traditional Men's Wet Shave
Professional Beauty Treatment with A Personal Touch
Contact Us to Book Your Appointment
Of ficial After a stunning refurb, The Style Lounge has opened it’s doors!
Ian Bezuidenhout has been in hair dressing since 2008 and had previously been working from a rented space in the Beauty Lounge based in Shrewsbury. He decided to ‘follow the dream’ and open his own salon, and after months of hard work, has seen his dream come true.
The Style Lounge, is based conveniently on the first floor, Longbow Close, Shrewsbury. The salon is stylish and modern, with lots of space and plump cosy sofas to relax on while you wait, there are even large flat screen tv’s to keep you entertained.
%Hair Sylists %Cutting & Colouring %Nail Technicians %Beauty Therapists %Cosmetic Specialists Ian explained that ‘The Style Lounge’ will %Jessica Nails be expanding it’s products and services and will be offering Beauty & Cosmetics %Teeth Whitening treatments. %Hair Extensions The Style Lounge welcomes you to this %Botox fabulous salon, home to a stunningly sexy range of new and exciting services %Dermal Fillers & treatments. %Chemical Peels Show your inner awesome on %IPL - Hair Reduction the outside! The list of services is impressive, as well as being an official L’oreal Professional salon, with 2 additional stylists, there is a hair extension specialist, Maria - who has over 20 years experience, and a full-time beautician who is in the process of setting up within the salon.
For a full price list including Cosmetic, Beauty & Nail Treatments visit us online or get in touch
stylelounge-shrewsbury.co.uk 01743 444292 or 07738 307884 WWW.
info@stylelounge-shrewsbury.co.uk
The Style Lounge First Floor, Longbow Close, Shrewsbury, SY1 3GZ
www.stylelounge-shrewsbury.co.uk
01743 444 292 07738 307 884
Stunning newly refurbished salon
Forever Young (Medical Aesthetics) Clare Spalding RGN RM Dip he Bsc (Hons) PETTALS NIP
Style I Hair I Beauty I Nails I Cosmetics
Perfect Christmas Presents & Gift wrap service available too! Baby Hand and Feet Casting Hold on to every moment with Tiny Little Casts
10% OFF !! Book a casting during December & quote ‘SILVER CAST’
Contact us: 0781 777 9303 info@tinylittlecasts.co.uk
Chiropractic Wellness Care
the best way to correct that disturbance, allowing your body to continue to function accordingly”.
Why you get these disturbances is down to how you live and what stressors you place on the body. Negative stress on the body can come in various ways and include physical, chemical and emotional types. When your body is bombarded with too much negative stress then the mechanisms in place cannot cope, and then you will begin to notice a lack of energy and poor body function with the symptoms of pain and discomfort, often coming much later.
L
Chiropractic has been around since 1895 and is the 3rd largest healthcare profession in the world. With many different techniques and processes to help you maintain good health, it is brilliantly placed to help you and your family repair, grow and improve through 2014. For more information about Shrewsbury Family Chiropractic you can check out their website at: ooking for a proactive approach to your health and wellbeing this year? Get the edge with chiropractic wellness care.
Do you find that year in year out you do the same thing during the festive season? Do you make a declaration that you are going to be healthier than ever and grow as an individual, only to find that like every other year the improvements don’t last and you return to the mission of repairing ailing health rather than improving good health. This year perhaps you could break the mould and incorporate a health care service that not only helps you to regain your health, but actively promotes a proactive approach to improving your health beyond simply controlling the symptoms of a dysfunctioning body.
Dr Glenn Fredericksen, a doctor of Chiropractic from Shrewsbury Family Chiropractic developed his practice so that he could offer a facility to allow your body to remain in a healthy condition, despite all of the stressors you experience on a daily basis. He does this through maintaining the proper communication between your brain and body. Dr Fredericksen explains that:
www.shrewsburyfamilychiropractic.co.uk or join in online with Dr Fredericksen’s free online health resources through facebook.com/drglennfredericksen and twitter (@GlennFred).
“the nervous system is the master controller of your body and transmits vital messages allowing your body to move, feel, digest, repair and grow. As a chiropractor my main concern is locating any disturbances however big or small that effect how those messages are received and analysing
Dr Glenn Fredericksen Doctor of Chiropractic Registered with the GCC and proud member of the UCA
Old Grammer School House, School Gardens, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, SY1 2AJ - 01743 455245 Maypole Court, Wem, SY4 5AA - 01939 232931
GARDEN DESIGN WATER FEATURES BRICK & STONE WORK FENCING DECKING BLOCK PAVING WE NOW SUPPLY LOGS! Ben Mileham B.A. (hons) NDH HONEST RELIABLE SERVICE 01743 383308
Mobile: 07973 599895
Cambrian house emporium OSWESTRY
8,000 square feet of An!ques, collectables, arts and cra s, European and period furniture, shabby chic, vintage, retro, and much more with a great coee lounge serving homemade delights. Welcome to Cambrian House Emporium, Cambrian works, Gobowen road, Oswestry Shropshire SY11 1HT. Tel: 01691 65225 / 077837245769. Find us on Facebook and tweet us on Twi"er.
C
Why supporting local shops is a matter of life or death!
an you afford not to buy from your local shops when the time comes to sell your house or when you want to find a job somewhere closer to home? What has this got to do with anything?....you may ask! Read on and all will become clear. We have all done it and we all continue to do it. We can only blame our selves for the death of the local shop and the jobs and convenience they provide for local residents.
“We’ll go to ASDA because it’s cheaper” or “let’s drive to Staples cause we’ll get a better deal”.
I recently came across a small business in the West Midlands and wanted to get a better insight into their world.
Oxley Stationers and Printers have been in business since 1981, that’s 4 wars and 2 major recessions and 32 years on, they are still surviving and growing, providing services and products to local people and businesses in the West Midlands. I met Carlo Ropos, Managing Director of Oxley Stationers & Printers, and he made some observations during our interview, about the state of the small shop versus the big chains in the West Midlands. “There is a misconception that you get lower prices from the supermarket and that products and services are more expensive from the small shop. In reality, shoppers can buy a full basket of fruit and vegetables from their local market for less, and in my case running a Stationery & Printing business, an HP 351 colour ink refill, for example, from Staples costs £14 and from Asda it costs £14.97, at Oxley’s we only charge £12.99 for this. Copier paper is another one, Asda Smart price : £2.35, Staples budget: £2.39, and Oxley’s it’s currently £2.16 as part of deal, and that’s for better quality heavier paper too!” Carlo explained. “There is a myth that local shops are more expensive and there needs to be more done to let customers know and small shops need to work harder to get this message this out there.”
Carlo went on to share the secret of how his business is able to compete with the big boys: “Well, we’re part of a buying group of 250 small stationery shops dotted throughout the country and we all spend around £6000 per month on stationery stock. Combined, that’s almost £18m of buying power each year. With that level of purchasing power we are able to get some really good rates direct from the manufacturers that we can pass on to our customers! In addition to this, we offer over 30 000 lines of product in our full range of stationery, many of which are available in store or on next day delivery. On most supermarkets online ordering websites you would struggle to get over 1000 lines of stationery products.”
Carlo goes on to say, “The big stores give the illusion of cheaper prices, but once you have filled your shopping basket and paid for the parking and petrol, you often think, “that’s more expensive that I was expecting!” I have to admit though, you do get a great choice at the larger chains and the convenience of everything in one place, but one weapon that the small shop does have over the larger store, is the ability to get close to their customers. At Oxley’s you will get a personal service with great advice that you won’t get in the big shops. How many times have you walked around B&Q looking for someone to ask advice on something, or in the supermarket wanting to know where something is? Try asking them the difference as to why one brand is better than another, then you’ll likely be faced with a blank expression!”
“In small shops, they will treat you as their only customer and give you a great personal service with great product advice”
What has Oxley gOt in-stOre tO last the next 32 years?
“Well, you can’t stand still and you have to listen to your customers and give them exactly what they want. We have just invested heavily into the printing side of the business in both printing machines and production equipment. We now offer a full range of printing options that our customers have been asking for. The range is quite wide. For our retail public customers we can now print i-phone covers, jigsaws, mugs, bags, t-shirts, canvasses, keyrings, serving trays, flasks and hundreds of more ideas! Perfect unique gifts for anytime and the minimum order is one!” “For the commercial customers we now have in-house pvc weather proof banner and window/van graphics capabilities as well as wide format printing options for large posters and architectural drawings. A great seller at the moment are our low volume shaped stickers offer. Where else can you get say 25 colour UV weather proof stickers cut in the shape of Donald Duck for less than a tenner!? What you do with them…..I don’t know, but if you want them you know where to come!” Carlo laughs. To find out more about Oxley Stationers & Printers please call: 01902 788870 or visit www.o-s-p.co.uk
BROMFORD Homes have set “dream” prices for their striking new shared ownership development in Shrewsbury This means local first-time buyers can get on the property ladder at Brookfields, Bagley Drive, for as little as £33,750* with the deposit as low as £1,688*. The prices are announced as Bromford's award-winning construction team are nearing the end of construction of the eight eye-catching two-bed homes on the northern side of this historic Shropshire market town. The first completions are scheduled for early February and Bromford Homes Head of Sales Alan Bradley urges local first-time buyers to act quickly if they want to reserve a particular plot for just £500.
“That £500 could be one of the best investment you’ll ever make if you’re someone who wants to get on the property ladder in Shrewsbury - and make your dream of home ownership come true,” says Alan. “Shrewsbury is like many places these days - property prices are relatively high and typical earnings are relatively low. “That means many first-time buyers and
other people who can’t afford to buy on the open market believe that home ownership is now out of their reach - and, in many cases, feel they’re trapped forever in private rented housing.”
Shared ownership transforms that gloomy prospect by enabling first-time buyers to purchase between 25% and 75% of their new Bromford home instead of buying outright and to pay low rent on the remaining share. “It really is as simple as that,” says Alan. “Shared ownership offers a truly affordable solution for people who couldn't otherwise afford to get on the property ladder.
“In the case of Brookfields, you can buy a minimum 25% share of a new home for as little as £33,750* and your deposit could be as low as £1,688*. And it’s not just the initial costs that are lower - we’ve got lots of evidence to prove that it probably won't cost more each month than renting from a private landlord. “At the end of the day, buyers at Brookfields will get a traditionally-built , energy
efficient home that’s designed for ease of maintenance at a really affordable price.
“What's more, our price includes a lot of features that buyers might have to pay for as extras elsewhere. Things like turfed front and back gardens, full screen fencing, and quality kitchens." The contemporary-looking brick homes will take shape off Bagley Drive - an established residential area with fields and woodland leading down to Bagley Brook.
It's a family-friendly spot, with a good choice of local primary schools and some local shops within a short walking distance. The A49 and A45 are only a few minutes drive away, Shrewsbury railway station is just over a mile and the town centre roughly two miles. To find out more about buying at Brookfields call 0845 60 10 878.
* This example is based on a property price of £135,000. A 25% share would cost £33,750 and a 5% deposit on that would be £1,688.