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Well, with what could traditionally be described as the most miserable month of the year behind us, it’s time to look forward to the up and com ing brighter months of the year. February of course is significant for us parents, as we brace ourselves for halfterm and the usual logistical challenges of balancing work, finances and children’s entertainment, whilst trying to remain calm and sane at the same time. For couples, there is Valentines Day and yes folks, once again it is on 14th February. In fact it’s the same date every year, so for you men out there, we know you can remember every football fixture, who won Captains Day at your golf club ten years ago, and exactly who bought the last round of drinks at any given pub, so as far as we women are concerned, forgetting a card on Valentines Day will definitely go down as selective memory and a black mark (or should I say blackmailing tool) to be used against you for the rest of the year! Don’t say you haven’t been warned :) So, as we plough into 2015, do keep in touch with us and let us know what’s going on in your area. If you have an event or news to share with your local community, please just contact us on the numbers or email below or message us on Facebook! .
Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
www.inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
Golden Years: Memories of 50 years ago
6
Local Events
8
Finance: PPI is it still worth considering
10
Interiors: How to create a romantic style
12
Breakthrough for Sciatica Sufferers
14
Used Cars: Prestige Executive Saloons
16
Health: Tackling Tinnitus
18
Karen Munro: Careers
20
Reader Travel Offers
22
Children’s Puzzle Page
24
Coffee Break Puzzles
26
Short Story: The Crafty Catch
30
Around Britain Trivia: Political World
34
Wordsearch
34
Wildlife Zone
36
Five Tips to Feed the Flame
38
Clubs, Groups & Classes
40, 42, 44 & 46
Garden Feature
50
Puzzle Solutions
51
RSPCA
52
Useful Telephone Numbers
52
Zoe Hart
54
We are grateful for the support of local businesses whose adverts appear in this publication and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, claims made by advertisers or endorse companies, products or services. This publication, its contents and advert designs are © of In and Around Publishing. Any copying or reproduction in part or fully, is strictly forbidden without our prior consent.
Golden Years Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning equipped French invaded the north and found themselves facing Americanequipped Viet Minh guerrillas. The Viet Minh gained yet more American weaponry in 1950 from Mao Dze-Dong, who had captured it from the defeated Chinese Nationalists; the Nationalist One of the most significant had originally been given it milestones in America’s by the Americans to fight the long involvement in Vietnam Japanese. Truman responded probably didn’t even make with a $15m donation to the the newspapers; but when, French warchest; by the time on February 9th, a US Marine the French were defeated and Corps air defence battalion arrived to establish a base at Da driven out in 1954 he had given them £3bn, and 80% of their Nang, it changed history. The Americans had already been equipment was American. By then the US was too deeply active in Vietnam since 1942 involved to walk away, but when they started supplying couldn’t afford to get pulled into Ho Chi Minh’s resistance movement, the Viet Minh, to fight another Korea and satisfied itself instead with supporting the Japanese. After the French the South first with arms and reoccupied Saigon in late 1945 money, then with “advisers”. the US started supplying them (The first two Americans killed instead, since France was far too broke to equip its own army. in Vietnam, Maj Dale Ruis and Sgt Chester Ovnand, on A year later the American-
July 8th 1959, counted as “advisers”).
Also in 1965
When Kennedy took office in 1961 the Cold War was getting a whole lot hotter. The Pentagon wanted to send in ground troops, but JFK refused – more “advisers” and weapons went over instead. Lyndon B. Johnson had fewer qualms and in August 1964 started bombing Hanoi following a (possibly staged) naval clash in the Gulf of Tonkin. He said he “wasn’t about to send American boys 10,000 miles from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves”, but he did anyway: those USMC air defence troops were the first of over 2,000,000 Americans who served in ‘Nam in the next eight years. More than 47,000 came home in body-bags; 153,000 were seriously wounded. In the process America’s civil society was almost ripped apart and his nobler ambitions – the Great Society, the War on Poverty – were utterly swamped. And the North won. These days, American “advisers” have been deployed to Iraq...
February 1965 saw not only a very significant milestone in the Vietnam War, but an equally significant date in the Apollo Moon landing programme. On February 20th, the Ranger 8 probe crashed in the Sea of Tranquillity having transmitted 7,137 pictures of what was to be Apollo 11’s eventual landing site. The first six Rangers were complete failures; Ranger 7 took 4,300 general pictures; but it was Ranger 8 that made Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s epoch-making “short step”, exactly four-and-a-half years later, a practical possibility. Apollo and its associated programmes including Ranger, Lunar Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter cost the American taxpayer about $25bn. Whether it was money well spent is a matter of personal opinion – but it has to be better value than the £111bn spent on the Vietnam War over the same period.
Happy 50th birthdays to Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Sherilynn Fenn (1st); Dr Dre (18th), Kieren Fallon (22nd), Sylvie Guillem (23rd); and Kristin Davis (24th). Cake and botox to you all!
Dated Events (Feb15)_Layout 1 29/01/2015 01:34 Page 1
FEBRUARY EVENTS Friends of Ickenham Hall & Compass Theatre present ‘Quiz and Chips’ Sun 8th February, 7.30pm Compass Theatre, Glebe Avenue, Ickenham, UB10 8PD A friendly quiz night with a Fish/Chicken/Sausage/Veggie Chip Supper included in the price. £12pp (booking fee applies per transaction of between £1.25 & £1.75). Contact Compass Theatre to book a place 01895 673200 or www.compasstheatre.co.uk.
Local Events February into March 2015
jewellery, accessories, lingerie, hairdressing, aloe vera, lavender, cupcakes hand made soaps. Tickets cost £15 including a Bucks Fizz and a goody bag. Tea and coffee also available. For more details or to book visit www.michaelsobelhospice.co.uk or call 01923 844730. Visit www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk. HUBB Business Breakfast Event Thu 12th February, 8am-9am Bay Lodge, 36 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PH. Networking with local professionals and in partnership with the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. Ward Williams’ Corporate Tax Manager, Keng Cheong will provide a ‘Tax bite from the Autumn 2014 statement’; Coffee and pastries. For details email: emma.zovich@ wardwilliams.co.uk
The Inlands Waterways Association Tues 10th February, 7.30pm Hillingdon Canal Club (HCC), Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX. (opposite the General Elliott pub) Speaker Ross Gorbert on ‘Converting a Dutch Pontoon’. For more information email Lucy Smith on middlesex.socials@ waterways.org.uk.
An Evening of Indulgence in aid of Michael Sobell Hospice Wed 11th February, 7pm-10pm The London School of Theology, Green Lane, Northwood, HA6 2UW. Relax and unwind with a glass of bubbly and a range of taster therapies during the evening. Includes live music from the Paul Lipscombe duo. Treatments available include; massages, mini manicures, indian head massage, reflexology, postural analysis, analysis by House of Colour. Stalls offering
Butterflies Indoor Boot Sale and Community Coffee Morning Sat 14th February, 9.30am-1pm The Village Hall, Ickenham. For more information call Vera on 01895 635224 or Chris on 01895 676900 or you can email ButterfliesIckenham@yahoo.com A night of comedy with John Moloney and supporting acts in aid of Michael Sobell Hospice Fri 20th February, 8.30pm The Fairway, Ruislip Golf Centre, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip, HA4 7DQ. Comedy Bunker in partnership with Michael Sobell Hospice present this evening of entertainment. Tickets £12 with £5 going to MSH. Contact Geraint Hughes on 01923 844550 or email: gvhughes@michaelsobell hospice.co.uk for tickets
DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE! If you would like us to publicise your event in our March issues contact us no later than Friday 13th February.
Bingo Fundraising Night with Fish/Chicken & Chip Supper Sat 21st February, 6.45pm for 7pm Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Iver Heath. Entry & Supper £6pp. Bingo Game Books and Raffle extra. Come on your own or with friends, please bring your own drinks, glasses etc. Book with Pat on 01753 647674. Cancer Research UK Market Sat 28th February, 10am-12.15pm The Village Hall, Ickenham. Various Stalls, Refreshments, Raffle etc. Entrance 50p. Tables available for hire call 01895 634851 for more details.
MARCH EVENTS Iver Heath Ladies Talk Mon 2nd March, Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Iver Heath. A talk by Robin bishop - The Fall and Rise of Canals in England . For details contact Pat Roberts on 01753 647674.
LIVE MUSIC EVENTS The Swan at Iver 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG Fri 6th Feb Solace Fri 13th Feb 2 Tone Fri 20th Feb The Flyers Fri 27th Feb Leech The Whip & Collar 135 Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HU Sat 8th Feb Mark Kelly Sat 14th Feb Karaoke and music The Falcon Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE Fri 27th Feb 'Eckie' and his 'Saxy' sounds Fri 13th March Legacy - Acoustic duo playing Country Rock & Pop The WatersEdge Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS Fri 20th Mar Back by extremely big demand! Ladies Night with Drag Queen Tiffany Wells and 2 male strippers (Show starts 9pm with DJ 'til late £15pp inc nibbles).
Finance Payment Protection Insurance: Is It Still Worth Considering? By Ann Haldon www.cornerstonewebcontent.com Payment Protection Insurance is intended to protect loan and credit card repayments should you be made redundant, have an accident or fall ill and can no longer work. On the face of it taking out such a policy seems like a good idea, but delve a little deeper and you’ll probably find endless exclusions and get-out clauses that severely limit the amounts paid out. These policies have been seriously mis-sold in the past, with excessive charges being levied, buying pressure put on borrowers, and scant information provided at the time of sale. The irony is that these policies were unfit for purpose during a time of deep recession – a time when they were needed the most. We take a look at the circumstances in which you might still choose a PPI policy, and help you decide whether they are even worth considering. The Financial Ombudsman service has been inundated with PPI mis-selling cases. Around 200,000 claims have been made in recent years and to date, billions of pounds in repayments made to consumers.
In the wake of all this, is PPI still worth consideration?
The stress caused by being
unable to work due to sickness or redundancy is all-consuming, and on the face of it, Payment Protection Insurance is a great concept. Why wouldn’t you want to protect large mortgage or loan repayments in this way? This still holds true today, but as with any financial product you need to carry out due diligence as to its suitability for your particular circumstances. Decide whether it is any better for you than Statutory Sick Pay, and if the exclusions/terms and conditions are too stringent.
Carry out your own due diligence
• Go over the small print in fine detail- particularly, eligibility for payouts and any exclusions. Check and double check anything ambiguous with a professional financial advisor that you trust, and don’t be pressured into buying it by anybody. • Make sure there are no existing insurance policies in existence, or workplace benefits that would come into force in the event of being unable to work. Some life insurance policies have clauses that include this, and it’s easy to forget they are there. • Don’t assume that the lender’s policy is the best one for you. It is in their
interests to get you to sign up for a policy, but not necessarily in yours. Carry out research on other providers who may offer a product more suited to your unique circumstances. A PPI or similar policy can be full of exclusions - enough to make you wonder whether anyone actually receives any benefit. Common exclusions include self-employment, dismissal as opposed to redundancy, mental ill-health including stress, and being unable to work due to back pain. As far as PPI is concerned, strict selling regulations now make it unlikely that you will be mis-sold in the same way, but you still need to focus on your actual need for this product in the first instance. If you decide to go ahead, ask for a copy of the policy, read through it again and keep it safely filed away. Fees and charges for PPI can add a considerable amount to the loan, especially if you pay them upfront, as interest will be charged on the total. You should be offered the facility to pay monthly, which may be a cheaper alternative in the long-run, but make sure the lender cannot increase these premiums once the policy is underway.
Home & Interiors How to create romantic style at home
Who wouldn’t fall in love with romantic style? Feminine, delicate and oh-so pretty, this is a timeless look that will work in all styles of home, from a bijoux city apartment to a grand country pile, says Katherine Sorrell Make your home a haven from everyday worries with a romantic decorating style that takes you worlds away from the busy bustle of modern life. It’s a look that is eternally charming and appealing, pretty as a picture, soft and dreamy and completely irresistible. The first ingredient? Sumptuous fabrics, of course. Think lacey trims around the edges of pillowcases, napkins or cushions, or even entire panels (especially vintage or antique) hung across a window or thrown over a bed. Gorgeous. Sheers are also perfect for this look. Employ organza, chiffon, tulle, georgette and voile in opulent swathes and gathers, and layer them with crisp cottons and linens for interest and appeal. Since how things feel is just as important as how they look, add some deliciously
soft and tactile fabrics such as angora, mohair or cashmere, or perhaps warm and snuggly wool or felt. Choose floral patterns that look as if they’re worn or faded (definitely not digitally printed or modern in style) – you just can’t beat classics such as roses, hydrangeas, peonies and the like, especially when they’re hand-drawn or block-printed. Decorative details are important, too: embroidery, borders, ruffles and scalloped edgings will enhance even the plainest of fabrics, and since a little goes a long way there is no need to break the bank to achieve the desired effect.
As for furniture, opt for simple, country-style or shabby chic furnishings in natural pine or else painted in pale and pretty colours. You may wish to go to town in the bedroom with a canopied or half-tester bed (if you’re on a budget, simply hang generous amounts of hemmed, sheer fabric from a hoop above the bed for a similar effect), combined with blissfully beautiful bed linen: perhaps crisp white cotton edged with drawn threadwork and topped with a vintage chintzy eiderdown or satin quilt. In the living room, opt for a plump and (of course) comfortable sofa, chaise longue or armchair in a traditional style, piled with cushions and bolsters
trimmed with lace, embroidery or buttons, while in the kitchen an old-fashioned dresser is just the thing, piled with vintage patterned crockery. No romantic home would be complete without atmospheric lighting, which is best achieved by combining a variety of light sources – a central chandelier perhaps, together with a selection of wall and table lights, the latter small and graceful rather than large and imposing. Don’t forget that twinkly fairy lights and a selection of candles or tea lights (preferably scented) will really add atmosphere to your home. And speaking of finishing touches, choose surface finishes that are shiny and reflective, from mirror to pearl, polished metal to glazed ceramics. Accessorise with fine china teacups and cake stands, delicately etched glassware and bone-handled cutlery. One or two heart-shaped pieces add to the effect – as will a scattering of small ornaments, from birds and animals to female figures. Last, but definitely not least, add flowers everywhere possible, in vases and milk bottles, jam jars and other informal containers. Roses or ranunculas, alliums or asters – informal arrangements of old-fashioned blooms with a lovely scent will be sure to bring romance to any home. By Katherine Sorrell Main Image: These embellished cushions have a gentle and romantic feel. From £19.99, all Retreat Home, tel 01628471056; www.retreat-home.com
The undisputed king of the ex ecutive saloons is better than ever in its current incarnation. From the handsome styling and perfect proportions to the beauti fully balanced handling, every thing about this car is spot on. Leather seats and satnav come as standard so every model has that touch of luxury, together with acres of space and a sup ple ride. The 3.0 litre diesel is awesome but the 2.0 litre is fine for most people’s needs with 185bhp, a 060 time of 8.1 sec onds and economy of up to 65mpg. I found a 2010 model with 58k on it, a snip at £13,000.
Mercedes’ venerable E class has long been everything from the MD’s luxury express to the
station taxi. The styling on the latest version is controversial but certainly imposing. The E Class is all about comfort and prestige coupled with bomb proof build quality and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint. With acres of space, the comfi est of seats, an effortless ride and superb refinement, you can drive across Europe without breaking into a sweat. The 2.2 litre diesel is a bit sluggish, bet ter to go for the 3.0 litre E350 CDI which from 2011 boasts 265bhp and a top whack of 155 mph. A 2011 car with a modest 33k miles on it and all the good ies will set you back 17 grand.
The first of the “new” Jags, the XF is sleek and svelte, more like a coupé than a saloon. The interior is truly a lovely place to be with leather and wood every where and some slick features like the pop up gear column and rotating air vents. The handling is excellent without seriously compromising the ride, although it is not as good as the Merc. Originally available with a 2.7 litre diesel that was behind the opposition, from 2009 it was upgraded to a smooth 3.0 litre with 235bhp. There’s also a 2.2 but that’s a bit coarse. The big
ger engine gets to 62mph in 6.7 seconds yet still manages a commendable 52mpg. Expect to pay £15,500 for a 2011 model with less than 40k under its belt.
Although it’s a Japanese car aimed squarely at the American market, the GS is still well worth a look. The styling hasn’t really evolved enough but inside you will a sumptuous interior with every bit of kit known to man fitted as standard. The Lexus is incredibly refined with a magic carpet ride that few others can match. As the American’s don’t really do diesels, the one to go for is the 450h petrol hybrid. A combination of a 3.5 litre V6 and two electric motors generates 292bhp and whisks this heavy car up to 62 in 5.9 seconds. The build quality and attention to detail is extraordinary, up there with a Rolls. They’re a tad ex pensive, a 2011 plate with 25k on it comes in at £18,000.
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Health Tackling Tinnitus
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
your brain learns to filter out what it classifies as background sound, such as traffic noise. Sometimes though, the brain receives too little information and asks the ear for more. This extra information can cause tinnitus. Things which seem to trigger the process are: Middle ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, so need to be treated swiftly. Damage to the hair cells in your ear – these delicate cells decrease with age and can be damaged by exposure to loud noise too, causing hearing loss (which may make tinnitus more noticeable). Stress and anxiety may make tinnitus more noticeable. Some people first notice tinnitus during emotional upheavals such as redundancy or bereavement. If you think you have tinnitus, don’t panic. Over time, the noises usually disappear or drop to a manageable level. But it’s important to see your GP, who will refer you to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Audiology specialists. They will usually: • give you a hearing test • examine you • suggest ways to make your tinnitus easier to live with If you suffer from tinnitus, there are plenty of coping
strategies to try. • Get Information and support to help you feel more in control and less alone (see the contacts below). • Therapies and Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness or Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), relaxation, yoga or tai chi can help you tune out tinnitus. • Hearing loss correction – hearing aids often improve or eliminate tinnitus by restoring sounds you couldn’t otherwise hear. • Sound therapy: low-level background noise such as music or natural sounds can help, particularly during quiet periods or when drifting off to sleep. Special CDs, MP3 tracks or purpose built sound generators are available. • Keeping busy with work, hobbies or friends can make it easier to ignore tinnitus. • Exercise will keep you busy and may help you sleep, too. Start gradually if you’re not used to exercising. • Talk about it to someone who understands – this can relieve feelings of frustration and loneliness. • Live your life as normally as possible. Try not to change your life too much to fit around your tinnitus - if you do, it will take on more importance and you may feel more resentful and stressed.
It’s Tinnitus Awareness Week from 2nd-8th February, and as the British Tinnitus Association estimates that around 30% of us will experience tinnitus at some point, it’s important to understand it. Tinnitus isn’t a disease or illness. It’s a condition causing you to hear continuous or occasional noise that isn’t external. It can be a single sound or several; humming, whooshing, whistling, hissing, buzzing, ringing or even, rarely, musical notes. It may seem like it’s in one ear, both, inside your head or be impossible to pinpoint. The causes aren’t clear. Tinnitus is still not fully understood, but it’s more common in people with hearing loss or ear problems - although people with normal hearing get it too. Normally, your ears send sounds to the brain for processing, but as they can’t tell what’s important, they send unnecessary information. So
For more InFormaTIon and supporT:
British Tinnitus association: Helpline – Tel 0800 018 0527 Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk www.tinnitus.org.uk action on Hearing Loss: Tinnitus Information Line: Tel 0808 808 6666 | Textphone 0808 808 9000 tinnitushelpline@hearingloss.org.uk http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/your-hearing/tinnitus.aspx (downloadable leaflets available free) Hearing Link: Helpdesk: 0300 111 1113 Email: helpdesk@hearinglink.org http://www.hearinglink.org/tinnitus
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Join in the warehouse or online: www.costco.co.uk/membership The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership is £20 (plus VAT). Executive Trade Membership is an additional £30 (plus VAT) upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25 (plus VAT). Executive Individual Membership is an additional £30 (plus VAT) upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. Membership Criteria applies. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made. Costco accepts cash, debit card, cheque or American Express
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Karen Munro Careers (Feb15)_Layout 1 21/01/2015 13:20 Page 1
Karen Munro - Career Coach www.munrocareers.co.uk #@munrocareers www.facebook.com/munrocareers Karen is a professional Career Coach providing individual support in all aspects of Career Development including effective CV Coaching and Interview Skills Techniques, Networking and successful job searching. A member of the Career Development Institute and registered with the Careers Professional Alliance, a qualified Careers Practitioner and Trainer, she works with both private and business clients around Hillingdon, South Bucks and Middlesex.
Karen is currently facilitating workshops and offering individual coaching to Military Personnel leaving the Armed Forces at RAF Northolt, helping them through their transition to civilian employment. Karen writes for a number of careers focused and military resettlement magazines and regularly contributes to ‘In and Around’ sharing her practical experience with her local community. HOORAY it’s February! You have survived the most depressing month of the calendar – January. You have propped up the UK’s economy by grabbing bargains in the sales; promised yourselves to lose those extra pounds put on over Christmas; signed back up with the local gym; started eating healthily and some of you may have even avoided alcohol for a whole month as part of the Cancer Research Dryathlon! Phew! Now we can reap the benefits as February is here and it’s the month of ‘love and romance’ with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. So this month’s article is all about ‘Love’... and how to ‘Love Your Job’! The New Year is the most popular time for people to quit their job, or feel despondent about their careers. But don’t be too hasty, the grass may seem greener elsewhere, but in this current economic climate, it probably isn’t. So try changing your attitude to your job and start making small changes to make it more rewarding. Remember your job does not define you, but how you do your job does. Having the right attitude, such as having a positive frame of mind and demonstrating a ‘can do’ attitude to those around you will also have a profound influence on the people you work with. There are times when you can’t control your situation, but you can always choose how you behave in it. If you are one of those people who arrive in the office on a Monday morning complaining about the journey, or the weather, or about how fast the weekend went and how you’d rather be doing something else, think again. Not only will your negative attitude bring your colleagues around you down, but it will bring you down.
Here’s how to start to love your job... If you change your attitude and start reflecting a positive outlook, people will really notice. They will start to ask you about this ‘new you’ and what’s changed? Make it your mission to see how many people you can influence. Get them involved in making your workplace a better place to be. Start small, maybe just have a big clear out in the office and make it look and feel nicer. Rather than sitting at your desk with a sandwich everyday try inviting your colleagues out for lunch. Stop focusing on the money. We all live to our means and we will always want more – no matter how much we get. So stop using it as an excuse. It’s a well know fact that pay is not biggest motivator to being satisfied at work. Money may have attracted you to the job in the first place, but won’t keep you there. If you had an absolutely horrid job and was well paid for it, it would only be a matter of time until you would want to leave! Getting paid is only one small part of what you do; your work has to be more than just a payslip to be fulfilling. Love your job. Think about the significance of what you do. Really think about your contribution and all positive things you have accomplished. Try to think back on why you took the job in the first place and how delighted you were when you got the job. Perspective plays a huge role in personal satisfaction. What impact could you make now in your job and within your organisation? Are there things you could actually change for the better and improve? Everyone wants to know they are loved... and work is no different. Start to thank your colleagues and give them positive feedback. People want to be appreciated and told “well done!” and “good job!” You can create that culture in your office today – just watch it flourish and spread through the office and feel good about the reactions you get. So, when you get up to go to work tomorrow, remember to put a big smile on your face and think about what a great day you are going to have and love your job! Start to love your job!
Karen
“unlocking your career potential”
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holidays
In and Around
Call 01895 83 33 33 for bookings and information Holidays offered by GN Holidays & Voyages Higher Denham ABTA NoY0291 •ATOL 9362
River Cruise www.gnvoyages.co.uk Coach Breaks www.gnholidays.com Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays
Free Drinks
I The Rhine in Flames
Cochem
E
•
e
Koblenz
The Rhine Gorge
Rhine in Flames & Moselle River Cruise by Rail or Air Departs 22 September, 2015 8 days semi-all-inclusive, from £889pp • Quote: RN9-IA This fun-packed cruise visits historic riverside towns including Cochem, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Boppard, where you will experience the wine festival and see the Rhine in Flames festival. Originally held to celebrate the grape harvest, this spectacular pyrotechnics show features an illuminated flotilla of riverboats and curtains of fire, bathing the scene in a magical glow. We have chartered the lovely mps Amsterdam exclusively for this cruise. With just 98 guests and a cosy, friendly atmosphere, this will surely be a cruise to remember.
INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Return rail travel from London St Pancras (Ebbsfleet on request) to Brussels and coach transfer to Cologne or return flights to Cologne - supp’t may apply • 7 nights fullboard cruise on the mps Amsterdam sharing a twin outside cabin (TCB) on Main Deck upgrades available • Welcome drink on arrival • Beer, wine, & soft drinks served at lunch and dinner and from 6pm to midnight at the bar • Entertainment • Transfers abroad
I
•
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e
Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough QUOTE: EA3-IA
QUOTE: TD3-IA
e
EASTBOURNE & SOUTH COAST EXPLORER
THRIPLOW DAFFODIL FESTIVAL & LUNCH AT A COUNTRY PUB
5 Days Half Board, £229pp
Great Day Out, £69pp
Departs Monday 23 March, 2015
Departs Saturday 21 March, 2015
INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the Shoreview Hotel on
INCLUDED: Visit to Thriplow village for the daffodil
Eastbourne seafront • 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts
festival • 2-course hot & cold buffet lunch with a glass
• Visits to Arundel and Brighton • Coach travel and
of wine at the White Horse Hotel, Hertingfordbury
excursions
• Return coach travel
QUOTE: HA4-IA
QUOTE: DG5-IA
HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW & YORK
BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OF DEVON
4 Days Half Board, £269pp
6 Days Half Board, £459pp
Departs Friday 24 April, 2015
Departs Sunday 10 May, 2015
INCLUDED: 3 nights stay at Jury’s Inn hotel, Leeds
INCLUDED: 5 nights hotel stay in Woolacombe, North
• 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts • Visits to York and
Devon • 5 dinners and 5 breakfasts • Visits to Hartland
Harrogate Spring Flower Show • Coach travel and
Abbey, Marwood Hill and RHS Rosemoor gardens,
excursions
including entry • Coach travel and excursions
Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. For further information, or to arrange a visit, please telephone 01895 234371 Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com
‘Divorce Day’ follows the festive break by Richard Phillips Partner, family and matrimonial team IBB Solicitors richard.phillips@ibblaw.co.uk
The first working day after the festive break has been dubbed “Divorce Day”, with an ever-increasing number of spouses each year choosing it as the day to seek advice as to how to end their marriages. January and February traditionally see a spike in divorce enquiries, with recent research revealing that law firms can receive in excess of 25% more instructions relating to divorce during the month of January, than in an average month.
Christmas can be a catalyst for many couples to take action for a multitude of reasons; prolonged periods in the family home, an excess of alcohol, and disappointed expectations can prove testing on relationships. It is also reported that more affairs are discovered over the festive period, with increased contact time between spouses and the discovery of texts from third parties. Another widely cited reason for the spike in separation enquiries is the advent of a new year, with unhappy spouses looking for a fresh start or to fulfill their resolutions. Christmas can be a testing time for couples but instigating divorce action is most often not spontaneous or rash, but more likely the result of
months or even years of deliberation. Seeking help at an earlier stage – when the first thoughts about separation creep in – can be the first step in resolving problems and make the likelihood of splitting up less likely. But for many people, the additional stress of Christmas and the start of the New Year bring these underlying problems to the surface, and they make their final decision to part. While the festive season may prompt thoughts of divorce, many couples report consciously deferring the issue until the New Year. A survey of 2,000 married adults found that one in five couples contemplate divorce in the months leading to December, but decide to stay together over the Christmas period, resolving to end their marriage in January. Other respondents said they delayed starting divorce proceedings to give them more time to consider their actions, while 18% of those surveyed said they had a date in mind on which they would like to end their relationship. If you would like to discuss any aspect of family law, are considering divorce proceedings or a trial separation, or need to discuss arrangements for children, call our mediation, divorce and family dispute resolution solicitors in absolute confidence on 01494 790058 or 01494 790047. Alternatively, email us at familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.
New year, fresh start?
When marriages reach the point of no return, you need a cool head to guide you through the emotional, legal and financial minefield. We will protect your interests and help you reach the best possible outcome for your family.
01494 790000 ibblaw.co.uk
Short Story
The Crafty Catch
“It could have been that one, or, on the other hand, it might have been the one next door”, Janine pondered. “Come on Derek, help me out, which one was it?” They had been searching up and down the High Street for a while now. The streets lights had all come on and a light drizzle was falling. The cold had begun to seep through the soles of Derek’s shoes. It was a lovely idea of Janine’s to visit their home town on their anniversary to relive their first date. They had sat through a blockbuster sharing a box of Maltezers, in the old Curzon cinema which was miraculously still open, and were now searching for the café they had gone to afterwards. The High Street had changed beyond recognition in the thirty years since they had moved away, and Derek’s memory wasn’t what it used to be. “I’ll hold my hands up darling, I don’t remember the café at all”, he confessed, “I thought I treated you to a cone of chips from the Crafty Catch and we ate them walking home”. “Honestly Derek! We went to that café with pretty tablecloths. I remember fretting about the candle on the table because I had so much lacquer in my hair. I ordered a frothy coffee and a toasted tea cake”. Derek couldn’t remember. He
had come to rely on Janine to do his remembering for him. Jeanine went on, “you asked for a black coffee - I remember thinking it was ever so continental”. “Did I?” Derek mused about his former self who had been considered continental. “Then you rambled on about stopcocks and non-return valves for half an hour, and went off to catch your bus”, Janine said, “I remember thinking ‘well I’m not sure if I want to see him again’”. “Didn’t I walk you home?” Derek asked. He wasn’t sure if he approved of his former self. If a young man hadn’t seen his own daughter safely home he’d have something to say about it. “No you did not, my Father was furious”, Janine frowned. “Hold on Derek, this looks familiar”. They reached a little side street. ”I’m sure it was down here”. “Come on Mrs”, Derek said, taking her hand, “if it’s still there I’ll treat you to a frothy coffee”. They turned the corner and saw straight away that the cafe was gone. In its place, just closing up for the night, was a plumber’s merchants. “I feel as though part of my past has been taken away”.
Janine said sadly. “There, there”. Derek said, patting her hand, “We’ve always got our memories”. “Well, I have”. Janine said crossly, “You can’t remember any of it”. “Sorry”, Derek said, “I couldn’t talk for two minutes about stop-cocks now”. “And yet you seemed so passionate about them at the time”. Janine said, peering in through the show window. She turned and looked at Derek strangely. “It wasn’t me, was it?” he said quietly. Janine’s cheeks turned crimson. “I remember now. He was a plumber’s mate. My friend set me up on a blind date”. She risked a sly smile, “Are you cross?” Derek looked squarely at his wife, then put his arm around her shoulders, “To be honest I’m relieved”. There was an unmistakeable aroma that told him, of all the shops on the high street, The Crafty Catch was still in business. “Come on, I’ll treat you to a cone of chips”. By Jackie Brewster
Starting Your End of Tax Year Planning ASAP! The current tax year will end on the 5 April 2015, so you still have time to sort your tax planning before the year closes, but the best advice is to get it done as soon as possible.
The main areas to make tax efficient investments are Pensions and NISAs.
Pensions Pensions are one of the most tax efficient investment vehicles, for personal contributions, you will receive 20% tax relief on your contribution. If you are a higher or additional rate tax payer you can claim a further 20% or 25% relief respectively via your self assessment. The maximum annual personal pension contribution that can be made is 100% of your relevant UK earnings (up to a limit of £40,000 gross). Major changes will come into effect from 6 April 2015, from flexibility on how to draw your benefits to passing on your pension after death to beneficiaries more tax efficiently.
New Individual Savings Accounts (NISAs) The Government also made changes to NISAs from 1 July 2014. The annual allowance increased from £11,880 to £15,000; complete flexibility on amounts contributed to cash or Stocks & Shares, for the first time Stocks & Shares can be transferred into cash and continue to hold its NISA wrapper. If you have not used your full NISA allowance by 5 April, you will not be able to carry this forward. As of 6 April 2015, the annual NISA allowance will increase up to £15,240.
Alternatives If you have used your NISA and pension allowances already, there are alternatives open to you that will offer relief to reduce your income tax along with other benefits. Investments such as Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs) offer tax relief but are seen as riskier investments. If you wish to discuss investing monies into an NISA or Pension, please contact Ward Williams Financial Services Ltd on 01895 236335 or email wwfs@wardwilliams.co.uk.
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holidays
In and Around
Call 01895 83 33 33 for bookings and information Holidays offered by GN Holidays & Voyages Higher Denham ABTA NoY0291 •ATOL 9362
River Cruise www.gnvoyages.co.uk Coach Breaks www.gnholidays.com Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays
Free Drinks
I The Rhine in Flames
Cochem
E
•
e
Koblenz
The Rhine Gorge
Rhine in Flames & Moselle River Cruise by Rail or Air Departs 22 September, 2015 8 days semi-all-inclusive, from £889pp • Quote: RN9-IA This fun-packed cruise visits historic riverside towns including Cochem, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Boppard, where you will experience the wine festival and see the Rhine in Flames festival. Originally held to celebrate the grape harvest, this spectacular pyrotechnics show features an illuminated flotilla of riverboats and curtains of fire, bathing the scene in a magical glow. We have chartered the lovely mps Amsterdam exclusively for this cruise. With just 98 guests and a cosy, friendly atmosphere, this will surely be a cruise to remember.
INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Return rail travel from London St Pancras (Ebbsfleet on request) to Brussels and coach transfer to Cologne or return flights to Cologne - supp’t may apply • 7 nights fullboard cruise on the mps Amsterdam sharing a twin outside cabin (TCB) on Main Deck upgrades available • Welcome drink on arrival • Beer, wine, & soft drinks served at lunch and dinner and from 6pm to midnight at the bar • Entertainment • Transfers abroad
I
•
H
e
Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough QUOTE: EA3-IA
QUOTE: TD3-IA
e
EASTBOURNE & SOUTH THRIPLOW DAFFODIL FESTIVAL COAST EXPLORER & LUNCH AT A COUNTRY PUB 5 Days Half Board, £229pp
Great Day Out, £69pp
Departs Monday 23 March, 2015
Departs Saturday 21 March, 2015
INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the Shoreview Hotel on
INCLUDED: Visit to Thriplow village for the daffodil
Eastbourne seafront • 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts
festival • 2-course hot & cold buffet lunch with a glass
• Visits to Arundel and Brighton • Coach travel and
of wine at the White Horse Hotel, Hertingfordbury
excursions
• Return coach travel
QUOTE: HA4-IA
QUOTE: DG5-IA
HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW & YORK
BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OF DEVON
4 Days Half Board, £269pp
6 Days Half Board, £459pp
Departs Friday 24 April, 2015
Departs Sunday 10 May, 2015
INCLUDED: 3 nights stay at Jury’s Inn hotel, Leeds
INCLUDED: 5 nights hotel stay in Woolacombe, North
• 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts • Visits to York and
Devon • 5 dinners and 5 breakfasts • Visits to Hartland
Harrogate Spring Flower Show • Coach travel and
Abbey, Marwood Hill and RHS Rosemoor gardens,
excursions
including entry • Coach travel and excursions
The Wildlife Zone...FP (Feb15)_Layout 1 21/01/2015 13:49 Page 1
THE WILDLIFE ZONE
THE BEAVER & THE MUSK RAT Andy Mydellton FLS (pictured right) is an environmentalist journalist, the founder and leader of the British wildlife charity, the Foundation for Endangered Species. They are members of the United Nations agency UNESCO with Andy Mydellton being Chairman and the Environmental Concern Advisor to the UNESCO Schools Group. Andy is a Fellow of the Linnean Society. He writes for many publications, mounts photographic exhibitions, gives presentations and broadcasts the 'Andy Mydellton Wildlife Zone' radio programme.
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he Beaver and Musk Rat often cohabit the same waters, and if some people see the animals from a distance these two species can get mixed up. However, they are different animals with different histories – and face very different futures, especially in Britain. Recently I led a conservationist break to New York State in the USA, where I studied Beavers. They live at Lincoln Pond in the Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, where I was staying. Not only were these furry creatures great fun to look at, but their effect on the local habitat has been most beneficial. As with most Beaver areas, water levels are increased because of their dam building; lakes, backwaters, ponds, bogs and marshes are also created, with each habitat giving rise to a greater number of plants and animals. This is the end of the rainbow for many conservationists in particular, as well as for many natural history lovers. The Beaver is a dark brown furry mammal that lives its entire life in the water and on the banks. It is a peaceful animal, vegetarian and creates no problems for other creatures in the habitat. An indication of Beavers’ territory, as well as dams, is their very large log built lodges where they live and rear their family (as pictured below). I first began to value this riparian animal (one that lives in the water) when I found out that it was a British animal until it had been hunted to extinction, hundreds of years ago. The c19th and early c20th rural lifestyles depended on hunting, trapping and trading of animal meat and fur in the forests and waterways. A few people got rich with this hard and rugged lifestyle, but it was at a cost to many others. However, in the c20th some things began to change... Instead of harvesting the natural excess of animals, many people hunted and killed a greater number of Beavers that were sustainable. Overhunting led to damaging the core population. Fewer and fewer animals could be hunted each year as there were always less of them to kill. Furthermore, the surviving Beavers were more thinly spread throughout the river systems and became even harder to catch. The principle of unsustainable over-killing still continues in other parts of the world today. This can most easily be witnessed with unsustainable fishing. Statutory legislation soon followed to enforce the common good, and the Beaver became one of the first species in the battle for practical conservation. In the 1990s reintroducing the Beaver to Britain was finally on the political agenda. However this was a mountain to climb for British conservationists, as the state beaurocracy in conservation issues is an overwhelming obstacle. Despite this, conservationists waded through government waffle and red tape to get to the natural history benefits from this issue. Finally the Beaver’s reintroduction programme has begun at Knapdale, Fife in Scotland where it would most likely flourish. The plan has been carefully constructed to mirror similar programs that had proved to be successful throughout other European countries. After some success Beavers can now be seen living naturally in the UK once more, and many conservationists have been celebrating the country's first major animal to be officially reintroduced back into our countryside. Musk Rats also live near the Beaver lodge at Lincoln Pond, where Beavers seem to be happy with their presence. Musk Rats are also riparians measuring up to 25 inches. It is a surprising thing for many people that they are members of the vole family. Despite the name of ‘rats’, they are nearly the same size at small Beavers. The Musk Rats that I saw were nearly black and swam away from me almost immediately. Perhaps, like other rodents, they have learned to fear people. Like the Beaver, the Musk Rat was also once valued for its fur. So it was hunted extensively until it began to be farmed, in its native USA. After some commercial success, it was introduced into European countries for industrial production. Almost inevitably, some escaped into the British countryside and began to reproduce, becoming feral. Later Musk Rats were declared to be an invasive species. It was said that they caused severe damage when they burrowed deep into riverbanks. Rightly or wrongly, they were then exterminated from the countryside. Of course this bad experience here in Britain does not make the Musk Rat a bad animal per se, but it does make it an inappropriate animal to be allowed to exist in the British countryside. However, even this ‘inappropriateness’ is judged by humans and by our values, which usually boils down to economic considerations. The judgment was not necessarily based solely on their place in the ecological system. Since I have returned from the USA my affection for the magical Beaver has increased. I for one welcome its return to the British countryside as it increases our biodiversity, recreates another part of our heritage and allows us to be in the presence of a truly wonderful animal. However, the Musk Rat will never be able to return and hold a position as a British feral animal due to its previous existence here, however temporary it was.
The charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk
Five Tips To Feed The Flame by Kate McLelland Ask any long-established, middle-aged couple how they keep romance alive, and there’s a good chance they will laugh out loud. It’s not surprising. All those shared experiences of childrearing, family crises, career ups-and-downs and house moves can leave you with a “joined-at-the hip” feeling that’s a million miles away from the attraction to an exotic “other” you felt when you first fell in love. The number of people aged sixty years and over heading off to the divorce courts (aptly dubbed “Silver Splitters”) has risen by forty five per cent over the last decade and one of the main reasons for this dramatic statistic is that people are now living longer and seeking more from their relationships. So what is the secret when it comes to keeping love alive? Here are five key tips to keep your relationship fresh: 1. Challenge yourself and your partner Trying out new pastimes and hobbies or travelling to new places can be great ways to revive a tired relationship, but the key word here is “new”: it’s important to move out of your comfort zone. You’ll be surprised how quickly the spark returns
when you do something unexpected or face a challenge together. 2. Hug more, praise more Have you both fallen out of the habit of touching, hugging and smiling? Giving the odd kiss or word of encouragement? It may be difficult to start hugging and kissing your partner if you don’t usually behave in that way, but begin by looking for small opportunities to offer praise and physical reassurance and gradually build up from there. With luck – and given enough time - your partner will respond in the same way. If not, then have an honest discussion about why physical contact is important to you. 3. Don’t create your own stereotypes You’re not “mum” and “dad” to each other. Avoid the trap of falling into cosy stereotypes that prevent you from expressing your individuality. Remember that friends and family may also be reluctant to see you change, so gently assert yourself if you’re feeling under pressure to conform to their expectations. 4. Eavesdrop on your own conversations Listen to yourself as you talk
with your partner and make a mental note of any negative conversational habits. Some couples constantly put each other down, while others know each others’ thoughts so well they tend to finish each others’ sentences. Neither approach is particularly helpful if you want to refresh your relationship, so if you’re not happy with what you hear, start working out ways to improve your communication. 5. Don’t be afraid of nostalgia There’s no shame in indulging in a little nostalgia. Revisit the music you first listened to together, look at old photographs and go to places that were once important to you both. Enjoy your shared history and think back to the spark that made it all happen. You’ll need courage and honesty to break down habits that have built up over years. It may take time for the process to work, but it will be worth it in the end. If you can tap into some of the excitement of your youth by discovering new interests and rediscovering old pleasures, there’s every chance you’ll relight a flame that will keep you warm for many years to come.
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REGULAR EVENTS...
Quiz Night Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Coach & Horses, Ickenham
Events at Harefield Community Centre, Priory Avenue, UB9 6AP MON Cameo Club (3rd Mon month) 10am-12pm; Indoor Bowls (Short Mat) 2pm-5pm; Harefield Wine Club (2nd Mon in the month) 7.459.30pm; Judo (Seniors not 2nd Mon in month) 8-10pm. TUES Line Dancing 10.45am1.15pm; Bingo 7.45pm - 10.30pm. WED Fitness, Fun & Dance 10.30am12.00pm; Singing for Fun (1st Wed in month) 1-2.30pm; Judo Club 6.307.45pm; Dancing Club 8.15pm10.30pm. THURS Happy Families Group 9.4511.45am; Tea Dances 2-4pm; Whist 7.30-10pm; Ladies Club (2nd Thur in month) 8-10pm. FRI Bridge Club 10.30am-12.30pm; Line Dancing 12.45-3pm; Indoor Bowls (Short Mat) 7.30-10pm. All enquiries to Lynne Mogge 01895 824621 or e: harefield communitycentre@btconnect.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Monday's in Harefield! Every Monday. Beginners Jive Dance Classes 7.45pm. Slow practise session 8.30-9pm Social Rock n Roll 9-11pm. No partner required - no experience necessary! Harefield Cricket Club, Breakspear Road North, Harefield, UB9 6NE. 7.30-11pm £5 entry. Email therockingrebels@ gmail.com or call 07947 106607 www.facebook.com/therockingrebels 1950s Rock n Roll with DJs The Rocking Rebels 1st Fri of every month 7.30-11.30pm. Retro stalls, BYO drinks. St Marys Church Hall, High St, Harefield UB9 6BX. Contact 07951 652083 therockingrebel@gmail.com www.facebook.com/therockingrebels
HOBBIES...
Chinese Brush Painting Group Meet on Saturday mornings. Guided by an experienced tutor. Compose and develop your own style and the finer points of Chinese calligraphy. Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield. Call Phyllis 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com
Hillingdon Arts & Crafts Club Meet every 2nd Friday in The Parlour at the URC Church in Swakeleys Road from 9.45-11.30am. £3pp. Call Sue Williams 07799 054444 Hillingdon Decorative & Fine Arts Society Enjoy 10 expert lectures a year about art and culture from around Britain. Outings to galleries & places of cultural interest. Receive NADFAS Review, Interested? Come along to a lecture, cost £6. See www.hillingdondfas.co.uk, email: membership@hillingdonfas.co.uk or call Ann Lowe 01895 638147 Hillingdon Natural History Society Meets 1st Wed of the month at the Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@hillingdonnaturalhistorysociety.org.uk Hillingdon Railway Modellers Club Meet every Thursday, 7.30pm at Yiewsley Baptist Church contact tonymoth@Hotmail.co.uk Inland Waterways Association Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk Iver Flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call Barbara Rhodes 01895 236531 or www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver.htm
The Language Clubs of Hillingdon From late September until mid July. Visitors welcome, Speak some German, Spanish, French or Italian? Want to practise speaking and listening in friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers & native speakers? Join a Language Club! Each club meets on a different Thursday of the month at 7.45pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 723; Italian Club 020 8863 3468; Spanish Club and French Club 01895 253 472
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Uxbridge & Ickenham Floral Art Society Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. Call 01895 850943. KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA... Aikido Classes Yeading Community Centre, UB4 9BH. Seniors: Mon & Fri 8-10pm. Juniors (6yrs+) Fri 6.30-8pm. Learn a non competitive martial art. Friendly British Aikido Board registered club, under Sensei Sheppard 6th dan. Full information on www.kuraiaikido.co.uk. Contact Keith Holland 01895 636344 or email kuraiaikido@hotmail.com
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Bagot Stack (Fitness League) Term Time Only. Vyners School, UB10 8AB on Tuesdays 7.30 - 8.30pm. Also in Windsor Monday & Thursday. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 www.thefitnessleague.com Images School of Dance Dance, drama, fun and friendly dance classes for all ages including RAD Ballet & Contemporary dance. Based in Ruislip Manor. www.imagesschoolofdance.co.uk e: info@imagesschoolofdance.co.uk continued overleaf...
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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Dance, Gymnastics and Free Running Classes By Futunity UK in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults - all styles of dance from RAD ballet to Zumba. Check www.futunityuk.com for full class listings. Call 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com
Fitness League Tone & stretch exercises for the whole body, with fun dance routines to music for women of all fitness levels. Tuesday 7.30-8.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham, UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 before attending. www.thefitnessleague.com Funky Rhythms Dance & Fitness Zumba with Brian (07957 343528) Monday 6.30pm- Swakeley's School for girls, Clifton Gardens, Hillingdon Zumba with Elli £5 (07833 690153) Tuesday 8pm- Active4less, 233 High Street, Uxbridge Zumba with Brian Thu 6pm & 7.30pm Watts Hall, Christchurch, Belmont Road, Uxbridge Zumba with Sylvia J £5 (07793 769584) 8pm - Minet Jnr Sch, Avondale Dr, Hayes Irish Dancing Classes From age 5. Beginners & advanced classes. Mon, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wed, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic Church Hall. Contact Deidre email: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk telephone: 07956 346383 Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Monday 9.30am-10.30am & Tuesday 6.45pm-7.45pm. Wednesday & Friday 10-11am
Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Road, Denham, Bucks. Thursday 6.30-7.30pm. Contact: Wendy Whitefoord Tel: 07803 602142 e: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com
Ladies Only Kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk Line Dancing Wednesdays at Uxbridge Community Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge. New class for absolute beginners is 10.30am-12.30pm, with free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Beginners/easy level 1.45pm-3.45pm - free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Thursdays at Charville Community Centre, Bury Road, Hayes End 8pm10pm for beginners/improvers £4.25, no tea and biscuits, but there is a bar. Call Susan 01895 832837 Modern Jive Classes Mondays, 8-11pm, West Drayton Community Centre Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. Beginners welcome, first night entry and free lifetime membership with this advert. Contact: Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 or email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com Passion Dance Group Passion Dance Group (Ruislip) Queensmead Sports Centre and Highgrove Pool Classes include: Street Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Minie Me'z (3 - 6 years Ballet, Tap & Street), Kids Parties. We offer Shows, Workshops, Competitions and Assessments.
Age 3+ all abilities welcome. 07882 413428 passiondancegroup@hotmail.co.uk Pink Academy of DANCE Classes held daily @ New Denham Community Centre. Exciting range of classes for boys and girls from 2 years to Adults. Monday - RAD ballet and IDTA Tap Wednesday - Jazz and Festival work Friday - Festival work Saturday - Little feet ballet (2yrs), Ballet, Tap, Disco, Festival work and Adult Ballet and Tap. Contact: Admin@pinkacademy.co.uk www.pinkacademy.co.uk 01895 257553 Rockin' 8s Square Dancing Modern American style - every Thurs 8.15pm. New Denham & Willowbank Community Centre, Oxford Road, New Denham. UB9 4DW. Call Jean 01895 622859 or email paul@stingproductions.com Salsa! Every Tuesday @ Slug and Lettuce Uxbridge UB8 1LB. No Partner required. From 8.30pm classes for beginners to more advance dancers with ViVaLaSalsa! For more details call 07961 699424 or visit: www.vivalasalsakizomba.com Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.45-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.30-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm continued overleaf...
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SALSA (all styles) Every Monday at Uxbridge Community Centre, 32b The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ from 7.45pm to 10pm. Come and join Mina Queen Salsa for some amazing fun. Call 07958 578962 or email mina@queensalsa.com
Suzanne’s School of Dance & Drama 69 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8DQ. Classes from aged 2 yrs to adult. All types of dance and musical theatre, drama, singing. See website 'suzannes-dance.co.uk' Tai Chi Classes Every Saturday 10-11am at Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429 The Pilates Club St Giles & The United Reformed Church Halls, Ickenham. Visit www.thepilatesclub.co.uk or call 07968 920070 Yoga with Yolanda Ickenham Village Hall Mons from 6.45 to 8.15. Mixed group. info call 07919 243648 Zumba Fitness Mon 7pm, Wed 10am. Denham Village Memorial Hall. Ian or Suzanne 07545 910058 / 07834 187745. Zumba Fitness Class Mon 6pm, Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane Hillingdon UB8 3QU. Tues 7.30pm, St Marys Church Hall, Hemmen Lane (off Church Rd, Hayes) UB3 2JQ. No experience necessary. £5. Call Ann-Marie 07701 012927 MUSIC... Accord, Ruislip Community Choir Meet every Thursday evening in term time at 7.30pm at Ruislip Baptist Church, Manor Way, Ruislip. We have over 65 choir members, but will especially welcome new male choir members. No auditions! A great fun choir, if you try us you will want to
stay! Call Chris on 07714 226216.
Drumbeatz Drum tuition for beginners by Melanie Kleyn, qualified HND. 8yrs+. Guitar lessons on site. 3.15-5.30pm or during the day. Text 07757 635880 Email: drumsmel@gmail.com Faraday Country Music Club in Slough SL2 1RN. The best live Country Music every Thursday for listeners, western partners, freestyle or line dancers. From 8 - 11pm. Contact Deb 07986 050742. www.faradaycountry.co.uk Guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Contact Sam for a FREE lesson 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk
Uxbridge Folk Club Meets twice a month on a Thursday at Uxbridge RNA, 388a Long Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex. UB10 9PG (2 mins from Hillingdon Tube Station) and supports all kinds of acoustic music. Also welcomes floor singers and musicians. PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Yiewsley & West Drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band This is open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wednesday during term time 6.457.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com Sing and Sign Britain’s favourite Baby Signing Classes from 6 months Wed at Uxbridge Leisure Centre, Fri at The White Bear, Ruislip. FREE TASTERS BOOK NOW contact Cathy 07712
047621 or email: cathyseddigh@ singandsign.co.uk Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thurs 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) & Cadets (age 12-18 yrs). £2 per week, courses from £5. E: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Stars at Knight After school Drama Club for children 7-18 yrs at Southlands Art Centre, 76 The Green, West Drayton. Tel: 0208 841 8940 / 07956 123626 e: starsatknightdrama@gmail.com www.starsatknightschoolofdrama.co.uk Tiny Talk Baby Signing Classes Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge, UB8 2PJ 10.30am, price £5 Pre-paid per family. Call Bev Meier 01895 824935 or 07818 025993 1st Uxbridge Scouts, Beavers & Cubs www.1stuxbridge.com Call 01895 255479 SELF DEFENCE... Shorinji Kempo self defence Practical self defence techniques from this traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. (opp. Brunel Uni). Contact Dan on 07776 421957 or for details visit www.sk.harrow.ac.uk Karate Club of Uxbridge For ages 5yrs and up. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725 Kung Fu Club West Drayton Great Kung Fu workout for everybody. Training for children & adults Tues 5.30-6.30pm, Fri 7.30-8.30pm, Sun 5.30-6.30pm. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella on 07702 479435 e: sportsclubuk@gmail.com continued overleaf...
UX8 What's On... (Feb15)_Layout 1 29/01/2015 02:24 Page 4
SELF DEFENCE CONTINUED...
Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence art from Central Java, includes empty hand, traditional weapons, meditation and healing massage. Adult classes only. Mon and Wed 8pm-10pm at Denham Village Memorial Hall, Denham, UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 or kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. SELF HELP & SUPPORT... Hillingdon Brain Tumour Group Support group held every 2nd Thurs of the month 12.30-2.30pm, Hillingdon Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon, UB10 9LS. Call Cyril or Becky 01895 637444. Parkinsons UK Society – Uxbridge Support group for sufferers and carers, meet at Christ Church, Redford Way, Uxbridge from 2-4pm on the last Tue of the month. Guest speakers and social outings. Call Mr Neasby on 0208 848 3920 Slimming World New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. New joiners turn up at 10am to register Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 Slimming World The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Slimming World Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Rd, Yiewsley. Wed 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Weight Watchers Christchurch Bailey Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. Thursday 6.30pm. Call 07920 409111. SOCIAL GROUPS... Crosier Investment Club Objectives to learn more about the Stock Market and to improve personal investment skills. Meets 7.30pm, 3rd Thursday in month Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AA. Further details 020 8427 3559. Annual Subs £24 (inc. tea/coffees).
secretary@crosierinvestment.org.uk visit www.crosierinvestment.org.uk
Friendly Rubber Bridge Tuesdays & Fridays 12noon - 4pm at Pinner Bridge Club, 103 Marsh Road, Pinner. For further info call Keith 01895 622033
Hillingdon Family History Society Based at Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Our research room is open (10am-1pm) on the first Saturday of the month and on every Friday (except the Friday before the first Saturday). Experienced help is always available. For openings and events see www.hfhs.co.uk. Contact Mrs Pat Reynolds 01895 444442 or email hillingdonfhs@onetel.com Over 60s Social Group Male, Female and couples. Meet fortnightly at various agreed venues. Contact Judith 07980 073170 or Mel 07785 582323 or email: jlholl2014@gmail.com Rotary Club of Elthorne Hillingdon We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Call 01923 829657 for details Rotary Club of Uxbridge We meet on Fridays at 12.40 for 13.00 (5th Friday evening, call Sec on 07910 197201) at The Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge. See website www.rotaryclubofuxbridge.org.uk Whist Tuesdays 2-4pm at Uxbridge & District Conservative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West London. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and organised trips and welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@ seemaa.co.uk SPORT... Badminton Club Requires additional players of average standard! Every Tuesday
evening 7.45 to 9.45 at Vyners School, Ickenham. Interested? Email: turksclub@hotmail.co.uk
Play bowls, rugby, squash & tennis at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Bar food available daily. Non-members welcome. Tel: Anne 01895 237571. E: admin@uxbridgecricketclub.co.uk Hillingdon Golf Club All players and new members welcome. 18 Dorset Way, Hillingdon, Middx, UB10 0JR. Call 01895 460035/252718. www.hillingdongolfclub.co.uk Indoor Short Bowls Thursday nights 8-10pm at Uxbridge & District Conser-vative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 New Ladies Netball Team Training Wed 7.30-8.30pm (TT) Ryefield Primary School, Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon E: glebenetballclub@yahoo.com Old Abbotstonians Rugby Club Youth Section Coaching non-contact (Tag) and full contact rugby for children aged 4-13 years. Training or matches Sundays 10am-12noon at Old Abbotstonians Rugby Club, Pole Hill Open Space, Raeburn Road, Hayes. For details call Colin Lowen on 07798 743041. Pink Ladies Netball Club All levels and abilities welcome. Training takes place at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tuesday evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - please Rhiannon on 01895 448878 for details email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk 'The Uxbridge Loiterers' Cycle Club Ring Don on 01895 232752 or Carole on 01895 833249 Uxbridge Squash Club All squash players welcome Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Road, Uxbridge. Tel: 01895 237571 Visit: uxbridgesquash.org.uk
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Preparing for Warmer Weather The combination of the poor weather in February and the very fact that gardens tend to be at their least appealing this month, means the chances are yours is receiving nothing much more than a fair helping of neglect at the moment. But spring isn’t far away so get your gardening gloves on for a bit of preparation. Start by clearing up any remaining fallen leaves, broken twigs. Twigs and woody debris are best binned or burned or perhaps even heaped up in the corner of the garden to act as a sheltering spot for wildlife, but fallen leaves, and the top growth of herbaceous perennials, can be added to the compost heap. When it comes to tackling herbaceous or flower borders, don’t make things look too clean and tidy, as you may well cut down on the protection that faded top-growth can provide. I tend to leave most of the remains of herbaceous plants in place until spring, but the most ugly, straggly or unkempt bits could certainly be cleared up now. Keep a particular look out for slugs and snails and collect them up while they are
by Pippa Greenwood snoozing!
It is too early in the year to cut your lawn and indeed you should try to keep off it as far as possible, but you can clear twigs and leaves and cut back any weeds which have grown faster than the grass itself. You can use any pots or other containers which have been left around the garden to create spots of colour and interest by clearing them out, using fresh compost and then replanting them. If you choose temporary winter plantings such as winter flowering pansies or pompom winter daisies, then these can simply be removed when it is time to replant with summer bedding. Scrubbing down the outer surfaces of pots and containers will also help to clean them up again, because by now they have invariably accumulated a good helping of algae and soil and can look quite a mess. Check fruit trees for signs of any dead shrivelled fruit still on the branches and cut these out, as they often harbour brown rot disease and can cause a lot of problems in the future. However these definitely
shouldn’t be composted - bin or burn any you find.
Use a stiff brush to clear off surface debris from your terrace or patio and then once it is clear, if it still looks in need of a bit of a facelift, use the stiff brush or yard broom to scrub it over thoroughly. Provided freezing weather is not forecast, wash it over with a few buckets of water. A trip to your local garden centre is bound to give you plenty of ideas for what’s looking good this month. Some of my favourites include the small trees or shrubs which have a delicious fragrance during the winter months. These include winter sweet, hamamelis (witch hazel) and sarcococca. You can now buy pots of snowdrop bulbs which are not far from flowering so ‘cheat’ a little and pop a few of these into the ground. Winter flowering heathers and winter flowering pansies can also be used to great effect right now. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ veg growing system , biological controls, fleece, copper tape and lots more besides.
The RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston, District Branch are looking loving homes for these special cats that have been through so much, Sophie came in with a trauma to her eye and unfortunately where unable to save the eye, May bell was found with no tail these are just some of the cats that have been brought to the center injured and unwanted looking for a second chance for a happily ever after. Found in a warehouse and brought to us as a stray, we have no idea how this beautiful girl lost her tail. Someone has obviously cared for her at some stage but she was not microchipped and sadly noone has come forward to claim her. Maybell is not only a strik ingly attractive cat but also has the most loving and affectionate nature and is now looking for a new family to share her love with, although she would prefer to be an only cat. Please get in touch if you can give May bell the home and love she’s been missing. Sophie was brought in to our Clinic as a stray after being found in a very sad state. She had an untreat able ulcer on the surface of her eye, probably caused by some sort of trauma. The only way to give this little girl the chance of a future, was to carry out surgery to remove the eye. Following lots of special recuperative care, lovely Sophie is now fully healed and really look ing forward to finding a new home and a lifetime of love and attention. After all she’s been through, Sophie deserves a special second start in life – can you help? we have had a litter of hamsters handed in, and we are needing accommodation for each one if you have a spare hamster cages that you could donate please call us or drop it down to our clinic in Hillingdon we would greatly appreciate it.
If you think you can offer one of our animals a loving home then please ring RSPCA Hillingdon Branch on 01895 833417 or visit our we b s i t e www.rspcahillingdonclinic.org.uk to download an appli cation form
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Zoe Hart FP (Feb15)_Layout 1 29/01/2015 05:05 Page 1
Age appropriate music
Every parents minefield? Not any more!
ZOE HART an international club DJ since 1999, turned Childrens Entertainer in 2012. She is also a qualified yoga teacher and EI and mindfulness practitioner. Her company ‘Hart Entertainments’ provides quality conscious discos for children of all ages in the Bucks, Middlesex and West London areas. www.zoehart.co.uk - 07747 063 149
Hi, I’m Zoe and I run a local children’s disco service. In todays world we are constantly bombarded with information and not enough time to absorb and filter it for our children, so I thought I’d help a little, at least in the area that I’m good at. Music! Each month I’ll review a selection of the top 40 hits, detailing the artists and the tracks that have caught mine and the kids attention.
UPTOWN FUNK – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Bruno was the voice of Roberto in Rio 2. Check his story in Wikipedia as he’s an inspiration. This track tells the story of what a great band they are and how they are going to be celebrating AGE the girls on Saturday night. 5+
UP – Olly Murs feat Demi Levato Folk inspired pop song from the lovely Olly. Good character, lovely music, child friendly all the way so far. Demi Levato sang one of the versions of the classic track from Frozen “Let it go”. The song is about working at relationships and holding on AGE to what feels good.
0+
BLANK SPACE – Taylor Swift These lyrics are being jokey, however of course young children don’t understand the difference between saying things for real and AGE joking. Hence the age rating.
7+
This month’s favourite HEROES (We could Be) – Alesso Feat Tove Lo A beautiful message wrapped up in a great dance track that the kids love to sing along and bounce around to.
AGE
BUDAPEST – George Ezra Lovely innocent love song.
STEAL MY GIRL – One Direction Lyrics are ok nothing rude in them but the image created by stealing and possession of girls isn’t great. From great child friendly tracks such as ‘Best song ever’ and Live while we are young’ One direction are moving in circles now that put them on my approach with AGE AGE caution list. 5-7 16+
DON’T – Ed Sheeran Love Eds music unfortunately he does put a lot of references to addictive substances and swearing in it. This has the F word in it amongst AGE other things. 18+
BANG BANG – Jessie J According to Jessie, it doesn’t mean anything more than “an-in-your-face catchy phrase”. I like the song, and when I hear it I instantly feel sexy and powerful. However I don’t want my kids bang banging all over me. Thank you all the same Jessie, I’ll save that one for my partner after they’ve gone to AGE bed.
16+
0+ THESE DAYS – Take That
MEGHAN TRAINOR - All about that bass I absolutely love this track. It’s about loving your body whatever it looks like. Trouble is she’s used the b**ches word in it and contradicted herself in places. Great rhythm and as such is very catchy AGE for the youth.
12+
Great for kids discos. “Tonight I’m gonna live for these days”
AGE
0+
If you want a track reviewed, I do take requests. Just email me at zoe@zoehart.co.uk.
References: mtv.co.uk, Wikipedia.co.uk, azlyrics.com, whosay.com, musicinsideu.com, lyricinterpretations.com, songfacts.com.
AGE
0+
k
2014 11:27
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