Iver Jan 16 by In and Around Publishing

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So here we are, at the start of a brand new year. Traditionally a time to look back at the highs and lows of last year and make various resolutions to improve this one. For some those resolutions are practical things, such as being more organised, for others they may be personal or health related. For me personally, I have always had a rather general idea of what I would like to improve, but have never really committed to taking action. So, my resolution this year, is to write down one thing that I would like to achieve in various areas, e.g. personal, health, work and then break each one down into small measurable goals, that hopefully, once reached, will actually mean I succeed with each one. I have read many articles on goal set ting and yet, never really applied the method. It will be interesting to see whether I’ve been suc cessful in making those changes when it comes to this time next year. Whatever goals or changes you set yourself for 2016, I wish you success and hope that we are all that little bit improved as a result! .

You can advertise in this magazine from as little as    puts your   into all six publications (that’s over 30,000 homes).    Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk 

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Children’s Puzzle Page 6 Time for a New Tradition 8 Beauty: New Beginnings 10 Coffee Break Puzzles 14 Wildlife Zone 16 RSPCA rehoming appeal 18 Travel: Botswana 22 Health: Nicotine without the Nasties 24 Begin the New Year with a Budget 26 Hobbies: Pottery 28 Recipe: Lamb & Spinach Curry 30 Local Events 32 Books: New Beginnings 34 Golden Years: Memories of 50 Years Ago 38 Motoring: Best Small Cars 40 Story: An adjustment to the wardrobe 42 Technology: New Years Revolution 44 Karen Munro: Careers 46 Richings Park Residents Association 48 Puzzle Solutions 49 Gardening Feature 50 Pets Corner 52 Interiors: New Year, New Style? 54 Citizens Advice Bureau 56 The importance of brushing your dog’s teeth 56 Clubs, Groups & Classes 58,60,62 & 64 Situations Vacant 66 Wordsearch 66

  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.

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 Time for  a New Tradition By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

If your New Year traditions have dwindled to a rather slurred singing of Auld Lang Syne as the Big Ben chimes fade, why not adopt new ones this New Year or revive old customs? Lucky New year NibbLes It’s a Spanish tradition to eat twelve grapes, making a wish with each one, for every chime of the clock - bringing twelve months of happiness. In the southern US, Hoppin’ John, a traditional dish of black-eyed peas and ham hocks, brings a year of plenty, while Italians eat one spoonful of lentil stew with each toll of the midnight bells. The round lentils represent coins and good fortune, while in Germany, luck comes via tiny marzipan pigs. Greek hostesses places jewellery on a plate on the table to symbolise prosperity in the coming year and hide a coin inside their Vassilopitta (King’s Pie) that brings blessings to its finder. The Portugese also cook King Cake, or Bolo-Rei, which resembles a crown and conceals a lucky fava bean (although the finder pays for next year’s Bolo-Rei, so not so lucky). In Estonia, seven, nine and twelve are lucky numbers, and eating seven, nine, or twelve times on New Year’s Eve is believed to give you the strength of as many men 8

as meals you’ve consumed. Warning: you may need to diet afterwards. Get DresseD up aND Make soMe Noise Filipinos wear clothes with spots to represent coins and bring luck, and Spaniards and Italians wear red underwear for the same reason. In South America, they opt for coloured underwear too: red for finding love, gold for gaining wealth and white for peace. Mexicans believe red signifies love, yellow means improved employment, green improves finances and white brings good health. Perhaps new underwear for Christmas could be doubly beneficial if you specify the colour? Auld Lang Syne, a traditional song transcribed by Robert Burns and made famous by bandleader Guy Lombardo, is the most popular New Year song in English-speaking communities, but why not make up your own? The tradition of firing guns at midnight is probably best left abandoned, but you could beat drums Swiss-style, bang saucepans Filipino-style, or follow Buddhist Temple tradition by striking a gong 108 times at midnight to expel the 108 human weaknesses.

out with the oLD, iN with the New The first-footing tradition has dwindled in the UK, but the belief is that the first foot through your door after midnight dictates your household’s luck for the year. Tall, dark visitors and new mothers or brides are especially lucky, and should come bearing traditional gifts: coal, shortbread, salt, coins and maybe a tot of whisky. Worth a revival? In Denmark they break old plates at the door of family and friends, but cleaning your house as the Japanese do may be safer. Or why not make a bonfire with the Christmas tree, like the Dutch? While it’s burning, throw on a list of last year’s bad events, Mexicanstyle, or burn unwanted photographs and clothes as they do in Ecuador. In Costa Rica and Venezuela, people run across the street with luggage to wish for new adventures, but leaving a travel brochure under your partner’s nose may be more effective. New resoLutioNs The Babylonians, who supposedly ‘invented’ New Year’s resolutions, returned borrowed farm machinery and tried to start the year debt-free (as many Russians apparently do). Sounds like as good as resolution as any...

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New Beginnings by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

January is the perfect time to give your beauty routine a shake up and try something a little bit different…

Stuck in a make-up rut? You might want to consider booking yourself in for a make-up lesson. Some of the big brands offer mini makeovers, as it’s a chance for them to show off their products, but if you really want to get out of that rut, try a M.A.C. Full Make Up Lesson (£50), which lasts for 90 minutes and will give you bags of inspiration. Not quite ready to take the plunge? A new nail polish is a great baby step. Nails Inc have added four new colours to their NailKale range, each priced at £14. The NailKale polishes are designed to give your nails a vitamin and mineral boost, as well as colour, to leave them harder, stronger and healthier. The new colours include Regents Mews, a rich crushed damson, as sported by Alexa Chung, pictured above right.

Fancy trying a different shampoo and conditioner? I’m loving the SuperFruit Complex 10-in-1 Renewal Shampoo (£10) and Conditioner (£10.99), by SheaMoisture. SheaMoisture has been going for over 100 years in the States, but has only recently made it across to the UK. The 10-in-1 system is incredibly nourishing, so is perfect for this time of year, when our hair has to cope with the demands of icy winds and central heating. A complex blend of Shea butter, marula oil and fruit extracts works to hydrate, support elasticity and make hair more manageable. Look out for the brand in Boots.

Tinted lip balms always summon up teenage memories of strawberry flavoured gloop in a tin. Thankfully, they’ve come a very long way, as the new benecos Natural Shiny Lip Colour (£6.95) proves. They’re wonderfully hydrating and can help prevent chapped, cracked lips, so are perfect for winter. They’re available in three colours, including Rusty Rose – a natural, subtle shade that suits most skin tones.

product is packed with nourishing natural ingredients, such as Shea butter, hemp seed oil and chamomile extract, and has  can none of the synthetic ‘nasties’ that so easily dry and irritate skin. Try the Scar Oil (£18.99), which contains rosehip – scientifically proven to help improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, uneven pigmentation and signs of ageing.

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If you have eczema you may well have heard of purepotions – a range of creams that have been specially formulated to soothe skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Personally, I think it’s a great range for most skin types. Each

Now I do love a multitasker, so when I heard of a shoe cream that you can use as a lip balm, moisturiser, hair conditioner and massage oil, I really was intrigued! PoZu’s new Edible Shoe Cream (£7.50) is formulated from coconut oil and is so pure that you can actually eat it. It’s a really handy tin to keep in your handbag to treat chapped lips, dry patches of skin, flyaway hair and so on. (And, of course, it’ll keep your leather shoes looking great too.)

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Home & Interiors  

New Year, New Style?

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Out with the old, in with the new, and if your New Year’s resolution is to refresh your home with a fashionable look, interiors expert Katherine Sorrell has some handy tips to help. Where do I start? Think about what parts of your home feel most tired and unloved. Perhaps walls could do with a wash of fresh paint, for example. Dulux’s colour of the year is Cherished Gold, a gold-influenced ochre that can be used on its own as a statement or as a highlight in combination with other hues. The overall colour palette for this year is muted, warm and soft yet also sophisticated. ‘Think coral, not orange; ochre not yellow and midnight, not blue. This is a friendly palette 14

By Katherine Sorrell

but with a dark, mysterious side,’ says Rebecca Williamson, Dulux’s senior colour design and content manager. Another of Dulux’s overriding themes for 2016 is ‘Heritage & Future’, in other words, the idea that one has to take inspiration from the past in order to design for the future. So, vintage and antique references support those of the modern-day in a palette that includes chocolate, sand, a deep, pinkish red, muted orange and spicy browns. Ideal for an overhaul in any style of property. More easy updates You may not be in the market for buying new furniture, but there are still ways to update your old pieces for a fabulous new look. Ikea has identified a key trend this year for personalisation – just look at what can be done with an inexpensive chest of drawers, spray paint and some imagination. On a subtler note, a change of paint colour, or even a wood stain, combined with new knobs or pulls will give wooden furniture a new lease of life, while for really on-trend attitude you could have a table top covered in

marble, slate or zinc. The latter is the metal du jour, and keen DIYers can order a sheet of zinc online, then get how-to instructions from YouTube. Keep going around the house. Another way to add interest to dull walls would be with an eye-catching, stick-on-peeloff design, a metal-framed mirror or an oversized print. Boring floor? Time for a new rug – or there is always the option of either sanding back or painting old wooden boards. Looking for something simpler? Adding a sheepskin to an old sofa or chair will give instant uplift, as will a change of bed linen, towels or small accessories such as cushions, storage baskets or vases. And how about lights? A sassy lampshade can alter the look of an entire room, while popping in some filament bulbs will give your lighting a vibe that’s absolutely hot right now. How about a cool coat hook or new door knobs? Some kitchen canisters or a bathroom soap dispenser? The smallest things can make a surprisingly big difference. The high-street chains are brilliant at tapping into new trends and getting affordable products out there fast – so get browsing in your nearest department store. What other trends should I be keeping an eye on? While a striking monochrome

palette of black, white and grey is going to be big in 2016, opulent metallic accents are also catching on fast, and work well with both modern and traditional decors. The look can be either industrial (more on this next month) or retroglam – as per Bemz’s ‘Deco Glam’ look, described as ‘cosy glamour with a Seventies twist’. ‘Many people who think back to the Seventies think of corduroy, brown, orange and wood panelling. Instead, we want to create a more glamorous Seventies style in our homes: think Charlie’s Angels, Studio 54, and Bianca Jagger,’ says Lesley Pennington, CEO and founder of Bemz. She recommends mixing plain fabrics in rose, steel, mineral blue and straw with geometric accents, plus

dark wood, shiny brass, fluffy cushions, small tables and statement floor lamps. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Scandi look that is all natural, textural, tonal and pared-back, including sheepskin, leather, wood and felt. If you prefer something with more colour, go for a folk-inspired style with brighter tones of red, orange and teal, combined with intricate florals, handicraft and woodlandinspired images. Last but not least, Graham & Brown have predicted four trends based around the catwalks at London Fashion Week: meadow prints, statement reds, intricate lace detailing and – you heard it here first – a throwback to the Eighties. You have been warned…

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IMageS - Left: Ikea predicts a trend for personalisation, whether it’s using stains, stencils or freehand painting. above: One of Dulux’s key trends for 2016 is ‘Heritage & Future’, including reds that reflect our rich heritage, but also have a bright contemporary feel that points to the future.

THE WILDLIFE ZONE

LOGPILES 

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.

Below a more modern approach to the log pile, an Insect Hotel.

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DESPITE being a really tough and heavy task, I managed to dig up some trees in the Millstream Fork wildlife garden which resulted in a fantastic mess. The mound of rubbish covered about 10 square metres and about one and a half metres high. If I left it there, the timbered trees would have crushed and suffocated the flora at its base, creating a Spartan ‘deathly quarter’. So I decided to conquer this mountainous problem and move the debris. I created two new mounds. The first was a temporary one made of small, sweet smelling pine foliage and twigs which would not decompose very well, even in a compost heap or bin. From this mound I regularly filled up my large green council recycling bin. The more substantial pieces of wood, the trunks, branches and roots could not be recycled, and made the second mound, making it a mini habitat and log pile over a metre high. I had decided to make a log pile because in over a quarter of a century Millstream Fork has never had one, and this was a great chance to make a positive outcome from an initial problem. Over the next few years this log pile will be decomposed by tiny microscopic animals such as microbes, protozoa’s, and bacteria which will breakdown dead wood and begin the decaying process. Mosses and lichens will also make this their home as other, larger animals join the burgeoning bustle of life. Many small insects and other animals such as woodlice are attracted to log pile habitats and even spend much, if not all of their lives inside the labyrinths. When insects and invertebrates have established themselves in the log pile, insectivores such as shrews may turn up to feed on them. Even in the first few days I saw butterflies and other flying insects visiting the pile perhaps attracted by its odour and newness. Almost immediately I spied a female blackbird and juvenile robin trying to catch them, even when the butterflies fluttered across to the Russian Ivy hanging over the nearby fence. In the Autumn hedgehogs are drawn to these piles to rest, sleep and keep warm. They also have a ready-made ‘en-suite larder’ of live food at their disposal: no wonder they are so attracted to such mini habitats! Over many years it has been established that the more permanent garden log piles are safer than temporary bonfire piles stacked up every November for Guy Fawkes Night. Many hedgehogs are burned alive amongst the fun and gaiety of our roaring flames and fireworks because they cannot flee in time. When I removed the original mound of debris to create the wood pile, I noticed that there was a large congregation of the hedgehogs’ ‘live pantry’ of over 100 orange coloured slugs at its base. They are confusingly named Great Black Slugs which eat plants as well as small dead creatures. They are classified as being similar to snails, but with no protective shell, they cover themselves with a wet sticky mucus which prevents them drying out. They are also hermaphrodites which can reproduce by themselves, without a mate of the opposite sex. I often wonder what other wildlife activity had tucked itself away beyond my gaze. For example an aggressive predator beetle named the Devil’s Coach Horse will bustle its way into the log pile, expecting to find slugs and other invertebrates. When this happens during the darkness of night they would feed on these wet skinned orange ‘tasties’ amongst other prey. I have one ambition still to achieve after over a quarter of a century of wildlife gardening at Millstream Fork. It is to successfully entice the scarce Stag Beetle into the site by replanting some of the log pile’s deadwood nearby. As far as I am concerned, this is the king of beetles, being five centimetres long, and very large for a temperate zone insect. They begin their lives as white larvae below the ground inside dead trunks and roots, and live for two or three years eating rotting wood. They emerge to fly around in their full glory sometime between May and August, using delicate wings protected by their outer armour plated elytra. Their massive pincers, which look like the antlers of a stag deer, give the creature its name and are used to battle with other males often for mating rights and territory. These pincers and their dark tan and black bodies are awesome features for most small animals. Indeed if the stag beetle was anywhere near human size we would probably fear them as the most ferocious looking animals in the world. I believe that the Lesser Stag Beetle is another magnificent creature even if some people believe that it may not be as visually as impressive because they are smaller and almost completely black. Near this log pile we are building a bird patio which includes a bird table, two feeding poles with many nuts, seeders, fat balls and kitchen scraps which will continue to attract birds. A birdbath, adjacent waterfall and pond will also benefit and attract such wildlife in this section of the garden. In place of the trees we will be planting flowers, herbs and bushes which attract flying insects and birds. These mini habitats will attract a whole array of creatures where their eggs, pupae and larvae will have good chances of survival and growth. After I have started the ecological process I must leave it up to nature to do the rest.

The charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk 16

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    your dog must be microchipped with records kept up to date – if not you will be breaking the law Your local RSPCA or other animal welfare organi sations may provide discount or free microchip ping. Alternatively, your vet can microchip your dog For more information or help please call us on 01895 833417

  Thai is a delightful young Staffie, with a huge zest for life! She loves her walks and behaves nicely on a harness, which overcomes the strong lead pull ing. She has lived with children, but boisterous play could unintentionally bowl small ones over, so we would prefer a home with older children only. A secure garden is a must, as she does have a his tory of scaling high fences. Being a very friendly and rather nosy type, Thai gets on great with other dogs, bold cats and horses. Although she has lived with another dog, we think she would appreciate being an only dog, so she can enjoy ALL the fuss and attention – she really does deserve it.

Thai Thank you for your support . We can’t do it with out you

If you think you can offer one of our animals a loving home then please ring RSPCA Hillingdon Branch on   or visit our website  to download Thai is just one happy, happy dog who wants a fun an application form active life  and a sofa to crash on at the end of a Registered Charity No: 263515 busy day! Can you help? 18

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 Botswana  The Chobe National Park By Solange Hando

At the heart of southern Africa, Botswana opened its first National Park in 1967 along the Chobe River, which borders Namibia to the north. With 11,700 km2, it is only second in size to the Kalahari and boasts a rich biodiversity, especially on the riverfront where wildlife migrates from far and wide at the start of the dry season. Here the blue waters of the Chobe split into myriad channels and lagoons, creating lush wetlands on their way to the Zambezi. The elephants know it well and as soon as saltpans begin to dry, up to 160,000 of them take up residence in the park, the highest concentration anywhere in the world. Solitary elders or family herds, they’re well camouflaged in the forest but easy to spot along the river, plodding unhurried on soft silky sand, entwining their trunks, splashing about and in the late afternoon wading or swimming across to Sedudu island for a quiet night under the stars. But they are not alone on Sedudu, ‘the hippo island’ where mighty snorts break the silence now and then and what look like black rocks on the 22

bank suddenly start to move. The basking crocodiles take no notice and neither do the birds, here a purple heron, there a dainty jacana hopping on water lily leaves, a yellow-billed stork or a flock of Egyptian geese. An African darter lands on his favourite perch, wings outstretched in the sun, while a fish eagle takes off in search of food. Add giant kingfishers, lilac-breasted rollers, beeeaters, spoonbills, sacred ibises or blacksmith plovers and you have just a few of the 460 species of birds recorded in the park. Meanwhile warthogs go down on one knee to eat the short grass, banded mongooses stand up on their hind legs in meerkat fashion and scores of guinea fowl run around like fat fluffy balls with tiny blue heads. In Chobe, every game drive is different for one can never tell what will pop up on land or water. Soon after dawn, the first jeeps jolt along the tracks, past inquisitive baboons and marabou storks as stiff as undertakers, while boats meander like magic around the islands and rangers call each other to share information: a

pride of lions at a waterhole, rare sable antelopes grazing on a slope or a herd of 200 buffalos or more crossing the flood plain. Along with hippos, they are the most dangerous animals in the park for unlike elephants who flap their ears to look bigger, they give no warning of an imminent attack. Cheetahs and leopards are elusive but there are plenty of antelopes, including the stately kudu with spiral horns, the puku who whistles when disturbed and is found only here in Botswana, and large numbers of impala who can run at 60 km/hour on a zigzag path. Some scamper off at the slightest noise, others just stare as you go past before returning to the juiciest leaves on the bush. Every visitor has a favourite animal but sighting a giraffe always sends a shiver down your spine. So tall yet so well hidden among the trees, they come down to the water at the end of the day and when they stand silhouetted in the setting sun, the heart of Africa seems to beat a little faster as all around the bush comes alive with mysterious sounds.

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Nicotine without the  Nasties  By Alison Runham

www.alison.runham.co.uk

Smoking causes one in every five deaths in over 35s in England, killing half of all longterm smokers prematurely. In light of this, and research confirming the dangers of second-hand and third-hand smoke, it’s not surprising many smokers are now seeking tobacco alternatives. Nicotine isn’t responsible for the damage cigarettes cause, but it’s addictive, and withdrawal makes addicts feel restless, anxious and depressed (hence the illusion that cigarettes ‘calm their nerves’). Smokers want alternatives that deliver nicotine without cigarettes’ arsenic, cyanide, tar and other toxic nasties that harm themselves and others. E-Cigarettes (and Mods, Vape Sticks, Personal Vaporisers) E-cigarettes are somewhat controversial due to the rapid growth and lack of regulation in the industry. Safety concerns include: • Safety of supposedly ‘safe’ ingredients, such as flavourings – although some are certified safe to eat, experts say this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe to inhale • The inclusion of unspecified or dangerous chemicals such as aldehydes • Inconsistent or unspecified nicotine quantities • Throat irritation due to allergy to ingredients, such as nut flavourings or propylene glycol The NHS QuitForLife campaign warns: “E-cigarettes are 24

significantly less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but are not harmless. Their long term health impact is unknown.” While some e-cigarettes look similar to normal cigarettes, others look very different. However, they’re all batteryoperated and work by heating the cartridge or refillable ‘tank’ of nicotine liquid to produce vapour when the user inhales and airflow is detected. E-cigarettes are not currently licensed for prescription, but after May 2016, any ecigarettes containing over 20mg/ml of nicotine will require authorisation by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Agency (MHRA). Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products provide nicotine in a variety of ways and strengths, reducing cravings and alleviating withdrawal symptoms. Patches Patches are popular as they are discreet, release a steady dose of nicotine into the bloodstream, and are available in a variety of doses and release times, allowing you to gradually reduce your dosage. Chewing Gum Nicotine gum gives a burst of nicotine, just as a cigarette does, and can be used whenever you have the urge for a cigarette. 2mg and 4mg gums are available in a variety of flavours including mint, fruit and liquorice. The gum is chewed slowly until a tingling or nicotine

taste is detected; then you can cease chewing until the tingling has subsided. Exceeding maximum quantities and chewing gum without breaks can cause side effects such as heartburn or nausea. Lozenges and Soluble Sublingual Tablets 1mg, 2mg and 4mg nicotine lozenges and 2mg sublingual tablets dissolve slowly in the mouth, releasing nicotine. Mouth Sprays 1mg mouth sprays are used to supply a burst of nicotine to reduce cravings. Inhalators 15mg inhalators release nicotine from a cartridge when you breathe in, and can be useful if you initially find the habit of holding and inhaling from a cigarette hard to break. One cartridge lasts around 40 minutes. Nasal Sprays The 10mg nasal sprays may be best suited to heavy smokers, as they rapidly deliver a strong dose of nicotine. Remember that these products aren’t for indefinite use, but are intended to help you reduce and ultimately quit smoking. Nicotine is an addictive drug with a range of mental and physical side effects. The NHS QuitforLife campaign warns that nicotine products should be kept away from children and animals, as pure nicotine is a poison that’s lethal in high doses and toxic to the skin at high concentrations.

     

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 Finance  A Fresh Financial Start in 2016 – Begin the  New Year with a Budget 

By Ann Haldon

If you’ve overspent this Christmas, you might be wondering how to get your finances back under control. It’s easy to get carried away by the spirit of giving – the problem is, it can jeopardise your financial wellbeing into the New Year and beyond. So what can you do to get yourself back onto a firm financial footing? One of the first things is to analyse your finances and make a realistic budget. By taking a long-term view and identifying exactly how much you spend during the course of a year, you can take back control of your dwindling finances, and prevent spiralling into long-term debt. Why budget? A budget helps to establish whether you’re living beyond your means. This isn’t always obvious on a day-to-day basis but if you’re constantly spending more than you earn, at some point you might find yourself unable to keep a roof over your head. But there’s a secret to making a budget that’s fit for purpose, and that’s to incorporate every expense that you make during 26

the course of the year, including Christmas, birthdays, summer holidays and more. It will provide an accurate view of your financial position, rather than just a snapshot of a couple of months’ spending habits. This makes it more realistic and, with a bit of willpower, more likely that you’ll stick to it. Birthdays and Christmas Friends’ and family birthdays may only cost a few pounds here and there, but over the course of a year, and in addition to Christmas expenses, they constitute a significant chunk of annual expenditure. Some households spend hundreds of pounds on Christmas presents, food and family treats, but these are often omitted from a budget because they aren’t regular monthly outgoings. Scrutinising your bank statements for just a couple of months doesn’t provide the bigger picture. It’s going to take some time to calculate your total spend for the year, but once it’s done you’ll be able to use it confidently to improve your long-term financial situation, and set yourself up for a

lifetime of control. So what else do you need to include in your budget, apart from birthdays and Christmas? Non-regular expenses, plus how much is coming in Motoring costs such as car insurance, tax, new tyres and the annual service are easily forgotten. Annual membership subscriptions are also often left out, as is one of the biggest expenses of the year - the summer holiday. Even the cost of a daily coffee adds up over time. So have a good think and include expenses large and small: weekly, monthly and annually. When thinking about the money that comes in, don’t forget to include wages, benefit and pension payments, and any income from savings, investments or selfemployment. Once you’ve totalled the figures, deduct your expenses and hopefully you’ll be left with a positive number. If you spend more than you earn, now at least you can do something about it. Not a static document Your budget isn’t meant to be

a static document. It needs to reflect your income and spending in the long-term, and this is likely to change often. So make it part of your routine to update it regularly, and make sure new expenses and sources of income are carefully recorded. Having a clear idea of where your money goes will also help to meet specific financial goals such as saving for retirement, putting money away for a deposit, or simply avoiding debt. Achieving financial clarity in this way helps you to live the life you want, so don’t view it as a restriction on spending – it’s more like the road to freedom. A budget planner online? Is it easier to stick to a budget and update it regularly when it’s online? Well, it can be quicker

if you’re already using the computer, and the calculations are made for you, but there’s also a lot to be said for using a physical budget planner.

bank account for each of your main categories of spending.

 

It’s more visible and accessible to keep a check on your spending, and this alone could provide the motivation to stick to it. You can put it on the fridge, or on the wall in front of you while you’re working. Building a secure financial future is the aim of the exercise, so choose the method that suits you best. So you’ve got all your figures – what now? There’s a great way to divide up your money called ‘piggybanking.’ It’s described in detail on the Money Saving Expert website, and essentially means opening a separate

You would need your  main bank account, plus another one for bills. Thinking about your major expenditures, you might have three more accounts for: • a summer holiday • a new car • Christmas This allows you to allocate an amount of money to each one via standing order from the main account. The word ‘budget’ often implies having to go without, but knowing your spending patterns and gaining financial control can give you back your freedom – the freedom to enjoy life without the worry of debt. http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/banking/Budget-planning

 Hobbies 

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Has the Great Pottery Throwdown fired you up? By Kate McLelland

The BBC’s Great Pottery Throwdown finished in December after its first successful series. Like Bake Off, it has helped the British public to understand more about the creation of artisan products, whether that’s a sourdough loaf or a set of stackable breakfast bowls. Since the series ended many viewers have been eager to try pottery making for themselves. So if you’re thinking of joining a class, what are the basic things you should know before you start?

It’s messy!

The two essential ingredients when making pottery are clay and water – combine that with a wheel that spins your wet clay object around, and you get the picture. Be prepared to wear old clothes and shoes, cut your nails, tie back your hair and bring an apron that covers from the chest down!

It’s not all about the wheel There are two different methods for making objects out of clay, hand-building and wheel throwing. You can use hand-building techniques to create a ‘pinch pot’ by making rolls of clay and combining 28

them into a single shape. Alternatively make a ‘slab pot’ by rolling the clay into flat slabs to create a square or rectangular shape. The expression ‘throwing’ comes from the way the clay is thrown onto the centre of a flat, spinning tray (the potter’s wheel) and squeezed into shape as it revolves at speed. You’ll need quite a lot of strength in your hands to do this, as well as patience to cope with those early failures!

It’s slow

When an object is first made it is loaded with water and must be thoroughly and evenly dried out before it is fired. That’s a minimum of a week for freshly made (or ‘green’) objects to become kiln ready.

It’s a scIence as well as a craft A pottery oven (kiln) is not the same as a domestic oven and an apprentice potter will need to learn how clay and glazes react when heated to high temperatures. The process of heating clay and glazes to reach their optimal point of melting is usually achieved over two steps. Bisque firing is the first stage, where unglazed

pots are heated just enough for them to be able to take the glaze that will give them their final, glossy finish. Once glazes have been applied the pots go back into the kiln for the glaze firing.

It needs space and Investment

Once you’ve learned all you can in class and decide to go it alone, you’ll need to find space for your hobby. Consider where you’ll put the wheel and the kiln, where you’ll paint and glaze your pots and where you can leave them to dry. The equipment can be costly – expect to spend between £600 and £2,000 on a potter’s wheel and £1,000-£4,000 on a kiln, and that’s without all the accessories and materials you’ll need to make the pots themselves. Once again, the BBC has opened our eyes to a craft that has been largely overlooked in recent years. The Great Pottery Throwdown may not eventually prove as successful as The Great British Bake-Off, but at least it has helped us to understand the skill, passion and commitment required to make a simple pottery object that can be used and enjoyed for years.

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Lamb & Spinach  Curry 

Serves 4

Ready in 55 minutes  This mildly spiced curry thickened with red lentils and

spinach will make a refreshing change for a family meal after all the traditional food over the festive season. Serve with a cooling cucumber and mint yoghurt and some warmed naan bread for a really filling mid-week supper.

Ingredients: • 2 tbsp oil • 600g lean lamb steaks, cut into chunks • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped • 6 tbsp balti curry paste • 75g red split lentils • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 200g baby spinach leaves • 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander • Boiled basmati rice and lemon wedges to serve

TIP For a spicier flavour replace the balti curry paste with one that has a little more heat such as Madras. Adding some finely chopped red chilli when frying the onion will also boost the heat factor!

Heat half the oil in a large heavy-based pan over a medium-high heat. Add half the lamb pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and sealed all over. Remove the lamb with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the rest of the oil and fry the rest of the lamb pieces in the same way. Add the onion and garlic (and a splash more oil, if needed) and fry over a medium heat, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the curry paste and fry for a further minute until fragrant. Return the meat to the pan and stir to coat in the curry paste. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, 300ml cold water and the lentils. Reduce the heat then cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the meat is tender. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the spinach and coriander. Cover and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the spinach has just wilted. Serve with the boiled basmati rice and lemon wedges.

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Email: info@maya-tandoori.com

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Not to be used in Conjunction with any other offer

Not to be used in Conjunction with any other offer 31

Dated Events (Jan16)_Layout 1 24/12/2015 05:31 Page 1

JANUARY EVENTS 

Local Events

     

Dick Whittington 14th-17th January Winston Churchill Theatre, Pinn Way, Ruislip. After last year's 'Jack and the Beanstalk', Argosy is back for a romp through London city streets and faraway lands in Dick Whittington. Expect ye olde laughs and ye olde puns, a wonderful treat for all the family. Hillingdon Box Office is selling an allocation of tickets for this event. For more information visit the website at: http://argosyplayers.org.uk/ HUBB Business Breakfast Event 14th January, 8am-9am Bay Lodge, 36 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PH. Networking in partnership with the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. In this presentation Erin Walls from Ward Williams Creatives will be presenting ‘Funding for Start Up Businesses’. Starting up a business is always a big step and there are lots of things to think about but the most common issue for start up’s is funding. Where to get it, how to get it and how the format of funding can impact on the future of the business. Come along and enjoy coffee & pastries. We would be delighted if you could join us, to book email: helen.thompson@wardwilliams.co.uk. Join our HUB LinkedIn group. Follow us on Twitter @wardwilliamsCA or visit: www.wardwilliams.co.uk. Lunchtime Classical Music Concert 27th January, 12.15pm. St Martin’s Church Hall, corner Eastcote Road and High Street, Ruislip, HA4 6DG. Masayuki Tayama plays Rachmaninoff.

January into February 2016 32

FEBRUARY EVENTS Michael Sobell Hospice Third Annual Indulgence Evening 10th February, 7pm-10pm London School of Theology, Green Lane, Northwood, HA6 2UW. The evening will offer people the chance to relax and unwind and try a range of taster therapies in a calming atmosphere. The range of treatments available include, mini makeovers, massages, reflexology, Indian head massages and mini facials. There will also be hairdressing services, House of Colour Talks and stalls selling jewellery, accessories, wooden keepsakes, lavender items, products from the Natural Fragrance Company Ltd such as handmade oils and creams as well as Neal’s Yard products. Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a Valentine’s Day gift of pampering and shopping at this charity event? Tickets are £16 which includes a glass of bubbly, free taster therapies and a goody bag to take home. Tea, coffee and delicious cakes will be available to purchase during the evening with accompanying live music from Mixed Emotions & Eclipse Singers. For more information or to book a ticket for this event go to www.michaelsobellhospice. co.uk/events or contact the MSH fundraising office on 0203 826 2367.

LIVE MUSIC EVENTS The Falcon Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE. 23rd January Leigh & John Musical Duo The Swan at Iver 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. 16th January Mark Kelly performs 22nd January 2Tone Show

DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE! If you would like us to publicise your event in our February issues please contact us no later than Wednesday 13th January with the details.

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eltze estates 



We wish all our clients a Happy New Year

Are you looking to sell in 2016?

Our family run firm has SOLD 98% of properties placed on the market with us in 2015 60 High Street Iver Buckinghamshire SL0 9NG V isit our website www.eltze.co.uk and read what our customers say 34

eltze estates 

  Bob or Mark would be delighted to assist in

any property enquiry. With over 55 years of experience between them they can be trusted to give honest advice

‘Experience counts and you can count on us’ To book your FREE

MARKET APPRAISAL call us today on 01753 651652

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New Beginnings

In need of a change in 2016? Whether  you want to alter your life’s direction,

go travelling, or just be a bit healthier, sometimes you need a little inspiration before you take the plunge. This month’s selection of books features new adventures, new thinking and everyday acts of courage that might well offer just the motivation you need. The Soup Cleanse – Angela Blatteis and Vivienne Vella If you’re feeling the effects of a Christmas of excess, a detox could help you get back on track. Soups are a great way to get the nutrition you need, while cutting out the ‘junk’. They’re also far more filling than juices, so won’t leave you feeling hungry, and they can be prepared ahead in batches, so work well if you don’t always have time to cook fresh food from scratch. With several detox programmes to choose from, and some truly delicious recipes, The Soup Cleanse could help you to kickstart a healthier 2016. No Baggage – Clara Bensen A travel memoir with a difference, No Baggage sees Clara travelling through Europe with a man she’s only recently met, no luggage and no fixed plans for where to stay. She’s also only recently overcome the depression that stole two years of her life. Sleeping mainly on strangers’ sofas, the pair get to experience a different side of the countries they visit, and learn more about themselves, and each other, as they go. 36

One Million Lovely Letters – Jodi Ann Bickley A serious brain infection at 22 left Jodi Ann Bickley so depressed she was close to ending her own life. While relearning to walk and do basic everyday tasks, Jodi decided to bring hope to other people’s lives by writing letters to strangers. She ended up writing thousands, and now has a team of volunteers, who handwrite letters to people who request them, all over the globe. The Year Without a Purchase – Scott Dannemiller Tired of the relentless drive for more ‘stuff’, Scott and Gaby Dannemiller decided to take a step away from consumerism and commit to a year without buying anything other than food and other essentials. This book records their experience and what they learned along the way. The couple are Christian and their religious beliefs played a big part in their decision, as did the desire to spend more meaningful time together as a family. Far from being a selfrighteous lecture, it’s laugh out loud funny, and manages to make you think about your own spending habits, without a hint of nagging.

Take Your Soul to Work – Erica Brown Whether you’re a team manager, or the CEO of a multinational business, leadership can be exhausting. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day minutiae of working life, and forget about the bigger picture. Take Your Soul to Work gives you a daily meditation to help you steer your business in a more compassionate way, and inspire your employees. Read it in order, or dip in and out when you need particular guidance on an area of leadership, from mentoring to discipline. Coal River – Ellen Marie Wiseman Sometimes small acts of courage can change communities. This historical novel tells the story of the harsh reality of coal mining in the 1900s and Emma, a young woman who decides to take a stand and speak out against child labour. While fictional, much of what Emma witnesses is based on fact, and in many parts of the world her fight is just as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. Gripping.

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Golden Years 

Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning California, when the undercarriage of a B-29 collapsed during an emergency landing. The detonator of the plane’s single nuclear bomb went off causing a fire in which 19 people were killed, including an Air Force general).

rather heart-stopping moment when a robot submersible got hold of it, only to drop it again. Another robot submersible managed to tangle itself in the bomb’s parachute lines; on both occasions it was human divers who sorted out the mess. Ortis, meanwhile, claimed salvage rights to the bomb and was awarded a very substantial but undisclosed out-of-court settlement.

At Palomares a B52 collided with a KC-135 tanker while refuelling over the coast of Spain. All four of the tanker’s crew and three of the bomber’s crew of seven were killed. Three of the B52’s bomb load of four hit the ground near the fishing village of Palomares and the other drifted out to sea. The detonators of two of the three that fell ashore were ignited, scattering plutonium over an area of three square kilometres. The US Government subsequently paid out $120m in compensation to 500 local residents who suffered radiation sickness; no-one knows how many Spaniards died as a result but local people working on the clean-up operation were not issued with the protective gear worn by the US personnel engaged on the same task.

After Palomares the USAF seems to have learnt a lesson either about air safety or about the reporting of nuclear incidents involving its aircraft, because only one such has been recorded since, and then in conditions that were egregiously harsh. On January 21st 1968 a B52 crashed immediately after take-off in appalling weather in Greenland. The detonators of all four bombs exploded, setting fire to the plane’s 35,000 gallons of fuel and generating such intense heat that one of the warheads actually melted.

     

The B28RI nuclear bomb, recovered from 2,850 feet (870 m) of water, on the deck of the USS Petrel

Trident: to renew, or not to renew? This is perhaps not the place to air the pros and cons of the nuclear debate but it is an opportunity to remind readers that January 17th is the golden anniversary of one of the worst – and thankfully almost the last – accidents that the US Air Force had with its nuclear bombs. Many people are surprised to learn how many air crashes or similar accidents involving nuclear bombs there were in the early years of the atomic era. The USAF and US Navy between them suffered an amazing 27 between 1950 and 1968, in which 70 aircrew were killed. In almost all cases the detonators of the bombs being carried blew up, although the bombs themselves didn’t. (Well, you’d probably already know if any had!)

The Palomares Incident, in which seven crewmen died, was the last but one of these nuclear near-nightmares, although far from the worst. (That was on August 5th 1950 at Fairfield-Suisin Air Force Base, 38

The whole thing ended more as farce than tragedy: a Spanish fisherman, Francisco Ortis, saw where the missing bomb had splashed down and guided a recovery fleet of 26 US Navy warships to the spot. It had rolled into a deep underwater trench and took three months to locate and recover: there was a

Anyway, since then, nothing. Not a single bad day at work has been reported. So, since we started by talking about Trident, let’s move on to the safety record of Soviet nuclear submarines. On second thoughts, let’s not!

Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Shabba Ranks (17th), and Stefan Edberg (19th) Cake and botox to you all!

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 Motoring  

Best Small Cars By Rebecca Chaplin

If you don’t need to transport your worldly goods with you every time you get in your car you don’t necessarily need a big vehicle. If most of your journeys are made around town and don’t include major motorway mileage, then you may want to consider one of the latest city cars. These won’t cost you the earth to buy or to run, are great to drive and the latest crop are stylish and comfortable for everyday use. Here we’ve picked five of our favourites.

Ford Fiesta - Price: From £9,995

The Fiesta has been the best-selling car in the UK for more months than we can remember – and that’s not without good reason. The latest small Ford has plenty to offer with a welllaid out cabin, fantastic handling that makes even trips to the supermarket exciting and a superb choice of specification. 

VW Polo - Price: From £11,100

The VW Polo has an enviable reputation for being a bit of a tough guy – and in the city you need a vehicle that can withstand a few bumps and scrapes. The Polo is solid both inside and out with functional layout and built-to-last materials. Although it’s at the higher end of our price scale, VW’s wellrespected residual values and reliability make it a worthy investment.

Honda Jazz - Price: From £11,695

The Honda Jazz might not be everyone’s first choice in the small car sector – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a look. The Japanese car firm’s reputation for reliability is up there with the best in the world. Couple that with some funky looks, spacious interior and competitive pricing and it may be worth taking a trip to your local Honda dealer to try one out.

Dacia Sandero - Price: From £5,995

Some of you have probably spent more on a holiday than it costs to buy this brand new car – but don’t let this bargain basement price tag put you off. The Dacia Sandero, loved by James May of Top Gear fame, is the real deal, combining back to basics interior and no thrills styling with a functional engine and practical lay out. The fact you’ll get change from £6,000 makes it even more tempting.

Vauxhall Corsa - Price: From £8,995

The Corsa is soon to be replaced by an all-new model which means there are bargains to be had on the current model. A firm favourite with new drivers and pensioners alike, the Corsa might play second fiddle to Ford’s Fiesta in the sales charts, but it’s still worth a look. It’s stylish, has an impressive array of engines to pick from and is packed with plenty of features too. 40

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Short Story 



An Adjustment to the Wardrobe Morris stared at the contents of his wardrobe, and knew he had a problem. Not only was the man from the park six inches taller than him, he was also considerably broader. Dorothy always said he made dreadful decisions under pressure, but this time he had to get it right. Time was ticking, and before long the Sunday morning joggers would begin to arrive at the park. With every passing second the risk of detection, not to mention hypothermia, became ever greater. It was lucky for the young man that Morris had been the first to find him. Morris was walking the dog at his usual time, and as he’d passed the shelter by the lime trees a strange voice had hailed him hoarsely from the shadows within. Morris’s heart had nearly leapt from his chest. It was a classic fight or flight situation. Considering neither he, nor his basset, Broadstairs, were getting any younger, flight wasn’t really an option. To his utter relief the voice did not belong to a mugger but to a young man, who was stark naked, save for a battered Indian headdress. “I don’t suppose you could lend me a couple of quid to catch the bus home?” the man had asked politely, yet desperately. “And possibly some clothes?” It was an understandable request Morris reflected now, looking at the suits in his wardrobe. After all, there’s no 42

point having the correct fare if the driver won’t let you get on the bus. “Do you live nearby?” the man had said. “Could we nip to your house for a coat, some trousers and shoes? I promise I’ll return them.” It turned out that the young man had been on something called a stag night, and that his friends had abandoned him an hour earlier, taking all of his clothes. Time to get some better friends, Morris thought. Morris had insisted that the young man wait there. It was too risky to have him brazenly walking through the park, and besides, Morris didn’t want a naked man in the house disturbing Dorothy. He looked over at Dorothy snoring contentedly under the eiderdown. The less she knew about this sorry business the better. If he could just find some suitable clothes then it would be a secret he and Broadstairs could take to the grave. Even in this dim light Morris could see that nothing he owned would fit. His jackets, his shoes, and even his trousers would be far too small. The man would get some funny looks on the bus squeezed into those. His eyes strayed across the rail to Dorothy’s clothes. Dorothy was by anyone’s standards

a large lady. In fact, Morris realised, a pair of her slacks would fit quite nicely. She also had size ten feet, a source of much frustration when shoe shopping. Morris pondered the ethics of lending the stranger his wife’s clothes. The biggest problem was how to avoid Dorothy finding out. Would the man return them promptly? He had to lend him something that Dorothy would never miss, something she rarely wore and wasn’t likely to need in the foreseeable future. Morris’s eyes alighted on the perfect choice. Delighted by his excellent decision making, he stuffed the clothes in a carrier bag and left the house without once disturbing Dorothy. He and poor Broadstairs, would, however, be enduring a deeply disturbed Dorothy two days later. There’s no easy way to explain to your wife why you’ve received a parcel containing her peach satin mother-of-the-bride outfit, her matching sling-backs, two pound coins and a battered Indian headdress in the post. By Jackie Brewster

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 New Year’s Revolution 

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Organise your life the electronic way and stick to those resolutions

In the 1980s, it was the Filofax; in the 1990s, the Personal Digital Assistant or PDA. Today, though, we’re more likely to stay on top of our lives using a mobile device. Whether you’re trying to get more organised or just want to stay on top of your New Year’s resolutions, gadgets can help. If your resolution was to get fitter or take better care of your health, there are stacks of devices that can accurately monitor your vital signs and your exercise routines. Firms such as Fitbit offer an entire range of fitness trackers ranging from the clip-on, £49 Zip to fully-featured smart watches such as the £199 Surge. Whichever kind you go for, the devices can track your activity to let you know how active you’ve been, how far you’ve travelled and how many calories you’ve burned, and they can send that data to a phone so you can keep track of your progress. If you’re interested in particular sports, Sat-Nav specialist Garmin makes a range of fitness trackers designed specifically for runners, golfers and other sportsmen and women. You don’t need to be active to benefit from smart gadgets, though. If your resolution was to lose weight, a set of smart 44

scales - from around £29 for stand-alone scales to £150 for scales that communicate with phones or PCs over Wi-Fi, enabling you to store your progress in an app or even share it with others online - can show you not just how much weight you’ve lost but also how your body is composed. So, for example, if you’re replacing fat with muscle - which is heavier than fat - you’ll be able to see that you’ve made great progress even if the actual weight displayed by the scales hasn’t changed. Then again, you’ll know that by the way your clothes feel, so maybe you don’t need smart scales after all. We’ve mentioned phones a few times now, and that’s because pound for pound they’re the most useful resolution trackers and life organisers: the reason standalone electronic organisers are a rare sight these days is because smartphones do a better job for less money. A really good Android phone can be as little as £40, and for that you’re getting a smartphone with built-in calendars and reminders and the opportunity to use apps such as the superb MyFitnessPal, which can track your exercise and can use your phone’s camera to scan barcodes and work out

nutritional information from them automatically. More expensive devices such as Apple’s iPhones include motion processors that can track your steps, flights climbed and distance travelled without requiring a dedicated fitness tracker, and Apple’s own Health app can record that data plus anything else you’d like to monitor. If you’d rather do most of that automatically, MyFitnessPal is available for Apple devices too. The other thing that smartphones do is enable you to join like-minded souls. Many fitness devices and apps - Fitbits, Nike Fuelbands, the MyFitnessPal app - also have online communities where you can compare progress, share your stories or just hang around chatting with people who are doing the same things as you. That’s useful, because while fitness devices and apps are great, there’s one thing that only human encouragement can provide, and that’s the motivation to stick to your plan even when you don’t feel like it - and someone to laugh with when you need a bit of a boost. Images left to right:Fitbit Zip fitness tracker; Garmin Forerunner smartwatch for runners; Withings smart scales; RunKeeper fitness app

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Karen Munro Careers (Jan16)_Layout 1 23/12/2015 20:49 Page 1

Karen Munro - Career Coach

   

www.munrocareers.co.uk 

twitter - @munrocareers facebook - munrocareers

Karen is a professional and qualified Career Coach who provides support in all aspects of Career Development and Transition including effective CV Coaching, Interview Skills and Networking Techniques. A member of the Association of Coaching and registered with the Careers Professional Alliance, she is a qualified Careers Practitioner and Trainer. Karen works with both private and business clients around London and the South East who are looking for career change, direction, motivation and support. She works as an Associate for a number of Outplacement organisations including Right Management and SMP Solutions as well as working directly with Military Personnel leaving the Armed Forces and making that transition in to civilian life. Karen regularly contributes to ‘In and Around’ every month sharing her practical experience and knowledge with her local community.

Your career and the year ahead... JANUARY is a great time for reflection on the year that has passed. However, it can also be a time to look back with regret about the things you haven't been able to accomplish or achieve and can it can become a difficult time of year for many of us. However, January should be a time to embrace where you are right now. Remember how you got here. Was it through hard work, talent, good or bad luck, playing it safe or perhaps from taking risks? Chances are, it was a bit of everything and it's important to recognise that everything you did had a consequence - it got you to where you are right now. It’s important to take responsibility for your actions and to learn from any mistakes.

If you're looking for a new job, embrace it as a new challenge and use everything you've learnt about yourself over the last 12 months to help define your new job search. Finally, you might not want just a new job, you might want a complete career change. Perhaps the one thing you learnt about yourself over the last 12 months was that you don't actually want to do the same job any more. Changing your career can feel like a huge hurdle and most people will think about it, perhaps even talk about it but will find it more challenging to actually make it happen. Change takes time and passion.

What did you learn about yourself last year? How can you use it to improve your focus for the year ahead?

Time? - Because in order to achieve it you need to map out a path towards your goal and start to break down the steps you need to take to get you there.

January is notorious for being the month when people make a concerted effort to improve things, do things differently or even change direction.

Passion? - Because if you really want to take that journey and change your career you have to be passionate about what you want to achieve.

You may be looking to improve your current job, get a promotion or even get a new job. Improving your job may be about a range of things from changing your attitude to work, approaching things differently as well as taking on additional responsibilities to make your job more enjoyable. Remember, “If you love your job, you'll never work another day in your life.” 46

Making peace with the past can help you embrace your future. Wishing all my readers and followers a very happy and prosperous 2016.

Karen

“unlocking your career potential”

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  

   

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HS2 are continuing to develop their plans for this 24 hour operation on our doorstep generating HGV movements coming through Richings Park as well as the rest of Iver. We are going to present our objections at the Parliamentary Select Committee on 25th Jan. The Committee will be undertaking a site visit – we do not have a date yet but when we do we will need as many people as possible to come out and demonstrate their objections to the proposals. 

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We hope that the piling work is finally finished. We understand that the bridge will be finally completed by the end of April. We hope to have the designs for the new station available soon.

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The decision regarding expansion has now been delayed. In the mean time we will continue to monitor the noise and air pollution issues that affect us and make representations at the various Committees on which we represent you. 

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There is pressure on the local authority to build more houses and Richings Park will be required to play its part. To ensure that

local people get a say in what they want their community to look like the Parish Council is working on a Neighbourhood Plan. There will be consultation events and a survey of your views in the next few months. Please make sure you have your say so that your voice is heard.

     More information on this project will be available at a consultation event being held at the end of February at the Sports Club. Details of the exact route, timescales and local impacts will be available.

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We have a new information and communication forum Richings Park Today  which we hope will be a source of information, networking and support and allow you to have a voice. Please join and get involved. All the information we have about local issues will be on the forum or our website.

          If you have not already done so please remember to pay your subscript ions to your road steward or at the Post Office. Details on our website if you lose the envelope delivered to you. 

               48

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 Make Room   for Roses  by Pippa Greenwood  

It’s the perfect time of year to plant roses, and there should be a good selection in local garden centres or from specialist rose nurseries. Although roses look good in beds, borders and containers, why not create your own fantasy rose arch or roseclad arbour? Transform an existing arch or pergola by planting roses now to ensure fabulous colour for many summers to come. Alternatively, create your own using sturdy timber or buy a good quality wooden or metal arch or pergola kit. Start by deciding whether to use ramblers or climbers to cover your pergola or arch. Ramblers are easier to train but only flower once a year, whereas many climbers have two flowering periods or flower intermittently for months. Many roses are strongly coloured, so ensure that these will look good with adjacent planting and will not clash with nearby painted or treated surfaces such as decking or garden furniture. Perfume is a vital ingredient - walking beneath an arch or pergola laden with perfumed roses on a warm summer’s evening takes some beating! If you get your roses delivered, don’t be put off if they have 50

somewhat lopsided roots, uninspiring woody stems and little else. This is normal, but despite their forlorn appearance they usually establish well. Do try to plant as soon as possible, but if not make sure that you keep the root systems moist by wrapping in thoroughly moistened hessian or by burying the roots temporarily in garden soil.

Make your planting hole close to the base of the arch or pergola: a distance of about 30 – 45 cm (12 – 18 in) works well, but keep away from concrete footings or other material located in the soil. Although roses quite like fairly heavy soil, for clay soils likely to waterlogging prepare a sizeable area before planting by digging in well rotted manure, garden compost and grit, which also ensures good fertility. If the roots of bare root roses are lopsided and crammed together, spread them out before planting. Soak the roots in water for a couple of hours before prising them apart, prune out any which have been damaged and plant the rose immediately. Ensure you plant at the correct depth: the swollen graft point slightly above where the roots start protruding should be just above soil level. Once in place,

keep your rose well watered during dry conditions, paying particular care over the next 18 months. Apply rose fertiliser and top up the mulch in spring. Newly purchased roses are unlikely to have much in the way of top growth, but once they get going you will obviously need to train these stems into the arch or pergola, securing them at regular intervals with great care, so that they are not damaged by being buffeted against the arch or pergola during windy weather. I like to use the steel wire with a dense foam covering – strong but soft! Good varieties for planting over pergolas and arches include Veilchenblau ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ (climber), Excelsa ‘Crimson Shower’, Albertine Albericbarbier ‘Golden Showers’, ‘Iceberg’ (climber), Malvern Hills ‘Super Fairy’, ‘Gloire de Dijon’, ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’. Make vegetable growing fun with Pippa’s unique ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system. Select the vegetables you’d like to grow at www.pippagreenwood. com and your garden-ready plants will be delivered in May, accompanied by weekly emails packed full of advice and tips. It is great value and various pack sizes are available. Gift cards are available too.

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  Finding The Perfect Puppy...     

FINDING a puppy has always been a minefield. Buyers assume that ‘breeders’ are honest and care for the welfare of their charges but often this anything but the case. There have always been unscrupulous ‘breeders’ selling pups with dubious pedigrees and the uninitiated are easily caught out because they don’t know what the puppy should look like. This is even more of an issue with the advent of ‘designer’ breeds where the lines are blurred and the pups may be nothing like the breeds that have been cross bred. DON’T buy on impulse and never buy a pet as a surprise gift. Research breeds, their characteristics and the problems they may have - that cute puppy may grow into a large and difficult dog. Avoid feeling sorry for a sad or sickly looking puppy, it is the responsibility of the seller to sort it out it is not your problem. It may result in being an expensive or tragic mistake and just gives them profit to continue their illicit trade. DON’T buy puppies from pet shops; they generally obtain their stock from disreputable breeders and puppy farms. Many have poor knowledge of, or interest in, animal welfare and are only interested in profit. Knowledgeable and caring pet shop owners do not sell puppies. DON’T buy from adverts in newspapers, magazines or on the internet - good breeders don’t need to advertise and puppies may be illegal imports. I cannot emphasise the importance of this too much. DON’T agree to anyone delivering to you or meeting them at a ‘convenient’ neutral location, they are ALWAYS disreputable dealers covering their tracks so you can’t find them when things go wrong, the puppies will be sickly and infested with parasites and again, they may well be illegal imports. DO look for ‘home-bred’ puppies that you have seen indoors with their mother. Even puppies bred in reputable breeding kennels may be unsuitable as they may not be habituated to living with a family in a normal house. The best way to find a pedigree dog is to call the Kennel Club and ask for the breed secretary of the breed you are interested in and be prepared to travel some distance. Even then this is not foolproof so go in with your eyes open and with the rest of these tips in mind. It used to be that puppy farmers operated from Wales and Ireland and any pup with documentation from those countries should still be viewed with suspicion. However, since regulations tightened in these places dealers are importing more from Eastern Europe. Not only are these puppies likely to be stressed and unhealthy they may have been imported on forged or illegal documents. Be very wary of puppies from these countries: they cannot be legally imported before they are 15 weeks of age at the very 52

earliest and illegal puppy imports may introduce Rabies into the country. These puppies WILL be seized and you will have to pay for the quarantine or for the puppy to be destroyed. There is now so much money to be made from illegally importing puppies that former drug smugglers have turned their attention to this market as the profits are huge and the punishment, if caught, derisory. These people will even rent and furnish a house and bring in a stooge bitch and pretend it is the puppy’s mother. Check all vaccination certificates are fully complete and the dates fit the information given. If they’re not - don’t buy. Incomplete certificates are a sign of animal dealers/illegal importers and are unreliable. Remember: If you’re not 100% happy - walk away, there is always another choice but wherever you find your pet take it to a vet immediately for a health check and listen to what they say. Vets are the best source of unbiased advice and the small fee may save a fortune or a tragedy.

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Home & Interiors 

New Year, New Style? By Katherine Sorrell 

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Additional images are available from the TIPSS downloads, please ensure the appropriate captions (from the word document) are used with them.

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FLOWERS & GARDENING...

7pm. Call L Killian 01753 814280

Iver Flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call Jayne on 07730 249876. Visit: www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver

Bokwa Fitness Tone & Core Bokwa Dance Fitness Over-50's group Energetic workout that anyone can pick up, dancer or not. Saturdays 10.30-11.30am, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk

HOBBIES...

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Bobbin Lace Making Group Every Thu 7.30pm at Southlands House, The Green, Swan Road, West Drayton. Call Julie 020 8897 9368 or Margaret 01895 851349 Chinese Brush Painting Group We meet on Saturday mornings. The class is guided by an experienced tutor. Learn to compose and develop your own Chinese painting style as well the finer points of Chinese calligraphy. At Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield or contact Phyllis Nash on 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com

French Sessions in Iver French Intermediate Class. Small friendly group with French Native Teacher meets every Tues. Iver Village Hall 7.30-9.30pm from Sept 22nd 2015 Call 07940 281233 e: c.marionnet@blueyonder.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 Mandarin Tuition In Iver Heath. Children or adults, any level, individuals or groups. Experienced teacher. Call Yuan on 07932 649107 or email ynhyuan@yahoo.co.uk Uxbridge Craft Market Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, Gifts and Collectables www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA... Adults Zumba Classes Running on Wednesdays 6-7pm at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret's Close. Call Diane 07926 854184. Ballet Classes Iver Heath Village Hall, Friday 4.4558

Tuesday 6.45pm-7.45pm. Wed, Thurs and Friday 10-11am Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Road, Denham, Bucks. Thursday 6.30-7.30pm. Contact Wendy Whitefoord, Tel: 07803 602142 or email: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com

Boxfit Saturdays 9.45-10.45am at the Evreham Sport Centre, Iver. An exciting class which uses focus pads and gloves to enhance an excellent aerobic workout. Call 01753 672610 Children's Zumba (Zumbatomic) Classes Wednesdays at 3.30-5.30pm at Iver Heath Village Hall, Saint Margaret's Close. Call Diane on 07926 854184

Futunity Street Dance and Hip Hop for children age 7-11 years. Fri's from 4-9pm call Cheryl on 01753 651754 or email childcare@ivercommunity.org Modern Jive Classes (Ceroc) Monday 8-11pm at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre Tuesday & Thursday 8-11pm at Uxbridge Civic Centre Beginners Welcome – First Night Entry & Free Lifetime membership Contact Alan: 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 www.clubceroc.com email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com Donna’s Keep Fit Iver Heath Village Hall. Call Donna 01753 674945. Tue 9.45-10.45am Fitness Club St Catherine School, Money Lane, West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thu 6-7pm Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, 07906 087749 www.tauruspt.co.uk Hour of Power - Ultimate Workout Wed 7pm at the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610. Iver Heath Drama Club Wednesday at Iver Heath New Village Hall between 7.45pm & 10pm. Contact Matt Streuli email: matt@ihdc.co.uk or www.ihdc.co.uk Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Monday 9.30am-10.30am and

Ladies Only Kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 email: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk Nordic Walking & Wellbeing All round exercise in the open air, 4 week courses various days and locations pre booking essential contact 07771872592 / learningmoves@hotmailco.uk Personal Training Looking for some extra help to get fit & into shape? For more info and prices call Rachel on 07745 622011 Pilates Iver Heath Village Hall on Thurs 7pm8pm call Mrs S Webb 01923 721335 Pilates Class Thursdays 9.30-10.30am. St Peter's Centre, Iver. All levels, booking essential. Call Rachel 07745 622011. Pilates and Tai Chi Fit courses Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk PiYo® Classes Sweat, stretch & strengthen all in one low-impact, music -driven, body sculpting workout. Tues 7-7.45pm. St Peter's Centre, Iver. £5 per class booking essential. Call Rachel on 07745 622011. Pinewood Fitness The Fitness Room, Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Sl0 0NH. Mon 20.00-21.00, Wed 19.30-20.30. Booking only. Various Fitness Circuits, Boxercise, Gym Work. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, 07906 087749 www.tauruspt.co.uk

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product is packed with nourishing natural ingredients, such as Shea butter, hemp  seed oil and chamomile extract, and has none of the synthetic ‘nasties’ that can so easily dry and irritate skin. Try the Scar Oil (£18.99), which contains rosehip – scientifically proven to help improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, uneven pigmentation and signs of ageing. Now I do love a multitasker, so when I heard of a shoe cream that you can use as a lip balm, moisturiser, hair conditioner and massage oil, I really was intrigued! PoZu’s new Edible Shoe Cream (£7.50) is formulated from coconut oil and is so pure that you can actually eat it. It’s a really handy tin to keep in your handbag to treat chapped lips, dry patches of skin, flyaway hair and so on. (And, of course, it’ll keep your leather shoes looking great too.)

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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...

ZUMBA ® Fitness Classes Mon & Thurs 7-8pm. St Peters Centre, Iver - all levels welcome! Call Rachel on 07745 622011.

for a cup of tea, a chat and a biscuit. If you enjoy singing please come along to watch us one evening or visit www.signaturesingers.com

Zumba Fitness Weds 8-9pm at Langley Grammar School Sport Centre Reddington Drive Langley, SL3 8LL and Thurs 7-8pm at Yiewsley / West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, West Drayton UB7 9JL.Call Gabriel 07735 090325, gabrielzumba@instructor.net www.gabriel84.zumba.com

Stoke Poges Singers A friendly four-part choir with about forty members singing a wide variety of music during the year. New members are always welcome and there are no auditions. The ability to read music is not essential. Rehearsals on Thursday evening at St Andrews Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges from 8pm. Come along to a rehearsal or contact Naomi on 07831 217575 or Cheryl on 01753 655682. www.stoke-poges-singers.org

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Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.459.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing til 11pm

Tap Dance Mondays 7.30-8.30pm at Meadows Community Centre, West Drayton. Adult Beginner/Intermediate tap. No exams. Contact 01895 420409 / learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk Taurus Circuits Pinewood Studio. With Personal Trainer Shaun. Monday 8pm-9pm Booking only 07906 087749 Tai Chi Classes Tues 10am at the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610 Tai Chi Classes Every Saturday 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429 Toddler & Junior Fitness Fun Junior Trampolining Weds 4.30pm5.30pm held at the Evreham Sports Centre Iver. Call 01753 672610. Weight Watchers Chalfont St Peter Community Centre SL9 9QX. Wednesdays, 7pm. Iver Village Hall, SL0 9NW. Thursdays, 6.30pm. Iver Heath Village Hall SL0 0DA Saturdays, 9am Call Nicky 07443 567244 nicky_iverww@hotmail.com www.weightwatchers.co.uk Yoga Iver Heath Village Hall Mon 6.30-7.45pm Jonathan Bell 07790 682238 ZUMBA in Langley Mon 7-8pm & Tues 7-8pm St. Mary's Church Centre. Thurs 7-8pm St. Francis Church Hall. 60

MUSIC...

Faraday Country Music Club in Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for 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 Iver Singers Singing for Fun We’re a friendly group who meet every Tuesday (term time) at Evreham Adult Education Centre, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. No Auditions. No previous experience necessary. Please contact Sara Adams: sara@ iversingers.com, 07733 466177, or visit www.iversingers.com for more. Richings Players Award winning amateur theatre group perform three shows per year at Iver Village Hall. Contact Evelyn on 07950 039827 richingsplayers@mail.com See www.richingsplayers.co.uk. The Windsor & District Big Bands Appreciation Society Meet on 2nd Wed of each month at 7.30pm, Datchet Hall, Horton Rd, Datchet. Meetings feature the music of the big bands of the 40s & 50s Swing era. Two recitals from records, tapes & CDs, along with a raffle and sometimes a live band. If you like to reminisce, do come along and join us! Contact Derek on 01753 654398 Signature A Cappella singers We meet on a Monday night at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Iver Heath SLO 0DQ. Time 7.45-10.30 with a ten minute break

The Rock Project Greater London School of Rock & Pop where we teach 7-18 year olds how to play guitar, bass, drums and vocals in small groups and as a band. Sessions run Wed's at Nower Hill High School, Pinner and Thurs at Vyners School, Ickenham. Juniors (7-11) 4.156.15pm and Seniors (11-18) 6.308.30pm. £20 per two - hourly session. Contact Pritpal on 07855 863058 or email uxbridge@therockproject.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. ontact Lynne on 07976 824152 or Lynne@ywdband.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band Open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wed during TT. 6.457.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com PETS... Iver Dog Training Club Meet Tuesday & Friday 6.30-9pm, St Andrews Church, Richings Park. Call Diana 01753 732907 Iver Heath Fields Dog Club 'Outdoor Training' every Sat at 10.15am, Wed at 11am call Mike on 01753 817852 or 07795 031335 or see website www.ihfdc.com continued overleaf...

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GET FIT, HEALTHY &

HAPPY IN 2016 At Richings Sports Park, we offer a great selection of revolutionary equipment, to help make your goals more achievable! With state of the art audio-visual technology to help track your performance and improve your fitness experience, there is a wide selection of equipment suitable for all levels, to help burn fat and build muscle. We are also excited to offer Technogym’s exclusive ARKE™ functional training range and virtual Spin bikes from Star Trac®. New to 2016 gym members now get FREE Endless Pool use. Swim against a current fully adjustable to your own pace in a private room exclusive to you. All gym members receive FREE Club Membership (worth £55!) that offers a variety of discounts within the Centre, including fitness classes, tennis, and drinks from the lounge bar.

Limited time only: Join now from only £29 a month!* Richings Sports Park Wellesley Avenue, Richings Park Iver, Buckinghamshire, SL0 9BN t: 01753 650801 w: www.richingssportspark.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply.

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PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... French for Children with La Jolie Ronde, 5-11yrs. In Iver, Saturdays. Call Estelle 07831 779888 Rainbow Guides Iver Heath Scout Hut on Tuesday, 5.30-6.30pm. Call Cindy Gordon 01753 795724 or Tracey Glynn 01895 469804 Richings Park Pre-School St Leonard's Hall, St Leonard's Walk, Richings Park Iver, SL0 9DD. Monday to Friday 9.15am-12.15pm Extended days on Tue, Wed and Fri until 2.15pm. 15 hours funding available for 3-4 year olds per week. 2yr old funding. Call 07712 477848. Shooting Stars Pre-School An innovative pre-school setting for children aged two-five years open from 7.00am – 6.00pm Monday – Friday. Iver Village Hall, High St, Iver, SL0 9NW. Call Rafia 01753 651754 or e: childcare@ivercommunity.org Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Monday and Thursday 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) and Cadets (age 1218 yrs). Fees £2 per week, courses from £5 for a weekend. Visit us on Facebook, pop-in or email: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Sticky Fingers Mothers & Toddlers Iver Heath Village Hall, Wed 9.3011.30am. Call Janet Beale 01753 652375 The Launchpad A breakfast club for children aged 511 and after school club for Infants. We also offer holiday play schemes. Iver Village Hall, High Street, Iver, SL0 9NW. Call Cheryl on 01753 651754 childcare@ivercommunity.org The Pod An after school club for Junior school children combining childcare with specialist ed. activities. Iver Village Junior School, High Street, Iver, SL0 9QA. Call Cheryl on 01753 651754 or email: childcare@ivercommunity.org 62

  Tiny Talk Baby Signing Classes Tuesday classes at St Mary’s Church Hall, High Street, Harefield UB9 6BX, 10am, price £5 pre-paid per family. Thursday classes at St Giles' Church Hall, 1 High Road, Ickenham UB10 8LE, 10am, 11.15am and 1pm, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ, 10.30am, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Please call Bev Meier to book 01895 824935 or 0781 8025993 Tiny Toes Childcare Full day care nursery for children aged six weeks to five years open from 8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Evreham Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HS. Call Susan on 01753 655650 tinytoes@ivercommunity.org SELF DEFENCE...

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 email kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. SELF HELP... Alcoholics Anonymous Every Sun, 7.30pm, St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. Call Howard 07816 315688. Slimming World Tuesday 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday 9.30am at Evreham Sports Centre, Iver Heath Contact Kate: 07432 107089

Close Quarter Combat In Richings Park. Speed, strength and conditioning training. All types of pad work combinations. Suitable for adults of all ages. 1-2-1 sessions. Call Mark 07525 366126 email: mj.wilding@hotmail.com

SOCIAL GROUPS...

Karate (Adults & Children) Iver Heath Village Hall on Tues & Thurs. Kids 7-8pm, Adults 8-9.30pm. Call Sensei R. Baker 07898 946330.

Colne Valley Park Conservation Volunteers Every second weekend of the month. Hands on help to protect the wildlife and landscape of the regional park. For more details contact Steve Ord steven.ord@groundwork.org.uk or call 07718 043080.

Karate Club of Denham / Uxbridge For ages 5 years and up. Sunday 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725 Kung Fu Club West Drayton Great Kung Fu work out for children & adults on: Tuesday 5.30-6.30, Friday 7.30-8.30, Sunday 5.30-6.30. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella: 07702 479 435 or email: sportsclubuk@gmail.com Martial Arts Bujinkan Kuri Dojo Unit 21 Bridgeworks, UB8 2JG Tel: 07878 471124. Training: Sun 10.30-12.30pm, Tue 8-10pm, Thu 8.30-10pm www.bujinkankuridojo.co.uk

Coffee Shop At St Margarets Church, Church Rd, Iver Heath. Wed 10.45-11.45am. Enjoy a coffee and a chat in a friendly, informal atmosphere.

Heathway Ladies Group Every second Tues of the month at 2pm. You’re welcome as a visitor at the cost of £1.50, as we have a waiting list. Contact Secretary Tricia Cooper 01753 817749 or e: tricia.cooper3@virginmedia.com Iver & District Countryside Assoc., If you enjoy walks in the country and social evenings, why not join us? Call Paul Graham 01753 655183 Iver Evening Women’s Institute Iver Village Hall, meets 2nd Monday of month, 7.30pm. Call Margaret 01753 653751 for details. continued overleaf...

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 

SOCIAL GROUPS CONTINUED... Iver Heath Ladies Meet 2nd Tuesday of the month in Iver Heath Village Hall at 2pm. A group of ladies who enjoy speakers, outings, lunches and more. Visitors welcome, £1.50 admission. Contact tricia.cooper3@virginmedia.com or call 01753 817749. Iver Heath Community Library The library is open on Tuesday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Thursday 10am-1pm & 2pm-7pm Saturday 10am-1pm We hope that people from all three local areas will join with us to preserve this important local resource. Membership is free. Many of the facilities are free. For details contact us or, alternatively, come to one of our free monthly coffee and cake mornings and discuss with us in person. Tel: 0845 2303232 email: lib-ivh@buckscc.gov.uk King's Friends A group of older men and women enjoying life. Contact 01753 651178 for our latest programme. Probus Club of Langley & Iver is always looking for new members, we meet for lunch at the Richings Park Sports Club on the last Tuesday of the month (except Dec). We are friendly and attract retired persons of both sexes who usually are from a professional background although there is nothing rigid about background. We normally have a speaker and cover a very wide range of interests. Contact 01753 653571. Slough Plus Meet at the Tower Arms in Iver, 4th Wednesday of the month, with weekly events and weekends away. All ages 20's-60's. Visit sloughplus.weebly.com The Rotary Club of Langley & Iver Meets on Thurs evenings 6.45 for 7pm, Richings Park Golf Club. North Park. Iver. SL0 9DL 01753 655370. We are a small friendly club that welcomes everyone, from all walks of life. If you are interested in improving the lives of others and have fun doing it, visit www.rotarylangleyandiver.org. uk or email: akahold@hotmail.com Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West 64

London. Looking to expand your social group and make new friends? 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 for more. SPORT... Back School Small Osteopath lead rehab excercise sessions designed to help strengthen the back with lots of self care advice. Held at Lotus Wellbeing Clinic call 01753 677 604 for further details. Basketball (starting 7th June) Drop-in sessions for adults age 16 and over. Saturdays 12-2pm. £3 per session. At the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610. Darts Richings Park Sports & Social Club Wellesley Avenue. Men & Women Players. Tuesday & Thursday Nights. Call Gerry 07957 804204 Iver Heath Tennis Club Church Road, Iver Heath, Bucks. SL0 0RW. New members always welcome, adults and juniors, visit our website for details www.ihltc.co.uk or call John Stephenson 01895 441033 Iver Heath Bowls Club Interested in playing bowls? Ring Brian Carter 01753 817794 or Hon. Sec. Betty Hemsley 01753 651775 Iver Short Mat Bowls We are open on Wednesdays 2-5pm & 5-10pm in Iver Village Hall, experience not necessary. Age 18yrs+. Cal Bob 01753 654049 or Ron 01753 819644 or Mary 01753 654765 Iver Veterans Golf Society For men and women over 60. We meet every Tuesday morning at Iver Golf Club. Handicap not necessary. Regular competitions held at Iver and other courses. You do not need to be a member of Iver Golf Club, just come along and play and make some new friends. Special rates for IVGS members. Contact: 01753 654246 Ladies Golf Every Mon & Wed, 10am at Rickmansworth Golf Club new members welcome. Email ladies-captain@rick mansworthgolf club.co.uk for details.

Learn to Sail! We are an RYA approved training centre and are open to new members, www.kingsmeadsc.org.uk FREE sailing taster sessions! Nordic Walking Taster Session Iver Starts Wednesday 30th January, 10am-11am, £5 at Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, Bucks, SL0 0HS. Session is £5 with poles included. If you would like to book onto the course or require more details call the Evreham Sports Centre on 01753 672 610. 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 Richings Park Ladies Badminton Club Meet at St. Andrews Church Hall, North Park, Iver. Every Monday 24pm except Bank Holidays. Intermediate standard of playing. Call Daphne Wood 01753 653404 for details. Richings Park Short Mat Bowls Richings Park Sports & Social Club Wellesley Avenue. Wed from 4pm. Just turn up - equipment provided. Richings Park Tennis Club Want play tennis? New members always welcome at our Brand New court facilities. Contact Graeme or Wendy on 01753 651071 or visit www.richingsparkltc.org.uk Run for life Richings park running and fitness club. Richings park sports club Mon and Thu 6-7pm. With Personal trainer Shaun - sessions includes running, circuits, boxing and various other exercises. Call 07906 087749. Running Club For Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner. Runs organised in the local area. Free of charge, chance to train with other runners at your level. Call 01753 677 604 for further details.

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SITUATIONS

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  Denham Parish Council is looking for someone with excellent communication skills, both written and oral to assist the Parish Clerk with general Administration tasks and the daytoday running of the office. The ideal candidate should have experience with the structure and workings of local government, be able to prioritise their workload and be confi dent with dealing with the public. The position is for 15 hours per week  days and hours to be agreed. Salary negotiable depending on experience. Contact: with a C V if you wish to be considered for this position 

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To deliver our magazines each month in various local areas, including Denham, Uxbridge and West Drayton. Minimum age 14 years. Pay £7 per 100 Please call 0800 0385 001 / 07759 536494

 to assist older people in their own homes, personal care, Companionship and homehelp services. Days, evenings, weekends. www.homeinstead.co.uk/ruislipandharrow 

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