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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 interest ing to see whether I’ve been successful 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: 07931 368151 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Golden years: memories of fifty years ago Beauty: New Beginnings
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Puzzle Solutions
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Coffee Break Puzzles
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Kids Puzzle Page
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Begin the New Year with a Budget
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Time for a New Tradition
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Local Events
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RSPCA
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Travel: Botswana
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Local Telephone Numbers
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Magazine Pick Up Points
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Interiors: New Year, New Style?
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Alcoholism: the hidden hangover
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Motoring: Best small Cars
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Ruislip Central Horticultural Society
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The Big Garden Birdwatch
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Pets
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Garden Feature
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Reader Travel Offers What’s On Clubs, Groups & Classes
38 40, 42 & 44
Situations Vacant
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Wordsearch
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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,
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!
Beauty 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.
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
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.)
GNH_in&around_dps_Jan2016_Layout 1 15/12/2015 16:36 Page 1
holidays
In and Around
Call 01895 83 33 33 for bookings and information
4 DAYS
Free Drinks • Entertainment Over 40s only • £10pp deposit
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Mamma Mia & Super 70s Party Break
Pontins Pakefield, Suffolk Coast Friday 8 July, 2016 • Quote: SS7-IA Join us at Pontins Pakefield, on the Suffolk coast, for a Super Summer
Holidays offered by GN Holidays & Voyages Higher Denham
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screening of Mamma Mia the movie plus Rod Stewart and Abba
Escorted & River Cruise: www.gnvoyages.co.uk
tributes. With non-stop entertainment from Friday evening to Sunday
Coach Breaks: www.gnholidays.com Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays Closed Bank Holiday weekends.
Our brilliant showbill features 70s themed music and nostalgia, including a live performance by 70s rock-n-rollers Showaddywaddy, a
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evening and free drinks every night, this is a party weekend you won’t
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wine by the glass, pumped soft drinks & mixers • Full 70s theme entertainment programme • 3 nights en-suite chalet - upgrade available • 3 breakfasts & 3 dinners • Coach travel and excursions
C t a j h I a C
Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough
Cotswolds Snowdrops & Lunch
Wednesday 24 February, 2016 - Quote CS2-IA GREAT DAY OUT £79 PP
Come with us to Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire to see the gardens swathed in millions of snowdrops a sure sign that winter is on the wane and spring is just around the corner. Also enjoy lunch at a super hotel. INCLUDED: Visit to Colesbourne Park Gardens, including admission • 3-course lunch at the Regency Hotel, Cheltenham • Return coach travel
2016 Coach Holidays & Great Days Out www.gnholidays
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2016 Coach Holiday s & Great Days Out
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Departing from *Greenford, Harr ow Ruislip, Uxbridge , Slough Maidenhead & *Staines *Note: Due to drivers hours restrictio ns our day tours are not availabl e from Greenfo rd or Staines
Order your free copy available early in the new year
Bournemouth, Dorset & the New Forest
Thriplow Daffodil Festival & Lunch
Monday 4 April, 2016 - Quote BO4-IA
Saturday 16 April, 2016 - Quote TH4-IA
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Come with us to Bournemouth and enjoy the best of Dorset’s coast and country - plus the New Forest. We stay at Bournemouth’s 3-star Piccadilly Hotel and included excursions take in Poole, Christchurch, the New Forest and Lyndhurst. INCLUDED: 4 nights hotel stay at the Piccadilly Hotel, Bournemouth, sharing a twin/double room • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners • Coach travel and excursions
Come with us to the village of Thriplow which, each spring, is swathed in a carpet of daffodils. There’s plenty to see and do, including Heavy Horses giving dray rides, a working ‘Smithy’ on the green, sheepdog demonstrations and much more. You will also enjoy lunch at a country pub. INCLUDED: Visit to Thriplow Daffodil Festival • 2-course lunch at the Red Cow, Crishall • Return coach travel
Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. For further information, or to arrange a visit, please telephone 01895 234371 Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com
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
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.
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
bank account for each of your main categories of spending. 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
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
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...
Dated Events (Jan16)_Layout 1 24/12/2015 05:31 Page 1
JANUARY EVENTS
FEBRUARY 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/
Local Events
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
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.
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?
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…
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.
Courtesy cars / local collection available
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
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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Home & Interiors
New Year, New Style?
By Katherine Sorrell
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
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…
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.
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Alcohol Awareness FP+ (Jan16)_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 24/12/2015 00:13 Page 1
ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK
THE HIDDEN HANGOVER The damaging impact on society of problem drinking is clearly evidenced by the amount of time and money spent dealing with it by local authorities, police, health professionals and the social care system. Harder to quantify is the effect of alcohol on the families, friends and colleagues of those who drink to excess. This hidden hangover takes its toll on those closest to the drinker and often goes unnoticed. For every person with a drink problem there are at least five close family and friends who live with degrees of uncertainty, deceit, financial insecurity, fear of violence or emotional and physical abuse. Alcoholism is an illness which affects their loved ones physically, emotionally and spiritually. Dealing with someone else’s drink problem can be frightening and confusing. Challenging their unacceptable behaviour can be exhausting and stressful, and may make the situation worse. Communication breaks down, relationships suffer and families fall apart. For the families and friends this can be a lonely and isolating experience, compounded by shame and secrecy.
The subtle signs might manifest themselves in, for example, children failing in school or work days lost through stress-related illness of a family member. Al-Anon Family Groups supports those in relationships with problem drinkers, offering understanding and encouragement from others who have experienced the same challenges. By gaining insight into a better way of coping, members can vastly improve the quality of their own lives, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Al-Anon is a valuable, free resource in the struggle to reduce the negative burden of alcohol problems in society. It has been in existence for more than 60 years and there are over 800 groups in towns and cities in the UK & Eire, offering a sympathetic ear and a wealth of experience. Al Anon’s contribution is being increasingly recognised. The Scottish Parliament recently commended Al-Anon for its role in supporting those affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon meetings offer a place of safety, where anonymity is protected and everything said remains confidential.
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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.
RCHS FP+ (Jan16)_Layout 1 23/12/2015 15:33 Page 1
LOOKING FORWARD A very happy New Year to all readers and a warm greeting to all those members of the RCHS. We at the RCHS Committee hope you have a fantastic horticultural 2016. We had a fantastic year in 2015 with more talks and events than ever before, we had Christine Walkden from BBC’s the One show kick the year off, and also as well as many talks throughout the year we had three fantastic and successful shows - 2015 saw the most visitors to the shows ever and also the most number of new entries. Our society is once again growing, and in 2016 we have some great things lined up... We have many speakers throughout the year, we start with Jim Buttress from Channel 4 and later on in the year Pippa Greenwood from BBC Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time. Please remember that becoming a member allows you access to most of these events at a reduced cost (see below). To begin the year, I would like to introduce to you once more Patricia Swindells who is the Society’s Show Manager, and organiser of our final demonstration event in December last year by Zoe Bulkeley, of “Floral Art for Christmas.” With only 17 shopping days to go before Christmas it was very heartwarming to see the number of Ruislip Central Horticultural Society members who chose to opt for a relaxing afternoon watching another member do all the work! The event was a demonstration of how to make a Christmas Wreath and two table decorations. Zoe Bulkeley, a trained City & Guilds Florist as well as a member of the Society, gave her time and materials for free for the benefit of the Society. She is very experienced in running workshops but this was the first time that she had done a demonstration before a large audience. She found herself ‘volunteered’ and she made the afternoon very enjoyable. Zoe started the demonstration with the basics of putting the moss around the wire ring assuring the audience that this was simple and easy to do. The audience was
encouraged to ask questions and to come out and get hands on experience. It was very encouraging to see the structure take shape very quickly. The audience appreciated the step-by-step approach and the extra information on what types of foliage were best and the use of colour to bring out the design. At the end of the hour all could see a finished wreath that everyone in the hall would have been pleased to take home. Festive treats e.g. warm mince pies, delicious chocolate cakes, gingerbread men, tea and coffee were available and were much appreciated by the audience. The second half of the afternoon was devoted to showing how two simple table decorations could be made either with groups of foliage and accessories. Once again Zoe made it all look very simple. The final part of the event was the raffle and three lucky people took away the Christmas decorations – everyone was hoping that they held the lucky numbers! The warm and enthusiastic applause at the end of the afternoon showed how much the audience had enjoyed the whole experience. Some members said that this was the best demonstration that they had attended; others said that it had inspired them to try a Christmas decoration although all agreed that it would take them longer to complete! This was the Society’s first afternoon event and was put on in response to the views of the members who took part in the Society survey at the last AGM. The committee will be looking at the possibility of other afternoon events. Next month we will start to hit hard into the garden, and talk about what you can be doing in the month of February, planting and organising. Also we will be bringing back our popular MAILBAG, so please email any gardening or plant related questions you have to rchstalks @gmail.com
WHY NOT JOIN US IN 2016!
Warren
Please remember it is only £5 a year to become a member of the RCHS. Membership includes all the talks and events, PLUS it also gives you a fantastic 10% OFF ALL YEAR ROUND at Ducks Hill Garden Centre, Ruislip (some items are excluded) . Please visit the website for further details at www.ruisliphorticultural.org.uk
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 any local garden centre - but better still, arm yourself with a few catalogues from the specialist rose nurseries and you can be guaranteed an unbelievable choice of extremely highquality plants. Although roses look good in beds, borders and sometimes even in containers, why not take the plunge and create your own fantasy rose arch or rose-clad arbour?
If you have an existing arch or pergola then transform it by planting roses now to ensure fabulous colour and perhaps some perfume for many summers to come. If you don’t have an arch, create your own using sturdy timber, or if you don’t feel up to too much DIY and carpentry then simply invest in a good quality wooden or metal arch or pergola kit. You need to start by deciding which type of rose you want: basically, either ramblers or climbers can be used to cover pergolas and arches. The advantage of ramblers is that they tend to have more flexible and pliable stems and so are easier to train over an arch or pergola, particularly one which
is relatively tight or narrow. They do, however, have one big disadvantage and that is that they only flower once a year, whereas many of the climbers have two flowering periods or even continue to flower intermittently for months. Choice of colour is down to personal preference, but when choosing a rose or roses to add to your garden bear in mind that many have quite strong colours, so ensure that these will look good with adjacent highly coloured trees and shrubs and will not look out of keeping with any nearby painted or treated surfaces such as window frames, doors, decking or garden furniture.
Don’t forget perfume. This is a vital ingredient as far as I am concerned and certainly adds a wonderfully mystical and sensuous ingredient to any garden. Walking beneath an arch or pergola heavily 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 appear rather miserable, with somewhat lopsided roots, uninspiring woody stems and little else. This is normal
for bare root roses as they will have recently been lifted from the soil, but despite their forlorn appearance they usually establish extremely well. If you can’t get your new purchases into the ground immediately (do always try to plant them as soon as possible), then make sure that you keep the root systems moist by wrapping them in thoroughly moistened hessian or by burying the roots temporarily in garden soil. Make your planting hole close to but not immediately on top of the base of the arch or pergola. A distance of about 30 – 45 cm (12 – 18 in) works well, but it is essential that you do not make the planting hole too close to any concrete footings or other material located in the soil. Although roses quite like fairly heavy soil, if you soil is based on clay and really heavy and there is any risk of it becoming waterlogged, prepare a really good, large area thoroughly before starting to plant. Dig in well rotted manure, garden compost and grit to ensure good fertility and decrease the risk of waterlogging. This needs to be done over a sizeable area, not just a
small planting hole - more of a planting pit! bare root roses, if the With
rootstock.
are really lopsided and roots all crammed together, then you do need to spread them out before planting. It may help if you soak the roots in water for a couple of hours (overnight at the very most) before prising them apart into a good open shape, pruning out any which have been damaged in any way and then getting the rose into the ground as speedily as possible.
Always make sure that you plant at the correct depth: the swollen graft point slightly above where the roots start protruding should be just above soil level. This means that only the roots are beneath the soil and the rose will perform better, and with far less risk of growth appearing from the
Once in place, keep your rose well watered during dry conditions, paying particular care to this over the next 18 months or so. In the spring it is sure to benefit from an application of a rose fertiliser and a topping up of the mulched area.
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:
There are lots of different varieties suitable, but some of my favourites 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 atyour-elbow advice and tips, ensuring great results. There’s a stylish gift card available too. It is great value and various pack sizes are available (e.g. up to 55 plants for just £29), plus that weekly advice.
GNH_in&around_dps_Jan2016_Layout 1 15/12/2015 16:36 Page 1
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RUISLIP What's On... (Nov15)_Layout 1 26/11/2015 15:29 Page 1
Beauty
New Beginnings
REGULAR & LOCAL EVENTS...
Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 Hillingdon Decorative & Fine Arts 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 Enjoy ten expert lectures a year about art Lunchtime Classical Music Concerts 723; Italian Club 020 8863 3468; and culture from around Britain and At St Martin’s Church Hall, corner Spanish & French Club 01895 253 472. further afield. Join outings to galleries Eastcote Rd & High St. Ruislip, HA4 6DG, and places of cultural interest. Attend Uxbridge & Ickenham Floral Art 12.15pm, on last Wed each month except, special interest study days. Come along Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. July, August and December. to a lecture, cost £6.00. See Call 01895 850943 for details. www.hillingdondfas.co.uk. by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Quiz Night Uxbridge Craft Market Tel:01895 635007 or 07526 179 529 Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The E: technical@hillingdondfas.co.uk Coach & Horses, Ickenham Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts. Hillingdon Family History Society January is the perfect time to give Oaken Leaves English Folk Dance Club www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Meet every Thursday 8.15-10pm at Wednesday Stitch Club your beauty routine a shake up andResearch room open Road, Hillingdon. Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Rd, 10-12noon at Hillingdon Tennis Club. All – 1pm) every Fri (except the Fri Ruislip. try Call Joan 01895 638008. something a little bit (10am different… abilities / work Call sue 0208 868 8052. before the first Sat of the month). On the Events at Eastcote Royal British Legion first Sat of the month open 10am – 1pm club, Southbourne Gardens at Uxbridge rut? Library. Experienced help KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA... Zumba Tue & Wed 7-8pm £5. Contact Stuck in a make-up available. See www.hfhs.co.uk . Contact Hayley 07835 120642 or email: Aikido Classes You might want to consider Mrs P. Reynolds 01895 444442 or email hayleyzumba@gmail.com Yeading Community Centre, UB4 9BH. hillingdonfhs@onetel.com Karate for all levels, beginners welcome booking yourself in for a Seniors: Mon & Fri 8-10pm. Juniors Inland Waterways Association contact Frank on 078335 33569 (6yrs+) Fri 6.30-8pm. Learn a non Meet 2nd Some Tues of every month at Sats 10am and Mons 6.30pm make-up lesson. competitive martial art. Friendly British Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Weekly Quiz Night ! Every Thurs.of the big Hillingdon brands offer Aikido Board registered club, under Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. Beginners Rock ‘n’ Roll Jive classes Sensei Sheppard 6th dan. See mini makeovers, as it’s a middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk Every Monday at Harefield Cricket Club, www.kuraiaikido.co.uk. Contact Keith chance themNorthwood to show& Eastcote Ruislip, UB96NE. Doors open 7.30pm, class 8pm. for Holland 01895 636344 or email Local History Society Fun & friendly, no experience or partner kuraiaikido@hotmail.com off their products, but if The Society meets on the third Monday of required. 1950s Rock n Roll record hop Argosy Players Theatre Group month to April at St you reallythewant tofrom getSeptember out 1st Friday of every month at St Mary's Fancy trying Meets a different at Ruislipshampoo Conservativeand Club, Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip High Street, Church Hall, Harefield, UB9 6BX.of that rut, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip. Every Thurs, try a M.A.C. conditioner? I’m loving the SuperFruit at 8.15pm. See RNELHS website for 7.30pm-11.30pm. 8pm. Call Call Wendy on 07956 971849 Susan Toms, 01895Complex 637134 or 10-in-1 Full Makedetails. Up Lesson Contact: therockingrebels@gmail.com Renewal Shampoo or visit www.argosyplayers. org.uk. e: toms.susan@gmail.com 07947106607 www.facebook.com/ Junior section for children from 8-16yrs (£50), which lasts for 90 (£10) and Conditioner (£10.99), by therockingrebels Ruislip & District Natural History Society meets Thurs 7-8pm. minutes and you Meetwill lastgive Monday of the month from Sept SheaMoisture. SheaMoisture has been Classical Pilates COMEDY... to April (except Dec) in Guide Hut near bags of inspiration. Not trained teacher. going for overClassically 100 years inPilates the States, Ruislip Library. Contact: John Matthews Beginner / Intermat classes held in Comedy Bunker quite ready01895 to take the 636215. but has only recently made it across to private studio, Broadwood Ave, Ruislip Ruislip Golf Centre Ickenham Road Ruislip Ruislip Central Horticultural Society plunge? A new nail polish Mon mornings & Tuesiseves. CallTonja HA4 7DQ for more details of visit: the UK. The 10-in-1 system incredibly Talks and advice for local gardeners. For Osborn 07766 011036 or email www.comedybunker.co.uk is a great baby Nails nourishing, so is perfect for this time of morestep. info contact Warren Reeves on tonjaosborn@gmail.com Comedy Nights 01923 four 451616 rchstalks@gmail.com Inc have added new year, when our hairGymnastics has to cope with the Dance, and Free Running The Empire Comedy Club at The White RuislipNailKale & Northwood Flower By Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre to their Bear, Ickenham Road HA4 7DFcolours every demands of icy winds and central heating. Arrangement Society & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Thurs night. Pete 01895 675293 range, each priced at Tues £14.of the month Meet every 1st at the blend Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles A complex of Shea Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, of dance from RAD ballet,to Zumba. The NailKale polishes HOBBIES... Oaklands Gate, Northwood butter, HA6 3AA marula See www.futunityuk.com. Call 01895 are designed toPhilatelic give Society oil and fruit 251224/admin@futunityuk.com Brushstrokes Art Classes with Sue Ruislip Friendly weekly classes with tuition. at South Ruislip Methodist Church,works Empowering Yoga your nailsMeet a vitamin extracts Beginners welcome. Hayes, Ickenham & Queens Walk, South Ruislip HA4 0NL on Fusion of Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga and mineral boost, as Ruislip. Ring Sue 01895 639294 or to hydrate, the 3rd Tuesday of each month except Wed 9.30-10.45am at Windmill Studio 07949 805246 August.to Meeting and talks Centre, Ruislip Manor. Thur 9.30-11am well as colour, leaveand displays support each month and an auction three times a at St Thomas More Church, Eastcote + Chiltern Aviation Society them harder, stronger elasticity year. 7.30pm for 8pm. 01895 637283. classes in Harrow. Free Trial Class Meets every 4th Wednesday, Ruislip andCall healthier. The new Methodist Church, Ickenham Road. The Language Clubs of Hillingdon and make contact Joanne 0845 4561336 e:info@empoweringyoga.co.uk Keith Hayward 01895 637872 From late Sept until mid-July. Speak some colours include Regents more Eastcote Exercise Classes German, Spanish, French orhair Italian? Want Harrow & Hillingdon Geological Society Mews, crushed Metabolic workout class, 45min stretch to practise speaking and listening in Meet for lectures, 7.30-8pm. Second Weda rich manageable. class. Mon, Tue & Sat. Contact Virginia friendly groups, learners, of each month at Cavendish Pavilion, damson, as sported bywith recent Look out for King 01895 232551 or email improvers & native speakers? Each Club Field End Road, Eastcote, HA4 9PG. Alexa meetspictured on a different Thursday of brand the All welcome, visitors £3. Call Jean SippyChung, the in virginiaking@vking2468.freeserve.co.uk month at 7.45pm in St Giles' Church on 020 8422 1859 www.hhgs.org.uk continued overleaf... above right.
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 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.
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.)
RUISLIP What's On... Jan16_Layout 1 24/12/2015 04:40 Page 2
KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Fitness League Tone & Stretch exercises for women of all fitness levels. Tues 7.30-8.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838. www.thefitnessleague.com Fusion Pilates+ Classes Mon 10-11am, St Lawrence Church, 2 Bridle Road, Eastcote, HA5 2SJ and Wed 8:30-9:30pm, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, HA5 1JD. For details contact Lenka 07929 472 194 or email rybickova.lenka@gmail.com Glow Fitness, Food, Friends Classses: Ruislip 6-7.15pm at Field End Junior School, HA4 9PQ . Pinner 6.458pm at Cannon Lane Methodist Church HA5 1JD. Northwood 6-7.15pm at Hillside Junior School, Northwood Way HA6 1RX. Call Sam 01895 460766 or email: sam.simon@glow-fit.co.uk Hatha Yoga Weekly classes at The Stables on the Manor Farm Site in Ruislip. Classes are Every Tuesday, 7pm and Saturday, 11am and 12pm. Call Varsha on 01895 347757 for more info or to reserve your space. www.illuminatedhealth.com Highgrove Pool Club A programme for over 55’s with a social area with coffee & teas included, for info contact Angelo Pignone email: angelo. pignone@all.org / 01895 630753 www.better.org.uk/highgrove Images School of Dance Fun and friendly dance & drama classes for all ages including RAD Ballet & Contemporary dance. Based in Ruislip Manor. www.imagesschoolofdance.co.uk e: info@imagesschoolofdance.co.uk Irish Dancing Classes Aged 5 upwards. Mon, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wed, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic Church hall. e: Deirdreosullivan@hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383
JAM2000 Performing Arts & Agency Classes available from 2.5 years to adults, male and female at The Windmill Studio Centre. www.thewindmillstudio.com E: thewindmillstudio@gmail.com Jazzercise Classes Ruislip Sports and Social Club, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip. Mon 6.45-7.45pm; Tue 7-8pm; Wed 9.30-10.30am. Pinner Methodist Church, Love Lane, Pinner. Mon 8-9pm; Thu 7-8pm. St. Lukes Hall, Love Lane, Pinner.
Wed 7.45-8.45pm; Sat 9am-10am. St. Lawrence's Church Hall, Bridle Rd. Pinner. Fri 9.30am. Contact Tina Durkan 07904 221191 email tinadurkan@googlemail.com facebook.com/jazzerciseNWLondon Modern Jive Classes (Ceroc) Mon 8-11pm at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Tues & Thurs 8-11pm at Uxbridge Civic Centre. First night entry & Free Lifetime membership with this listing. Contact Alan: 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 www.clubceroc.com email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com Passion Dance Group At Queensmead Sports Centre & Highgrove Pool. Street Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Minie Me’z (3-6 years Ballet, Tap & Street), Kids Parties. We offer Shows, Workshops, Competitions and Assessments, Age 3+ all abilities welcome. Call 07882 413428 Pilates Certified Body Control Pilates Teacher (Registered Exercise Professional Level 3). Beginners / Improvers classes at the Stables, Manor Farm, Ruislip. Mon 1.30-2.30pm, Thu 1.30-2.30pm and Sat 9.30-10.30am. Call Elizabeth Roberts for further info: 07771918240 Ruislip Dramatic Society At South Ruislip Methodist Church. Mon 8pm & Thurs 8.15pm. 07854 284508. Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG.Beginners class 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.45-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wed: TheWatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/ Intermediates: 8.30-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm Sanders Street - Authentic Street Dance Specialising in street stance for special needs. Sanders Pandas class, Age 5-11 Wed 5.30-6.30pm at Guide Hall, Community Close, Ickenham. Email info@sandersstreet.co.uk or call Crissy on 07799874003 www.sandersstreet.co.uk Suzy Barton Pilates All levels class every Wed 1.30-2.30. St Martins Church, Eastcote Road, Ruislip HA4 8DQ. Pilates Foundation trained. CYQ level 3 instructor. To book call 07850 687 488 or suzybartonpilates@btinternet.co.uk The Pilates Club St Giles & The United Reformed Church Halls, Ickenham. Call 07968 920070 www.thepilatesclub.co.uk Wild Forest Gym Outdoor fitness and natural movement
training at Grim's Dyke Hotel, Old Redding, Harrow Weald. Also Natural Running & obstacle race training. Contact 0845 4561336 info@wildforestgym.com or www.wildforestgym.com Yoga South Ruislip Community Association pregnancy yoga classes 9.45-11.15am at Deane Park Hall, Long Drive, South Ruislip. Call Katja on 07951 763851 Yoga for All Gentle yoga suitable for all. Voluntary contribution. Thurs 4.30pm to 5.30pm at Gateway House, inside North Harrow CAR PARK opposite THE GYM, Pinner Road, HA2 7TA email prabhu.shah@gmail.com Zumba The Stables, Manor Farm Complex, Bury Street, Ruislip. Every Fri, 6.30pm. All abilities & ages. Adults £5 u16's free. Graham Campbell 07985 470025 www.gtarling.zumba.com.
MARKETS... Duck Pond Artisan Food & Craft Market Artisan - on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 10am-3pm, Farmers’ - first Sunday of each month from 10am-2pm. Both at the Great Barn, Ruislip. Free parking. See www.duckpondmarket.co.uk Mad Cat Crafts Wed to Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm at the Great Barn, Ruislip HA4 7SU. www.madcatcrafts.co.uk Northwood Craft Market First Saturday of each month, 10am-2pm, Methodist Church Hall, Oaklands Gate, Northwood. www.northwoodcraftmarket.co.uk Ruislip Country Market Every Fri 10-11.30am - car park at St Martins Approach, Ruislip. Fruit, Veg, eggs, honey and more...
MUSIC... Accord, Ruislip Community Choir Every Thurs,7.30pm, Ruislip Baptist Church, Manor Way, Ruislip. No auditions! Call Chris on 07714 226216. Capital Connection Ladies Chorus Singing barbershop harmony every Wednesday evening. At South Ruislip Community Centre, Deane Park, Long Dr, HA4 0HS. See www.capitalconnection. org.uk or call Vicky 07852315124. Eastcote Choral Society Rehearses every Tuesday from 8-10pm at Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham Road. New singers welcome. Call 01895 904556. continued overleaf...
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MUSIC CONTINUED... Hillingdon Choral Society Rehearsals Monday evenings in term time 7.45-9.45pm at Ickenham United Reform Church, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham. Call 01895 234380 or email: orpms@xsco.net Ruislip Operatic Society This local theatre group meets every Monday & Thursday at St Martin's Church Hall, 7.30pm. To get involved email: info@ruislipos.org Ruislip Belles and Beaux A handbell ringing group. Every Monday 10am until 12noon. In the Guide Hut in Ruislip. Email: idoltoad@talktalk.net Showcase Musical Theatre No auditions. We meet every Friday evening at 7.45pm at Hesdin Hall, The Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 73 Pembroke Road, Ruislip, HA4 8NN http://showcasemusical theatre.org.uk The Harrow Apollo Male Choir Rehearse every Tues 7.30pm-10pm in the Belmont Room at the Harrow Arts Centre Hatch End. Tel: 020 8959 1244 or www.harrow-apollo-male.choir.org The Rock Project Greater London School of Rock & Pop where we teach 718 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 Top Jazz at The Fairway Ruislip Golf Centre, Ickenham Rd, West Ruislip. 3rd Monday of the month. 01895 632394 or www.jazzwestlondon.com
PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Sing & Sign From 6 months Wed at Uxbridge Leisure Centre, Fri at The White Bear, Ruislip. Contact Cathy 07712 047621 or cathyseddigh@singandsign.co.uk
SELF DEFENCE... Aikido, Japanese Martial Art Learn a wonderful martial art in a friendly and supportive environment. Adult classes only. Tue and Thu 8pm - 10pm at the South Ruislip Community Centre, Deane Park, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HS. Call Don Deacy 07740415712 or email info@bugeisha-aikido.co.uk Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Adult classes only. Mon & Wed 8-10pm at
Denham Village Memorial Hall, Denham, UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 or e: kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com.
SELF HELP & SUPPORT... EAR4U Help, support and advice. Meets every Monday at the Orange Couch Café (formerly the D spot), Ruislip Manor from 10am-2pm. Call Ann on 07890 315156.
SOCIAL GROUPS... 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. Friends of Shenley Park Improving the wellbeing and maintenance of flower beds, shrubs and the new flower garden and seating area. Looking for volunteers to help with action days in the park. Please contact Geoff 07931 561020 or Louise 07966 220995 Friendly Rubber Bridge Tuesdays & Fridays, 12noon-4pm at Pinner Bridge Club, 103 Marsh Road, Pinner. For info call Keith 01895 622033 Northwood Hills Friendship Group A friendly group which meets every Monday 9.30am-2.30pm in Northwood Hills URC Hall, Joel St, Northwood Hills HA6 1NL. Open to anyone over 60 who would like to make new friends. Part of a local Live at Home Scheme. A light lunch is served & half days are an option. Call 01923 842494. www.mha.org.uk/ community-support/live-home/northwood Ruislip Afternoon Group for Women Meets 1st Thursday of every month. Talks, Lunches & outings. Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road 2-4pm. Call Mrs R Hall pm 01895 633782 Ruislip Common WI All ladies welcome. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 2pm in Room 1, Methodist Church, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7BZ. Visit: ruislipcommonwi.weebly.com Ruislip Evening Townswomen Guild Women who meet every 4th Thurs of the month, 7.30-10pm, Ruislip Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road, Ruislip. Activities: Speakers, outings, easy walking, social studies, music, quilling, lunches. 01895 674717 / 01923 825521. Ruislip Social Club Tropic at Ruislip at Ruislip Social Club Grosvenor Vale Ruislip HA4 6JQ for Fridays and occasional other nights, live
bands & tribute bands for more details visit www.tropicatruislip.co.uk contact and ticketline 0208 707 2256 Ruislip WI Fancy something different but not too taxing, yet fun? We meet every 1st Thursday of the month at Upper Room, GAA Sports & Social Club, West End Road, South Ruislip from 7.20pm-10pm. Kim Murphy 07989 558925 email ruislipeveningwi@gmail.com Scrabble (casual, all abilities welcome) Every Thurs afternoon 1:30pm-4:30pm Elm Park Lunch Club, Ruislip Manor Hillingdon Residents only, small fees payable. Call Mel: 01895 444947 E: zarf77777@blueyonder.co.uk Scrabble (keen players most welcome) Every Fri afternoon 1:30pm-4:30pm...free Ickenham Library. Call Mel: 01895 444947 E: zarf77777@blueyonder.co.uk The over 60's hobby If you are over 60 and enjoy singing and dancing come and be part of a fun group. we meet every Monday at 10.30am at Wayfarers Tennis Club, Ickenham. Call Jacquie 01895 672354. Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West London. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and organised trips and welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@seemaa.co.uk
SPORT... Badminton Club At Merchant Taylors School, Sandy Lodge Road, Northwood, HA6 2HT. Every Wed 7.30-10pm. 4 courts. Contact John on 01895 635342 or email: lindaandjohnelam@hotmail.co.uk Every Tuesday 7.45-9.45pm at Vyners School, Ickenham. Interested? Email John on turksclub@hotmail.co.uk The Badminton Hall, Kings College Road, Ruislip HA4 7JZ. Tuesday from 10am. Call John 01895 630199 Bessingby Park Bowls Club Every Tues & Thurs, 2-4pm. Call Ian on 0208 582 1801. Bikewise Bike rides from 61 Swakeleys Road. 2nd and 4th Sun of every month. email @bikewisegb.com or 01895 675376. Bowls Deane Park Bowls Club, Bessingby Park, Ruislip. Call 01895 639489. Mill Bowling Club, Manor Farm Green, Ruislip. Call Mr Gibson 01895 636106.
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FREE TRIAL CLASS (offer expires 14/01/2016) Booking is essential, please contact me first. Quote ‘In & Around Publishing’ to qualify
SITUATIONS
VACANT
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 daytoday 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
Answers pg 10
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 homehelp services. Days, evenings, weekends. www.homeinstead.co.uk/ruislipandharrow
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2014 11:27
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