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And the official start of British Summer Time or at least Spring! It’s all happening this month, starting with Mothers Day on Sunday 6th, which also just happens to be the date that In and Around Magazines first launched eleven years ago. Easter also falls into March this year and in fact, Easter Sunday 27th at 1am is when we all should remember to put our clocks forward by one hour. I say should, as for the past two years, having reminded readers to do just that, I’ve actually forgotten to do it. March is also the month of my own birthday, and whilst the thought of becoming yet another year older, really doesn’t hold much appeal, I’m looking forward to a few celebratory drinks and a catch up with friends. Let’s hope by next month we’re looking at sunny days and the imminent return of last year’s flip flops. .
You can advertise in this magazine from as little as £22.00 per month Just £50 puts your recruitment advert 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 Publisher: Angela Fisher Phone: 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 Email: info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk Information and Details of Rates at
www.inandaroundpublishing.co.uk 4
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Children’s Puzzle Page 6 Beauty: Gifts for Mothers Day 10 Travel: Buenos Aires 12 Coffee Break Puzzles 14 Wildlife Zone 16 RSPCA rehoming appeal 18 Gotta get a witness 22 Changes to taxation laws 2016/17 26 Recipe: Chicken in Red Wine 30 Local Events 32 Life Begins: Life in the fast lane 36 Wordsearch 40 Books: for Mothers Day 42 Health: Should you be wary of wheat? 44 Golden Years: Memories of 50 Years Ago 46 Motoring: That’s man’s work that is 48 Story: The Last Hat Standing 50 Technology: Mad March Hair 52 Karen Munro: Careers 54 Richings Park Residents Association 56 Puzzle Solutions 57 Gardening Feature 58 Pets Corner 60 Interiors: Make the most of a small kitchen 62 Citizens Advice Bureau 64 Pets: Out at work during the day? 64 Clubs, Groups & Classes 66,68,70 & 72 Situations Vacant 74
APRIL COPY DEADLINE 21ST MARCH 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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• High academic attainment • Outstanding pastoral care • Broad and Enriching Curriculum • Provision for rising 3s • School Day from 8.00am – 6.00pm IAPS Preparatory Day School for Boys 3 - 7 and Girls 3 - 11
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Beauty
Gifts for Mother’s Day
Buying a treat for a mum-to-be? Neal’s Yard Remedies Mothers range has been specially formulated to nurture women during pregnancy. The range includes a balm, massage oil and bath oil. The balm and massage oil can help to prevent stretch marks, while the bath oil aids relaxation and a restful night’s sleep, as well as softening skin. (It also smells rather lovely too.) Prices start from £15, so the range is great value, as a little goes a long way and each bottle is packed with high quality, natural ingredients, such as lavender oil, neroli and mandarin essential oils.
Treat mum this Mother’s Day, with by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
a luxurious beauty gift that she’d probably never dream of buying for herself.
Clarins’ make-up palettes are some of the best on the market in my opinion, and their latest offering is no exception. The Natural Glow Eye Shadow Palette, £33, features five very wearable shades, from light beige to warm brown, all housed in an attractive rose-gold coloured compact. They’re easy to apply, and the palette is perfect for keeping in a handbag to transform a natural day time look into night time glam. Get it quick though; it’s a limited edition, and if previous incarnations are anything to go by, it’s likely to sell out pretty fast. If you’re looking to earn some serious brownie points, perfume is the way to go. Connock London‘s Kukui is brimming with floral notes, including gardenia, Moroccan rose, white jasmine and calla lily, but it’s given a grownup, oriental twist with notes of sandalwood, vetiver, white amber and warm vanilla. The result is a truly gorgeous fragrance, and the bottle looks rather lovely sat out on display as well. There’s a very good chance this could become her new favourite scent. At £75 for 100ml, it’s not cheap, but consider it partpayment for all that teenage angst she had to deal with. 10
The Eco Chic Body Lotion and Shower Gel gift set by Green Energy Organics is ideal if you’re on a budget this Mother’s Day. Priced at £14.95, this is luxury on a shoestring. Not only are the shower gel and lotion packed with skin friendly oils, such as avocado and jojoba, but they smell divine, with notes of blackcurrant, rose, myrrh, jasmine, tonka bean, vanilla, and white musk. They’re also very gentle, as they don’t contain any dyes, sodium lauryl sulphate or parabens. Available from millabaci.com Dashing out last minute to buy a gift? Head to Marks and Spencer and check out their Pure Relaxing range. Team the body wash, body lotion and hand & nail cream with either the candle or diffuser to create an at-home spa experience. Products are scented with lavender, geranium and other oils to help mum relax, unwind and de-stress. Throw in a glass of prosecco and some music, and there’s little doubt you’ll be seen as the favourite child. Prices start from £6.
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Buenos
Aires
By Solange Hando On the banks of the River Plate, Argentina’s capital is the most European of all Latin American cities. Spanish mansions, Italian buildings, French parks and Belle Epoque villas, it was largely shaped by immigrants fleeing the turmoil in Europe at the turn of the 20th century. In this sparsely populated country, everyone was welcome and Buenos Aires was the first port of call. As the birthplace of the 1810 revolution and later independence, Plaza de Mayo is the historical heart of the city, looking across to the neo-classical cathedral which guards the eternal flame and the pink Government House where the popular First Lady, Eva Peron, delivered her last speech before passing away aged just 33. Sadly for some, she rests in the family mausoleum in Ricoleta, surrounded by the affluent elite she fought most of her life. Up on the hill, Ricoleta is one of the most exclusive districts but down in the city centre there are plenty of stylish domes and façades, modern sculptures such as the giant lotus flower opening its petals in the daylight and vast ‘dog walkers’ parks garlanded 12
in roses, eucalyptus and jacaranda. Maybe that’s why it’s called the city of ‘good air’, with ample space for designer boutiques, pedestrian lanes and the world’s widest avenue. Landmarks include the Obelisk paying tribute to the town’s foundation and a panoramic tower donated by British settlers. To the south-east, the new district of Puerto Madero is a lovely place to stroll along the river and gaze at the latest skyscrapers glinting in the sun, yachts, galleon, red brick warehouses turned trendy restaurants and elegant bridges named after famous women. But just a short walk away, San Telmo claims the city’s oldest neighbourhood, its cobbled streets lined with antique shops and tango clubs, for it is here that the traditional dance of Argentina originated in the 1890s. First a form of entertainment by ladies of ill repute, it took Paris by storm around 1916 and is now a classical art, listed Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Beyond the old transporter bridge, neighbouring La Boca is equally picturesque with its brightly-painted houses jostling for space, traditional dancers and Italian taverns. Once upon
a time, the Genoese settlers attempted to proclaim their own Republic but their flag was promptly brought down by the President himself. Today in the bustling alleyways, visitors are more likely to see effigies of the Argentinian Pope or the yellow and blue flag of the illustrious football club, Boca Juniors. The colours were inspired by a Swedish ship sailing into harbour and the home stadium is affectionately known as Bombonera, the chocolate box. Boca means ‘mouth’ for the Rio de la Plata is in fact an estuary formed by the confluence of the Parana and Uruguay rivers. Just north of the city, the Parana delta is a winding maze of islands and waterways, no roads, no cars, just a sprinkling of pretty houses on stilts with pontoons and boats where everything is delivered by water, from ice cream to the daily post. Weekend retreats nestle discreetly under the trees, following in the footsteps of Sarmiento, the enlightened president who opened up the delta while caring for its environment. His wooden home still stands at the waterside, enclosed in a glass case that never fails to intrigue all who sail past.
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The Wildlife Zone...FP (Mar16).qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 11:36 Page 1
THE WILDLIFE ZONE
SAVINGDOLPHINS
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.
ANDY Mydellton went to the River Amazon where he monitored and swam with the rare and endangered Pink River Dolphin or Boto. This wonderful animal has evolved over the millennia to live only in the River Amazon and its tributaries.
The Foundation for Endangered Species (FES) runs the ‘Sponsor a Wild Animal’ scheme which is intended to fund the charity’s work in protecting River Dolphins from extinction. John Randall, a government minister has loved birds, animals and places of wonder throughout his life, as indeed has all members of his family. But despite his huge and important workload, he still has enough energy to support the aims and activities of FES.
As FES is a member of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) the charity supported the two UN’s themed years entitled ‘The International Year of Biodiversity’ and ‘The International Year of Forests’ with major photographic exhibitions. John Randall opened them, and during his visits he said that “Saving the dolphins is important for conservation, and the world will be worse off without them”. The Boto is one of five endangered species of river dolphin in the world. The Ganges river dolphin that lives in India and Nepal is also experiencing survival difficulties. Sadly, in China the Yangztse river dolphin was recently declared to be extinct, as they have not been seen for some years. River dolphins can only live in the same river systems in which they are presently found. This is largely because they have evolved with this quality and type of water. Secondly, their diet varies little and their prey species are usually endemic to that river system. Dolphins cannot live in sewerage or chemically contaminated rivers but need clean water of the correct acidity or alkalinity. Therefore pollution is a great danger for these mammals. Moreover, the fish they eat must also be clean and chemical free. Otherwise the toxic flesh of their prey builds up in their bodies over the years as it does in all predators. When this happens it is a difficult and long term problem to overcome. Therefore we need to ensure that these river systems are kept clean, and that overfishing by local communities do not reduce the available prey for these fantastic creatures. FES has also been to Nepal and will be working with our Nepalese partners to help keep these rivers clean and in good condition.
SPONSORARIVERDOLPHIN Sponsoring a River Dolphin costs £20pm or £240pa. Sponsorship is also available for other animals; a Dragonfly or Butterfly at £3pm or £36pa; a Macaw or Hawk at £10pm or £120pa. A letter, photograph, badge and regular newsletters are part of these sponsorship packages. They make excellent Christmas presents, birthday or general gifts as well as making a big difference in the world. All members of FES are volunteers, and no-one earns any money from this scheme.
River dolphins are not as well known as ocean dolphins. So to help their cause, FES is raising awareness of their plight throughout the media.
The charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk 16
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The RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston and District Branch Since the beginning of the 2nd World War the Hillingdon RSPCA Clinic has offered help to local animals in need. 2015 saw over 10.000 animals through our doors.
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.
Many need new homes, some have been aban doned. Some owned pets have received vital and pain relieving treatment as their owners have been unable to afford private veterinary fees. The clinic is heavily oversubscribed and without the income from our vital charity shops and gallant fund raising Thai is just one happy, happy dog who wants a fun active life and a sofa to crash on at the end of a efforts of our volunteers busy day! Can you help? This important local resource could not keep going. We would love to hear from volunteers who have a little time to offer. After all these years this week has been a land mark in our history – WE HAVE GONE COMPUT ERISED!!! Computerisation is a requirement of our clinic licence and several thousand pounds of spend later we went “live on Monday”. We would like to thank publicly all our gallant staff and volun teers who worked as a well oiled team to enter all data and get ready for the big day. Everything has gone like clockwork so far, but we would ask our clients to bear with us if there is a little delay, and I thank you in advance for your patience.
Thai
We will all be pleased to see the end of the mud and rain, and just a gentle reminder to make sure outside pets are in weather proof housing. Dogs should be kept inside, but if this really not possible Thank you for your support . We can’t do it the best outdoor accommodation you can afford without you! should be provided, with plenty of warm dry bed ding. If you think you can offer one of our animals a loving home then please ring RSPCA Hillingdon THAI – 4 YEARS – FEMALE – WHITE Branch on 01895 833417 or visit our website STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER www.rspcahillingdonclinic.org.uk to download an application form 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
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RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston & District Branch Registered Charity No: 263515
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Hair Room FP+ (Mar16).qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2016 13:04 Page 1
A new look for...
The Hair Room continue to offer the highest standards of specialist hair colouring, along with top standards of cutting and customer service and now, after 11 years in Iver Village, the team are proud to announce that they have just had a facelift.
THE HAIR ROOM
S
alon owner Mandy Davis has over 25 years of colouring experience with leading specialists Wella, and together with senior colourist and Salon Manager Lauren Morgan, they make a formidable team. Mandy says “As Manager, Lauren ensures a high standard of training is always maintained, our team are professional, friendly and well educated in all aspects of offering a top class service for all our clients needs.”
Graduate Stylist : Laura
“I believe in on-going training to maintain a skilled and professional team.”
Our Graduate Stylist Laura has Mandy Davis, Salon Owner. just completed 2 years of intensive training, including several advanced courses, just recently, at the Wella London Academy. Laura’s speciality is hair-ups ideal for special occasions or evenings out, Laura excels in this and has many returning clients. As a Graduate Stylist Laura offers frequent special prices for new clients - take a look on the salon website for more details, www.hairroomiver.co.uk
Team Member : Eloise Team member Eloise also offers a fantastic ‘deep conditioning Joico treatment’ with blowdry to finish, highly recommended and well worth treating yourself.
www.hairroomiver.co.uk
Professional Service and Products THE HAIR ROOM have always maintained their friendly and professional service, hence their continued
PRICE TARIFF Wash & Blowdry from £16.50 Wash, Cut & Blowdry £29.50 Gents Cut from £10 Semi Colour from £23 Tint Re-growth from £33.50 Foil Highlights from £45 Foil (whole head) from £71.50 Conditioning treatments £10 Full Price List available at www.hairroomiver.co.uk
success. As a leading Hair Colourist Salon they also provide a wide range of after care products from brands; Joico, Tigi and Wella. Along with the latest Brazillian Blowdry Systems from GK, a leading product in gentle hair smoothing and relaxing, they have the expertise needed to make your visit a pleasurable one.
Free Consultations Appointments are not always required, free consultations are given on any hair care requirement, so whether you are looking for a new stylist or just a new look why not drop in and meet the Team at THE HAIR ROOM.
THE HAIR ROOM 12c High Street Iver Bucks SL0 9NG | Tel 01753 650234 Open : Mon Closed; Tues & Sat 9am-5pm; Wed 9am-6pm; Thurs 9am-8pm; Fri 9am-7pm.
The Hair Room support ‘As Wild As’ wildlife conservation charity, by regularly giving a percentage of their takings from special events held at the salon throughout the year, keep updated on www.hairroomiver.co.uk
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Finance
Dividend Taxation And Other Changes To Tax Laws in 2016/17 By Ann Haldon
band)
> 38.1% (in the additional rate band)
A change to the dividend taxation laws is to be implemented from April 2016. Pension and ISA dividends will not be affected by the new regime and will remain free of tax, but the new dividend rules are likely to have an adverse effect on directors and shareholders of small incorporated companies. The new proposals will reportedly bring in an extra £2.54 billion in revenue for the 2016/17 tax year,� with smaller amounts continuing to bolster the public purse in future years. The changes are an effort by the government to equalise tax laws for those who run unincorporated businesses. Here’s a summary of the changes to be introduced • A maximum annual Dividend Allowance of £5,000 is to come into force (after taking the personal allowance into account) • The existing 10% notional Dividend Tax Credit will be scrapped • Dividends over the £5,000 annual limit will be taxed at the following rates: > 7.5% on dividend income in the basic rate band > 32.5% (for the higher rate 26
People with a low dividend income will see a reduction in their tax bill, but the new measures are likely to hit family-run small businesses the hardest. Any individual in receipt of more than £5,000 in dividends during a tax year will also be required to complete the selfassessment process from April 2016, as the tax on dividends will not be deducted at source. So why has the Treasury decided to overhaul the current system? The government is attempting to discourage tax-motivated incorporation, which means setting up a business as a limited company simply to enjoy a lower rate of tax on income. In the past, directors/ shareholders of a limited company have been able to take a small salary from their business, which attracted enough tax to maintain their entitlement to the state pension. The government’s objection, however, is that company profits are then used to extract a further dividend taxed at the much lower rate of 10%. Additionally, no National Insurance contributions are required on dividend income, and the Treasury felt the need to act to ensure greater equality for those who set up their own business without incorporation.
The low taxation rate of 10% on dividend income had been introduced at a time when rates of Corporation Tax were much higher, and at the time, was an attempt to relieve the financial pressures being experienced by directors and shareholders. Strong objections from the business community With the inherent difficulties facing small businesses, fears have been expressed that the government is making it much harder for people in business to survive financially. This includes both individual contractors who have incorporated their businesses, and family-run companies. In conjunction with the introduction of auto-enrolment and the new minimum wage, abolishing the 10% Dividend Tax Credit could be the final straw for some small limited companies. In fact, an online petition has been started, objecting to these new rules. Company directors/shareholders say that the rewards of low dividend taxation compensated for the long hours and risks they took when starting their business, and that their overall contribution to the economy needs to be more widely acknowledged by the government. The Telegraph reports that an additional £6.8 billion in tax will be paid by small business owners in the next five years, and that some are considering putting their business up for
sale. Are there any other changes to UK taxation in the forthcoming financial year? Other announcements made in last year’s Budget include: • Pension tax relief changes Restrictions on pension tax relief for those with an income of £150,000 or more will come into force from April 2016. Currently, higher rate tax payers enjoy 40% tax relief on their pension contributions. A fixed rate of 33% will apply for all in the new tax year, regardless of the rate band they are in. • Savings interest Said to be an acknowledgement of recent poor returns for savers, George Osborne also announced in last year’s budget that savings interest of up to £1,000 will no longer be taxed. He said that around
95% of savers will no longer have to pay tax twice on their savings - once when the money was earned, and again when deposited in their bank account.
Treasury, but the new dividend tax rules seem to be attracting the most concern and criticism.
• Digital tax accounts One of the biggest overhauls of the tax system in recent times, the introduction of digital tax accounts is relevant for anyone who has previously been required to complete a self-assessment tax return. The ‘account’ will be similar to online banking in that details on how much is owed will be available to view at any time, and taxpayers will be able to make payments throughout the financial year rather than meeting a specific deadline. These are all significant changes to taxation laws in the UK, and are set to bring in considerable sums for the
�http://www.itcontracting.com/ new-dividend-tax-april-2016/
http://www.rossmartin. co.uk/directors/tax-efficientremuneration/1591-summerbudget-2015-dividend-tax https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/106525 https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/dividend-allowancefactsheet/dividend-allowancefactsheet http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/saving/article-3000721/ Budget-2015-Chancellor-scrapstax-1-000-savings-income.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ predictions/money/12049452/paymore-beat-pensions-tax-changes. html http://moneyweek.com/thesummer-budget-what-it-meansfor-you/
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Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
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Please telephone 01895 234371 to make an appointment Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com 28
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Chicken in Red Wine
Serves 4
Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes This is a quick, easy and flavoursome way to serve chicken. Use a full-bodied red wine such as a Burgundy for the best flavour, although there is no need to buy a really pricy one!
Ingredients: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 600g skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks • 225g button mushrooms • 200g shallots, peeled • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • 300ml red wine • 200ml chicken or vegetable stock • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato puree • 1 bay leaf • 2tbsp cornflour • Sprigs of fresh parsley to garnish • Sautéed potatoes and steamed green beans, to serve
TIP
This dish freezes well, so it’s worth doubling up the quantities to freeze away half for another day. Allow to cool completely then spoon into a shallow freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost thoroughly then reheat in a flameproof casserole until piping hot. 30
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chicken chunks and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently until golden brown all over. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the button mushrooms and shallots to the pan and fry for 5 minutes until just beginning to brown. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute then return the chicken to the pan and stir in the red wine, stock, tomato puree and bay leaf. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken and onions are tender. Blend the cornflour and 2 tbsp water to a smooth paste then stir the paste into the pan. Simmer gently for further 2-3 minutes, stirring all the time, until the liquid has thickened. Serve with sautéed potatoes and steamed green beans and garnish with parsley sprigs.
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Dated Events (Mar16).qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2016 14:59 Page 1
MARCH EVENTS
Local Events
Spring Exhibition 6th - 19th March The Cow Byre, Manor Farm, Bury Street, Ruislip, HA4 7SU. Hosted by the Society of Ruislip Artists. Free entry, so pop and see the local artistic talent. Hillingdon Canal Club Talk 8th March Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX. John Gibson of the National Trust talks about ‘River Wey and Godalming Navigation’. Email: middlesex.socials @waterways.org.uk Ickenham & Swakeleys Horticultural Society 9th March, 8pm United Reformed Church, Swakeleys Road, UB10 8BE. Barry Twigg presents ‘Guards and Gardens at Buckingham Palace.’ ‘The Wedding Singer’ Musical 9th-11th March, 7.30pm 12th March, 2.30pm Winston Churchill Theatre, Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL. See website for details. Bugsy Malone 14th-19th March, 7.30pm Saturday Matinee, 2.30pm Winston Churchill Theatre, Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL. Presented by KLOS Musical Theatre. For more details call 01895 349521 or email: boxoffice@klosmusicaltheatre Eastcote Horticultural Society’s Spring Show 12th March, 2.30pm-4pm Eastcote Community Centre, Southbourne Gardens, HA4 9SQ. Homemade cakes and teas. Free entry. See website; Eastcote Horticultural Society or email: eastcotehorticultural@yahoo.co.uk.
March & April 2016 32
Harrow Harmony's Spring Concert 19th March, 7.30pm Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7BZ. For details call 020 8861 4017 or email: boxoffice@harrowharmony.co.uk
Ruislip Stamp Fair 12th March, 9th April The Ruislip Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road, HA4 7DG For details call 01895 637283.
Butterflies Table Top Sale & Coffee Morning 19th March, 9.30am-1pm Ickenham Village Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, UB10 8GD. Crafts, Gifts, Jewellery, Cards, Books, unwanted treasures, Homemade cakes and a Raffle. Admission: Adults 50p; Children free. Good access. To hire a table contact Vera Layton on 01895 635224 or email: Butterfliesickenham@yahoo.com
Bridge Drive supporting Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital 21st March, 11am West Herts Golf Club, Rousebarn Lane, Croxley Green. The format will be Chicago Bridge. Entry fee is £14.50 per person which includes lunch and some fantastic prizes. Book early to avoid disappointment. Call 01923 844290. Lunchtime Classical Music Concert 30th March, 12.15pm. St Martin’s Church Hall, corner Eastcote Road and High Street, HA4 6DG. Michael Petrov (Cello) & Alexander Ullman (Piano).
LIVE MUSIC EVENTS Champers Bar 184 Field End Road, Eastcote, HA6 1RE. 17th March The Freaky Dukes 20th March Key Liaison Duo 24th March Lee Pashley as Robbie Williams 27th March 2 Tone The Falcon Inn Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE. 17th March Eckie & Co., Live The Swan at Iver 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. 25th March Totally Funktional - 5 piece band The WatersEdge Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. 25th March Swing & Soul; Stuart Wilson & Teeray The Whip & Collar Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HU. 13th March Mark Kelly, 5-8pm
Please send us your details to be included in the April issues by Monday 14th March.
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Life In The Fast Lane: A Wake Up Call For Older Drivers? by Kate McLelland
81-year-old retired florist Martha Harwood from Lancashire was driving home at night after visiting a friend, when she found that a once-familiar road layout had changed. Momentarily confused, she took a turning she believed would get her back onto the M65 motorway. Unfortunately she failed to notice the huge ‘No Entry’ sign and drove onto an exit slip road. Seconds later Martha found herself driving in the fast lane, going the wrong way down the motorway. She continued for over fifteen miles, forcing a number of terrified drivers to swerve out of her way until police officers pulled her over. Thankfully no one was killed in the incident but accidents caused by elderly car users frequently result in injury and death, and the number is set to rise in future: by the year 2035 the number of older drivers on our roads will have increased to 21 million. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is against setting a maximum age for driving, but does suggest that older drivers undergo formal medical checks at each 3-yearly licence renewal after the age of 70. In November last year the 36
General Medical Council (GMC) published a public consultation proposing changes to the rules surrounding GP/patient confidentiality. One proposal was that GPs should inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if a patient continues to use a car after having been diagnosed as medically unfit to drive, with the consequence that they will almost certainly lose their licence. However, short of following patients out of the surgery to see if they drive away, doctors have no way of telling if a patient is still using their car and families and communities should continue to remain vigilant. The AA offers some simple tips to reduce risk: • Older people are more easily fatigued so they should avoid long journeys, especially if they are driving after meals or drinking alcohol. • Encourage them to talk to their GP to see if their medical conditions are likely to affect their driving, either now or in future. • Make sure they have regular eye tests. • Get them to agree to a list of restrictions that might
preclude them from driving in the dark, on busy roads or in bad weather. • Older people are sometimes reluctant to take advice from family members: enlist the help of a mutual friend who shares your concerns. • Make sure they are driving the right car. One with larger windows, bigger mirrors and higher seats might improve all-round vision. If you have tried everything and still believe that your elderly friend or relative is driving unsafely, it may be time to sit them down for a serious conversation. If they are heavily dependent on using a car, they may need to consider other lifestyle changes, such as moving to a different area. Alternatively, offering regular lifts or providing information about public transport may soften the blow. While it’s hard to tell a person who loves driving that it’s time to stop, it may help to remember that in the event of an accident a frail, older body is more likely to suffer serious injuries. This decision is therefore as much for their own good as it is for those unfortunate, innocent road users who may become their victims.
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Books for Mother’s Day
yourself when you’re a mum, particularly if you have young children demanding your It’s not always easy to get five minutes to
attention. So if you’re looking for a gift this Mother’s Day, why not combine a book with the promise of free time? Take the kids to the park for a couple of hours, plough your way through the ironing pile, or make her dinner, so that mum can collapse on the sofa to read in peace. Neal’s Yard Beauty Book – Susan Curtis, Fran Johnson and Pat Thomas A fantastic resource for anyone who’s interested in skincare and make-up, the Beauty Book provides a wealth of advice on everything from treating dry skin to make-up application. The benefits of a huge range of ingredients are listed, from almond oil to black pepper, and there are step-by-step recipes for making a wide range of beauty products, including bath soaks, massage oils, cleansers and moisturisers. The Happiness Project OneSentence Journal for Mothers – Gretchen Rubin While it can seem that the days of sleep deprivation and explosive nappies will never end, children grow up pretty quickly. This lovely journal asks mums to just write one or two sentences each day, about their children, work, or life in general. It’s set out for one date per page, but with room for five years’ of memories, so the diarist can then look back to see what thought was top of their mind that day a few years ago. Each page also has a reflective quote from Rubin, which are well worth a read in themselves. 42
Dear Mum, From You To Me We’ll admit, this is as much of a gift to you as it is to her. Unlike a normal journal, Dear Mum, From You To Me uses prompts to help your mum record her memories. The idea is that she’ll pass the book back to you when she’s finished writing in it, so that you can get to know her better and have a record of her life to treasure. Some of the prompts are great conversation starters; not only will you learn more about your mum, but you’ll have an awful lot to talk about.
The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy – Fiona Neill As a Newsnight Producer, Lucy Sweeney had it all under control, but her life as a stay-at-home mum is anything but orderly. From trying to dodge the yummy mummies and alpha mums at the school gates, to fantasising about Sexy Domesticated Dad, Lucy bounces from one hilarious mishap to the next. A great gift for mums of young children who sometimes wonder if everyone else’s life is quite as chaotic as their own.
According to Yes – Dawn French Rosie Kitto is one of those characters it’s pretty much impossible not to like. Ever optimistic, slightly eccentric and warm-hearted to boot, primary teacher Rosie sets off from England to work as a nanny for the rigidly upper-class WilderBinghams in Manhattan. While there, she helps them to learn to stop living by their social conventions, and start saying yes to new possibilities. At times funny, at times poignant, and with a fair few sex scenes to liven things up, According to Yes is an easy, light-hearted read that just may leave you questioning some of your own conventions.
Eating Well Made Easy – Lorraine Pascale If mum’s harking after a new cookery book this Mother’s Day, Lorraine Pascal’s latest endeavour should be top of your shopping list. While it focuses on healthy eating, these recipes are far from bland. They’re also (as the name implies) straightforward to follow and use ingredients you can pick up from your local shop. Most can be prepared pretty quickly, although there are some more time-consuming recipes for when the mood suits. Recipes include Sichuan Bang Bang Chicken, Mushroom and Chestnut Lancashire Hotpot, and No-Cook Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake Squares.
Open House Launch Where luxury living meets a view over Greenbelt land that can only be believed if seen.
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The Hawthorn, 5 bedroom detached home
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kebbell.co.uk | 43
Health
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Should You Be Wary Of Wheat?
If you suffer from bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), maybe you should be. However, ALWAYS see your GP (rather than self-diagnosing) if these symptoms are severe and persistent, especially if you have blood in your stools, vomiting, excessive bloating or very painful stomach cramps - it may indicate more serious medical conditions. Wheat allergy, wheat sensitivity/ intolerance and Coeliac disease are often confused, so let’s get them straight. WheAt ALLerGY If you are truly wheat allergic, eating wheat will rapidly provoke allergy symptoms such as itching, rashes, sneezing and wheezing. You’ll need to avoid wheat in any form and see your GP. CoeLiAC DiSeASe Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects around 1% of people in the UK and often goes undiagnosed. In Coeliac sufferers, the intestinal lining becomes damaged because it can’t absorb gluten, a protein found in foods including wheat, barley and rye. Tiredness, hair loss, mouth ulcers, 44
anaemia and unexpected weight loss, alongside gastrointestinal symptoms, can indicate Coeliac disease. Diagnosis is by a blood test and biopsy. Both tests are only accurate if you’re still eating gluten, so you’ll need to continue eating gluten until the tests are complete. If Coeliac disease is diagnosed, you must avoid gluten permanently. WheAt intoLerAnCe/ SenSitivitY Wheat intolerance or sensitivity is much more common than wheat allergy. Symptoms can develop some hours after eating wheat, which can make the condition hard to pinpoint, and it’s not something your GP can test for. Try eliminating wheat for four weeks to see if your symptoms improve (ensuring you replace it with healthy alternatives like rice, corn, buckwheat pasta and quinoa). Remember that wheat is in most breads, cakes, pastas, pastries, cereals, couscous, biscuits, beer, soy sauce and hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVP), and is a hidden ingredient in many other products. Keep a food diary in case another food type, such as dairy, is the culprit – but don’t eliminate whole food groups long-term without consulting your GP.
Reintroduce wheat slowly (preferably starting with 100% wheat products). If your symptoms reappear, it’s a good indication that you have wheat sensitivity; trial and error will tell you whether you’re sensitive to all wheat products or just some. This can depend on the process
the wheat has undergone; some people can tolerate toast and pasta better than bread, because the heating process makes the wheat more digestible. Supermarket bread may be less digestible than traditional bakery bread, as supermarkets use an accelerated bread-making process. irritAbLe boWeL SYnDrome (ibS) If your symptoms don’t seem specifically tied to wheat, you may have IBS. While the causes are not entirely clear, stress, illness, high-fat or highfibre foods seem to precipitate attacks, making bowel function erratic and causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Probiotic supplements or foods can help, as can medication prescribed by your GP. tackling Wheat Sensitivity and ibS: the FoDmAP diet Designed originally for people with (IBS), the wheat-free low-FODMAP diet eliminates Fermentable oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, monosaccharides And Polyols - types of carbohydrates that aren’t easily digested and may cause bacterial growth, leading to diarrhoea and bloating. The FODMAP diet should be followed under a dietician’s guidance to ensure you stay healthy and follow it correctly, as it’s quite complex. Your GP can give you a referral. information and Support: Coeliac UK: Helpline 0333 332 2033 www.coeliac.org.uk The IBS Network: 0114 272 32 53 www.theibsnetwork.org Allergy UK (also has information on intolerances): 01322 619898 www.allergyuk.org
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Golden Years
Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning
And that’s why we had decimalisation.
British, and born in the 1950s or earlier? Congratulations! You’re a genius at mental arithmetic! There are no studies, surveys or statistics to prove this, but it stands to reason: you needed a brain from IBM just to work out your change!
Here’s a simple test for anyone under 50. On Friday you go out with £1.17.4. You buy a pint of mild for Alf at 1s 2d, a bottle of sweet stout for Alf’s missus Mabel (no white wine for the ladies in those days!) at 10 and 1/2d, a pint of bitter for yourself at 1s 5d, a packet of crisps at 3d, and a dark rum for old Harry at 1s 8d. Later, it’s your round again – same again but no crisps, and Harry has a double (which he never does when it’s his round!). Later still the fish man comes and you have a poke of shrimps, 4d; then you give the lass from the Sally Army 2d for a War Cry which you never actually read. At chucking out time you buy a bottle of Guinness to take home, 1s 9d (1d back on the bottle). So: have you got enough left over to see Rovers at home tomorrow and buy a pie and a Bovril at the ground? 46
People think, wrongly, that Britain got decimalised on April 15th 1971, or D-Day as the press dubbed it. The real D-Day was March 1st 1966 when the Chancellor, Jim Callaghan, officially announced that the Government had accepted the report of a committee of enquiry (now more than two years old) and that a currency that was, in essence, more than 1,200 years old would be scrapped in five years’ time. The announcement marked the end of a long, slow march towards decimalisation. When the Decimal Association was founded in 1841 many people saw it as another manifestation of that extreme rationalism that demanded a 13-month year and one universal language. But it at least succeeded in getting a new coin minted from 1849 onwards: the florin, worth two shillings – or 10 to the pound! The florin, though, failed to our perception of the pound and shilling as the base units of currency. We were used to working with bases 12 and 20, and that’s why Britain was so good at arithmetic. (The above example is simple subtraction: imagine you were a wages clerk making up weekly pay-packets for 100-odd workers all of whom worked different hours at different rates!)
Another reason why the old money had to go was that it was so damned BIG! Have you ever seen it? You needed a gusset sewn into your change pocket or all those farthings, halfpennies,
cartwheel pennies, 12-sided threepenny bits, tanners, bobs, florins and half-crowns would wear a hole in it in days. Still, there was a lot of resistance; and only when South Africa and Australia took the lead did Harold McMillan authorise the committee of enquiry in 1961. Once Mr Callaghan had made the formal announcement, though, things moved fast. The Decimal Coinage Act and the Decimal Currency Board came in 1969 along with the 50p piece. The new 5p and 10p came in 1970 and were the same size as the shilling and florin they eventually replaced. The only real change on D-Day itself was the introduction of the new 1/2p, 1p and 2p, although even then the old coppers remained in circulation until August. Was it worth it? A lot of old folk got fooled into thinking that 6p was the same as 6d when of course it was closer to 1s 2 and 1/2d; but my 23-year-old daughter is astonished and appalled that we put up with a system that mixed not only base 12 and base 20 but also fractions of the basic unit for so long. Still, we were brilliant at mental arithmetic!
Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Alan Davies (6th), Nigel Clough (19th), and Michael Imperioli (26th) Cake and botox to you all!
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Motoring That’s Mans Work, That Is
By Iain Betson Iain Betson dreams that many TLAs make light work. Men! Ever washed your car? Vacuumed the inside? Waxed the paintwork or shampooed the upholstery? Of course you have, ever since the dawn of the motorcar, that’s what Sundays have been for. Now the same question to the ladies? I bet the answer is mostly in the negative. I was contemplating this as I gave one of our cars a bit of TLC. On occasion, as it’s not a big car, I give it a good manual clean, apply some elbow grease and spend time with a bucket, sponge and wax, on the drive. And when it comes to the interior it’s always me, bi-weekly, with the upright and the duster. To diverge slightly, we have moved around a fair bit, about 8 moves in 10 years and as a result my wife and I have made a fair number of house viewings. Sometimes I would leave a property saying, “That’s the one for us” only to evoke a response of “No way, did you see the colour of the bathroom”. On the surface, to a man, 48
this seems quite baffling - bathrooms can be replaced, so why the negative answer? Women, by nature I think, are for some more house proud, reason - genes, conditioning, peer pressure or whatever - they just are. Yet this is in stark contrast to the state of the cars the sexes drive. My wife will gladly drive a car which has an interior with more pebbles in the footwell than Brighton beach and soot blackened wheels to rival the cast of Oliver; whereas I look at it and think, “That’s a job for Sunday”. So why this clean car, clean house role reversal? Sorry to be blunt but, in short, I don’t know, haven’t a clue, I’m a bloke. From my side I can see why cars should be clean, and if the toilet is in need of a makeover well that’s fine, but I really can’t from a woman’s perspective; unless, of course, I suddenly develop a liking for chintz curtains and opera then, maybe, I will. Which brings me, via a hyper-jump, on to car press releases. The other day I had a test of the new VW Golf GTi and the accompanying press information contained well
over ten TLAs (Three Letter Abbreviations) for the features and functions this car boasts. HBA, ABS, ESP, TCS… I could go on. Anyway, most of the TLAs referred to the way these systems affected the going, the handling and the stopping. All well and good: a better responding car leads to a more enjoyable and safer ride, all good points well made. But I doubt whether the majority of drivers know or care about these features; they simply want to own and run a car that will get them safely from A to B with little fuss or effort. However, if the manufacturers want to sell bucket loads of cars, here is one TLA feature I think they should pour millions into developing and immediately fit to their entire range. A TLA that would be close to all of our hearts I think the first manufacturer to provide it would clean up for good. In fact, I may patent it myself. My TLA car feature would be called SCC - Self Cleaning Car… I’ll leave you dreaming, I’m off to the Patent Office!
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Short Story
The Last Hat Standing By Jackie Brewster
“Hey buddy. Are you the guy who’s judging?” A stout lady, with a voice like wet gravel, poked her face through the gap in the community hall curtains just behind Edgar. He’d been patiently enjoying a cup of tea and a shortbread finger while the contestants for the Over Sixties Club Easter bonnet parade made their final adjustments at the other end of the hall. “Will you be taking part?” Edgar asked pleasantly. The lady snorted in a way that suggested she would not. “The name’s Barb.” She extended a hand through the curtains. “Originally from Tennessee.” Edgar’s cup rattled in its saucer. “You’re not, by any chance, Barbara Gibson, hat maker to the stars?” Barb unscrewed the cap of a hipflask and took a slow swig. “Yeah, that was me once.” “I was a milliner too before I retired,” Edgar said to establish his judging credentials. He was actually very flattered to have been asked. It had been many years since his creations had caused sensations at Ascot, but he still considered himself capable of recognising the sublime when it came to headwear. “I hope you’ve read the parade rules,” Barb said ruefully. “Surely it’s just a question 50
of choosing the finest creation?” Edgar answered blithely. Barb snorted again. “Trust me buddy, I did this gig last year. They all like to pretend it’s about the pretty bonnets.” She looked him up and down. “I’ll give you a head’s up. It’s three laps of the hall and whichever hat makes it past the finishing line is the winner.” “The finishing line?” Edgar had never heard of a parade with a finishing line. “Like a race?” “You call it a race,” Barb coughed, “I call it a Battle Royale.” “What’s the point of having a judge?” Edgar asked, amazed. “Your job is to make sure there’s no cheating,” Barb said. “Keep those pretty blue eyes peeled for illegal bobby pins, chin straps and gaffer tape. As for the pushing and shoving, well…” Her words tailed off. “The quality of the hat doesn’t matter?” Edgar asked, suddenly nervous. “Sure it matters,” Barb said. “Rule number one: the hat has to be robust enough to stay on the head.” “Obviously!” Edgar declared. Barb frowned, and continued. “Laps one and two are all very sedate and ladylike. But you wait until you see the mad scramble on the final lap. It gets ugly. Those bonnets soon start
to tumble.” She stared off into the distance with a haunted expression. “I’ve not been able to contemplate a hat since.” Edgar observed the elderly ladies preparing for the parade more closely. Some were putting the final touches to their bonnets but others were doing stretches and warm up exercises. Mrs Hurd the Club Chair was surreptitiously attaching elbow pads, and Mrs Rickett, the frail dear who ran the raffle, was doing squats in her leg warmers while wearing a gum shield. “You want to watch that one,” Barb followed his gaze, “she’s a regular Zola Budd.” “What about the artistry?” Edgar was horrified. “If, by some miracle, more than one hat crosses that finishing line still attached to a head, then, and only then, do you get to choose the prettiest.” Barb gave him a rueful wink. “It looks like they’re ready for the off.” The ladies of the Over Sixties Club organised themselves into a guilty looking line by the tea urn. “You’re going to need this.” Barb handed him a whistle as she retreated into the shadows. Edgar swallowed. With a shaking hand, he lifted the whistle to his dry lips and blew.
51
Mad March Hair
The high-tech gadgets for every kind of hair
Whether you’re trying a bold new look or just trying to tame tangles, gadgets can help - and some of them promise to do everything from straightening to styling. Take the Oprahrecommended InStyler Wet 2 Dry, for example: it looks like a typical curler but its rotating barrel means it can straighten, curl and add volume and shine while it dries your hair. At £79.99 it’s quite pricey for a styler and some users found it a bit awkward to use, but if you get the hang of it it promises to style and dry five times faster than other devices. If you’re a fan of hair straighteners you’ll know that some models are smoother and less snaggy than others. The £44.95 Glamoriser reckons it has the answer: its ceramic floating plates are designed to glide over your hair, and something called Black Diamond Oil in the plates apparently helps keep every strand nice and shiny. We’re not entirely sold on those claims, but as a straightener the Glamoriser works really well and is a great buy. Fancy spending a bit more? The £165 T3 SinglePass X uses a microchip to constantly measure and adjust the temperature of the plates so 52
that you can smooth and style without frazzling your hair. It’s particularly good for very long or coarse hair and it styles very quickly, although the price tag is likely to put plenty of people off. Another Oprah recommendation is the Bed Head Deep Waver, which is currently the number 1 bestselling hair waver on Amazon US. Over here it’s called the Toni & Guy Deep Waver, and the £25 styler offers 25 heat options for the perfect wave. Sometimes hair needs to be removed rather than restyled, and technology has a place there too: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removals promise to remove unwanted hair without the discomfort or outright pain of traditional hair removal. It isn’t very effective on light hair colours but it does a good job on dark hair, and while £225 for a Philips Lumea Precision Plus sounds pricey, it’s a lot cheaper than getting a course of IPL treatment at a beauty salon. Just one word of warning: don’t use it if you’ve been tanning. Like any kind of light therapy, IPL can have side-effects on skin that’s been exposed to the sun or to selftanning products. So far we’ve concentrated on
products for women, but there are gadgets for the boys too. The rise of the hipster hasn’t escaped the notice of grooming device manufacturers, and dull old clippers have been eclipsed by all kinds of male grooming products. There’s even a hairdryer designed specifically for blokes: the BaByliss Pro Italia Brava (£120), which has been developed in association with Ferrari so it goes round your head faster. Joking aside it does differ from normal unisex dryers as it can be set to run much hotter than traditional dryers. Men will also find all kinds of gadgets for manscaping their body hair. One of the best is Braun’s Cruzer 6 Body (£33), a showerproof trimmer with attachments ranging from 0.6mm to 8mm for every conceivable location and a Gilette blade for when you want to shave everything off. If you’d rather just take care of your beard and bonce, the Cruzer Beard&Head is currently £25 online and comes with two sets of blade guards: 1-11mm and 10-20mm. Images L to R: Glamoriser hair straightener; Toni & Guy Deep Barrel Waver; Philips Lumea IPL hair remover; Braun Cruzer body trimmer.
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Karen Munro Careers (Mar16).qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2016 19:33 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 contributes to ‘In and Around’ every month sharing her practical knowledge and wealth of experience with her local community.
Does your job motivate you? MOST people fall in to their careers purely by accident. Suddenly they get to a stage in their lives when they think “How did I get here?” And “How did I end up doing this?” More often than not, it isn’t what they really wanted to do in the first place and it seems almost impossible to think about doing something else now. So, they continue along the path they were on at the risk of becoming more and more dissatisfied with their own career choice. COULD THIS BE YOU? What is important to remember, is YOU choose your career direction – it is not made for you it is created BY you. Everything you have done until this very moment, whether it has been a conscious or unconscious decision, has been your decision. The biggest and bravest decision to make now is whether to continue on this path or take a different direction. To find out if you are doing the right job, ask yourself these 3 simple questions: 1. If all jobs paid the same, what job would I do? 2. If I knew I couldn’t fail, what job would I do? 3. If I was given a magic wand and could create the job of my dreams, what would it be? These questions give us permission to dream, to knock down the barriers we create for ourselves and to be open and honest with ourselves about what we really want. WHAT DO YOUR ANSWERS SAY ABOUT YOU? If you are doing a job that really interests, motivates and inspires you, not only will you enjoy it and feel happier than you ever have, but you will ultimately become a success! Studies show that success does not necessarily translate in to financial reward (thought it’s always nice!) but is about doing some54
thing you enjoy, that gives you a sense of satisfaction and personal reward. If your answers are indicating you are not doing something you want to do and you would like to do something different, well, why not start exploring what that might look like and think about how you can achieve it? Career Coaching is about helping people to explore their transferable skills and identify what motivates them. It’s about exploring all the options and eliminating many of the barriers preventing them from realising their career potential. Here’s another little exercise you can try for yourself... Draw your ‘personal life line’ from left to right on a page and mark an “X” to show where you are on that line now. How far along the line is the “X”? Consider what you have achieved until now and think about how much time has passed? What jobs have you done? What did you enjoy and what were your successes? Next, look at what remains on the right of the “X”. Ask yourself, what do you want to achieve? How much time do you have to achieve that? If your earlier answers to the 3 questions indicated you’re not doing a job that really makes you happy, then perhaps it’s time to start thinking about what you would like to do and how you might be able to achieve it. Career Coaching is not an overnight fix, and magic wands are in short supply. However, if you really want to change – you can. You are in control of your own career and ultimately you can always change direction. Remember you only get so many trips around the sun, so make the most out of your life!
Karen
“unlocking your career potential”
Hair
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HS2 Heathrow Express Depot Bucks County Council have negotiated an agreement with HS2 to get a small contribution to our relief road with a number of caveats. This was done before the hearing so they did not present our case. South Bucks also did not present our case. The ball is now in Bucks County Council’s court and we will be pressurising them to develop plans for taking a relief road forward to ensure the undertaking that HS2 have given is realised.
Another railway project Western Rail Access to Heathrow (WRAtH) to impact on us is now back and another consultation took place towards the end of Feb. WRAtH are now saying that they will close Mansion Lane permanently with no alternative route which would contribute to our relief road. So all the additional traffic will come via Richings Park to go to Iver and beyond. We hope you gave them your views!
Crossrail – the new bridge Well not opening in February then!! Sometime in March now we hope. Thorney Lane will be closed completely overnight on Sat 6th and Sun 7th March for more works to take place.
Richings Park will change! There is pressure on the local authority to build more houses and Richings Park will 56
be required to play its part. South Bucks District Council have identified the green belt area between Richings Way and The Poynings to asses as a possible development site. Also the land between the canal and the village from Mansion Lane to Thorney Lane North. See the South Bucks website for all the details. The consultation on this Local Plan started on 19th Jan and will continue until 14th March. Do you think there are better areas for development? The old Aggregate Industries site? Thorney Business Park? Court Lane? Send in your views.
Subscriptions for this year have you paid yours? 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. Please support us!
The next Committee meeting is at 8pm on Tuesday 22nd March at Richings Park Sports Club – all residents are welcome to join us for the first 15 minutes to alert us to any concerns they may have.
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Vertical Cover With Climbers by Pippa Greenwood
If the boundaries of your garden are uninteresting or drab, then it is time to think about some vertical gardening. Upright surfaces are itching to be clothed in glorious climbers or wall shrubs, and if you have several vertical sites then so much the better. A visit to your local garden centre will reveal a plentiful supply of suitable plants. Start by looking at the surface you have, the size, the direction it faces and the amount of sun or shade the plants growing on the wall or fence are likely to receive. Soil type is important as the plant you choose must be suited to the site. Some climbers are quite quick growing and will look good later this year, and improve as the years pass. Many provide strong colour and others will be a useful backdrop for the garden as a whole. Most buildings can have climbers grown against them, so if you have an unsightly shed, garage or even a fairly uninteresting looking back to your house, then consider erecting some sort of support system on which to grow your climbers. Break up the monotony of a long stretch of wall with a range of different plants, and make a tall, narrow building seem broader by only allowing them 58
to reach the height of the first floor. A climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris, or selfclinging plants such as ivies are ideal, but make sure the mortar on your wall is in good shape before planting. Climbers are best planted in open ground as they tend to have sizeable root systems. If grown in containers you must re-pot regularly and ultimately plan to use a big container such as a half barrel. Use a loam-based potting compost and add extra grit for drainage, and place a deep layer of crocks at the base of the container. Add controlled release fertilizer granules to the compost, to ensure that plants get adequately fed for the first few months. A triangular or Vshaped trellis panel at the back will give initial support for the plant to climb up before moving on to your wall or fence. Tie the top section of the trellis into the wall or fence, so that it does not rock about. For ground planting, dig a large hole at least 18 inches (45 cm) from the wall or fence and incorporate plenty of compost or well rotted manure. Soak the plant’s root ball and place in the hole, ideally at a 45 degree angle so that it leans towards the wall, then spread out the roots and plant. If your climber
came already attached to bamboo canes, untie the stems from any central stake and train the best looking shoots towards your new support system, using the bamboo canes to help it on its way. Keep climbers well watered, particularly if they are on or near a sunny wall. Any good garden centre will have a range of plants, but here are some suggestions: Vigorous climbers for a quick effect: Actinidia chinensis; Akebia quinata; Clematis montana; Clematis montana ‘Rubens’; Vitis coignetiae Climbers for clay soils: Campsis; Celastrus scandens; Clematis; Ivies; Golden hop; Climbing hydrangea; Honeysuckles (most); Vitis coignetiae Climbers for an alkaline or chalky soil: Actinidia kolomikta; Akebia quinata; Clematis; Ivies; Climbing hydrangea; Jasminum officinale; Honeysuckles; Trachelospermum jasminoides Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ - fantastic UK grown vegetable plants of your choice plus weekly advice and tips emails from Pippa, Nemaslug, biological controls, pop-up crop covers, signed books and lots more besides.
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Vaccinations - An Update
FOR the first time in the best part of 20 years there have been a number of upgraded vaccines on the scene and we will discuss those shortly but first of all here is a review of the basic advice on vaccine protocols.
We advise vaccinating puppies at 8 and 12 weeks. Although some manufacturers claim a 10 week finish date, we know that a large number of pups will not have full immunity at this age. In any event it is advised that a third vaccine be given at 16 weeks but this is very important if the second was given before 12 weeks and essential in large black and tan breeds, especially Rottweilers. The first full annual booster is critical and should in some ways be regarded as a final puppy vaccine. Despite some misconception, annual boosters are still recommended but from this point a full booster is advised only every 3 years with a part booster against Leptospirosis annually. Kittens should be vaccinated at 8 and 12 weeks then have a booster after one year. Indoor cats may only need to be vaccinated every 3 years from that point on but if they go into cattery or there is a risk they may go outdoors they should be vaccinated annually. Rabbits are normally vaccinated once from 6 weeks of age then annually against Myxomatosis and VHD. The basic components of dog vaccines remain the same against: Distemper, Parvovirus (CPV), Viral Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis (L). Some vaccines also contain a component against Coronovirus, a common cause of diarrhoea, although this is not essential. The core cat vaccines also remain the same: Feline Parvovirus or enteritis, Calicivirus (FCV) and Feline herpes virus (together these are usually called cat flu), and Feline Leukaemia (FeLV). Some cat vaccines also contain a Chlamydophila component and as we see this frequently we recommend vaccination although many vets don't vaccinate against this disease. The key change to dog vaccines is that one manufacturer 60
now uses a CPV2b vaccine which is against the most prevalent strain of parvovirus while most still use the old CPV2 vaccine which may not be protective. And some are using an L4 vaccine whereas the older vaccines still use the L2 variety which doesn't give immunity against the two new strains of Leptospirosis. The new cat vaccine has an improved FCV component which is >80% effective (the old ones were only 40%) and a new FeLV vaccine which is less likely to cause serious side effects. You can be assured that at St Martins Veterinary Clinic we are using the new vaccines. To learn more about all these diseases please go the relevant page on our website.
M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com
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Home & Interiors
Make The Most Of A Small Kitchen
Tiny kitchen spaces are often extremely efficient – you can wash, slice and cook almost without moving at all. And you can create a practical and attractive galley kitchen for very little money, writes Katherine Sorrell. PLANNING THE ROOM In a small kitchen every centimetre counts, and the first principle of design is the ‘work triangle’ – the movement between the cooker, sink and fridge. Each zone should be self-contained, with its own storage and worktop space, but it should also be easy to move between each one. Ensure this by drawing a floor plan with lines connecting each point on the triangle, and avoid placing obstructions between them. In theory the most efficient length for each side of the triangle is about two metres, but in practice the three work centres should not be uncomfortably close or too far apart. In a double galley, keep the sink and cooker on the same side, with the fridge opposite. You can’t create a triangle in a single galley, but its linear shape makes it easy to use as long as the line is 62
not too long. Aim for tall cupboards at one end, then the hob, and the maximum amount of worktop between the hob and the sink, with the dishwasher next to the sink at the other end. Add a rubbish bin under the sink and, if you have room, a pull-out larder. EATING AND ENTERTAINING It’s always a good idea to fit in somewhere to eat and drink – perhaps a fold-down table, or a small dining table which extends for extra guests. Or, add a breakfast bar by forming an ‘L’ shape at the end of a worktop and tuck a couple of high stools underneath it.
CHOOSING UNITS & WORKTOPS The trend is for mixing textures and colours in the kitchen, including metallics, marble and rough, tough industrial accents. Deep worktops and open shelving will update any sized kitchen but quality matters most. Cheaper carcasses are made from chipboard, sometimes with just hardboard backs, which is fine for a budget option. But for a well-used, long-lasting kitchen, opt for plywood or MDF veneer, the thicker the better. Laminate worktops are the budget choice – choose high-pressure rather than low-pressure ones, as they’re more durable. Wooden worktops can be inexpensive, but avoid ones that are too
By Katherine Sorrell
cheap or too thin, especially next to a sink as they’ll just warp and buckle. Splashbacks are often made from the worktop material, though cheaper alternatives are ceramic tiles, tongue and groove painted with tough gloss, or a fashionable sheet of clear or coloured acrylic. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE WITH THESE IDEAS • Fit wall cupboards that go right up to the ceiling • Sliding doors are ideal as they don’t intrude into the room • ‘Magic’ corner cupboards (with mechanisms that let you access the back) let you fit more in • Wall-hung racking systems provide organisation but let you see what you’ve got • Pull-out shelving and slim drawers (e.g. in the plinth) add extra storage space • Internal fittings help organise cupboards • For appliances, choose multifunctional, compact, slimline, built-in and stacking versions • Reflective and/or transparent surfaces and pale colours make the room seem bigger • Base cabinets on legs or recessed plinths let you see more floor • Avoid visual confusion by sticking to ultra-plain cabinet fronts with either no handles or very discreet ones • Larger-than-average floor tiles make the floor seem larger Main Image:Make use of wall space, drawers, slim appliances and free-standing storage such as trolleys. Metod Grevsta kitchen, £47 for a 40x60cm base cabinet with shelves, Ikea, tel 020 3645 0000; www.ikea.co.uk.
P H A
H&M Property Services
All your building and maintenance needs under one roof
Building Construction/Bricklaying Extensions & Loft Conversions Conservatories Patio/Path/Block Driveways Decking Kitchen & Bathroom Installation Plumbing & Heating
Electrical Services Rewires Plastering & Tiling Painting & Decorating Fencing Roofing Carpentry & Joinery UPVC Fascias & Guttering
If you would like to discuss any future projects Tel: 01753 655312 or 07795 030743
Email: info@hmpropertyservices.com www.hmpropertyservices.com
Credit Cards Accepted
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regular events...
hobbies...
Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, Gifts and Collectables www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk
art Classes Come & Join Us! Isabel Hunt, your local artist, teaches a new project every week, which can be a landscape, seascape, still life, pets, portraiture, etc. In the first 2 sessions equipment/materials are provided. at St Marys Church Hall St Marys Rd Langley SL3 7EN info: 07411 125407 or 01753 542209 chavi2000@hotmail.com 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
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 4.457pm. Call L Killian 01753 814280
bokwa Fitness tone & Core Energetic workout that anyone can pick up, dancer or not. Wednesdays 6.15pm-7.10pm, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Penny, 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk
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 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.
Mandarin tuition In Iver Heath. All welcome. Experienced teacher. Call Yuan on 07932 649107 or ynhyuan@yahoo.co.uk
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
uxbridge Craft Market Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The
Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre
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Monday 9.30am-10.30am and 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
Free Family games event Second Saturday of every month - for parents, carers and guardians with children of all ages, at the Kings Church, Iver, 10am-midday - visit www.hartentertainment.co.uk for details or call 07747 063149 to let us know your coming. Open to all.
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 continued overleaf...
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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
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. 68
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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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 70
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... 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 Karate (Adults & Children) Iver Heath Village Hall on Tues & Thurs. Kids 7-8pm, Adults 8-9.30pm. Call Sensei R. Baker 07898 946330. 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
Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence art from Central Java, includes empty hand, traditional weapons, meditation and healing massage. Adult classes only. Mon and Wed 8pm-10pm at Denham Village Memorial Hall, Denham, UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 or kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. SELF HELP... 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 Weight Watchers Chalfont St Peter Community Centre Weds 7pm. Iver Village Hall Thurs 6.30pm. Iver Heath Village Hall. Sats 9am. Contact Nicky 07443 567244 nicky_iverww@hotmail.com www.weightwatchers.co.uk SOCIAL GROUPS... 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. 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. 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
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SOCIAL GROUPS CONTINUED... 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. 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: Tues 9.30-1pm & 2-5pm . Thurs 9.30-1pm & 2-6pm.Sat 10am-1pm. Free membership of all Bucks libraries Free public pc & Wi-fi. Reading Group, craft group, bounce and rhyme for toddlers, childrens crafts , coffee mornings enqs: 0845 2303232 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. 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 London. Looking to expand your social group and make new friends?
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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.
Learn to Sail! We are an RYA approved training centre and are open to new members, www.kingsmeadsc.org.uk FREE sailing taster sessions!
SPORT...
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.
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
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 2-4pm 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
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
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.
Ladies Golf Meets 10am every Monday & Wednesday at Rickmansworth Golf Club, new members welcome. Email ladies-captain@ rickmansworthgolf club.co.uk or call 07941 589445.
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 details.
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SITUATIONS
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