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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.
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History: Golden Years Memories of 50 yrs ago RSPCA Rehoming Appeal
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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.
Gotta Get a Witness
Children’s Puzzle Page
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Let’s hope by next month we’re looking at sunny days and the imminent return of last year’s flip flops.
Karen Munro Careers
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Pets Corner
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Recipe: Chicken in Red Wine
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Local Events
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Beauty: Gifts for Mothers Day
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Changes to taxation laws 2016/17
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Interiors: Make the most of a small kitchen
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Motoring: That’s man’s work that is
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Clubs, Groups & Classes
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Coffee Break Puzzles
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Garden Feature
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Pets: Out at work during the day?
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Useful Telephone Numbers
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Wordsearch
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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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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? 6
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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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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Home & Interiors
Make The Most Of A Small Kitchen
By Katherine Sorrell
under the sink and, if you have room, add a pull-out larder to store food.
They may be small but they can be perfectly formed: the tiniest of kitchen spaces is often extremely efficient – you can wash, slice and cook almost without moving at all. And although the sky’s the limit when it comes to spending on kitchens – even diminuitive ones – if you’re on a shoestring 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 three main areas of activity: 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. The best way to ensure this is to draw a floor plan with lines connecting 12
each point on the triangle, and avoid placing any obstructions (such as tall cupboards) between them. The theory goes that the most efficient length for each side of the triangle is a double-arm span or about two metres. In practice, however, it is rarely possible to create an absolutely equal triangle, and what matters more is that the three work centres aren’t uncomfortably close or too far apart. In a double galley, keep the sink and cooker on the same side, with the fridge pretty much opposite. In a single galley, you can’t create a triangle at all, but its linear shape means that it’s very easy to use anyway, as long as you don’t make the line too long. Aim to have tall cupboards at one end, then the hob nearby, and the maximum amount of worktop space between the hob and the sink, with the dishwasher next to the sink at the other end. Add a rubbish bin
EATING AND ENTERTAINING Even in a tiny kitchen, it’s always a good idea to try fit in somewhere to eat and drink. Fold-down tables might work, or perhaps there is room for a small dining table – if it extends for extra guests, so much the better. Or you could add a breakfast bar by forming an ‘L’ shape at the end of a run of worktop, adding a couple of high stools that can tuck underneath when not in use. Bingo! An eat-in kitchen. CHOOSING UNITS & WORKTOPS Mixing textures and colours in the kitchen is a growing trend, and top fashion picks at present include metallics, marble and rough, tough industrial accents. Deep worktops and open shelving will update a kitchen of any size, but what matters most in any kitchen is quality. You can find more or less any look at more or less any price - but you do get what you pay for. Check the quality of the carcass: cheaper ones are made from chipboard, sometimes with just hardboard backs, which may be fine if all you want is a budget option. But for a well-used kitchen that you want to last a number of years, opt for plywood or MDF veneer, the thicker the better. Laminate worktops are the budget choice – choose high-pressure rather than lowpressure ones, as they’re more
durable. Wooden worktops can also be inexpensive, but avoid ones that are too cheap or too thin, especially if you’re installing them next to a sink, as they’ll just warp and buckle. Splashbacks are often made from the same material as the worktop, though if cost is an issue you could opt for a cheaper alternative, such as ceramic tiles, tongue and groove painted with tough gloss, or a fashionable sheet of clear or coloured acrylic.
• Wall-hung racking systems let you see what you’ve got while still storing it in an organised fashion • Pull-out shelving and slim drawers (eg in the plinth) all add extra storage space • Internal fittings help organise cupboards • When it comes to 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 allow you to see more floor • Avoid visual confusion by sticking to ultra-plain cabinet fronts with either no handles or very discreet ones
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE WITH THESE IDEAS • Fit wall cupboards that go right up to the ceiling, storing littleused items right at the top • Sliding doors are ideal as they don’t intrude into the room • ‘Magic’ corner cupboards (with special mechanisms that let you get to the stuff at the back) allow you to fit more in
• Larger-than-average floor tiles make the floor seem larger IMAGES - Left: 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. Above: Efficient internal storage can make all the difference in a small kitchen. Storage options, Rational, tel 01543 459459; www.rational.de/en.
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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, 14
this seems quite baffling - bathrooms can be replaced, so why the negative answer? Women, by nature I think, are more house proud, for some 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!
Open House Launch
Where luxury living meets a view over Greenbelt land that can only be believed if seen. Saturday 27th February 11am – 4pm Join us for refreshments whilst you marvel at the unspoilt views of the Greenbelt and see what a perfect family home looks like.
The Hawthorn, 5 bedroom detached home
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Please telephone 01895 234371 to make an appointment Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com 17
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 some18
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
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Goddards Pet's Corner...FP+ (Mar16).qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2016 19:46 Page 1
Beauty
PET’S CORNER
SPRING HAS SPRUNG...
IT is time to get out and enjoy the sunshine, but watch out for those spring-time dangers!
ENJOY THE FRESH AIR WITH YOUR DOG SAFELY Now that the days are getting longer it is great to be able to throw the ball for your dog without the dangers of losing your welly in the mud whilst trying to hold that torch too! Do remember to build exercise levels up gradually though, dogs can get very excited when you bring out the globe of power and will often over-exert themselves trying to catch it. A good game is great fun but the tight twists and turns and can cause them to injure themselves. If your dog does go lame, make sure to rest them and seek veterinary attention as by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk soon as you can.
Gifts for Mother’s Day
Please remember not to throw sticks for your dog. They may seem like a cheaper alternative, but they can cause mouth/throat and other injuries that can need emergency veterinary treatment. It is safer (and cheaper in the long run!) is brimming with floral notes, including to use specially designed dog toys for that game of fetch.
Treat mum this Mother’s Day, gardenia, Moroccan rose, white jasmine with luxurious beauty gift As dogs KEEP THEa PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE UP-TO-DATE and cats are becoming more active and outdoorsy in and calla lily, but it’s given a grown-up, the better weather, so are the creepy crawlies that like to call their skin and digestive tracts home. Fleas are prevalent that she’d probably never oriental twist with of sandalwood, all year round, especially with our centrally heated homes – there’s nothing a flea likesnotes more than laying its eggs under a dream nice sofa in aof cosybuying house, so keep that monthly flea prevention year white round. amber Cats are more prone tovanilla. tapeworms at vetiver, and warm The forup herself.
this time of year, as they are more likely to be out hunting birds and small mammals. So we recommend worming your result is a truly gorgeous fragrance, and the cat with a product effective against tapeworms, every three months, to ensure their tapeworm burden is kept low and bottle lookscat. rather lovely sat out on display also help prevent roundworm infestations - especially if you have an outdoor
as well. There’s very good chance this Slugs/snails and their trails can spread Angiostrongylus (lungworm) which causesableeding problems and breathing difficulties in dogs and is very prevalent in this area. It is important to use a product is effective against this nasty could become herthat new favourite scent. At beastie too, but be aware most products that prevent lungworm generally need to be used monthly and are prescription £75 for 100ml, it’s not cheap, but consider it only, so if you are using an over the counter product your pet is unlikely to be covered for lungworm. Contact us for part-payment for all that teenage angst she more details. Vaccinations are important all year round, not only for that kennel jet off on your travels but also whilst hadstay to whilst deal you with. dogs are mixing in the park or whilst cats are outdoors. Rabbits are more at risk of Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) as the weather warms up and the local wild bunnies and the creepyfor crawlies that spread these diseases Buying a treat a mum-toare more active. Remember VHD can also be brought into your home by yourself, your dog/cat or the dandelions you be? bunny! Neal’sThese Yard Remedies forage for so there is always a VHD risk - even if you have a house two conditions are usually fatal but Mothers range has been Clarins’ through make-up palettes some preventable vaccination so are if your bunnyof is the not vaccinated or is overdue – act now!
best on the market in my opinion, and their SPRING TOXINS It wouldn’t be spring without those daffodilsspecially but do try formulated to prevent yourtopets from digging up plant bulbs as they are highly toxic and can cause when ingested. Slug pellets, during bone meal, compost, weed killers nurture women latest offering is no exception. Theseizures Natural are other common garden-induced poisonings that we see at this time of year so remember to always supervise your pregnancy. The range Glow Eye Shadow Palette, £33, features pets if you are using these products in your garden. Lilies are a year-round toxin to cats and as a favourite of florists includes a balm, massage five verythey wearable shades, lightarrangements beige everywhere are common in thosefrom beautiful so please keep cats away from them as all parts of the plant, even the pollen isall highly toxic. Finally, with Easter around oil the and corner makeoil. sure you balm keep your hot cross buns and bath The to warm brown, housed in an attractive Easter eggs away from your pets as chocolate and raisins are both toxins easily forgotten about. Any amount of and massage oil can rose-gold coloured compact. They’re raisins/grapes are potentially toxic and the severity of the side effects of chocolate ingestion depends on the size of to prevent stretch easy to apply, the palette is the dog and type of and chocolate eaten (causing vomiting, diarrhoea,help abnormal heart rhythms seizures). marks, while the bath perfect forand keeping in a handbag If to youtransform think your pet may have ingested toxic food/substance please seekrelaxation oil aids a natural day time alook veterinary attention immediately and take the packaging with you.
and a restful night’s into night time glam. Get it quick Enjoy your spring safely and have fun! sleep, as well though; it’s a limited edition, as softening skin. (It also smells and if previous incarnations are Alicia Dixon BVetMed(Hons) MRCVS rather lovely too.) Prices start anything to go by, it’s likely to http://uxbridge.goddardvetgroup.co.uk from £15, so the range is great sell out pretty fast. value, as a little goes a long way If you’re looking to earn and each bottle is packed with some serious brownie points, high quality, natural ingredients, perfume is the way to go. such as lavender oil, neroli 64 The Greenway Uxbridge Middlesex UB8and 2PL Connock London‘s Kukui mandarin essential oils.
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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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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. 22
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 26
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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Beauty Gifts for Mother’s Day
by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
Treat mum this Mother’s Day, with 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 28
is brimming with floral notes, including gardenia, Moroccan rose, white jasmine and calla lily, but it’s given a grown-up, 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 part-payment for all that teenage angst she had to deal with. Buying a treat for a mum-tobe? 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.
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.
29
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 30
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.
• 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
Treasury, but the new dividend tax rules seem to be attracting the most concern and criticism.
�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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regular events...
Quiz night Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Coach & Horses, Ickenham
events at Harefield Community Centre, Priory avenue, uB9 6aP MOn Cameo Club (3rd Mon month) 10am-12pm; Indoor Bowls (Short Mat) 2pm-5pm; Harefield Wine Club (2nd Mon in the month) 7.459.30pm; Judo (Seniors not 2nd Mon in month) 8-10pm. tues Line Dancing 10.45am-1.15pm; Bingo 7.45pm - 10.30pm. WeD Fitness, Fun & Dance 10.30am12.00pm; Singing for Fun (1st Wed in month) 1-2.30pm; Judo Club 6.307.45pm; Dancing Club 8.15pm10.30pm. tHurs Happy Families Group 9.45-11.45am; Tea Dances 24pm; Whist 7.30-10pm; Ladies Club (2nd Thur in month) 8-10pm. FrI Line Dancing 10.30-12.45pm; Indoor Bowls (Short Mat) 7.30-10pm. Call Lynne on 01895 824621 e: harefield communitycentre@btconnect.com rock ‘n’ roll Monday's in Harefield! Every Monday. Beginners Jive Dance Classes 7.45pm. Slow practise session 8.30-9pm Social Rock n Roll 9-11pm. No partner required - no experience necessary! Harefield Cricket Club, Breakspear Road North, Harefield, UB9 6NE. 7.30-11pm £5 entry. Email therockingrebels@ gmail.com or call 07947 106607 www.facebook.com/therockingrebels 1950s rock n roll with DJs the rocking rebels 1st Fri of every month 7.30-11.30pm. Retro stalls, BYO drinks. St Marys Church Hall, High St, Harefield UB9 6BX. Contact 07951 652083 therockingrebel@gmail.com www.facebook.com/therockingrebels lessons in love Six workshops to help you deal with matters of the heart. Every Tuesday 7-9:30 call Keeley on 07923 074304 or visit www.key4change.com Wednesday stitch Club 10-12noon at Hillingdon Tennis Club. All abilities. All work. Call sue 0208 868 8052. 32
HOBBIes...
Chinese Brush Painting group Meet on Saturday mornings. Guided by an experienced tutor. Compose and develop your own style. Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield. Call Phyllis 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com
French sessions in Iver French Intermediate Class 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 Hillingdon Decorative & Fine arts society Enjoy 10 expert lectures a year about art and culture from around Britain. Outings to galleries & places of cultural interest. Receive NADFAS Review, Interested? Come along to a lecture, cost £6. See www.hillingdondfas.co.uk, email: membership@hillingdonfas.co.uk or call Ann Lowe 01895 638147 Hillingdon natural History society Meets 1st Wed of the month at the Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@hillingdonnaturalhistorysociety.org.uk Hillingdon railway Modellers Club Meet every Thursday, 7.30pm at Yiewsley Baptist Church contact tonymoth@Hotmail.co.uk Ickenham & swakeleys Horticultural society Local gardening club. Twice yearly Shows in the Village Hall, winter lectures, summer outings, newsletters Member Trading Hut with discounted goods. Clubhouse Lane, UB10 8FU. Enqs: Jill Watson 01895 674412 www.ickenham-horticultural.org.uk @IckenhamGarden Inland Waterways association Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk Iver Flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thur of month, 7.30pm. Call Barbara Rhodes 01895 236531 or www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver.htm
the language Clubs of Hillingdon September until July. Visitors welcome. Speak some European languages? Want to practise speaking and listening in friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers & native speakers? Each club meets on a different Thursday of the month at 7.45pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 723; Italian Club 020 8863 3468; Spanish Club and French Club 01895 253 472 uxbridge & Ickenham Floral art society Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. Call 01895 850943. uxbridge Chess Club At the Ivy Leaf Club, 1st floor, 8 Wellington Rd, UB8 2AP. Every Wed 7.30pm. All welcome. Parking, bar, tv. Tuition available. Free initially, then cheap membership. info: Peter Lord at peter-lord@tiscali.co.uk, and 01895 236973 or just turn up! uxbridge Craft Market Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, Gifts and Collectables www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk keeP-FIt, DanCe & DraMa... aikido Classes Yeading Community Centre, UB4 9BH. Seniors: Mon & Fri 8-10pm. Juniors (6yrs+) Fri 6.30-8pm. Friendly British Aikido Board registered club. Call Keith Holland 01895 636344 or email kuraiaikido @hotmail.com www.kuraiaikido.co.uk. Ballet & Dance classes Children 2 upwards & adults at Uxbridge Dance Studios, Uxb Community Centre UB8 2PJ info: Jessica on 07772879258 or e-mail uxdancestudios@hotmail.com or you can visit us on www.uxdancestudios.co.uk uxbridge Dance studios offers Ballet / Dance classes for all at Uxbridge Community Centre. FREE TRIAL CLASS. Contact Jessica on 07772 879258 or email uxdancestudios@hotmail.com or visit us on www.uxdancestudios.co.uk. continued overleaf...
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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Funky Rhythms Dance & Fitness Zumba with Brian (07957 343528) Monday 6.30pm- Swakeley's School for girls, Clifton Gardens, Hillingdon Zumba with Elli £5 (07833 690153) Tuesday 8pm- Active4less, 233 High Street, Uxbridge Zumba with Brian Thu 6pm & 7.30pm Watts Hall, Christchurch, Belmont Road, Uxbridge Zumba with Sylvia J £5 (07793 769584) 8pm - Minet Jnr Sch, Avondale Dr, Hayes Irish Dancing Classes From age 5. Beginners & advanced classes. Mon, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wed, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic Church Hall. Contact Deidre email: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk telephone: 07956 346383
Jacquies Workouts Mon 7.30-8.30pm Kettlebell with Fitness Pilates floor work. Thu 7.308.30pm Latin Dance & Tone. Sports Hall, Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham. Wed 10am-11am Kettlebell & Fitness Pilates floor work at Eastcote Community Centre, Southbourne Gardens Eastcote. Call Jacquie 01895 672354. Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Monday 9.30am-10.30am & Tuesday 6.45pm-7.45pm. Wednesday & Friday 10-11am Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Road, Denham, Bucks. Thursday 6.30-7.30pm. Contact: Wendy Whitefoord Tel: 07803 602142 e: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com Ladies Only Kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk
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Line Dancing Wednesdays at Uxbridge Community Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge. New class for absolute beginners is 10.30am-12.30pm, with free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Beginners/easy level 1.45pm-3.45pm - free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Thursdays at Charville Community Centre, Bury Road, Hayes End 8pm-10pm for beginners/improvers - £4.25, no tea and biscuits, but there is a bar. Call Susan 01895 832837
Modern Jive Classes (Ceroc) Mondays, 8-11pm, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. First night entry and free lifetime membership with this advert. Call Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961, alanandsue@clubceroc.com Passion Dance Group Queensmead Sports Centre. Shows, Workshops, Competitions and Assessments. 07882 413428 passiondancegroup@hotmail.co.uk Pilates Studio Classes At Uxbridge Dance Studios, Uxbridge Community Centre, UB8 2PJ info:Jessica on 07772879258 or e-mail uxpilates@hotmail.co.uk or visit us on www.uxpilates.co.uk Pink Academy of DANCE Classes held daily @ New Denham Community Centre. Exciting range of classes for boys and girls from 2 years to Adults. Monday - RAD ballet and IDTA Tap Wednesday - Jazz and Festival work Friday - Festival work Saturday - Little feet ballet (2yrs), Ballet, Tap, Disco, Festival work and Adult Ballet and Tap. 01895 257553 Admin@pinkacademy.co.uk www.pinkacademy.co.uk Rockin' 8s Square Dancing Modern American style - every Thurs 8.15pm. New Denham & Willowbank Community Centre, Oxford Road, New Denham. UB9 4DW. Call Jean 01895 622859 or email paul@stingproductions.com Sanders Street - Street Dance Teaching Hiphop, House, Breakin', Poppin' and Lockin' styles.
Specialising in street stance for special needs. Sanders Pandas class, Age 5-11 Wednesdays 5.30-6.30pm at Guide Hall, Community Close, Ickenham. Email info@sandersstreet.co.uk or call Crissy on 07799874003 www.sandersstreet.co.uk Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.45-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.30-9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm SALSA (all styles) Every Monday at Uxbridge Community Centre, 32b The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ from 7.45pm to 10pm. Come and join Mina Queen Salsa for some amazing fun. Call 07958 578962 or email mina@queensalsa.com
Suzanne’s School of Dance & Drama 69 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8DQ. Classes from aged 2 yrs to adult. All types of dance and musical theatre, drama, singing. See website 'suzannes-dance.co.uk' Tai Chi Classes Every Saturday 10-11am at Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429 Tia Chi Chuan Tai Chi is an ancient art which combines deep breathing, correctly aligned posture and relaxation with slow gentle move-ments. It can help with mental and physical stress, improve balance, mobility and general health. Beginners welcome. Tues 89.30pm at Yeading Community Centre, Ditchfield Road, Yeading, Hayes UB4 9BH. Contact David 0751 4998 674 david@zhong-ding.com www.zhong-ding.com continued overleaf...
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keep-fit, dance & drama continued...
the pilates club St Giles & The United Reformed Church Halls, Ickenham. Visit www.thepilatesclub.co.uk or call 07968 920070
uxbridge pilates Studio have a range of group and individual classes, including pre-and post-natal classes and rehabilitation classes. To book a trial session, please contact Jessica on 07772879258 or email uxpilates@hotmail.co.uk or you can visit us on www.uxpilates.co.uk. tap for fun – tap dancing for adults tueS at Hayes End Methodist Church Hall 6pm-9.30pm. thurS at West Drayton Community Centre NEW beginners Tap Class starts at 7.30pm followed by Zumba at 8.10pm SatS at Hayes End Methodist Church Hall, show class 10.30am. Contact: Jean Chamberlain 01895-232379 / 07887 925472 or email: jeanrod@blueyonder.co.uk Yoga with Yolanda Ickenham Village Hall Mons from 6.45 to 8.15. Mixed group. info call 07919 243648 Zumba fitness Mon 7pm, Wed 10am. Denham Village Memorial Hall. Ian or Suzanne 07545 910058 / 07834 187745. Zumba fitness class Mon 6pm, Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane Hillingdon UB8 3QU. Tues 7.30pm, St Marys Church Hall, Hemmen Lane (off Church Rd, Hayes) UB3 2JQ. £5. Call 07701 012927 muSic... accord, ruislip community choir Every Thursday 7.30pm (TT). Ruislip Baptist Church, Manor Way, Ruislip. Call Chris 07714 226216. drumbeatz Drum tuition for beginners. Guitar lessons. 3.15-5.30pm or by app. Text Melanie 07757 635880 or Email: drumsmel@gmail.com
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faraday country music club in Slough SL2 1RN. Live Country music every Thursday. From 8-11pm. Contact Deb 07986 050742. www.faradaycountry.co.uk Guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Call Sam for FREE lesson 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk hillingdon choral Society Mondays 7.45-9.45pm (TT). Ickenham United Reformed Church. All welcome 01895 234380 or see www.hillingdonchoralsociety.org.uk Singability A singing club for people who love to sing, we welcome all abilities. We aim to encourage people to find their singing voice and have fun doing so. All welcome - no auditions just turn up & your first session is Free! Every Thurs 7.45-9.45pm, 1st Ickenham Scout Hut www.singability.co.uk Email kat@singability.co.uk or call 07843 493 583. the rock project Greater London 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 uxbridge folk club Meets twice a month on a Thursday at Uxbridge RNA, 388a Long Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex. UB10 9PG (2 mins from Hillingdon Tube Station) and supports all kinds of acoustic music. Also floor singers & musicians. pre-SchooL & kidS GroupS... Yiewsley & West drayton Band Rehearse every Wed and Fri 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824 152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com Sing and Sign Baby Signing Classes from 6 months Wed. Uxbridge Leisure Ctre, Fri at The White Bear, Ruislip. Call 07712 047 621 cathyseddigh@singandsign.co.uk
Slough Sea cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thurs 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) & Cadets (age 12-18 yrs). £2 per week, courses from £5. E: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Stars at knight After school Drama Club for children 7-18 yrs at Southlands Art Centre, 76 The Green, West Drayton. Tel: 0208 841 8940 / 07956 123626 e: starsatknightdrama@gmail.com www.starsatknightschoolofdrama.co.uk
tiny talk Baby Signing classes Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge, UB8 2PJ 10.30am, price £5 Pre-paid per family. Call Bev Meier 01895 824935 or 07818 025993 1st uxbridge Scouts, Beavers & cubs www.1stuxbridge.com.01895 255479 SeLf defence... Shorinji kempo self defence Traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. (opp. Brunel Uni). Call Dan 07776 421957 www.sk.harrow.ac.uk karate club of uxbridge For ages 5yrs and up. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725 kung fu club West drayton Great Kung Fu workout for everybody. Training for children & adults Tues 5.30-6.30pm, Fri 7.30-8.30pm, Sun 5.30-6.30pm. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella on 07702 479435 e: sportsclubuk@gmail.com Silat kuntao indonesian Self-defence Traditional self-defence art from Central Java. 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. continued overleaf...
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SELF HELP & SUPPORT...
Hillingdon Brain Tumour Group Support group held every 2nd Thurs of the month 12.30-2.30pm, Hillingdon Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon, UB10 9LS. Call Cyril or Becky 01895 637444. Parkinsons UK Society – Uxbridge Support group for sufferers and carers, meet at Christ Church, Redford Way, Uxbridge from 2-4pm on the last Tue of the month. Guest speakers and social outings. Call Mr Neasby on 0208 848 3920 Slimming World New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. New joiners turn up at 10am to register Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Rd, Yiewsley. Wed 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Weight Watchers Christchurch Bailey Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. Thursday 6.30pm. Call 07920 409111. SOCIAL GROUPS... 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. Friendly Rubber Bridge Tuesdays & Fridays 12noon - 4pm at Pinner Bridge Club, 103 Marsh Road, Pinner. Call Keith 01895 622033 Hillingdon Family History Society At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Research room open (10am – 1pm) on the first Sat of the month and every Fri (except the Fri before the first Sat). Experienced help available. See www.hfhs.co.uk. Contact Mrs Reynolds 01895 444442 or email hillingdonfhs@onetel.com Over 60s Social Group Male, Female and couples. Meet fortnightly at various agreed 38
venues. Contact Judith 07980 073170 or Mel 07785 582323 or email: jlholl2014@gmail.com Elthorne Hillingdon Rotary Club We meet on Wednesdays for 7pm at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Call 07921 887607 or randeep@courtwoods. co.uk See www.hillingdonrotary.co.uk Rotary Club of Uxbridge We meet on Fridays at 12.40 for 13.00 (5th Friday evening, call Sec on 07910 197201) at The Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge. See website www.rotaryclubofuxbridge.org.uk
Bus Pass to Broadway 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 01895 672354. Scrabble (casual, all abilities) Every Thurs 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 welcome) Every Fri 1:30pm-4:30pm...free Ickenham Library. Call 01895 444 947 E:zarf77777@blueyonder.co.uk Uxbridge Veterans Breakfast Club A social event and meets on the last Saturday of the month at The Good Yarn, High St, Uxbridge (opp. Tesco) Starts 9.30am and is open to all Veterans of the UK Armed Forces and their Allies and serving Personnel. Whist Tuesdays 2-4pm at Uxbridge & District Conservative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West London. We welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@ seemaa.co.uk SPORT... Badminton Club Requires additional players of average standard! Every Tuesday evening 7.45 to 9.45 at Vyners School, Ickenham. Interested? Email: turksclub@hotmail.co.uk
Play bowls, rugby, squash & tennis at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Bar food available daily. Non-members welcome. Tel: Anne 01895 237571. E: admin@uxbridgecricketclub.co.uk
Hillingdon Golf Club All players and new members welcome. 18 Dorset Way, Hillingdon, Middx, UB10 0JR. Call 01895 460035/252718. www.hillingdongolfclub.co.uk Indoor Short Bowls Thursday nights 8-10pm at Uxbridge & District Conser-vative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 Ladies Golf Meets 10am every Monday and Wednesday at Rickmansworth Golf Club new members welcome. Email ladies-captain@rickmansworthgolf club.co.uk for further details. New Ladies Netball Team Training Wed 7.30-8.30pm (TT) Ryefield Primary School, Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon E: glebenetballclub@yahoo.com Old Abbotstonians Rugby Club Youth Section Coaching non-contact (Tag) and full contact rugby for children aged 4-13 years. Training or matches Sundays 10am-12noon at Old Abbotstonians Rugby Club, Pole Hill Open Space, Raeburn Road, Hayes. For details call Colin Lowen on 07798 743041. Pink Ladies Netball Club All levels and abilities welcome. Training takes place at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tuesday evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - please Rhiannon on 01895 448878 for details email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk Table Tennis Eastcote Community Association require new players to play in Wembley & Harrow League. Call Eve & George Gibson on 01895 636106. Uxbridge Squash Club All squash players welcome Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Road, Uxbridge. Tel: 01895 237571 Visit: uxbridgesquash.org.uk
How private are personal emails and social posts in the office? by Harry Abrams Solicitor, employment team IBB Solicitors harry.abrams@ibblaw.co.uk
Many employees are concerned about recent news headlines warning that social media chat and email conversations at work are open to being read by the boss, following a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. But the headline writers have missed the point. In fact, the ruling (in Bărbelescu v Romania) puts greater pressure on employers to justify any monitoring of private messages, rather than any relaxation. The ruling did say that companies have a right to monitor internet usage by employees during working hours, but only under very clear circumstances. In this case, an employee had been fired for using an instant messaging service for personal messages, in breach of his employer’s policy. Mr Bărbelescu had created a Yahoo Messenger account at his employer’s request so he could respond to enquiries from clients, but when the employer monitored the chats over a week-long period, personal messages were found, and his employment was terminated. Following a number of court hearings in Romania, the case went to the European Court to decide whether the employer’s actions had breached Mr Bărbelescu’s right to respect for his private life and correspondence under Article 8(1) of the European Convention of Human Rights (Article 8). The ECtHR ruled that Article 8 applied, so if the employer did look at the Yahoo Messenger chats, it had to be proportionate to the situation. They ruled that because of the particular circumstances in this case there was no violation of Article 8, as it was not unreasonable for an employer to verify that employees are completing their professional tasks during working hours. The decision relied, importantly, on what Mr Bărbelescu had told his employer, which was that the account contained client-related communications only.
This ruling doesn’t give any new powers to employers. Rather, it emphasises that workplace monitoring should only take place under very controlled circumstances and must not go beyond what is proportionate. It’s not enough to simply tell employees that monitoring will be taking place. Employers who monitor internet, email or social media usage are processing personal data and so they must comply with data protection requirements. Policies should be in line with the Employment Practices Code from the Information Commissioner, which requires employers to give a reason for any monitoring, set out how the information will be used, who will have access to it and how it will be safeguarded. Where policies are strict in setting out no personal usage, this can be easier to implement than allowing for limited personal use, where the boundaries need greater definition. One option is to encourage employees to use their own devices for private use, but that requires a clear BYOD - ‘bring your own device’ - policy alongside. With BYOD, employees may also need reminding that unless they use their own data connection, any content that uses company wi-fi could be monitored, if that’s the policy. The important thing is to get the balance right between the rights of the employee and those of the employer. Employers must not view this ruling as a carte-blanche excuse for a fishing expedition but it can gain some comfort that if their policies are drafted carefully and the circumstances require it, they may be permitted to review their employees’ emails to confirm their suspicions.
Are your policies fit for today’s workplace? Pragmatic, plain English advice on employment law and what it means for you.
ibblaw.co.uk 03456 381381
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Vertical Cover With Climbers by Pippa Greenwood
Take a look at the boundaries of your garden; are they rather uninteresting, drab or perhaps even downright boring? It is time to start thinking about doing some vertical gardening - don’t just concentrate on beds, borders and beautiful containers, but think about all those upright surfaces just itching to be clothed in glorious climbers or wall shrubs. If you have several vertical surfaces then so much the better. A visit to your local garden centre will reveal a plentiful supply of suitable plants. Start by taking a look at the surface you have to offer, get a rough idea of the size of the area to be covered, the direction it faces and the amount of sun or shade the plants growing on the wall or fence are likely to receive. Check your soil type too – discover whether it is sandy and free-draining, sticky and full of clay or somewhere in between - 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 then go from strength to strength as the years pass. 42
Many provide strong colour and others will be a useful backdrop for the garden as a whole. Don’t forget that 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 you can grow your climbers. If you have a long stretch of wall you can break up its monotony by planting up with several different plants. If you grow a wide range of plants and only allow them to reach the height of the first floor, it will make a tall, narrow building seem somewhat broader. A climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris, or self-clinging plants such as ivies are ideal for this situation, 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. However, you can grow them in containers if you get really stuck, but make sure that you re-pot regularly and that you have enough space to
ultimately use a really good sized container such as a half barrel. You will need to use a loam-based potting compost and add extra grit to ensure that the compost continues to drain freely. It is also essential to place a really deep layer of crocks at the base of the container so that the drainage holes are loosely covered and will not become clogged by the compost. I always add some controlled release fertilizer granules to the compost, as this will help to ensure that plants get adequately fed at least for the first few months. If you plant the container up using a triangular or Vshaped trellis panel inserted at the back surface, this will give the plant an initial support and it can then climb up this before moving on to your wall or fence. You will, of course, need to tie the top section of the trellis into the wall or fence, so that it does not rock about.
Once you have decided where to plant the climber, dig a really good sized planting hole, making sure that it is at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the wall or fence. This may sound like a long
way, but it ensures that the plant receives adequate moisture and does not suffer any adverse effects from the proximity of the nearby wall. Incorporate plenty of planting compost, well rotted manure or garden compost, and then once you have soaked the root ball of the plant you can place it in the hole. Ideally you should position it at a 45 degree angle, so that it is already leaning towards the wall. Once you have checked that the levels are right you can spread the root system out and plant in the normal way. If your climber is already attached to some sort of support system, such as bamboo canes, it helps if you gently untie the stems from any central stake and then choose the best looking shoots
and train these towards your new support system. You can use the existing bamboo canes to help it on its way. It is essential to keep climbers really well watered, particularly if they are on or near a sunny wall. Any good garden centre will have a range of plants available, but here are some suggestions for some of those tricky sites: 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 Wisteria
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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