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As we head rapidly towards the end of 2016 and the magazines are soon to enter their 12th year, I’ve been reflecting back on when I first started this busi ness, with my daughter Sammy being just a small child who used to share my work space, watching Dora the Explorer, whilst I worked at my desk. How time flies! She left school back last year and is now driving around like Little Miss Independent. The success of the magazines has meant that I’ve be come busier and busier and I clearly needed assis tance with running the business on a day to day basis. Remembering how young Sammy, aged six, used to love to answer my phone for me and take messages, it suddenly made total sense for her to join me in what can now truly be called a family run business! So dear readers, I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Sammy, whom I’ve written much about over the past few years, and who will now be my right arm. Sammy has already met with some of our valued regular customers and will be meeting more of you as she also takes on a sales role. .
You can advertise in this magazine from as little as puts your into all six publications (that’s over 30,000 homes).
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Golden Years: Memories of 50 years ago 6 Local Events 8 Tech: Top gadget gifts for Christmas 10 Hobbies: Are we tired of shabby chic? 12 Beauty: I need a hero 14 Motoring: We try Nissan’s bonkers Bladeglider 16 Coffee Break Puzzles 18 Short Story: Fry Porks Night 20 Health: Alcohol Awareness Week 22 Recipe: Smoked Cod Chowder 26 The Wildlife Zone 28 RSPCA Rehoming Appeal 30 Interiors: Open plan living 32 How much does it really cost to buy a home? 34 Puzzle Solutions 35 Pets Corner 36 The best diet for your rabbit 37 Garden Feature 38 Clubs, Groups & Classes 40, 42 & 44 St Andrew’s Day 41 Wordsearch 46
Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
www.inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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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We offer a wonderful nurturing and stimulating environment for your child.
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Golden Years
Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning the floor of your house. For centuries, mountains of masonry have been compacting the silt, slowly pressing the water out of it. More recently the aquifers in the bedrock itself have been tapped and drained, causing subsidence. In the first half of the 20th century the city sank by 23cm; and on that night 50 years ago centuries of chickens came home to roost.
millions, and by 2010 had completed 46 major projects including the restoration of one of Venice’s oldest churches, San Niccolo dei Mendicoli, used as a location in the iconic 1971 thriller Don’t Look Now.
La Serenissima wasn’t so serene when its citizens woke up on 4th November 1966 to find the most beautiful city in the world under more than 6 feet of seawater.
Even at the northernmost reach of the Adriatic, where the shallow sea is almost tideless, Venetians have always been used to the occasional acqua alta when water laps San Marco’s toes. But on that night 50 years ago, heavy winter rain in the Alps and Appenines filled rivers to overflowing so that the water level of the Adriatic rose, while at the same time a strong northerly wind drove thousands of tons of seawater into Venice’s lagoon and canals. To make the flooding worse, Venice had started sinking. The bedrock below Venice’s lagoon is buried so deeply under sand and silt that to drive piles down to it would be impossible. Only the canal banks themselves are revetted with oak piles. The city’s churches and palazzos stand on zatteroni, or rafts of thick larch planks, with stone blocks piled on top. Even St Mark’s itself and its next-door neighbour, the Doge’s palace, stand on foundations not much more substantial than
Nobody was killed, but the flooding caused $6 million worth of damage to architectural and artistic treasures alone. The loss of stock in shops and restaurants and damage to homes and business premises came to far more. But the world rallied round – or at least, the western world did. This was 1966, don’t forget, and Italy wasn’t only the treasure house of the Renaissance; it was also a hothouse of ‘60s style. Alfa Romeos, Vespas, Lambrettas, skinny suits, Sophia Loren, espresso ... the West owed Italy, and in every country support groups sprang up to raise funds and clean paintings. In Britain, the fundraising committee that eventually became Venice In Peril was founded in early 1967 as the Art & Archive Rescue Fund by well-heeled Italophiles such as former ambassador Sir Ashley Clarke, who had also chaired the British Italian Society, and Carla Thorneycroft, the Italian-born wife of senior Conservative politician Sir Peter Thorneycroft. It raised
Not all ViP’s money has come from the upper crust, though: £2 million of it so far has come from a crust of an altogether doughier kind. Since 1977 Pizza Express has been making a donation – currently 25p – for every Pizza Veneziana it sells. So much for salvaging Venice’s past. To safeguard its future the Italian government has spent more than €5.5 billion on barrages that can be raised to block the lagoon’s three inlets. These take the form of flattish rectangular tanks, lying on the seabed and hinged at one end. Normally the tanks are full of seawater and lie flat, but whenever high water threatens compressed air is pumped into them and they float upright. When complete they will be able to hold back a surge of 3 metres. Although whether that will be enough in the era of climate change, who knows?
Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Jeremy Hunt (1st); David Schwimmer (2nd); Gordon Ramsay (8th); and John Bishop (30th)
Cake and botox to you all!
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Dated Events (Nov16).qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2016 09:38 Page 1
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Iver Parish Council Christmas Lights
26th November, 2.00pm-5.00pm Iver Village Hall. A community event for all with Father Christmas switching on the lights. Enjoy seasonal refreshments around the tree to kick off the festive season.
Higher Denham Bonfire and Fireworks
5th November, from 6.30pm Community Hall & Field, UB9 5EA. Licensed Bar & BBQ plus stalls. Family Ticket £23, Adult £8, Child (4-16 years) £4, Under 3’s go free. Available on the night!
Fostering Event
8th November, 6.30pm-8.30pm Civic Centre, High St, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. Interested? For more details visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering or email: fostadopt@hillingdon.gov.uk
HUBB Business Breakfast Event
Local Events November into December 2016
10th November, 8am-9am Bay Lodge, 36 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PH. Andy Robertson Community Engagement Manager from Trinity, discusses how a community working together can beat homelessness. To book email: helen.thompson@wardwilliams.co.uk or visit www.wardwilliams.co.uk
Race Night
11th November, from 6.30pm Iver Heath Junior School, St Margarets Close, Iver Heath, SL0 0DA. Everyone Welcome! Fish & Chips can be ordered through the School. This is a joint fundraising effort between the school and Iver Heath Scouts.
‘Butterflies’ Christmas Table Top Sale 12th November, 9.30am-1pm
‘Butterflies’ Christmas Coffee Morning
3rd December, 9.30am-1pm Ickenham Village Hall, Swakeleys Road, UB10 8DG. Organised by 'Butterflies' supporting local children's charities table call Vera on 01895 635224 or Chris on 01895 676900.
Harefield Amateur Dramatic Society presents 'A Matter of Life and Death'
17th, 18th & 19th November For tickets contact: janscurr@hotmail.com The Harefield Pub, High St., Harefield; The Village Salon, Park Lane, Harefield or call the Box Office 01895 253346.
Martinmas Fayre
19th November, 10.30am-2.30pm St Martin’s Church Hall, corner Eastcote Road & High Street, Ruislip, HA4 6DG. Santa’s grotto, craft, gift and speciality stalls, face painting, silent auction, home baking and preserves and café. Free entry. www.stmartins-ruislip.org
Classic Concert Please send your details to be included in the December issues by Friday 11th November.
22nd November, 3.30pm St Edmunds Church, Northwood Hills, HA6 1QS. Valentin Schiedermair - Piano Recital. Tickets to include refreshments. £6 on the door. Call 01923 821869 for details.
Iver Heath Junior School Bazaar
25th November, 3.30pm-5.30pm St Margarets Close, Iver Heath, SL0 0DA. Come and join the fun. Call 07912 881532.
Leonard Cheshire Disability, Chiltern House, Christmas Fair
26th November, 2.30pm-4.30pm 82 Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8JT. Everyone welcome. Free entry.
Denham Green Christmas Fayre
30th November, 6.00pm-9.00pm Station Parade, UB9 5ET. Handmade goods, refreshments, tombola, sweets and cakes, fairground rides and musical entertainment. Free parking at Railway Station.
Lunchtime Classical Music Concert
30th November, 12.15pm St Martin’s Church Hall, corner Eastcote Road & High Street, Ruislip, HA4 6DG. Ashley Fripp (piano).
DECEMBER EVENTS Christmas Concert 2nd December, 7.30pm Holy Trinity Church, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, HA6 2RP. Apollo Male Choir and the children of Holy Trinity School will be performing - in support of the Paul Strickland Scanner Appeal. £8pp (£5 for under 12s) refreshments available.
Ickenham Festive Community Night 9th December, 6-9pm
Featuring a wide range of music, activities, fun and shopping.
Uxbridge Choral Society's Carol Concert 10th December, 5pm and 7.30pm St. Margaret's Church, Windsor Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1AB.
Accompanied by the Oak Farm Junior School Choir. Tickets: Adults £7 and under 12’s £4. Available from www.uxbridgechoralsociety, any choir member or on the door.
LIVE MUSIC EVENTS Champers Bar 184 Field End Road, Eastcote, HA5 1RE. 13 Nov Sinatra Tribute by Stuart G Wilson. The Falcon Inn Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE. 19 Nov & 17 Dec DJ Rossi 9 Dec Tiny Tina Blues Band
The WatersEdge
Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. 9 Dec Diamond Nights Tribute
The Whip & Collar
Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HU. 12 Nov Live Music with Simply Ray
The Swan at Iver
2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. 11 Nov Leech band return 19 Nov Acoustic guitarist Donna Mackay 25 Nov Let’s dance with The Elm Street Grove
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Top Gadget Gifts For Christmas
There’s a very good chance that this year, Santa’s sack will be stuffed with gadgets: from kid-friendly tablets to expensive iPhones, many people’s presents will be of the digital variety. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to get some great gifts. One of the highlights of the shopping calendar is Black Friday, which is a recent American import: the last Friday in November - this year, that’s the 25th of November - is when shops offer massive discounts to kick-start the Christmas shopping season. It’s grown to encompass Cyber Monday, the Monday immediately afterwards, and some retailers run an entire week of deals in the run-up to Black Friday weekend. In the last few years UK retailers have got in on the act, and Black Friday is a great source of bargains, especially on electronics from online retailers. Just make sure you use a price checking service to ensure that the bargains you see are genuinely good deals. Some retailers mimic supermarket wine deals, with gadgets priced artificially high in October so they can appear to be terrific bargains in November. Buying for technology fans can be tricky because they often go out and buy the gadgets they
want as soon as they become available. Thank goodness for accessories, then: a leather case for a smartphone or a messenger bag for a laptop makes a great gift, although watch out for “bonded leather”, which is artificially produced and doesn’t wear like real leather. If your intended recipient has young children, a military-specification protective case will save many trips to the smartphone or tablet repairer. Headphones are always a good gift, especially now that Apple has dumped the familiar 3.5mm headphone adapter from its latest iPhones, so wireless Bluetooth headphones or headphones that use the Lightning connector will be a big upgrade over the fairly rubbish Apple versions. But this doesn’t only apply to Apple users: most of the headphones that come with phones are dreadful, and in addition to those designed to make music better you can choose from a wide selection of specialist headphones, such as Bose’s QuietComfort noise-cancelling range. We know from experience that noise-cancelling headphones make train, bus and air travel much more relaxing, and while high-end models can cost over £200 it’s quite possible to get noise-cancelling phones from the likes of Sony for less than £20. And don’t forget wireless Bluetooth speakers too: they’re
a great add-on for phones, tablets and laptops, none of which tend to have very good sound systems. It’s usually a good idea to stay away from novelty items - anything hilarious that’s designed to plug into a USB port is surely destined for landfill by Boxing Day - and if you can’t think of anything appropriate, vouchers make an excellent present. Amazon vouchers are great for everyone, iTunes vouchers are fantastic presents for anyone with an iPod, iPad or iPhone, Netflix vouchers are good for TV and film buffs, and there are stacks of vouchers for specific retailers. Keep an eye on the newspaper adverts and voucher websites, though: some shops, especially supermarkets, run multi-buy deals on vouchers such as iTunes vouchers, enabling you to save around 20%. Be careful, though, as if a retailer goes out of business it’s very unlikely that the vouchers will be redeemable, so it’s important to stick with well-known firms. A voucher for Dodgy Dave’s Digital Depot might not be the wisest investment. Images L to R: leather laptop sleeve from Etsy.com; Sony noise cancelling headphones; USB coffee warmer, generic; Apple iTunes gift cards
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10% ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE A*-C µ
Thursday, November 3 SIXTH FORM Tuesday, November 22 THE UCL ACADEMY
OPEN EVENTS Are you enthusiastic about the sciences? Interested in the wider world? Keen to get involved, make a difference, stand up and be counted? Entry requirements available on our website:
www.uclacademy.co.uk/Level-3-(Sixth-Form)
Chemistry Biology Physics Computer Sciences Engineering English Mathematics Humanities Languages Art Music Physical Education
Adelaide Road, London NW3 3AQ 0 4.45pm – 6.30pm
Take full advantage of our partnership with University College London: » » »
Mentoring with UCL graduates Talks and seminars with world class lecturers ... and much more!
We also have an exciting new opportunity to study a BTEC National Diploma in Sport in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur.
“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding.” — Ofsted, 2016
Sponsored by UCL, one of the world’s leading universities Find out more at www.uclacademy.co.uk/sixthform or call 0207 449 3080 ¨ 020 7449 3080
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www.uclacademy.co.uk
Hobbies Are We Tired Of Shabby Chic? Not By A Long Chalk By Kate McLelland It’s a trend that has been going strong for over twenty years and there’s no sign of it disappearing just yet. ‘Shabby chic’ has been around since the 1990s, when holidaymakers returning from destinations such as Provence, Tuscany and Greece tried to recreate the weathered, sun-baked surfaces found in traditional Mediterranean buildings in their own homes, using specialist paint techniques. In recent years a growing interest in upcycling has created a healthy market for furniture painted in the shabby chic style. Dark brown wooden furniture has been unpopular for decades and upcyclers have been able to take advantage of this trend, buying pieces at knockdown prices, refurbishing them with chalk-based paints and selling them on for a profit on Gumtree, Ebay or Shpock. It’s relatively easy to revive a piece of furniture using chalk based paints. This flexible medium requires no stripping, sanding or priming and you’ll only need to master a few basic techniques before you can start to use it with confidence:
1 Wash the furniture with clean, soapy water to remove any surface dirt, and allow to dry. Don’t be tempted to clean with wax, as this won’t provide a secure base for applying the paint. 2 When you’re aiming for a rustic style, the brush strokes can go in any direction. It’s usual to apply coats of paint in different colours to create a layered effect, and this is best achieved by using a lighter shade under or over a darker shade for contrast. 3 Allow at least an hour for the surface to dry then sand with very fine sandpaper. At this point you will be trying to create the look of furniture that has been painted many times and used so much that the paint has begun to rub off at the contact points, so sand only where you think the item would have been repeatedly touched (around handles or on the top and bottom corners of your piece). Don’t rush this part of the project, apply light pressure and start sanding in a place where the effect will be less visible. 4 Dampen a cloth and pass it over your item to remove all
the sanding dust, then wait until it is completely dry. 5 Chalk based paint is porous, so it is liable to pick up marks and stains if it is not sealed with a layer of soft wax. Use a different brush for applying the wax and don’t use that brush for any other purpose (this also applies with coloured waxes – if you’ve used a dark wax on the brush, don’t use it to apply a lighter shade). Apply the wax generously, using a clean cloth to remove any excess. 6 If you are painting furniture for the garden, you should not apply wax at all as it will not set (just be aware that the piece will age and fade more rapidly if it is left outside). If your indoor item is likely to get a lot of use, let the wax dry for two to three weeks before bringing it into service. Whether you want to revive pieces that you currently own or you fancy trying your hand at upcycling and selling on, you’ll find that turning yesterday’s scrap items into today’s interior design treasures is rewarding … and highly addictive.
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Finance Beauty
Ingredients include seaweed extract, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, macadamia nut oil and aloe vera. It’s very hydrating and soothing, By Ann Haldon and rich without being too heavy or greasy. Ishga is a Scottish luxury skincare brand and is available through some spas and online at www.ishga.co.uk. environmental location and the size of the by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Rosehip oil has long been revered for An environmental search property, but expect to pay from its skin healing properties. Amongst utilises historical information around £250 for a Homebuyer other benefits it can help with fine Skin saviours to see youReport through about how the land on which and upwards of £600 for lines, scarring, blemishes and the property was built, and a structural survey. the winter months dry patches. If you want to try the land nearby, was used ConveyanCing and it for yourself, Pai’s Rosehip Skin feeling dry, tight and in the past – industrial or SoliCitor’S FeeS BioRegenerate Oil, £22, is dehydrated? Try Dr. Weil for commercial uses, for example Solicitors tend to charge a fixed a good choice. A powerful blend Origins™ Mega-Mushroom – and indicates whether fee for their time, and then add of concentrated rosehip fruit The true cost£27.50-£40. of buying a It’s home Skin Relief, contamination might be an on the costs of local authority and seed oils, it’s 100% natural isn’t always obvious you very light, almost likewhen a toner, issue. Any risk of flooding is and land/water searches and packed with antioxidants and startincredibly looking, and many and people but hydrating also highlighted using data from separately, along with other Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. 87% of users reported are unaware just how much the leaves skin feeling plumped the Environment Agency. searches that you might want toimprovement a significant in the appearance of additional fees can and soft. Apply withmount a soft up. Commons carry out. fine lines after using it. Visit registration www.paiskincare. In fact, group cloth orwhen cottonconsumer wool pads. Key Thisortype of search shows comsearches to order online to find your nearest More than 60 different Which? carried out a national ingredients include mushroom whether third parties have stockist. are available, but many are property and survey, overof 25% of extracts a blend essential any rights of access over the and only relevant to buyers sellersonsaid oils. It’sand currently salethat in a ratherspecialised lovely Weleda’s Skin Food celebrating its land under the is Commons a small number of properties. movingedition had cost them more in a seabuckthorn limited bottle printed 90th anniversary thisAct, year. Registration andBeloved if the Act These and are the searches than expected. pattern. Available from www.origins.co.uk by people the world over, Skin Food applies to land adjoining the most commonly used by some branches of Boots and House of Fraser. So apart from your mortgage, works miracles on dry, rough patches. property. homebuyers: what extra feesAnother and expenses Use it as an intensive hand-cream, brand to recognise Chancel repair local authority might you face the when buying a or to spot-treat patches of dry skin. potential of mushrooms A Chancel Repair search lets new home? is Janjira. They’ve included Local authority searches Alternatively, hand it to a partner and you if you It’s would be liable demand a footknow massage. packed with include the Local Land Charges mushroom extract in their to contribute to the repair of the Homebuyer SurveyS alsonatural ingredients, including sweet Pomegranate & AcaiRegister. Facial Your solicitor willrich local parish church. Mortgage lenders will£20. carry find out about any issues almond such oil and beeswax, and fragranced Mask, Thankfully, you out a basic valuation survey to Stamp with essential oils. duty Skin Food is usually roads that are being wouldn’t know that by as thenew smell, confirm how much the aproperty Duty affects the was £9.95, but Stamp www.biggreensmile.com as it has gorgeous, almost planned near the property, is worth. The tropical price of scent. this can purchasers of residential offering 20% off at the time of writing. Lovely and thisrestrictions or any light, parking start from around £150, freehold or leasehold properties mask helpsbut to hydrate,tree plump and preservation orders, for I’m not the best for varies according to itsskin value. sold for over £125,000, with brighten in just 10example. minutes. remembering to rates currently standing at¹: Two other types of survey areall the land (Which is about time Iregistry get to exfoliate, particularly also available - abefore Homebuyer relax in the bath one of the kids barges when I can hide • £125,001 to £250,000: 2% This will confirm who holds Report andisa afull structural in.) Janjira Thai brand and focuses on • £250,001 to £925,000: 5% the legal title to theaway land,under and survey. ingredients that have been proven natural and winter • £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10% whethertothere are jeans any charges work. costs £20 be the ordered • Over £1.5 million: 12% WhichThe onemask you choose will and can on woollies. property, such as a However, from www.janjira.co.uk. depend on the age and state Odylique’s As a buyer, you must send a mortgage. of repair thethat building. Both Coconut Candy Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) You may of find your skin craves adrainage richer and Water highlight potential problems and I’ve Scrub, it a treat. with return alongFormulated with your payment moisturiser in the colder months. The water company will £25, makes offer an ideaIshga’s of how much it Fairtrade sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, within 30 days of completion. been using confirm whether the property is could cost to put them right, but and other skin enriching Anti-oxidant Marine depoSit connected to the mainspoppy water seedsexCHange the structural ingredients, it feels lovely to Face Cream, survey £70, goes into This is a differentmassage type of in supply, drainage and surface and moisturises while it exfoliates. (Plus it much greater detail. for a few weeks deposit than the one demanded water drainage. This search smells rather nice.) Skin feels softer now, and of highly The cost these surveys by a mortgage lender. Anand also reveals whether any public smoother. Heaven. recommend it. can vary depending on your exchange deposit is paid drains are located on the land.
How Much Does It Really Cost To Buy A Home?
I Need A Hero
to a conveyancing solicitor, and then passed on to the seller’s solicitor as a show of ‘good faith.’ It reflects your seriousness in going ahead with the purchase, with 10% of the purchase price often being requested.
Although you’ll save some money, the move will take much longer. Removals firms generally charge from £300 for a small move, but may charge more for weekend work.
eleCtroniC tranSFer Fee When you buy a property and move the money from your bank account to your solicitor’s, they will transfer it electronically to your seller’s solicitor. The fee for this is usually around £40.
Home inSuranCe Buildings insurance is an important aspect of buying a property, and will be a requirement by your lender if you’ve taken out a mortgage. Contents insurance also protects your belongings in the event of fire, flood, or other disaster.
removalS Using a removals firm can seem like a large expense if you don’t have a lot of possessions, and many people choose to hire a van instead. The cost of van hire varies according to where you live and on which day you move.
leaSeHold propertieS If you buy a leasehold property, you own the building but not the land it sits on. You’ll need to pay a ‘ground rent’ each year, which is usually a nominal amount. Buying a flat within a block also attracts maintenance and service charges, which can
increase annually. It’s a good idea to factor in these extra costs before you start looking for a property. You’ll be more confident that your budget will stretch far enough, and won’t have to suffer any nasty surprises later on. http://www.which.co.uk/money/ mortgages-and-property/ guides/buying-a-house/thecost-of-buying-a-house/ https://www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ articles/estimate-your-overallbuying-and-moving-costs http://land-data.org.uk/ getdownload.aspx?did=15 ¹ https://www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ articles/everything-you-need-toknow-about-stamp-duty
Motoring
By James Baggott
We Try Nissan’s Bonkers Bladeglider
BladeGlider offers a drift mode, similar to that found on the Focus RS, for sideways fun – yet more technology debuting here that is likely to filter down to other Nissans. The BladeGlider did feet softly sprung, though, more hot hatch than sports car over the kerbs. But most importantly it was great fun – and, with the instant torque available from those electric motors, it felt swift too.
As we hit the back straight of the twisting kart track in the middle of a shanty town in Brazil, the wail of the concept car’s electric motors reaches a crescendo.
With two 174bhp electric motors, independently powering each rear wheel, the BladeGlider is good for nearly 120mph and 60mph in under five seconds.
It’s banshee-like in pitch and would rival a hover bike from Star Wars in tone – this is noise like no electric car that’s gone before it, and it’s pointing to the future of electric vehicles (EVs) for Nissan.
It’s been built in conjunction with F1 experts Williams Advanced Engineering and features an unusual threeseater layout where both passengers sit behind and either side of the driver.
We’ve come to Rio de Janeiro to experience this mad Batmobile-like sports car concept, dubbed the BladeGlider.
Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed a drive of the multimillion pound concept car; however, we did get to experience it from the passenger seat.
With a narrow front track and aerodynamically designed body that widens like an arrow to the rear, the concept car takes design cues from the Delta Wing Le Mans racer of 2012. Although that car’s track time was short lived, the lessons Nissan learned are brought back to life in this mad sports car concept that’s part Robin Reliant, part McLaren F1, part Caterham.
Even from here it’s clear the BladeGlider offers a completely unique driving experience. Those two front wheels and the wide-track rear make for a planted and agile ride. On the tiny test track it whipped between corners with a whiff of tyre-smoking oversteer when our exuberant test driver got playful. For us mere mortals the
It’s not supercar fast, but will push you back into the sports seats and throw you around enough to induce a whiff of travel sickness. There’s currently no word on range, though – which we’d guess means it’s currently pretty poor. Unfortunately, the chances of being able to order a BladeGlider from your local dealer any time soon is highly unlikely. This is just one of two produced and they’re likely to be the last. Well, in this form at least. So you might be wondering what the point is? Well, Nissan says that’s simple, really: they want to make people realise electrification doesn’t mean dull, and a sports car concept as bonkers as this proves otherwise. Nissan is long overdue a sister car to the Leaf, the world’s best-selling EV, and many will be hoping the lessons Nissan has learned here will lead to a thrilling follow-up. Fortunately, after a very short passenger ride, all the signs are pointing in the right direction for a smash hit.
Chauffeur-driven car | Cinema room | Bistro & bar | Private dining | Hair salon and spa Library | All-inclusive pricing | Inspired & stimulating events 50% higher staffing than average | Paying above the living wage follow the events at the home on facebook.com/ryefieldcourt
Short Story
Fry Porks Night
“Are you the guy selling hotdogs?” A stocky man with a bald head approached Paul’s stall.
- she had it all over her.
Paul had been left in charge. Angela, who was the first aider, had abandoned him to deal with a couple of incidents. He might have known this would happen, the Parish Council bonfire night never passed without incident. Paul was good at turning sausages but not so keen on customer service.
“That’s not the point,” the man snapped. “My girl likes to look nice and her hair costs a lot of money.”
He could see Angela through the crowds at the craft stall but could not attract her attention. She seemed to be busy with a distressed Dotty Bagshaw, who had an unpleasant yellow substance all over her face and head. It dripped down the front of her tabard. Poor Dot looked like she’d been hit with a particularly runny custard pie. “Welcome to Fry Porks,” Paul said, remembering his training. “How many would you like?” “I don’t want any,” the man said gruffly. “I’m here to make a complaint.” “What seems to be the problem?” Paul asked nervously. Complaints were Angela’s department. “My lady friend over there was sold a hotdog with too much mustard.” “That was probably by Angela,” Paul said, feeling relieved. “Now she has mustard in her hair.” “So it’s mustard, is it?” Paul glanced back with surprise at Dot. Saying it was just in her hair was an understatement
“I see,” Paul said. “Looks like the matter’s been taken care of.”
“I’m sorry, your girl?” Paul asked. No one could accuse Dotty of being a girl; she had six grown-up grandchildren. If she was anyone’s ‘girl’ surely that would be her husband Derek? “Yes, my girlfriend,” the man said. “She’ll have to go back to the salon to have all those extensions taken out. It’s not cheap.” Paul looked again at Dot. He’d never noticed anything special about her hair before, but ladies did seem to spend more on one haircut than he spent on his entire wardrobe. “What do you want me to do about it?” Paul said. “An apology would be nice,” the man said. “I’m sorry?” Paul said. “Not to me, you idiot,” the man said. “To my girlfriend.” Paul had never liked being called an idiot. “How about I pass your concerns on to the Chair of the Parish Council, Derek Bagshaw?” Paul stood up to his full height. “If you don’t know who that is, have a word with your so-called girlfriend, because she knows him extremely well.” “What are you implying?” the
man asked suspiciously. “I think you know,” Paul said. The man glared at him. “Where’s this Derek fella then?” “Setting up the fireworks I should imagine,” Paul said. “Right!” The man grabbed a bottle of mustard from the table and stormed off across the park. “He’ll be the one in the Hi-Vis jacket,” Paul called after him. “You’ll never guess what just happened,” he said as Angela returned, peeling off her latex gloves. “Not something else?” Angela said wearily. “What with Dot being on the receiving end of a toddler tantrum and that daft girl getting upset about mustard in her hair extensions, I’m not sure I can cope with any more drama.” “So Dot wasn’t covered in mustard?” Paul said. “No, that was paint,” Angela sighed. “She’s on paper plate decorating stall. So what happened?” “Nothing,” Paul said innocently, returning his attention to the sausages. “Forget it.” “Looks like the fireworks are about to start.” Angela said. And they were. By Jackie Brewster
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Health
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Alcohol Awareness Week: Knowing the Risks
disease.
Alcohol causes around 10% of the UK’s deaths and diseases and is linked to 60 serious conditions. Yet over 9 million people in England exceed recommended drinking limits. This year, Alcohol Awareness Week (14th-20th November) focuses on ‘Knowing the Risks.’ So what are they - and how much is too much? The Major healTh risks Cancer: Alcohol is a major cause of cancer and increases absorption of carcinogenic chemicals from tobacco. It’s responsible for many oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast cancers, and around a third of throat and mouth cancers. Just one daily drink increases your risk. Brain function and mental health: Long-term misuse can cause memory and reasoning problems and changes mood, personality and the brain’s shape, size and structure – symptoms of Alcohol-Related Brain Damage (ARBD) or Alcohol-Related Brain Injury (ARBI). It can also cause alcohol-related dementia and early-onset dementia. liver damage: Liver disease deaths are at record levels. The liver processes alcohol, but too much can cause cirrhosis (liver scarring), hepatitis (liver inflammation) and fatty liver
heart and Circulatory system: Just one drink a day raises blood pressure, increasing the risk of hypertension (permanently elevated blood pressure), stroke and heart attack. Diabetes: Alcohol misuse can lead to chronic pancreatitis, while alcohol’s appetite stimulation and calories can cause obesity. Both conditions can lead to diabetes. Pregnancy & Childbirth Problems: Drinking in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth, and foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in your baby, potentially resulting in stunted growth, facial abnormalities, epilepsy, hearing and ear problems, hormonal disorders, liver damage, kidney and heart defects, a weak immune system and learning and behavioural problems. accident and injury: Even small amounts of alcohol impair coordination, reaction times and decision-making, making driving and machinery operation far riskier. In recognition of this, Scotland has reduced its drinkdrive limit down to just 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. reduced Fertility: Regular and/ or heavy drinking can reduce male fertility through impotence and reduced testosterone, libido, sperm quality and sperm quantity. Even light drinking can reduce female fertility. impaired Development: Alcohol can affect the normal development of the brain, liver, bones and hormones in
adolescents and affects their mental health and judgement, too. If 15-17 year olds drink alcohol, it should be under parental supervision and never more than once a week. Under15s shouldn’t drink at all. how MuCh is Too MuCh? Alcohol Concern says there’s no ‘safe’ level of alcohol consumption as regards cancer risk and the government, in light of recent evidence, has reduced and renamed its recommended limits. Its new ‘low risk’ limit is a maximum of 14 units a week for men and women, spread over at least three days. A unit is around half a pint of normalstrength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small (125ml) glass of averagestrength wine contains around 1.5 units. Remember, too, that some of us process alcohol less efficiently. Women usually have less mass, a higher fat to water ratio and lower levels of the alcohol-processing enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, and our genetic make-up also affects the efficiency of this enzyme. For more information and support: alcohol Concern: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk Tel: 0203 8158920 or Drinkline (confidential drink helpline) Tel: 0300 123 1110 Drinkaware: www.drinkaware.co.uk e: contact@drinkaware.co.uk Tel: 020 7766 9900 Don’t Bottle it up: https://dontbottleitup.org.uk e: support@dontbottleitup.org.uk
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The Wildlife Zone...FP (Nov16).qxp_Layout 1 27/10/2016 22:33 Page 1
THE WILDLIFE ZONE
COMPOST HEAPS 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.
OL DONYO LENGAI in Tanzania is a volcano standing proudly above the Serengeti plains of East Africa. To the Masai tribesman this mountain is their spiritual home which also gives life to many animals. But it may surprise you to know that some animals have different types of meaningful mountains of their own. One such is my compost heap which stands just as high, proportionally, and gives just as much life to insects and other garden animals as Ol Donyo Lengai does to the Masai tribesman. But there are obvious differences, for I've built this compost heap with one or two unusual ideas in mind, though I have made absolutely sure that my compost mountain is a giver of life to many creatures in the Millstream Fork wildlife garden. Dead and rotting vegetation starts a whole process of regeneration and new life. As leaves and other vegetable matter are broken down, it is the microscopic animals such as bacteria that begin the process of change at the base of the food chain. As this develops other tiny animals that may be seen with the naked eye help the next stage of this continuing process. As larger animals feed on the microscopic animals and the rotting vegetation, they procreate and rapidly increase their populations. This is because as most small animals suffer from voracious predators, they must make sure that their numbers increase almost immediately to survive. Animals that appear higher up the food chain have more specialised feeding habits. Larger animals such as worms are eaten by songbirds or small mammals such as hedgehogs. These loveable creatures can hibernate in such places as compost heaps, piles of logs or thick ground covered hedging. These hide-outs are relatively warm throughout the winter and also contain a veritable larder stacked with prey animals waiting for them when they wake up. Garden snails easily proliferate at or near by compost heaps, and also become food for all sorts of animals including thrushes. Snails are spirally coiled shelled animals, or molluscs. They live on land or in water, and lay their eggs in leaf litter. Slugs are active composters and are shell-less molluscs that are related to snails. They feed on fungi and decomposing matter when young and later grow elongated mucus covered bodies. As adults they move onto green matter and flowers – and become the enemy of many horticulturalists and gardeners. When I first began my compost heap, I gave it the name of ‘Compo’. This character would tackle the issues of my household waste and domestic recycling. Compo is both a male and a female parent to all animals that gained life from this mountain of discarded food. I have made Compo an eco-friendly warrior who does not mind dying within a few days only for me to reincarnate her whenever I can. Unfortunately, there are problems with this type of composting. Some well-meaning but beaurocratic health and safety regulations in school gardens may inhibit some of their children from participating in recycling projects like this. If school children could be allowed to help in creative composting I am sure their imaginations would soar. Perhaps domestic gardens, rather the schools’ wildlife gardens, may be the answer. However, at home other problems can develop with family members and neighbours. It is possible that a brown rat may appear, especially foraging for kitchen scraps that form part of the compost heap. This is quite normal, as rats are wild animals, equal but different to all other animals, living exactly where they ought to be. However, for many this perspective is unacceptable as brown rats are viewed as vermin or dislikeable animals. It is because they have been associated with the bubonic plague, despite the black rat being the likely animal. One rather ironic situation occurred some time ago when I was eating mushrooms. But as I threw out some soggy and inedible ones, I spotted other mushrooms on the compost heap. The penny dropped that for some people, fungi, both edible and poisonous, can be intriguing to identify. However some young and budding conservationists don’t know the difference between a mushroom and a toadstool. (There isn't one, as they are different words for the same thing.) Many people think that fungi are plants, because of their apparent similarities. Yet they are classified as a completely different life form or kingdom. In fact fungi are more closely related to animals as they evolved directly from the animals millions of years ago, when animals were very simple organisms. However eons of evolution has made present day forms of more complicated life seem very different. If you are lucky enough you may even get a fly agaric mushroom somewhere in your garden, though they sometimes prefer different conditions. The fly agaric is a poisonous mushroom and causes hallucinations, even if taken in small doses. In large amounts it can be lethal. It is a shame that one of the most beautiful mushrooms is so deadly. My own compost heap and eco-warrior is 25 years old. Throughout her many lives and guises ‘Compo’ has been the parental home for many small animals. I know that millions of lives have been made possible and enhanced by a small, but very important, pile of rubbish. It’s every bit as important to these small beings as Ol Donyo Lengai is to the Masai and the larger beasts that call it home.
The charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk
Sally Iver
Registered Charity No: 263515
This month we’re launching our Christmas Appeal, a fundraising drive aimed at reminding people that winter can be a tough time for animals in need, and that as your local RSPCA branch we will be work ing tirelessly every single day – yes, even Christ mas Day – to ensure that the rescue animals in our care are well lookedafter. Every week brings new animals who come in to us for a variety of reasons. This year is shaping up to be our busiest ever year for rehoming, with record numbers of animals being matched up with loving, responsible new owners. This important process takes up a lot of our time and energy, but it’s so rewarding to see happy rescue pets settling in with their happy owners. If you are considering getting a pet, have you con sidered a rescue animal? We currently have cats, dogs and various small furries in our care who are available for adoption. All have the potential to become cherished family pets. Visit to view all of our animals, download an Adoption Application form, and find out more about what we do, or give us a ring on We’ve mentioned Sally Iver before, but sadly no one has come forward to adopt her, and she is still with us in our cattery six months later. Sally is a gorgeous girl who was brought to us by one our Inspectors, suffering from several injuries. With treatment and lots of TLC we’re delighted to say she has now made a full recovery. She is a fairly quiet girl who loves human attention and fuss and would prefer to live in a home without any other pets, or children under the age of 8. Sally has long hair which will need regular grooming to keep this pretty cat in tiptop condition. After everything she’s
been through, Sally really deserves to be a much loved and pampered puss in a home that truly will be forever. Can you make Sally’s dreams come true? Download an application form from and do spread the word if you know of any friends or family who are considering adopting a rescue cat. Chilli (male) and Pepper (female) are our lovely pair of grey Chinchillas looking for a new home. They need to be rehomed together, and not mixed with any other Chinchillas. As they do need special ist care, Chilli and Pepper require an owner with previous experience and a home where they will have plenty of space to exercise. Chilli and Pepper are both friendly and are able to be handled ... sometimes they even eat from your hand! With the love and proper care they need, this lovely pair would make lovely pets. Could you offer Chilli and Pepper the happyever after they so desperately need? As the days turn wetter and colder, we would be grateful for any donations of old sheets and blan kets to use for bedding for the animals, and we are also short of kitten food. All donations will be appre ciated. Call us on if you would like to find out more about how to donate goods. Items can be brought along to our Clinic at 16 Crescent Parade, Hillingdon UB10 0LG, or sent by post to the same address. Thank you for your support – we couldn’t do it without you.
Home & Interiors Open Plan Living
By Katherine Sorrell
(but complementary) floorings to create visually distinct zones, or lay one practical flooring throughout. Stone or ceramic tiles, engineered or laminate floorboards, rubber and good quality vinyl are all suitable – simply soften with rugs around your sofas and chairs to create the framework for a separate ‘living’ area.
the seating around the edges, or spacing it too far apart, and group it so that sofas and chairs are sociable, either facing each other or creating a corner (modular units are good for this).
Who doesn’t love the idea of living in a light, bright and airy open-plan space? Katherine Sorrell explains how to get the most out of it. To ensure an open-plan room looks good and functions brilliantly, carefully plan how you’ll use the space – for cooking, eating, entertaining, working, relaxing and so on – then divide it into appropriate areas. These zones can be created with changes of level, but generally it’s through use of flooring, colour and pattern, lighting and the positioning of furniture. Kitchens/halls need splashproof flooring that can be mopped, while sitting areas should feel inviting and comfortable, so use different
Pale colours emphasise open, airy spaces, while darker shades can help make large areas feel cosy. One option in an open-plan room is to use tones of one colour, going from light at one end to darker at the other. In long, thin spaces, painting the end walls in a deeper shade makes them appear closer, thus improving the proportions, while a neutral scheme throughout can have matching accents of a brighter colour – say, a rug in the living area, glasses on the dining table and kitchen accessories – for a smart and interesting look. Conventional furniture may not work as well as expected in an open-plan space, so search for larger-than-average pieces that look good from all angles, not just the front. Avoid placing
get the light right
Try to include an island or peninsular unit between the kitchen and the rest of the room. This gives a visual break between the two zones and lets the cook chat with family or guests. Kitchen manufacturers produce products that blend kitchen, dining and living functions, from cabinets that co-ordinate with free-standing storage to media units that incorporate a TV, to help design a space that blends easily from one zone to another. One final point: bear in mind that sound carries and if you’re eating dinner, watching TV or catching up on emails you won’t want to be disturbed by the extractor fan or the dishwasher. If possible, put your washing machine somewhere separate and buy super-quiet appliances. Image - Moments floor and wall tiles, £15.02 per square metre, Tile Mountain: 01782 223822; www.tilemountain.co.uk.
Good lighting makes a big difference in open-plan living, helping to zone the space and provide either strong illumination or soft ambience. Food preparation areas need bright lights, which can be in the bottoms of wall-mounted cabinets or, if you have an island unit, can be a ceiling-mounted track or a row of pendants. To give flexible lighting that can be turned up or down easily in dining and living areas, experts advise installing a range of circuits controlled by separate switches or dimmers, but this can involve disruption and extra expense. Instead, replace main light switches with dimmers and plug in a selection of table or floor lamps.
Finance
By Ann Haldon
How Much Does It Really Cost To Buy A Home? location and the size of the property, but expect to pay from around £250 for a Homebuyer Report and upwards of £600 for a structural survey.
The true cost of buying a home isn’t always obvious when you start looking, and many people are unaware just how much the additional fees can mount up. In fact, when consumer group Which? carried out a national property survey, over 25% of buyers and sellers said that moving had cost them more than expected. So apart from your mortgage, what extra fees and expenses might you face when buying a new home? Homebuyer SurveyS Mortgage lenders will carry out a basic valuation survey to confirm how much the property is worth. The price of this can start from around £150, but varies according to its value. Two other types of survey are also available - a Homebuyer Report and a full structural survey. Which one you choose will depend on the age and state of repair of the building. Both highlight potential problems and offer an idea of how much it could cost to put them right, but the structural survey goes into much greater detail. The cost of these surveys can vary depending on your
ConveyanCing and SoliCitor’S FeeS Solicitors tend to charge a fixed fee for their time, and then add on the costs of local authority and land/water searches separately, along with other searches that you might want to carry out. More than 60 different searches are available, but many are specialised and only relevant to a small number of properties. These are the searches most commonly used by homebuyers: local authority Local authority searches include the Local Land Charges Register. Your solicitor will also find out about any issues such as new roads that are being planned near the property, any parking restrictions or tree preservation orders, for example. land registry This will confirm who holds the legal title to the land, and whether there are any charges on the property, such as a mortgage. drainage and Water The water company will confirm whether the property is connected to the mains water supply, drainage and surface water drainage. This search also reveals whether any public drains are located on the land.
environmental An environmental search utilises historical information about how the land on which the property was built, and the land nearby, was used in the past – industrial or commercial uses, for example – and indicates whether contamination might be an issue. Any risk of flooding is also highlighted using data from the Environment Agency. Commons registration This type of search shows whether third parties have any rights of access over the land under the Commons Registration Act, and if the Act applies to land adjoining the property. Chancel repair A Chancel Repair search lets you know if you would be liable to contribute to the repair of the local parish church. Stamp duty Stamp Duty affects the purchasers of residential freehold or leasehold properties sold for over £125,000, with rates currently standing at¹: • • • •
£125,001 to £250,000: 2% £250,001 to £925,000: 5% £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10% Over £1.5 million: 12%
As a buyer, you must send a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return along with your payment within 30 days of completion. exCHange depoSit This is a different type of deposit than the one demanded by a mortgage lender. An exchange deposit is paid
to a conveyancing solicitor, and then passed on to the seller’s solicitor as a show of ‘good faith.’ It reflects your seriousness in going ahead with the purchase, with 10% of the purchase price often being requested.
Although you’ll save some money, the move will take much longer. Removals firms generally charge from £300 for a small move, but may charge more for weekend work.
eleCtroniC tranSFer Fee When you buy a property and move the money from your bank account to your solicitor’s, they will transfer it electronically to your seller’s solicitor. The fee for this is usually around £40.
Home inSuranCe Buildings insurance is an important aspect of buying a property, and will be a requirement by your lender if you’ve taken out a mortgage. Contents insurance also protects your belongings in the event of fire, flood, or other disaster.
removalS Using a removals firm can seem like a large expense if you don’t have a lot of possessions, and many people choose to hire a van instead. The cost of van hire varies according to where you live and on which day you move.
leaSeHold propertieS If you buy a leasehold property, you own the building but not the land it sits on. You’ll need to pay a ‘ground rent’ each year, which is usually a nominal amount. Buying a flat within a block also attracts maintenance and service charges, which can
increase annually. It’s a good idea to factor in these extra costs before you start looking for a property. You’ll be more confident that your budget will stretch far enough, and won’t have to suffer any nasty surprises later on. http://www.which.co.uk/money/ mortgages-and-property/ guides/buying-a-house/thecost-of-buying-a-house/ https://www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ articles/estimate-your-overallbuying-and-moving-costs http://land-data.org.uk/ getdownload.aspx?did=15 ¹ https://www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ articles/everything-you-need-toknow-about-stamp-duty
Pets Corner... (Nov16).qxp_Layout 1 27/10/2016 22:14 Page 1
Diet & Food...
What is better commercial or raw diets?
IN the past pets were usually fed on the scraps left by their owners but it is virtually impossible to give animals a balanced diet by feeding them human food often leading to life threatening nutritional deficiencies. Even feeding tit-bits may be harmful and can cause serious health problems like pancreatitis. The fact our pets now live much longer, healthier lives is testament to the improved nutrition provided by quality commercial pet foods. There has been a lot of interest recently in raw diets and in theory a diet as close to that the animal would eat in the wild is ideal but realistically few people are going to catch a rabbit and feed it whole to their dog! It is very difficult to feed a balanced raw diet and some may be contaminated by bacteria that can cause serious food poisoning and could be transmissible to people. There have also been recent reports of a serious parasite, Tongueworm, in dogs fed on raw diets. Raw feeding is as much a fashion as fad diets in humans and the often stated benefits are spurious and far outweighed by the disadvantages. For the vast majority raw feeding is not only messy and impractical but potentially harmful.
At any given price point, dry dog and cat food is better than moist simply because it costs less to produce but there are still some poor dry foods. As with most things in life you get what you pay for but be wary: the most expensive shop bought moist foods are designed to be more attractive and acceptable to pet owners, not more nutritious. Because they need less of it, the cost of feeding pets on a premium quality dry food is little more than a cheaper brand. There is a lot of target marketing in the pet food industry but shops tend to concentrate on cheaper, lower quality foods they can sell in high volumes, whereas vets, as well as being the best source of advice, also generally stock better quality foods. Some things should be obvious: you feed kittens on kitten food, puppies on puppy food and adult pets on adult pet food. But you should also feed older pets on senior pet food and
premium diets are designed to provide your pets with the exact nutritional requirements for their breed and lifestage. Fed on these diets they don’t need anything else other than a bowl of water. If you look critically at the condition of a pet that is fed solely on a premium quality food you will honestly notice the difference in coat condition, reduced flatulence and smaller volumes of firm faeces, and even less objective things like improved vitality, cold wet noses and sparkling eyes! But it is also the hidden benefits that count. Your pet will have a healthier and longer life with less digestive problems and fewer vet’s bills! Now doesn’t that make sense?
M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com
Garden Fireworks by Pippa Greenwood
With bonfire night on November 5th just around the corner, you may be planning to celebrate with the traditional display of fantastic fireworks - but why not also think ahead and plant yourself a few garden fireworks to enjoy for years to come?
At this time of year, there are still several flowers that look stunning in the border and very much remind me of fireworks. Red hot pokers or kniphofias, also aptly known as torch lilies, are flamboyant plants that are mostly natives of southern and eastern Africa. Try Kniphofia ‘Brimstone’ for a rich yellowy-orange colour, or if you want something smaller then how about ‘Little Maid’, which has ivory flower spikes topped with a warm yellowish tint and reaches a height of about 2 ft (60cm). ‘Fiery Fred’ really lives up to its name with extremely bright orangey-red flowers, while ‘Alcazar’ has blazing red flowers. They should be available in garden centres now, and they do well if
planted out in early autumn or spring in a sunny spot with a well drained soil. Once established you will have a regular display that really will go off like a rocket!
The crocosmias too help to provide some much needed colour at this time of year, and if you want a real splash of fire then take a look at ‘Lucifer’, with its flame-red, almost trumpet-shaped flowers clustered along an elegantly arching spike, or for golden yellow flowers consider ‘Canary Bird’. There are lots of different varieties of crocosmia (once known as montbretia) and provided you choose a site with sun or part shade in a well drained yet also moist soil, they will thrive – but that bit of moisture is essential if they are to flower as you hope. Grow them in completely dry conditions and you will be bitterly disappointed. Pot-grown plants should be available for planting now or in the spring, or you can buy the corms to plant towards the end of winter and, provided they are in the right spot, these plants
will look like the ultimate elegant arching firework. If fireworks that look like clusters of stars are more your scene, then take a look at the sedums or ice plants, many of which have star-shaped flowers, either clustered together in tight heads or held as stunningly pretty single flowers. Some of the sedums, such as ‘Autumn Joy’, are still just about in flower at present, but even if you have missed much of the display for this year, plant pot-grown specimens now and you can guarantee that from late summer you will have a tremendous show of blooms for several weeks, certain to attract bees and butterflies. The angels’ fishing rods, diorama, also have arching stems which are produced in great numbers surrounded by broad, almost grass-like leaves, each measuring up to 5 ft (1.5m) in length. The stems are covered with rich pink funnel-shaped flowers about 2 in (5cm) long, which dangle and sway in the wind
before the leaves break in spring, far better than any real Roman candle I know!
- and the great thing about them is that they just keep on bobbing straight back up again, even on a windy site. Thinking ahead to the summer, consider growing some lupins, either one of the many yellow varieties or one of my favourites, ‘My Castle’, which has rich red flowers - just like a rocket racing skywards, but far less noisy.
At this time of year, look around nearby gardens and see what a fantastic display autumn foliage can put on. Plant anything with good autumn colour and you could guarantee you will have a glowing bonfire each and every autumn. A visit to your garden centre at this time of year will reveal a plentiful supply of shrubs and trees putting on a fine display to make you reach for your wallet in double quick time.
bonfire at the last minute in order to minimise the risk of hedgehogs or other wildlife hiding beneath the heap and then coming to an untimely end. The hedgehog is one of the gardener’s best friends, as it eats huge numbers of slugs and many other garden pests.
If you want a tree in your garden but don’t have much space, then the Kilmarnock willow, Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’, is a good option, and reaches a height of no more than 6 ft (1.8 m) after 10 or 15 years. It has long weeping branches and bright yellow fuzzy catkins that cluster all over the stems
And finally, when you are thinking about Guy Fawkes’ night, remember that if you are going to have a firework display, try and make that
Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com to book Pippa for a gardening talk, or peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items, including Nemaslug to control slugs, pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, pull-out EasyTunnels, ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Voucher cards, signed books and lots more besides.
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HOBBIES...
Afternoon Leisure Painting Monday 2pm to 4pm and Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The advanced and fundamental concepts of art in any media. Enthusiastic people welcome. Southlands Arts Centre 01895 632171
Crafty Cards Have fun creating your own cards. 2nd and 4th Friday, 10am to 12noon. Contact 01753 652 459 Craft Evening Group Tuesday 7.30pm. Members own projects and workshops to share experience and further skills at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442980 Handicraft - Morning Group Tuesday 10am to 12 noon, needlecraft and any handicraft with material. Paper 3D decoupage, patchwork, cross stitch, soft toys etc., at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442910
Knit & Knatterers Hand and Machine Knitting, Crochet 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 7.309.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 421777 Les Artists - Evening Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm. A mixed ability class for still life, portraiture etc. All welcome at Southlands Arts Centre. 0208 797 4635
Yiewsley Angling & West Drayton Fishing Clubs Thurs 8-10.30pm, Yiewsley & West Outline Theatre Group Drayton Community Centre. At St. Matthews Church, Yiewsley. Every For more details call 01895 443423 Tue 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome from 8yrs+. See www.outlinetheatre. co.uk or KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA... call Robert Jones on 01895 446352 Painting Group - Morning Tues 10am-1pm. Experienced watercolorists very welcome at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 421328 Spinning & Weavers Group Tues 7.30-9.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 443481
The Language Clubs of Hillingdon From late Sept until mid-July. Visitors welcome, Speak some German, Spanish, French or Italian? Want to practise speaking and listening in friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers & native speakers? Join a Hillingdon Family History Society Language Club! Each Club meets on a At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, different Thursday of the month at 7.45 Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Research pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys room open (10am-1pm) every Fri (except the Fri before the first Sat of the Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 0208 429 1921; Italian month). On the first Sat of the month Club 020 8863 3468; Spanish Club and open 10am-1pm at Uxbridge Library. French Club 01895 253 472 Experienced help available. See www.hfhs.co.uk . Contact Mrs P. Uxbridge Chess Club Reynolds 01895 444442 or email Meet at the Ivy Leaf Club, 1st floor, 8 hillingdonfhs@onetel.com Wellington Rd, UB8 2AP. Every Wed, 7.30pm. All welcome. Parking, bar, tv. Hillingdon Railway Modellers Club Tuition available. Free initially, then Meet every Thursday, 7.30pm at cheap membership. Info: Peter Lord at Yiewsley Baptist Church. Contact peter-lord@tiscali.co.uk and 01895 tonymoth@Hotmail.co.uk 236973 or just turn up! Hillingdon Natural History Society Uxbridge Craft Market Meets 1st wed of the month at the Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, enquiries@hillingdonGifts and Collectables naturalhistorysociety.org.uk www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk Inland Waterways Association Wednesday Stitch Club Meet 2nd Tues of every month at 10-12noon at Hillingdon Tennis Club . Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, All abilities, Tutorial, White work, gold Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. work, crewel work etc. Your choice! Call middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk sue 0208 868 8052. Iver Flower Club West Drayton & District The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, History Society Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets The society meets on the last 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Tuesday of each month Sep-May Call Jayne on 07730 249876. (excluding Dec) at St Martins www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver Harlington Locomotive Society Every Thursday, 8pm at the club in High Street, Harlington, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 5ET. For details call Peter Tarrant on 01895 851168
Church Hall, Church Road at 7.30pm. Each month there is a talk of either local or national interest. During the summer months a programme of visits and walks are arranged. Membership £8 per year. Call either Diane 07599 730640 or Cyril 07704 837042 for details.
Clubbercise class Mondays at Iver Village Junior School, High St, Iver, SL0 9QA. Term-Time, 18.10 to 19.00, £5 PAYG, for anyone from the age of 16 up! Contact Liz on 07795 512938. Come and Glow with glow-sticks in the dark to 90s anthems upto present-time music. Dance, Gymnastics and Free Running Classes With Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-Adults. All styles of dance from RAD ballet, Contemporary & ISTD Tap to Break Dancing, Street Dance, Hip Hop & Zumba. Check out our website for full class listings, www.futunityuk.com. Contact Futunity Uk Head Office 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com Fitness Club St Catherine School, Money Lane, West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thursday 6-7pm. Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, www.tauruspt.co.uk Tel: 07906 087749 Irish Dancing classes Children age 5 upwards. Beginners and advanced classes. Monday, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd Wednesday, 6pm at Greenford Visitati on Catholic church hall Contact Deidre e: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383 Ladies Only Kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm 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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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Line Dancing Thurs 12-2pm. St Martins Church Hall, Church Road, West Drayton. Call Susan 01895 832837 susanwynne376@gmail.com
Linedance for Improvers Tuesdays 12-2pm Royal British Legion, Station Road, West Drayton. Call Instructor Ann 0791 435 8050
Linedancing Tuesday evenings 7.30-10.30pm. Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call Ann on 0791 435 8050 Modern Jive Classes (Ceroc) Mondays, 8-11pm, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. Beginners welcome, first night entry and free lifetime membership. Contact: Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 or email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com.
Nordic Walking & Wellbeing Explore our borough’s green spaces . with all round exercise in the open air 4 wk courses various days and locations pre-booking essential contact 07771 872 592 / learningmoves@hotmailco.uk 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 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, www.tauruspt.co.uk 07906 087749 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: 8.30
9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm
Tai Chi Classes Sat 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan on 07880 601429 to book. Tai Chi Fit Designed for modern life. Wed 09.3010.30am. Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre UB7 9JL. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk 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. Weekly Tea Dance 2pm to 4pm at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre please call 01895 422776 for info. Yoga for All Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Priya 01895 440712
Zumba 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. All welcome. £5. Ann-Marie Samuels 07701 012927 Chair exercise and Fitsteps/Zumba for over 55’s Monday mornings at Yiewsley & West Drayton community Centre Chair exercise is from 10.30am to 11.15am followed by tea/coffee, then Fit steps/Zumba from 11.30am to 12.15pm. £1 per class for info: 01895 443423 PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Mobile Disco for Children A mobile disco available for hire, for children of all ages call Zoe on 07747 063149 for details. Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thu 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12yrs) & Cadets (age 1218yrs). Fees £2pw, courses from £5. Email: 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.starsatknight-schoolofdrama.co.uk
MUSIC... Faraday Country Music Club In Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for the best live Country Music. From 811pm. Call Deb 07986 050742 www.faradaycountry.co.uk Guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Contact Sam on 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk Learn to Play in a Rock Band At a professional recording studio taught by expert musicians. Open to 7-18 year olds, we teach guitar, bass, drums and vocals in small groups and as a band. Sessions will run after school at R'n'R Studios, Uxbridge starting October. Contact Conor for details on 07946 402797 or email wlsr.uxb@gmail.com
Yiewsley & West Drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band Open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wed (TT only) 6.45-7.45pm, St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com PETS... Iver Dog Training Club Every Tue and Fri 6.30pm-9.00pm at 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 continued over...
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SELF DEFENCE...
& West Drayton Community Centre. Call Sarah on 0208 569 0181
Close Quarter Combat Based in Richings Park. Specialising in speed, strength and conditioning training. Pad work combinations. Suitable for men & women of all ages. 1-2-1 sessions. Call Mark 07525 366126 e: mj.wilding@hotmail.com Karate Club of Denham For ages 5 years and upwards. Sundays 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Call 07988 743725 Karate Club of Uxbridge For ages 5 years and upwards. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call 07988 743725 Heathrow Boxing Club Men & women, boys & girls Junior Boxing Club: Tue & Thu, 5pm. Senior Boxing Club Mon, Tue & Thu, 8pm. 422 Bath Road, Longford, Middlesex, UB7 0EB. Tel: 0208 123 1271. Martial Arts Bujinkan Kuri Dojo Ninjutsu and Bujutsu, Unit 21 Bridgeworks, UB8 2JG. Tel: 07878 471124. Training: Sunday 10.30am-12.30pm, Tuesday 8-10pm, Thursday 8.3010pm www.bujinkankuridojo.co.uk
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.
Shorinji Kempo Self Defence Learn the practical self defence techniques of this traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. Call Dan 07776 421957. www.sk.harrow.ac.uk Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence, includes empty hand, 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.
Slimming World The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Road, Yiewsley. Wednesdays 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Friday mornings at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre call Sandra for info: 07766 250 612 SOCIAL GROUPS...
Colne Valley Park Conservation Vols Every second weekend of the month. Hands on help to protect the wildlife and local landscape. Contact Steve Ord. steven.ord@groundwork.org.uk or call 07718 043080. Harlington Women’s Institute Every 1st Wed of month, 7.309.30pm at Landsdown House, St Peter's Way Hayes UB3 5AB. Call Sarah Wilson 0208 759 0019 Inspirations Spiritualist Group Spiritualist group for like-minded people. Weekly services with a guest Medium every Thursday at The Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane, Hillingdon, UB8 3QY. 7.15pm for 7.45pm start. Admission £5 Concessions £4.50 Accompanied Children u16 - FREE. Enqs: 07968 039426 or 0208 841 4901.
SELF HELP & SUPPORT...
Over 60s Social Group Over 60s Singles Group meet fortnightly at various agreed venues. Judith 07980 073170 Mel 07785 582323 judithholl07@hotmail.co.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous Meet every Sunday, 7.30pm at St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. For more call Howard 07816 315688. Glow Fitness Every Thursday 10-11.30am, Yiewsley
Over 65s Wellbeing Sessions Every Friday from 1:30-3:30pm. Creative art & craft activities & chair & standing exercise for over 65s at Yiewsley Cornerstone Centre, 74 Colham Ave. Yiewsley UB7 8HF. Sessions free. Call 01895 458310 www.yiewsleycornerstone.co.uk.
Probus Club of Langley & Iver is always looking for new members, we meet for lunch at Pinewood Hotel, George Green, Uxbridge Road, Slough 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 wide range of interests. Call Maureen Richardson 01753 819456. Southlands Ladies Group Talks, outings, own evenings. Mon fortnightly. Call 01895 445766 Senior Citizens Welfare Association Monthly social on the 4th Wed of every month, with tea/raffle /tombola /bingo and regular outings at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre 01895 443423 for info. Veterans Breakfast Club runs to help Armed Forces Veterans in West London and surrounding areas. Comrades from all Services to get together on the last Saturday of the month at the Good Yarn Public House, Uxbridge High Street, UB8 1JX from 09:30-11:30hrs. Contact: Iain Henderson, Iain115@aol.com (exRAF) or Lorraine Reed 07976 398533, lorraineareed@gmail.com Women’s Social Group Looking to make new friends? Social group for women. Call Seema 07730 898635 or seemaa@seemaa.co.uk SPORT... Hayes & Harlington Road Runners Includes beginners sessions for anyone looking to start running. Every Wed, 8pm at Hayes and Harlington Community Association, Albert Road, Hayes. E: jack.nisbet@talk21.com www.hhroadrunners.com. 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. Uxbridge Squash Club All welcome. Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Rd, Uxbridge. E: squash@ uxbridgesquash.org.uk or visit: www.uxbridgesquash.org.uk.
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The Relationship Between Exposure to Chemicals and the Development of Industrial Diseases
by Alan Jolliffe Senior Litigation Executive, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team IBB Solicitors alan.jolliffe@ibblaw.co.uk Chemicals and other hazardous substances such as asbestos and lead have been responsible for human disease for thousands of years. However, since the Industrial Revolution, cases have become prolific, with hundreds of people suffering every year from occupational diseases caused by chemicals. Hazardous substances are used in many industries from hairdressing to pest control. If their exposure is not carefully controlled, people run the risk of developing a serious disease. Most people do not realise that even if the use of chemicals (including dyes and solvents) is necessary to complete tasks throughout the course of their working day, an employer can be ordered to pay compensation if staff suffer injury or harm as a result of using particular substances. To fulfil their duty of care around hazardous substances, employers must apply principles of good practice alongside ensuring that
0333 123 9099
enquiries@ibbclaims.co.uk
Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) are not exceeded. Exposure to substances that can cause occupational asthma, cancer, or damage to genes that can be passed from one generation to another, must also be reduced as low as is reasonably practicable. If an employer fails to meet this standard of care and causes harm to an employee or member of the public, they can be liable for compensation. At IBB, our industrial injuries team, led by Alan Jolliffe, has the expertise and knowledge to advise and represent you if you believe exposure to chemicals or other hazardous substances at your place of work has caused you to become ill or suffer skin irritations. Let us help you seek compensation by phoning us on 0333 123 9099 or emailing us at enquiries@ibbclaims.co.uk. Any discussions we have with you will be in the strictest of confidence.
Making a compensation claim could be the first step towards seeking justice, and give you the support to cope. Call us today for free initial advice to discuss the possibility of claiming compensation.
Answers pg 35
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