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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). Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Tech: Top gadget gifts for christmas 6 Hobbies: Are we tired of shabby chic? 8 Denham Against HS2 10 Denham Parish Council 12 The Wildlife Zone 16 Children’s Puzzle Page 18 Books to get you talking 22 Beauty: I need a hero 24 The Golden Years: Memories of 50 years ago 28 Cake & Bake: Steamed date puddings 30 Christmas at the Railway 32 Puzzle Solutions 32 Local Events 34 Autumn Activities 38 Life Begins 40 The best diet for your rabbit 42 Wordsearch 42 Motoring: we try Nissan’s bonkers Bladeglider 44 Travel: Symi Island 46 Health: Alcohol Awareness Week 48 Interiors: Open Plan Living 50 Citizens Advice Bureau 52 Useful Telephone Numbers 52 RSPCA Rehoming Appeal 54 Short Story: Fry Porks Night 56 How much does it really cost to buy a home? 58 Coffee Break Puzzles 60 Garden Feature 62 Don’t lose the memories that matter 63 Clubs, Groups & Classes 64, 66 & 68 What’s on at Hillingdon Theatres 70
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.
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 6
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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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. The shabby chic look is all about creating a sense of age and wear. Distressed textures, rubbed edges and sun-bleached surfaces all help to build the illusion that an object has been used and well loved for generations. One of the finishes most commonly employed to achieve this effect is chalk-based paint. 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. Nowadays there are several different types of chalk-based paint to choose from, but the original brand 8
was created by Annie Sloan, a leading name in interior design and author of a number of global bestsellers on paint techniques. She is famous not only for creating many of the techniques used in shabby chic, but for developing and patenting the paints and waxes used to complete the look. During the 1990s Annie found she was unable to buy the paints she needed to create an authentic feel of rusticity and age, so she returned to the roots of domestic paintmaking, using chalk to create a paint similar to distemper, that produced an attractive finish when sealed with a layer of soft wax. The recent interest in upcycling household objects 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, giving them a new lease of life and selling them on for a profit on Gumtree, Ebay or Shpock.
There are many ways in which you can learn how to turn ‘tired’ pieces of furniture into shabby chic classics. Either ask your local chalk-based paint retailer if they offer beginners’ courses or watch one of the excellent “how to” videos on YouTube. Go to www.anniesloan.com to pick up some tips and techniques from Annie Sloan herself or follow simple, stepby-step instructions at www. dummies.com. There are just six easy stages to painting a piece of furniture with chalk-based paints: 1 Wash the furniture with clean, soapy water to remove any surface dirt, and allow to dry. Don’t be tempted to clean the surface with wax, as this won’t provide a secure base for applying the paint. 2 There’s no need to be nervous about uneven brushstrokes. When you’re aiming for a rustic style, the strokes can go in any direction. For a ‘layered’ look you should apply coats of paint in different colours, using a lighter shade under
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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, revealing different layers of colour. 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 to apply 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. You’ll find lots of ideas for designing and colouring your shabby chic pieces if you follow Annie Sloan’s online blogs. Alternatively, visit your local library for books on painting techniques or grab a selection of interior design magazines from your local newsagent to get some inspiration. 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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The last set of published accounts from HS2 Ltd shows that the planners have fallen far behind schedule with their environmental surveys, largely because they’ve failed to secure access agree ments with many owners of the land the railway is designed to cross. They simply haven’t done the work they were expecting to have done by now, and at the same time they’re spending more than they budgeted on incentive payments for external contractors. And so the timetable slips further Sadly, Theresa May’s new cabinet passed up the behind, and the expenditure meter climbs ever opportunity of laying to rest a project that David upwards. It’s typical of the way this project has Cameron originally proposed as an alternative to been mismanaged from the start. a new runway at Heathrow. Now we’re almost certain to get – as well as a giant, untested, Over the six years of our campaign (which will Chinesebuilt nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point on continue, believe me, after construction begins) the west coast: three Hs that will cost our heavily some people have taken issue with our various indebted nation an eyewatering amount of estimates of what the project will eventually cost. When the government was claiming £33 billion, money. we put the figure at £50 billion. “Don’t exagger Mrs May and her somewhat unqualified Transport ate,” we were advised. Two years later, when the Secretary Chris Grayling funked it because more admitted cost was heading towards £50 billion, than one and half billion pounds has already been we upped the ante to £80 billion. “Don’t exagger spent preparing the plans, and defending the ate,” we were advised again. Now it’s become project against a thousand or more well thought clear that a great deal of preparatory work re out objections. Not to mention the many, powerful mains undone, and the environmental surveys, vested interests at stake: British and foreign con soil tests and so on will take up to a year longer tractors who’ve been lobbying behind the scenes than originally forecast, we have no hesitation in for a project that will keep them in fees for a dec raising the bar to £90 billion and counting. ade and a half. Look out for a message to this effect on a bill board near you next month. Ministers could have paid heed to influential And remember to get your annual tax returns in voices in the other regions, who are crying out for on time otherwise you’ll face a stiff fine from improved transport links between the provincial HMRC. After all, the government desperately cities – especially in the north of England, where needs your cash – if only to pay for those three an eastwest highspeed link between Leeds, Horrible Hs. Manchester and possibly Liverpool (known as HS3) has now eclipsed HS2 as the preferred option for northern commuters and business trav ellers.
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Dear Resident, Time flies and as we gradu ally move towards winter the matters being brought to our attention change from things like grass cutting ‘lines of sight’ to street lights being partially hidden by tree and hedge growth. Most of these issues are not within our remit but we do follow them up with the appropriate land owners or local authorities. Denham Parish Councils ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme is moving ahead and if you would like to get involved we would love to hear from you. Email your details to us at clerk@denhampc.co.uk and we will call you to tell you more about it. An Exhibition covering the is confirmed as being held in the . Please attend as it will be your opportunity to view and question plans and pro posals for building in Den ham and on the Green Belt and how it will affect the area where we live and work over the next 20 years.
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– Denham Green Christmas Fayre, Station Parade Den ham Green starting at 6 pm. We have had a fantastic response from McCarthy & Stone and Martin Baker for funding towards our Den ham Green Fayre which will enable us to put it under cover in a marquee this year if the weather looks bad. There are also Fairground Rides coming along again this year and the fantastic Dolly Mixtures will also be entertaining us again. There has also been a great re sponse from other local shops and businesses who have donated prizes to wards our Tombola and funded signs, free parking, etc. and items are still rolling in so it will be an exciting event – not to be missed!!
– Car ols Around the Christmas Tree, Denham Village Green starting at 6 pm More details on all the above events will be circu lated by email nearer the time. We are still looking for more volunteers either short or long term, a regular couple of hours a week or ad hoc help. Also we are still look ing for additional Parish Councillors and Associate Members. If you think you may be interested or simply would like more information p le a s e e ma il u s a t c le rk @d e n h a mp c .c o .u k . Grab this opportunity to get more involved in the work being done in the commu nity where you live.
– Higher Denham Bonfire and Fireworks Night at the Com munity Centre. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm and Firework Dis play at 7pm. – Higher Denham Christmas Tree Lights Switch on. At the Community Centre start ing at 5.30 pm
Chairman, Denham Parish Council
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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 14
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. 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. 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.
It’s a good ideaCarpet to factor in Martin’s these extra costs before you start looking Company for a property. Cleaning You’ll be more confident that
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.
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Home inSuranCe Buildings insurance is an important aspect of buying a property, and will be a http://www.which.co.uk/money/ • Carpets dry in 1 to 2 hours requirement by your lender if mortgages-and-property/ you’ve taken out a mortgage. • Upholstery Cleaning guides/buying-a-house/theContents insurance also cost-of-buying-a-house/ • Leather Cleaning • Rug Cleaning protects your belongings in https://www. the event of fire, flood, or other moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ Safe and Non toxic eco friendly disaster. articles/estimate-your-overallsolutions leaSeHold propertieS cleaning buying-and-moving-costs If you buy a leasehold property, Satisfaction guaranteed OR you http://land-data.org.uk/ you own the building but not pay NOTHING getdownload.aspx?did=15 the land it sits on. You’ll need to pay a ‘ground rent’ each ¹ https://www. year, which is usually a nominal moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/ amount. Buying a flat within a articles/everything-you-need-toblock also attracts maintenance know-about-stamp-duty and service charges, which can
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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 16
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To Get You Talking HomeBooks & Interiors Whether you discuss Open Plan Living By Katherine Sorrell them at a book club,
blog or yourabout space is them, very long and thin, painting the end walls in justa deeper chatshade about them makes them appear closer, thus improving with a neighbour, the proportions, while a neutral these books are sure scheme throughout can be given you matching accents of a to get talking.
The Return of Norah Wells – Virginia Macgregor Six years after walking out on her husband and children, Norah is back. But her best friend, Fay, has stepped in to fill thedoesn’t space Norah left.idea Who Who love the willliving the family choose – the of in a light, bright Mother Left, or space? the Mother and airyWho open-plan Who Stayed? A beautiful read Katherine Sorrell explains that tells the story from each how to get the most out of it. family member’s point of view, We’ve hankered for a as theyallstruggle to understand, large, livingplace. space forgiveopen-plan and find their – where family and friends Pines (The Wayward Pines can be relaxed and sociable Trilogy, Book 1) – Blake together, yet do their own Crouch thing at the same time. And Not key a recent release thisan the to ensuring that one, but worth a mention open-plan room looks good and nonetheless. Secret functions brilliantly is service careful agent Blake Crouch wakes planning. Start by thinking up in ahow small American about you’ll use thetown space after a car crash. His partner – for cooking, informal eating, is dead. His wallet is missing. entertaining, working, relaxing And so theon more hedivide learnsit about and – and into the small town, theJust more appropriate areas. ashe if knows he separate needs to rooms, escape. they were For without a start there’s the dead but conventional body of walls. one ofInhis colleagues dividing some cases rottingseparate away in zones an abandoned these can be house. Any can’t of helevel, get created withwhy changes through to anyone the but generally they’reonachieved outside?the A must for fansuse of of through considered Twin Peaks or Lost, this book flooring, colour and pattern, has inspired a hit TV series. lighting and the positioning of You’ll be ordering the second furniture. 22
in the trilogy seconds after reading the last page. Yellow Crocus – Laila Ibrahim Mattie is a slave and, as such, has no choice but to leave her Choosing own baby flooring in orderfor to aact as multi-purpose space can be nurse to the plantation owner’s problematic, as kitchens/halls newborn daughter. She soon need something splash-proof becomes a mother-figure to that can be mopped, while Lisbeth, who becomes far sitting areas ought to feel closer Mattie than to any of invitingtoand comfortable. There her family.Either But Mattie are natural two solutions. use knows day she’ll differentthat (butone complementary) have to choose between the floorings, thus automatically two children – the one she creating visually distinct zones, raised andpractical the one flooring she gave or lay one birth to. As Lisbeth up, throughout, giving agrows sleek and she too look. will have toor make a flowing Stone ceramic tiles, engineered or laminate life-changing decision about floorboards, rubberreally and good whose side she’s on. quality vinyl are all suitable Gripping, emotional and – simply soften with woven impossible to forget. or fluffy rugs around your A Yearand of chairs Marvellous Ways sofas to create the –framework Sarah Winman for a separate ‘living’ It’s 1947 and 90-year old area. Marvellous Ways has got Pale colours emphasise used to beingwill alone on her open, airy spaces, while darker little creek in Cornwall. Then shades are dramatic and Frank Drake, battered by the can help make large areas war and grief, washes up feel cosy. One option in an on her shore. They form an open-plan room is to zone the unlikely and as they scheme friendship by using tones of one reveal the stories they’ve kept colour, going from light at one hidden, each helps other end to darker at the the other. If
brighter colour – say, a rug in the living area, glasses on the dining table and a couple to A lyrical, poetic–read of heal. kitchen accessories for a about lovelook. and the smart friendship, and interesting strength of the human spirit. You may find that conventional A Boy Made of Blocks furniture doesn’t work as well –asKeith Stuart expected in an open-plan Alex to spacehas – inalways which struggled case search connect with his eight-year for larger-than-average pieces, old autistic son, that Sam, andhave bearing in mind they has become moreall and more to look good from angles, distant his wife. Asyou his not justfrom the front. What family disintegrate need toseems avoid,toespecially in before eyes, discovers a largerhis room, is he placing the an unusual waythe to connect seating around edges, or with Sam: the far computer game spacing it too apart. Steer Minecraft. is it enough to clear of theBut hospital-waitingroom orthe furniture-showroom reunite family? Funny and look at allincosts. group poignant equalInstead, measures. your seating so that sofas The Bees – Laline Paul and chairs are sociable, either In the colony every bee has its facing each other or creating a place, duty, itsunits veryare reason corner its (modular good for Difference isn’t for existence. this). tolerated and punishment is If you’re swift andstarting violent.from Florascratch 717 with antoopen-plan design, wants fulfil her role and try to includeher anqueen, island or serve butpeninsular struggles unit kitchen and to fit between in. She’sthe a sanitation the rest destined of the room. That way, worker, to spend you get a visual break between her entire life cleaning the the two zones and the cook can hive. But she can’t help but comfortably chat with family or be enticed by the thought of guests while preparing food. flight, and the world outside the Kitchen manufacturers now colony. hiveofisproducts at risk, and produceThe plenty that to savekitchen, it Floradining 717 may blend and have living to break the most sacredthat rule functions, from cabinets of all. Fascinating. co-ordinate with free-standing
storage to media units that incorporate a TV, so it’s no longer hard to design a space that blends easily from one zone to another. One final point: bear in mind that sound carries, and you won’t be able to shut a door to block it out. If you’re eating dinner, watching TV or catching up on emails, you won’t want to be disturbed by the extractor fan howling
or the dishwasher gurgling so, if possible, put your washing machine somewhere separate and buy super-quiet appliances.
Images: (left) Dorset Purbeck reclaimed wood extendable trestle table, £499, Modish Living: 01273 499057; www. modishliving.co.uk. (right) Moments floor and wall tiles, £15.02 per square metre, Tile Mountain: 01782 223822; www.tilemountain.co.uk.
Before
get the light right
Good lighting makes a big difference in any room, and is especially important for open-plan living, helping to zone the space and provide either strong illumination or soft ambience. Food preparation areas need bright lights, which can usually be built into the bottoms of wall-mounted cabinets or, if you have an island unit, can take the form of a ceiling-mounted track or a row of pendants. In dining and living areas, meanwhile, you’ll want flexible lighting that can be turned up or down easily. Experts advise installing a range of circuits that can be controlled by separate switches or dimmers but, unless you’re at the building-work stage, this will involve a fair bit of disruption (not to mention the extra expense). Instead, simply introduce flexibility by replacing main light switches with dimmers and plugging in a selection of table or floor lamps at strategic points. After
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Beauty I Need A Hero
by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
Skin saviours to see you through the winter months
Ingredients include seaweed extract, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, macadamia nut oil and aloe vera. It’s very hydrating and soothing, 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. Rosehip oil has long been revered for its skin healing properties. Amongst other benefits it can help with fine lines, scarring, blemishes and dry patches. If you want to try it for yourself, Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £22, is a good choice. A powerful blend of concentrated rosehip fruit and seed oils, it’s 100% natural and packed with antioxidants and Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. 87% of users reported a significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines after using it. Visit www.paiskincare. com to order online or to find your nearest stockist.
Skin feeling dry, tight and dehydrated? Try Dr. Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief, £27.50-£40. It’s very light, almost like a toner, but incredibly hydrating and leaves skin feeling plumped and soft. Apply with a soft cloth or cotton wool pads. Key ingredients include mushroom extracts and a blend of essential oils. It’s currently on sale in a rather lovely limited edition bottle printed in a seabuckthorn pattern. Available from www.origins.co.uk and some branches of Boots and House of Fraser.
Another brand to recognise the potential of mushrooms is Janjira. They’ve included mushroom extract in their Pomegranate & Acai Facial Mask, £20. Thankfully, you wouldn’t know that by the smell, as it has a gorgeous, almost tropical scent. Lovely and light, this mask helps to hydrate, plump and brighten skin in just 10 minutes. (Which is about all the time I get to relax in the bath before one of the kids barges in.) Janjira is a Thai brand and focuses on natural ingredients that have been proven to work. The mask costs £20 and can be ordered from www.janjira.co.uk. You may find that your skin craves a richer moisturiser in the colder months. I’ve been using Ishga’s Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream, £70, for a few weeks now, and highly recommend it. 24
Weleda’s Skin Food is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Beloved by people the world over, Skin Food works miracles on dry, rough patches. Use it as an intensive hand-cream, or to spot-treat patches of dry skin. Alternatively, hand it to a partner and demand a foot massage. It’s packed with rich natural ingredients, including sweet almond oil and beeswax, and fragranced with essential oils. Skin Food is usually £9.95, but www.biggreensmile.com was offering 20% off at the time of writing. I’m not the best for remembering to exfoliate, particularly when I can hide away under jeans and winter woollies. However, Odylique’s Coconut Candy Scrub, £25, makes it a treat. Formulated with Fairtrade sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, poppy seeds and other skin enriching ingredients, it feels lovely to massage in and moisturises while it exfoliates. (Plus it smells rather nice.) Skin feels softer and smoother. Heaven.
Iver Croft, Bangors Road South, Iver, SL0 0AD
25
26
Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. For further information, or to arrange a visit, please telephone 01895 234371 Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com 27
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 28
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!
TANDOORI RESTAURANT
74 Oxford Road, New Denham Uxbridge, Middx, UB9 4DN 01895 239503 Website: www.maya-tandoori.com Email: info@maya-tandoori.com
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12 Noon - 10pm (All Day) A variety of freshly prepared vegetarian & non vegetarian dishes
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Cake and Bake
Steamed Date Puddings with Caramel Sauce
These moist and sticky mini steamed puds will go down a treat after a Sunday roast! Serve with pouring cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream to make them extra indulgent.
Ingredients: • 115g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 115g caster sugar • 2 medium eggs beaten • 115g self-raising flour • 1tsp ground mixed spice • 55g ready-to-eat dates, chopped • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste (see Tip) • 1tbsp milk FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE • 50g unsalted butter • 75g brown sugar • 75ml double cream
Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour 20 minutes 30
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5.
Lightly grease 4 x 175-200ml oven- proof ramekin dishes (or metal pudding basins) with the extra butter. Line the base of each with a circle of baking paper.
2. Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together
until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a spoonful of the flour if the mixture begins to curdle. Sift over the rest of the flour and mixed spice and fold in until thoroughly combined. Fold in the dates, vanilla bean paste and milk.
3. Divide the mixture between the prepared dishes and
cover each with a square of pleated baking paper then pleated foil and secure with fine kitchen string. Place the dishes in a deep roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for about 50 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.
4. To make the caramel sauce, gently heat the butter
and sugar in a small pan, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until syrupy then remove from the heat and stir in the cream to make a smooth sauce. Turn the puddings out onto warmed plates and spoon over the sauce.
TIP
Vanilla bean paste has a very intense flavour so use sparingly. If unavailable use 1tsp vanilla extract or for a change of flavour try 1-2 tsp coffee extract instead.
Harefield
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Harefield Village Café has been built on a reputation for excellent food, friendly service and first class hygiene and cleanliness. We are a modern busy café, conveniently located on the high street of Harefield Village. We serve great value set breakfasts all day, lunches and homemade dinners. We also have a variety of kids meals, perfect for the whole family in a friendly warm atmosphere. We can also cater for large orders, parties and special occasions. All our meals are freshly cooked to order using the freshest and finest ingredients.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Fri: 7:00 - 17:30 Saturday: 7:00 – 16:30 Sun & B.Hols: 8:00 - 16:30 Village Café 5 High Street Harefield UB9 6BX
Eat In Or Takeaway
31 Visit our website to view our full menu: www.harefieldvillagecafe.co.uk
will also be a children’s show, badgemaking, colouring and refreshments (drink and a snack for children and adults) included in the ticket price. Prebooking is required and bookings are now open! For more information and to book, visit:
You will be shown to your reserved seats on the steam train, and then ride up and down our 1/3 mile length of track as you await the arrival of Father Christmas, his elves and a big sack of presents, as they make their way along through the train! Thomas the Tank Engine will be here for the first three weekends leading up to Christmas, but he then has to return to Sodor. So for the last week end before Christmas, 17/18th December, Father Christmas will be travelling on one of our own steam locomotives. Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December Every child gets an agerelated present from Father Christmas. You can also spend time in our stunning glassroofed visitor centre with beautiful 18ft Christmas tree, shop, café and beautifully restored vintage locomotives on display. There
32
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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
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Dated Events (Nov16).qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2016 09:38 Page 1
NOVEMBER EVENTS
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! 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. 34
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
Fostering Event
Iver Parish Council Christmas Lights
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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Dale & Sons Funeral Directors Independent Family Owned Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons We provide an individual service, tailoring every funeral to the personal needs and requirements of the family. Instalment plans and low cost funerals available. After care service and bereavement counselling if required.
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Join us through December and dedicate a message in memory of loved ones by either lighting a candle or hanging a message on our xmas memory tree
Christmas Memory Tree
Christmas can be a difficult time without those we love around us. One way in which loved ones can be remembered is by leaving a personal message on our Memory Tree, and we are inviting all family and friends to participate using our Christmas star tags. The message can celebrate memories of Christmas past, recall favourite sayings or simply remember their name in writing. If you live some distance from our office then you are welcome to telephone or email your message to us and we will write the message on your behalf and place it on our tree. Families are welcome to call in and light a candle in memory of their loved ones and join us for a mince pie and cup of tea. We will still be collecting unwanted items for Michael Sobell Hospice and we are also collecting any old blankets, sheets and towels for an animal retreat , so please don’t throw them away, bring them along to us and we will put them to good use.
01895 832220 (24hr) 22 Penn Drive, Denham, UB9 5JP
Serving Denham, Harefield, Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Ruislip, Northwood, Rickmansworth, Bakers Wood, Chalfont, Maple Cross and Gerrards Cross
37
Autumn
Activities
Clothing available from Polarn O. Pyret www.polarnopyret.co.uk
It can be difficult to entertain children in the winter months. (There are only so many trips to a soft play centre your sanity will take.) If you’re stuck for something to do this weekend, maybe we can help…
Head outside
Getting kids out for some fresh air isn’t always an easy task, particularly when the weather is miserable. If the promise of puddle jumping isn’t doing the trick, these ideas might tempt them into their coats and hats: • Cut a strip of sticky-backed plastic and secure it around your child’s wrist, sticky side out. Help them collect leaves to stick on to make an autumnal bracelet. • Collect autumn leaves to make a woodland picture when you get home. Use the leaves for the body of a hedgehog, owl or Gruffalo. • If you’d rather not stray too far from the house, why not set up a treasure hunt in the garden, with a pirate map and clues to follow? For treasure you could hide some chocolate coins or a small gift. Geocaching is popular with children and adults alike. You use a smartphone to find a ‘cache’ using its GPS coordinates. There are more than 70,000 hidden across 38
the UK and popular walks can have several caches on route. Caches are usually small containers containing a logbook to sign and sometimes a small trinket, which you can swap with something of your own. You’ll need to download an app for your smartphone and visit www.geocaching.com to plan your route. Pokemon Go was a hit in the summer, and there’s nothing stopping you giving it a go now that it’s colder. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s basically a smartphone app that gets users to search for and collect digital cartoon characters. They can be anywhere, so it’s a good way to encourage the kids to head into town with you.
Get crafty
Ah - the hours of fun that can be had with an empty washing up bottle and some stickybacked plastic. The best craft activities result in something you can use again. (Children tend to get a bit annoyed when their masterpieces end up in the recycling box.) You could: • Make skittles out of empty plastic bottles. Decorate them with coloured tape or mix acrylic paint with PVA glue and paint them. • Design a T-shirt,
by Kate Duggan using tie-dye or fabric pens. • Order some cyanotype paper (also called nature print or sun paper). It acts a bit like photographic paper, but develops in sunlight. Areas not covered turn blue. Place beads, leaves, feathers etc. on the paper and put it in the sun to develop. • Cover a box with photos cut out from a magazine, to keep hair slides, pencils or knickknacks tidy.
WatcH a sHoW
Disney on Ice’s Frozen is currently on its UK tour, as is The Nutcracker and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Alternatively, why not check out a smaller, local theatre’s production? Matinee tickets often cost from as little as £5. If film is more your thing, many of the larger cinemas offer discounted tickets for family showings. Odeon Kids shows, for example, are £2.50 or less per ticket. Why not let the kids entertain the adults with a puppet show? You could make puppets, although we love the Bead Bazaar Storybook and Finger Puppets set, £15.99, and the Oskar&Ellen Doorway Theatre, £61.99.
Call us on 01753 65 11 55 info@abbottswills.co.uk
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The perfect alternative to kennels
at Christmas At Barking Mad A dog can be just for Christmas
Why not look after someone’s dog while they’re away? Become a host with Barking Mad It’s great fun, all of the benefits of dog ownership without the emotional or financial commitment. We carefully match dogs to your home.
Carole Chester 01442 832594 carole.chester@barkingmad.uk.com BarkingMad.uk.com
Let us arrange for your dog/s to stay with one of our local, carefully selected, very special families – because at Barking Mad we believe your dog deserves a holiday too! For more information, or to find out how to become a host family, please contact
Carole Chester 01442 832594 carole.chester@barkingmad.uk.com www.barkingmad.uk.com 39
Have We Become The Stuff Of Classic Comedy? by Kate McLelland If you belong to the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) you’ve probably noticed that the programmes you watched on TV when you were young are now available everywhere, with episodes on YouTube and repeats on mainstream television – not to mention the opportunity to binge on box sets. But there is a downside: gone are the days when we could watch as young people, laughing at the follies of the old. This time around we are more likely to see a reflection of ourselves. Walk into any party where Baby Boomers are gathered together, and you’ll recognise some familiar types: The Art of Grumpiness Since the character of Victor Meldrew appeared in One Foot in the Grave, we’ve turned being grumpy into an art form, with Grumpy Old Women theatre tours, Grumpy Old Men birthday cards and “grumpy” celebrities like Lord Alan Sugar. As you enter the party it won’t be hard to find a present-day Victor Meldrew. Follow the loudest voice in the room to overhear a blow-by-blow account of his latest victory over “faceless bureaucracy”. Envy Thy Neighbour The one-upmanship demonstrated by Hyacinth 40
Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances is far from dead. Last year in a survey of 1,016 UK adults, 13% said they envied a neighbour’s home, while 80% were prepared to spend £100+ on home accessories to impress the people next door. Today’s Hyacinth is likely to be the hostess of the party, standing in her perfectlyplanned kitchen, surrounded by every conceivable gadget. The canapés may have been delivered by Waitrose, but you can bet the wine came from the budget supermarket across town. Love thy Landlord We all loved to hate Rupert Rigsby in Rising Damp. Rigsby was the penny-pinching, vain, boastful and cowardly landlord who lorded it over a household of seedy bedsits. Of the two million buy-to-let landlords in the UK, many are Baby Boomers who have invested in property to supplement their pensions. Most are, of course, model landlords: but as the wine flows more freely, don’t be surprised if you overhear some less than scrupulous Boomers swapping tips about how to disguise a damp patch. Perhaps that’s why we’ve seen an almost twentyfold rise in tenants’ complaints between 2007 and
2015… Good for the planet Of course, not all of us have become grumpy, envious or dishonest in our old age. Some have learned to respect the environment and live sustainably. These are the guests who - like Tom and Barbara from The Good Life - arrive late via public transport, proffering a box of freshly-laid eggs. They love nothing better than to air their views on ‘green’ topics and you’ll enjoy chatting to these people, until they point out that your lifestyle is destroying the planet. Research suggests that we tend to grow more eccentric with age. “Younger people modify their behaviour to social norms,” says Peter Tyrer, a professor from Imperial College London. “But as people get older, there is evidence of reduced plasticity of the nervous system.” In simple terms, that means we become more set in our ways and cease to care what others think. Perhaps it’s not all bad. We feel affection for TV’s classic comedy creations precisely because of their unique and quirky character traits. Let’s hope that as we age, people will learn to love us in the same way.
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Nursery
formally Richings Park Preschool
We offer a wonderful nurturing and stimulating environment for your child. Qualified and experienced staff including an experienced EYFS teacher, helping your children learn through play. For children aged 2 – 4. Nursery funding for 2 and 3 year old. Open 9.15am - 2.15pm
Please contact email: nursery@iver-inf.bucks.sch.uk Tel:01753655104 Come and visit us at : St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park Bucks, SL0 9DD 43
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. 44
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.
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Symi
Island By Solange Hando
Just 35 minutes from Rhodes by catamaran, Symi is one of the prettiest Dodecanese islands, ‘a neo-classical beauty’, they say, ‘ blanketed by the blue sky’, rising like a sentinel on the edge of the Greek archipelago. It’s only 8x13 km but the traditional ambience and scenery simply steal your heart away. From afar, the island is a rock, barren and dry, but sail into the harbour and on the deep blue inlet of the Aegean sea, Symi greets you like a dream with all the colours of the rainbow nestling in the cusp of the hills. Shimmering reflections, pastelhued houses at the waterside, Chorio, the old village climbing up the slopes, toy-like windmills along the crest, it’s a delightful scene which budding artists aim to capture from myriad vantage points. Chorio and Yialos, the harbour, make up the capital named after the island. Stepping ashore in Yialos is awesome. In such a lovely place, where do visitors start? Some make their way along the scenic promenade around the horse-shoe harbour, others while away the time in shaded tavernas where salads and seafood come with 46
glorious views. Bells chime all around, tiny chapels beckon up interminable flights of steps and the beautiful mansions of the Italian era glow in the midday sun. At the end of the peninsula, the iconic clock tower leads to a smaller bay where pleasure and fishing boats bob at anchor and a sprinkling of parasols betrays the presence of a beach. Meanwhile downtown, a few stalls sell sponges and olive oil but beyond the harbour, it’s all tangled lanes and steps, hundreds of them, climbing up to Chorio through tightlypacked houses. It’s easy to lose all sense of direction in this never-ending maze but there are decorated gables and balconies, potted plants, secret gardens planted with vines, jasmine and citrus trees and courtyards covered in patterned pebbles, here an anchor, there a ship or a dolphin. At the top, the view opens out on the fjordlike bay of Pedi where below the rose-tinted hill tops, holly oak and conifers tumble down almost to the water’s edge. There, life moves at a leisurely pace, fishermen mend their nets on the quay and a narrow coastal path leads to the quiet cove of St Nicholas, reached
only on foot or by water taxi. St Nicholas is no exception for all along this deeply indented coastline, near-deserted coves nestle below the cliffs, lapped by clear turquoise water, with not a road in sight. There are cruises around the island, past uninhabited islets and dramatic outcrops, but the most enchanting stop along the way is the Orthodox Monastery of Panormitis down south, rebuilt Venetian-style in the 18th century and claiming the world’s highest Baroque tower. It’s dedicated to Archangel Michael, the island’s patron saint, and when day visitors have left, it’s a wonderful haven of peace framed by pine-covered hills on the edge of the sea. Approaching Panormitis by sea is magical but one can return on a mountain road reaching over 600 metres at Oros Vigla, the ‘look-out’. It’s a scenic rollercoaster through forests and open land, peppered with ruined castles, forlorn chapels, goat tracks, footpaths vanishing into the distance and unforgettable views, from the rugged meandering coast to the nearby islands and, far below, the colourful harbour of Symi bathed in translucent light.
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PROTECT YOUR HARD EARNED
ASSETS AND HOME With some simple planning we will ensure that they are fully protected so that your loved ones receive their rightful inheritance. Please consider the following five questions: 1. Have you made a will, if so when was it reviewed? 2. How can I protect my children’s inheritance? 3. How do I protect my home and assets from care costs? 4. How can I preserve my business assets for my family? 5. What if I am unable to manage my affairs?
If you feel you could benefit from a free review of your existing arrangements then please call us on 01895 675631
WELBECK CONSULTANCY Looking after you, your family and generations to follow
T: 01895 675631 F: 01895 638765 E: info@welbeckconsultants.co.uk www.welbeckconsultants.co.uk
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Health
Alcohol Awareness Week: Knowing the Risks
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
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 48
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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Home & Interiors Open Plan Living By Katherine Sorrell
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. We’ve all hankered for a large, open-plan living space – where family and friends can be relaxed and sociable together, yet do their own thing at the same time. And the key to ensuring that an open-plan room looks good and functions brilliantly is careful planning. Start by thinking about how you’ll use the space – for cooking, informal eating, entertaining, working, relaxing and so on – and divide it into appropriate areas. Just as if they were separate rooms, but without conventional dividing walls. In some cases these separate zones can be created with changes of level, but generally they’re achieved through the considered use of flooring, colour and pattern, lighting and the positioning of furniture. 50
Choosing flooring for a multi-purpose space can be problematic, as kitchens/halls need something splash-proof that can be mopped, while sitting areas ought to feel inviting and comfortable. There are two solutions. Either use different (but complementary) floorings, thus automatically creating visually distinct zones, or lay one practical flooring throughout, giving a sleek and flowing look. Stone or ceramic tiles, engineered or laminate floorboards, rubber and good quality vinyl are all suitable – simply soften with woven or fluffy rugs around your sofas and chairs to create the framework for a separate ‘living’ area. Pale colours will emphasise open, airy spaces, while darker shades are dramatic and can help make large areas feel cosy. One option in an open-plan room is to zone the scheme by using tones of one colour, going from light at one end to darker at the other. If
your space is very long and thin, painting the end walls in a deeper shade makes them appear closer, thus improving the proportions, while a neutral scheme throughout can be given matching accents of a brighter colour – say, a rug in the living area, glasses on the dining table and a couple of kitchen accessories – for a smart and interesting look. You may find that conventional furniture doesn’t work as well as expected in an open-plan space – in which case search for larger-than-average pieces, bearing in mind that they have to look good from all angles, not just the front. What you need to avoid, especially in a larger room, is placing the seating around the edges, or spacing it too far apart. Steer clear of the hospital-waitingroom or furniture-showroom look at all costs. Instead, group your seating so that sofas and chairs are sociable, either facing each other or creating a corner (modular units are good for this). If you’re starting from scratch with an open-plan design, try to include an island or peninsular unit between the kitchen and the rest of the room. That way, you get a visual break between the two zones and the cook can comfortably chat with family or guests while preparing food. Kitchen manufacturers now produce plenty of products that blend kitchen, dining and living functions, from cabinets that co-ordinate with free-standing
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or the dishwasher gurgling so, if possible, put your washing machine somewhere separate and buy super-quiet appliances.
One final point: bear in mind that sound carries, and you won’t be able to shut a door to block it out. If you’re eating dinner, watching TV or catching up on emails, you won’t want to be disturbed by the extractor fan howling
Images: (left) Dorset Purbeck reclaimed wood extendable trestle table, £499, Modish Living: 01273 499057; www. modishliving.co.uk. (right) Moments floor and wall tiles, £15.02 per square metre, Tile Mountain: 01782 223822; www.tilemountain.co.uk.
get the light right
Good lighting makes a big difference in any room, and is especially important for open-plan living, helping to zone the space and provide either strong illumination or soft ambience. Food preparation areas need bright lights, which can usually be built into the bottoms of wall-mounted cabinets or, if you have an island unit, can take the form of a ceiling-mounted track or a row of pendants. In dining and living areas, meanwhile, you’ll want flexible lighting that can be turned up or down easily. Experts advise installing a range of circuits that can be controlled by separate switches or dimmers but, unless you’re at the building-work stage, this will involve a fair bit of disruption (not to mention the extra expense). Instead, simply introduce flexibility by replacing main light switches with dimmers and plugging in a selection of table or floor lamps at strategic points.
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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 54
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.
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 55
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 56
“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?”
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“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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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 58
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
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Garden Fireworks by Pippa Greenwood
You may be planning a traditional display of fireworks on November 5th, but why not also think ahead and plant yourself a few garden fireworks?
At this time of year, there are still several stunning flowers that remind me of fireworks, such as the flamboyant red hot pokers or kniphofias, also known as torch lilies. Kniphofia ‘Brimstone’ has a rich yellowy-orange colour while the smaller ‘Little Maid’ has ivory-yellow flower spikes and reaches a height of about 2 ft (60cm). ‘Fiery Fred’ has blazing orangey-red flowers, while those of ‘Alcazar’ are bright red. Available in garden centres now, 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! Crocosmias help provide colour at this time of year, so take a look at ‘Lucifer’, with its flame-red, almost trumpetshaped flowers clustered along an elegantly arching spike, or for golden yellow flowers consider ‘Canary Bird’. The many varieties of crocosmia thrive in sun or part shade in a well drained yet also moist soil. Pot-grown plants should be 62
available for planting now or in the spring, or you can buy the corms to plant towards the end of winter; these plants will look like the ultimate elegant arching firework. If fireworks like star clusters are more your scene, think about sedums or ice plants, many of which have star-shaped flowers. Some of the sedums, such as ‘Autumn Joy’, are still just about in flower, but plant pot-grown specimens now and 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, have arching stems in great numbers surrounded by broad, almost grass-like leaves, each measuring up to 5 ft (1.5m) in length. The rich pink funnel-shaped flowers dangle and sway in the wind and keep on bobbing straight back up again, even on a windy site. Consider growing some lupins for summer, either a yellow variety or ‘My Castle’, which has rich red flowers - just like a rocket racing skywards, but far less noisy. If you want a tree but space is limited, the Kilmarnock willow, Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’, is a good option, reaching a height of about 6 ft (1.8 m) after 10 or
15 years. It has long weeping branches and bright yellow fuzzy catkins in spring, far better than any real Roman candle I know! Look around nearby gardens to see what a fantastic display autumn foliage can put on, then plant anything with good autumn colour to guarantee a glowing bonfire every autumn. Your garden centre should have a plentiful supply of shrubs and trees at this time of year. Finally, if you are having a bonfire, make it at the last minute to minimise the risk of hedgehogs or other wildlife hiding beneath the heap 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. 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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regular events... 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) 7.45-9.30pm; Judo (Seniors not 2nd Mon in month) 810pm. tues Line Dancing 10.45am1.15pm; 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) 2-5pm. All enquiries to Lynne Mogge 01895 824621 or e: hare fieldcommunitycentre@btconnect.com
Denham History society Meets 2nd Tues of the month, 7.30pm St. Marks Hall, Denham Green. Call 01895 833989 Pamela@craftygiraffe.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
Memorial Hall. Call Sandra 07867470240 Lisa 07533549072 E: lisa.sandra.fitness@gmail.com Fitsteps Cha Cha, Waltz, Quickstep or Jive at Denham Memorial Hall. Mondays 7pm and Wednesdays 10am. Call 07834 197745. info@limelightdancing.co.uk general Yoga Class Higher Denham Community Hall, Lower Road, Higher Denham, UB9 5EA. Wed 7.30-9pm. Thu 9.45-11.15am with BWY certified teacher tel: 01895 820267
Beginners rock ‘n’roll Jive Classes Every Monday at Harefield Cricket Club, UB9 6NE. Doors open 7.30pm, class 8pm. Fun & friendly, no experience or partner required. 1950s Rock n Roll record hop - 1st Friday of every month at St Mary's Church Hall, Harefield, UB9 6BX. 7.30pm-11.30pm.Call 07947 106607 the rockingrebels@gmail.com www.facebook.com/therockingrebels
HOBBIes... art Classes Drawing, pastels, oil & watercolour at New Denham Community Centre Autumn, Spring & Winter Terms Tue 1-3.30pm, Wed 12.45-3.15pm and 7.30-9.30pm. Call Tony 0207 243 3787 art smart Weekly Art Classes at Denham Village Hall. Drawing and Painting for beginn-ers and Improvers Thursdays 1.30-3.30pm. Tutor Roz Smith call 01494 670372 Chinese Brush Painting group Meets on Saturday mornings. The class is guided by an experienced tutor so no experience required! You will learn how to develop your own style as well as practicing Chinese calligraphy. Find us at Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield or call Phyllis Nash on 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com Crosier Investment Club Improve personal investment skills. Meets 7.30pm, third Thursday in month at Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AA. Call 0208 427 3559, e: secretary@crosierinvestment.org.uk w: www.crosierinvestment.org.uk
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Hillingdon natural History society Meets 1st Wed of the month, Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@ hillingdon-naturalhistory society.org.uk
Inland Waterways associations Meets 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk
uxbridge Craft Market Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk
keeP-FIt, DanCe & DraMa... aerobics Denham Village Memorial Hall. Every Mon and Wed 4.30-5.30pm Call Jean Nisbet 01895 832063 Boot Camp Fun and friendly exercise class held at a private location in Gerrards Cross. Every Mon, Tues, Fri 9.15-10am. Qualified Personal Trainer and Level 3 Contact Julie on 07769 311789 or visit: www.juliegxfit.com Bootcamp Circuit for adults (Mixed) Wednesdays, 7-8.15pm Denham Village Memorial Hall. Tel: Jayne 07968 361965 Dance, gymnastics and Free running Classes By Futunity Uk. Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles of dance from RAD ballet to Zumba. Full class listings at www.futunityuk.com. Call 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com Fitness league Tone & stretch exercises for the whole body, with dance routines to music for women of all fitness levels. Tue 7.308.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham, UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 before coming. www.thefitnessleague.com Fitness Yoga Improve flexibility, strength and balance. Monday 6-7pm at Denham Village
Harefield amateur Drama society Tuesday, 8-10pm. Park Lane Village Centre, Park Lane, Harefield. Call Tony on 01895 820672
Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Mon 9.30-10.30am, Tues 6.45-7.45pm. Wed & Fri 10-11am, Thurs 10-11am. Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Rd, Denham, Bucks Thurs 6.30-7.30pm Wendy Whitefoord, Tel: 07803 602142 e: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com ladies Only kickboxing Club Wed 6.30-8.00pm, Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Call Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e:leanne@kickboxinglondon. co.uk. www.kickboxing-london.co.uk line Dancing At Higher Denham Community Centre, Off Old Rectory Lane, Higher Denham. Mon 7-10.15pm, starts with beginners, then onto improvers and finally from 9-10.15pm, Intermediates. Contact Christina on 07952 815076, email : c.capel477@btinternet.com, website wwww.chalfontlinedanceclub.co.uk or Facebook ‘chalfontlinedanceclub’ Modern Jive Classes (Ceroc) Mon 8-11pm, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre and Tue & Thu 811pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. First Night Entry & Free Lifetime membership with this listing. Call Alan: 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 www.clubceroc.com email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com noBiz Dance Local Musical Theatre school (based in Hillingdon ) classes in all genres of dance (Street dance, Hip Hop, Rhythm Tap, Lyrical, Singing, Drama & Musical Theatre) for children aged 4-22 years. Adult Street Dance Class for more call: Giselle 07525 857171 or Lisa 07777 611012. www.nobizlikeshowbiz.co.uk. continued overleaf...
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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED... Pink Academy of DANCE Classes held daily at New Denham Community Centre. For boys & girls from 2 years to Adults. Call 01895 257553 Admin@pinkacademy. co.uk www.pinkacademy.co.uk or call
Social Line Dancing At St Marys Church Hall, Harefield Last Sat of the month 7.30-10.30pm Tia Chi Chuan An ancient art which combines deep breathing, aligned posture and relaxation with gentle movements. It can help with mental and physical stress, improve general health. Beginners welcome. Tues 8-9.30pm at Yeading Community Centre, Ditchfield Rd, Yeading, Hayes UB4 9BH. Contact David 0751 4998 674, david@ zhong-ding.com / www.zhong-ding.com
Faraday Country Music Club in Slough SL2 1RN. Country music every Thurs for listeners, western partners, freestyle, line dancers. 8-11pm. 07986 050742 or see www.faradaycountry.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 paul@stingproductions.com
Run & Fitness Session Every Friday at Tatling End Play Area, Hollybush Lane, Tatling End UB9 4HH. Meet at 9am for 9.15am - 45 minute workout to improve your Running, Fitness, Cardio, Legs and wellbeing. £5. Come and join Carmel and Steph and ‘feel the burn’ Small friendly group. All levels welcome especially beginners. For details call Carmel 07956 295511. 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
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 Simply Walk Langley & Black Parks Every Monday Langley Park, 10am Thursday Black Park, 10am. Second Sunday of month Langley Park at 11am. See www.friendsoflangleypark.co.uk Social Dancing Ballroom Latin & Sequence Harefield Community Centre, Priory Avenue, Harefield. Every Wed, 8pm. Beginners welcome. Call 01895 634674 Simply Walk in Denham First Sunday of every month. Denham Village Green 10.45am for 11am start. Approx. 90 minute walk, 2.5-3miles. Led by trained volunteers as part of a healthy walk scheme funded by Bucks County Council, local District Councils and Bucks PCT. For details of other walks call 01494 475367 or see www.buckscc.gov.uk/rightsofway
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Tea Dance Harefield Community Centre, Priory Ave on Thurs 2-4pm. All welcome. Free car parking. Call John 01895 284428
Uxbridge Musical Theatre Ruislip Conservative Club, 56-58, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7DQ. Tuesday 8-10pm. Call Phil Harrison 01895 636367 E mail@umtheatre.co.uk or see www.umtheatre.co.uk Yoga Class A holistic approach to exercise for the mind and body, suitable for beginners Mons 2.30-3.30pm at New Denham Community Centre Oxford Rd UB9 4DW. Fri's 11.30am-12.30pm at St Marks Church Hall Grenn Tiles Lane Denham UB9 5HT £2 per session 1st session FREE! info: Leon 01895 837334 leon.popplewell@gll.org Zumba Fitness Every Wednesday 8-9pm at New Denham Community Hall, Oxford Road, UB9 4DW. Call Martine 07788 563572 www.zumbadolls.co.uk Zumba Fitness with Danielle Every Monday 7-8pm at Harefield Baptist Church. Call Danielle 07989 128131. www.zumba-class.co.uk Zumba Gold For Older Active Adults. Every Friday 11am at Higher Denham Community Hall, Lower Road, Higher Denham, UB9 5EA. Call Martine 07788 563572 www.zumbadolls.co.uk Zumba with Ruddy Thurs 7-8pm, St Marks Hall Denham Green UB9 5HD and Sats 9.30-10.30am at Harefield Academy Northwood Way UB9 6ET. Call Ruddy 07901 828051
MUSIC... Drumbeatz Drum tuition for beginners by Melanie Kleyn, qualified HND, now on degree at ACM. Kids 8yrs+, ladies, 3.15-5.30pm or daytime only. Call 07757 635880 Email: drumsmel@gmail.com or text
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
Little Roars Music Classes for children aged 0-5 years. Wednesday, 10am at St Marks Church Hall, Green Tile Lane, Denham, UB9 5HT. FREE trial class. Block bookings £5 per child, siblings half price. Call Charlotte Lion 07825738414 or e: charlotte@littleroarsmusic.com Music Lessons at Little Halings Studio Piano and French Horn lessons with experienced, friendly young female teacher, Victoria Coghlan. At Little Halings Studios in Denham. All welcome. Guitar tuition is also available. Call: 07737 493980 (Victoria) E: victocoghlan@gmail.com Penny Lane Singing Lessons Monday singing classes 4-5.30pm 7yrs-12yrs and 5.30-7pm 12yrs-18yrs at Harefield Library, Park Lane, Harefield, UB9 6HW. www.pennylanesinging.com or call 07951 294044. Rickmansworth & District Ukulele Club Our friendly group welcome all players and singers, all levels, all ages. Meet second Wednesday every month, 6.30 for 7.00 at 'The Fox and Hounds', 183 High Street, Rickmansworth (free parking behind).Tel Dave 01895 823404.
Stoke Poges Singers A friendly four-part choir singing a wide variety of music. New members welcome (no auditions. The ability to read music is not essential. Rehearsals on Thursday at St Andrews Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, 7.45pm. Come along or call Naomi on 07831 217575 or Anthea on 01753 662355 The Windsor & District Big Bands Appreciation Society We meet on 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm, Datchet Hall, Horton Road, Datchet. Music of the big bands ‘40s & ‘50s Swing era. Two recitals from records, tapes & CDS, along with a raffle and sometimes there's even a live band. Call Derek Verrier on 01753 654398 continued overleaf...
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PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS CONTINUED...
Tiny Toes Childcare Full Day Care Nursery. Call 01753 655650 or tinytoes@ivercommunity.org
Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band Open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or 'brush up' your skills. Every Wed during term time 6.45-7.45pm, St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com
Activities for families with children Children aged 0-5 years offered at The Denham and Gerrards Cross Children’s Centre, Nightingale Way, Denham, Bucks. UB9 5JL. Call 01895 835967
2370 (Denham) Squadron Air Training Corps ATC HQ, Tilehouse Lane, Denham Aerodrome Denham, Bucks, UB9 5DN. Mon and Thurs 7.30-9.30pm. Recruiting 13-17 year old males and females. Call 01895 834522 (Mon & Thu only)
Karate Club of Denham For ages 5 years and up at New Denham Community Centre, Sundays 9.15-11am also at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway Wed, 5pm-7pm Tel: Dominic 07988 743725
2nd Denham Scout Group Scout Hut, The Pyghtle, Denham Green Close, Denham Green Beavers Age 6-8 Thu 5.45-7pm. Cubs Age 8-10 Wed 6.30-7.45pm Scouts Age 10-15 Friday 7-9pm Tel: Linda Batten 01753 892373 Denham & Gerrards Cross Children’s Centre Tilehouse School, Nightingale Way, Denham, UB9 5JL. Free sessions for under 5’s. Messy Play and Stay & Play sessions. Call 01895 835967. Denham Girlguides 1st Denham Rainbows (age 5-7) 4th Denham Brownies (age 7-10) 4th Denham Guides (age 10-14) For more details on meeting times visit www.gxanddenham.cfsites.org Denham Youth Club (ages 8-11 years) Higher Denham Community Hall, Lower Road, Uxbridge UB9 5EA. Thursday 6.15pm to 7.45pm. Call 01895 834313. Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Monday and Thursday 7.30-9.30pm at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) and Cadets (age 12-18 yrs). Fees £2 per week, courses from £5 for weekend. Visit us on Facebook, pop-in or email: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Tiny Talk Baby Signing Classes Tuesday classes at St Mary’s Church Hall, High Street, Harefield UB9 6BX at 10am, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Thursday classes at St Giles' Church Hall, 1 High Road, Ickenham UB10 8LE, 10am, 11.15am and 1pm, price £5.00 pre-paid per family Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ, 10.30am, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Call Bev Meier 01895 824935 or 0781 8025993
SELF DEFENCE...
Kung Fu Club West Drayton Every Tuesday 5.30-6.30, Friday 7.308.30, Sunday 5.30-6.30. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella: 07702 479 435 or 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
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 01895 637444. Slimming World New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. To register turn up at 10am, call Mandy 07879 897578
SOCIAL GROUPS...
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. Slough Plus Meet at the Tower Arms in Iver, 4th Wednesday of the month, with weekly events and weekends away. All ages 20's-60's. Visit sloughplus.weebly.com Stoke Poges Bridge Club meet at St Andrew’s Church Hall in Rogers Lane, SL2 4LN on Monday from 1.30-5.30pm for players who want to improve their game. Call 01753 642 438 www.stokepogesbridgeclub.org.uk Veterans Breakfast Club runs to help Armed Forces Veterans in West London and surrounding areas for the purpose of Comrades (old & new) 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: Lorraine Reed 07976 398533, lorraineareed@gmail.com or (exRAF) Iain Henderson, Iain115@aol.com. Women’s Social Group Social group for women. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat - open women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@seemaa.co.uk
SPORT... Denham Cricket Club Playing or social members welcome. Way & Tillard Memorial Cricket Ground, off Cheapside Lane, Denham Village. Tel: Bill Nicholas 01895 834527
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. Denham Lions 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 8pm at Denham Garden Village, Denham Green. 18+. info@denhamlions.org.uk Denham Wives Group Last Tuesday of each month at St. Mark’s Hall Denham Green 7.15pm. Contact Ann Collins 01895 833820 or acollins683@uwclub.net
Denham Village Table Tennis Club runs at the Memorial Hall every Tuesday. Junior coaching 5.30pm. £40 per term. Adults 7.30pm. We enter teams of varying standards in the local league. Contact Richard Cottle on 01895 835292.
Friendly Whist Drive Harefield Community Centre, Priory Avenue, Harefield. Every Thurs 7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Contact Lyn on 01923 820173
Harefield Archers Meets every Tues 7.30-9pm at Harefield Academy, Archery Beginners Courses run twice a year. Contact: Andy Harding secretary@harefieldarchers.co.uk
Denham Lawn Bowls Club Denham Way, (off Old Mill Lane) Denham, UB9 5AX. New members welcome. Contact: Jennifer Johns (Sec) 01895 833845 or email: jenniferjohns919@hotmail.com
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Hillingdon Theatres FP (Nov16).qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2016 08:31 Page 1
What’s on at Hillingdon Theatres in November
DK ProduKtions & London Borough of Hillingdon presents
Compass Kidz
from Sat 5 Nov 10.30am, Compass Theatre
Compass Kidz are back - and under new management! Compass Kidz are 4 to 7 year olds that learn about performance, team work and confident communication through fun drama and music activities. Classes are run by DKproDuKtions who specialise in producing quality, professional theatre productions and events including musicals, pantomimes and theatre performances, as well as running both adult and children workshops. They also co-produce the pantomime at Compass Theatre with the London Borough of Hillingdon. Sessions run on Saturday mornings at Compass Theatre during school terms from 10.30am to 11.30am. Parents / Guardians are welcome to wait in the Compass Theatre café bar during the sessions. Participants attend by booking a full term place in advance. Nov 2016 Term Place £24 (Nov: 5, 12, 19, 26). Jan-Mar 2017 Term Place £60 (Jan: 14, 21, 28 / Feb: 4, 11, 25 / Mar: 4, 11, 18, 25). Apr-Jul 2017 Term Place £66 (Apr: 22, 26 / May: 6, 13, 29, 27 / Jun: 10, 17, 24 / Jul 1, 8).
Proscenium presents
Benefactors
Wed 9 - Sat 19 Nov 7.45pm, Compass Theatre Marriages and urban renewal schemes crumble in Michael Frayn's comedy. Well-meaning architect David is forced by town planners to turn an urban development project into a high-rise monstrosity. Michael Frayn’s award-winning, sharply funny play charts the decay of love and friendship and reminds us how often liberal ideals are compromised by economic realities. Find out more about Proscenium by visiting www.proscenium.org.uk or follow @Proscenium1 on Twitter. Tickets £12.
Ruislip Dramatic Society presents
Cat's Cradle by Leslie Sands
Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov 7.45pm, Compass Theatre A gripping mystery thriller filled with suspense and startling discoveries. A village full of secrets, a kidnapping, a bride and a murder. These provide the backdrop to this gripping thriller. In a last desperate attempt to resurrect his career in the CID before retiring,
Inspector Frost reopens the unsolved case that ruined him some years earlier. With a new piece of evidence, he returns to the remote English village in which the disappearance occurred. But where he was once a welcome guest, Frost now finds he is as welcome as winter. Is this icy reception purely due to him never having solved the case? Or is there something more to this? It soon becomes apparent he is facing a conspiracy of silence and a past shrouded in mystery. But Frost presses on with results that are both startling and disquieting in this intense mystery thriller which will leave you guessing till the final curtain. Tickets £12 (concessions £1 off Wed/Thu).
Royal Air Force Music Services presents
Esprit De Corps : The Band of the RAF Regiment
Wed 23 Nov 7.30pm, Winston Churchill Theatre The second of three concerts in the Esprit De Corps Concert Series, featuring the talents of the musicians from Royal Air Force Music Services. All proceeds donated to the RAF Music Charitable Trust. Tickets £16.
Yaf Music Production Ltd presents
The Diwali Show with Amitabh Bachan Sat 26 Nov 7.30pm, Winston Churchill Theatre
A Tribute to the Living Legend - The Big B of Bollywood. Amitabh Bachan is the biggest star of Bollywood. Born in 1942, Amitabh first gained popularity in the early 1970s for movies like Zanjeer and Deewar. He became known as India's first 'angry young man' for his on-screen roles in Bollywood. Referred to as the Shahenshah of Bollywood and Star of the Millennium, he has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades. Bachchan is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.So total was his dominance of the movie scene in the 1970s and 1980s that the French director François Truffaut called him a "one-man industry". Tickets: Front £25, Rear £15, Centre £20.
Friends of Ickenham Hall presents
Compass Christmas 2016 Sun 27 Nov 4pm, Compass Theatre
The traditional Christmas concert with songs, readings and sketches from our community of local musicians and actors of all ages. With a free mince pie, this is the perfect way to warm up for Christmas. Tickets £8 / £5 concessions. For more details regarding November performances and shows see www.hillingdontheatres.uk
Winston Churchill Theatre & Hall, Pinn Way, Ruislip HA4 7QL. Compass Theatre, Glebe Avenue, Ickenham, UB10 8PD. Hillingdon Box Office: 01895 250615 boxoffice@hgfl.org.uk www.hillingdontheatres.uk 70
Willow Carpets & Flooring We won’t pull the rug from under your feet
Here at Willow Carpets & Flooring we have been in the carpet & flooring trade for
over 28 years We are a small, independent company with a team of in-house fitters who have worked with us for 20 years, ensuring we provide you with an experienced and top quality service Please give us a call or contact us for further details, it costs nothing for a free no obligation quote! FREE ESTIMATES
We specialise in Carpets, Laminates, Real Wood, Engineered Wood LVT Tiles, Safety Flooring, Wet Rooms, Vinyls and Carpet Tiles.
30 Oxford Road, Denham, UB9 4DQ Opening Times: Mon- Sat 10am - 4pm
01895 347252
www.willowcarpets.com Email : carpetsaj@btinternet.com 71
Buckingham House Care Home
Off Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 7DP Buckingham House Care Home is set in the charming town of Gerrards Cross.
The luxurious 5 star home provides residential, nursing and dementia care for 53 residents. The home features a large spacious lounge and a dining area with a small bistro area on each floor. We maintain strong links with the local community and our Activities Co-ordinator provides residents with the choice of a huge variety of creative and fun activities. We realise that anyone coming into our care homes starts a new chapter in their life, so we ensure that our staff are ready to read the book with them. ‘Memory Lane’ is fundamental to realising the needs of the people we care for.
A warm welcome awaits you so why not drop in for a coffee and a chat, our door is always open! Tel: 01753 468200 Email: Buckingham.House@mmcg.co.uk Web: www.mmcgcarehomes.co.uk
To be the best quality, most highly regarded care provider in the uk