Denham Jan 17

  

LONDON’S BIGGEST TYRE STOCKIST • WHEEL ALIGNMENT • • MOT - CAR, VAN & MOTORBIKE • • SERVICING & REPAIRS •

QUOTE “IN&AROUND” FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON 2 OR MORE RADAR TYRES WHEN PURCHASED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SERVICE OR MOT

0208 744 6929 www.unityres.co.uk

18/19 Crown Trading Centre Clayton Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1DU 

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                                                                                                            

                             

 

                                                          

                                                  

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    

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Hobbies

 Live like Tish  the Fish (Or how to keep your  goldfish happy)

By Kate McLelland Almost everyone has kept a goldfish at some time in their lives. Whether it was won as a prize at a funfair or bought as a pet, most of us have a memory of watching our fish swim around its new, watery home for the first time.

The trouble is, many of us also have a memory of our first fish dying - sometimes within weeks or months of bringing it home. Keeping goldfish is not as easy as it seems, although with proper care and attention some can live for as long as 25 years.

A record-breaking goldfish called “Tish”, from North Yorkshire, actually lived for 43 years.

Goldfish were originally found in cool streams, lakes and ponds throughout temperate parts of Asia and in parts of Eastern Europe. A small member of the carp family (which includes koi carp and crucian carp), the goldfish is a domesticated breed of the less colourful Asian carp, and the varieties you see today are the result of selective breeding that began in China thousands of years ago. 

The idea of bringing fish indoors developed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China, when a natural genetic mutation produced fish with golden scales instead of the usual silver tones. On special occasions these fish - thought to symbolise abundance were moved into bowl-shaped containers and brought indoors to greet guests before being returned to their outdoor ponds and lakes.

In the 17th century the fashion for keeping fish spread to Europe, when traders introduced goldfish to Portugal. Their colour was thought to bring luck and good fortune and it became a tradition for married men to give a fish to their wives on their first anniversary as a promise of prosperity in the years to come.

With their bright scales, varied colours and graceful moves, goldfish can make delightful pets. If you are thinking of keeping goldfish, here are some useful care tips.

Too darned hoT? Goldfish need to be kept

in clean, cool water that mirrors their original habitat of freshwater rivers, ponds and lakes. The temperature should ideally remain between 10° C to 22° C, so a heater should not normally be necessary.

It’s important to avoid sudden changes of temperature, especially when adding fresh water that is colder than the water currently in the tank.

If you are worried about temperature swings, buy a thermometer. a clean fish is a happy fish Fish from the carp family tend to produce a large amount of waste matter: releasing it through faeces and via their gills. This means that harmful toxins build up in the water, so buy a filter and make sure that it is regularly cleaned.

It’s impossible to tell whether water is healthy by just looking at it, so test the water at least every four weeks with a kit that screens for ammonia and nitrate. If waste levels are too high, you’ll need to change half the water every day until conditions improve.

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The chlorine present in tap water is dangerous to both fish and the friendly bacteria in the tank, so it is vital to add a dechlorinating product to the new water. Otherwise, let the tap water stand for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to leave.

Give me some space Researchers from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, have been tracking fish released into the country’s waterways and have discovered that goldfish can travel hundreds of kilometers in a year. They found a number of fish that had grown to the size of a football and weighed around 1.9kg (4lb).

A simple way to calculate the amount of space your goldfish needs in a tank is to allow 2 litres of water per

0.5cm of goldfish length. You should always try to provide a larger volume of water than the minimum size required, because larger tanks create more stable conditions. The RSPCA is very clear that ‘decorative’ tanks, such as goldfish bowls, are not suitable for fish. Round bowls are particularly harmful because the surface area is very small, limiting the amount of oxygen that can enter the water.

 

feed me Make sure you buy the right kind of food for your fish and never feed a goldfish with tropical fish flakes. Goldfish require a plant-based diet, whereas tropical fish need protein.

Remove food after five

minutes if it remains uneaten, as it will rot and pollute the water. If you are not sure how much to give your fish, start with a small amount, then add a little more if they still appear to be hungry.

All these guidelines may make goldfish care seem complicated - particularly if you thought you could just pop your fish into a bowl of tap water and watch it swim around. There may be a certain amount of work involved in keeping goldfish, but you’ll be rewarded by the sight of happy, healthy fish that - like Tish the Yorkshire goldfish - will live to a ripe old age. Your fish may not survive until they are over 40, but with good care they will certainly give you many years of pleasure.

       

 

 

  

Denham Against HS2

An Open Letter to the Prime Minister and her Government



Dear Mrs May It is becoming increasingly likely that HS2 (the highspeed train) will go ahead, at monstrous cost to the country and serious damage to the Colne Valley and many other communities along the route.

The Conservative government, in the absence of any credible opposition, is blindly moving ahead despite the wishes of the vast majority of the electorate.

Our experience is that anyone who is asked about HS2, other than those with a financial interest, is either uninterested, mildly opposed or passionately opposed to the project, at a time when cuts are being made every day in practically every other area of public expenditure.

The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling suggests that, as part of the new Heathrow runway development, it wold be a sensible idea to build a ramp over the M25 to avoid massive disruption of the motorway.

The projections of HS2 Ltd (which are probably under-estimated) suggest that the M25 is going to suffer that fate irrespective of the proposed construction at Heathrow. Their current forecast is 839 extra HGV movements each way every day for several years on the already overcrowded section between Junctions 16 and 17. As recently as five years ago it took an average of 20 minutes to negotiate this stretch of road: these days it often takes an hour or more.

Moreover, our local roads are already groaning under the weight of extra traffic. The A412 between Denham and Maple Cross is gridlocked every working day, even before the massive construction at West Hyde gets underway. Has anyone in power considered the additional cost of traffic standstill over a period of eight, ten or twelve years?

Mrs May, it’s not too late to reconsider and cancel this Conservative HS2 folly.

Yours sincerely

Denham Against HS2 

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                                                                                                                                                                                            

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                 

             

                                                                                              

                                                              

                                                                      

            

     

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The Wildlife Zone...FP (Jan17).qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2016 01:56 Page 1



THE WILDLIFE ZONE

SNAKELESS LANDS 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.

The Common Porpoise

I HAVE visited Ireland a few times and spent many glorious hours in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. In particular I enjoyed the magnificent scenery around Glendaloch, despite not seeing as much wildlife as I had wanted to.

However, by the end of my time there, I had seen something remarkable.

I knew that even before I set foot in Ireland that I would not see any snakes.

Legend has it that Saint Patrick drove them all away when the Celtic church brought Christ’s message to the pagan peoples.

Environmentalists believe that when the massive ice sheet and huge snow drifts of the last ice age, had melted, it triggered enormous consequences. Over many rears the volume of the kilometres thick ice shelf thawed and allowed the water to dissipate into the surrounding seas, making them rise hundreds of feet.

Eventually the seas rose so much that Britain separated from the continental shelf. Then Ireland separated from the rest of Britain as the Irish Sea was formed. It was at this time when the previous highlands of Western Britain separated, that snakes were not present in that area, and that the lack of any land bridge prevented land animals from populating the newly formed island.

However, the best wildlife moments came when I organised a boat trip around the stunning west coast. I wanted to see the magnificent seabirds and any other animals possible, such as seals. Fortunately we did see birdlife, including many species of gull, terns and even auks amongst others.

It was the members of the Auk family, in particular the razorbill and guillemot which interested me the most, bearing in mind that they seem so similar at first sight and at a distance. I have even been interested in how they got their names. The razorbill has a small white flash running across its black, blunter bill which is the most distinguishing feature of the two species. The guillemot gets its name from the French, Guillaume meaning ‘William’, and mot, meaning ‘word’. The more common guillemot has a sharper bill and browner plumage, but is often seen alongside and with their coastline cousins. I did not see the third species of the auk family, the puffin, and its comical and colourful bill; although I did have the pleasure of this in later years.

But my most euphoric moment came when a small pod of ten or so porpoises surfaced from the depths to play with us in our boats. The bobbed up and down through the rippling surface of the deep blue sea, as they played the unknown rules of their games or private competitions.

It was a glorious sight, as the sea contrasted with the colours of the rocky coastline, green pastures resting above them, the puffy white clouds and light blue sky.

Fortunately for me, these smallest of the cetacean families were in a really playful mood as they continually broke the water’s surface. The Common Porpoise, also known as the Harbour Porpoise is the smallest of the cetaceans, at about six feet in length, and is seen throughout British waters. Larger cetaceans, the dolphins (also known as the lesser whales) are also quite common, whereas the great whales are less common, but are the behemoths of the oceans.

I knew that these porpoises were toothed cetaceans, as they had to catch their prey of fish, squid and crustaceans. Their speed, blunt mouths, sharp teeth and echolocation, a type of naturally built in sonar would do this successfully.

I tried to photograph their arcing bodies as they hooped like partial circles, but failed miserably. As soon as I saw them break into the air, I lifted the camera from my lap, pointed the lens, focussed and pressed the button; but by that time, they had always vanished.

All I had was a patch of sea water in excellent focus and a blurred coastline in the distance to add interest.

I was left fuming as the pod got fed up with us, and moved on to more exciting things. I said nothing out loud, but inside I was really furious. The captain probably guessed what I was thinking and tried to make me feel better. “Remember next time that these sea mammals are almost impossible to photograph. The only thing you can do is to point the camera at where you anticipate the animals to surface, and wait until they do breach the surface.”

This proved to be a good learning time for me, as I have also used this technique with fast flying birds since then. So not only did I have a glorious time but I came away with greater skills as a wildlife photojournalist.

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The charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk 

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New Year,  New Tech, New You 

The gadgets that can help you reach your New Year goals

It’s that time of year again: gym owners rub their hands together in glee as the entire world makes New Year resolutions to sort out their health, their fitness or their looks. But while many of those gym memberships will turn out to be expensive mistakes as the initial fervour fades, a few wellchosen gadgets could keep you on the right track all year round.

Health and fitness tracking is huge in technology right now, largely because it’s still a relatively untapped market: even the best-known fitnesstracking smartwatch, the Apple Watch, has only sold a few million units. That means there are plenty of firms hoping to win over everyone from casual dieters to mountain explorers.

For the latter category, outdoor watches such as the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch are built to military specifications for toughness and deliver accurate GPS, as well as recording your hikes and climbs. If that sounds like overkill, and for most of us it probably is, the £170 Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is one of the best all-round fitness trackers for monitoring your heart rate, recording your activity and tracking GPS. It’s pretty, too - and the Misfit Ray is prettier 

still, resembling a bracelet rather than a watch. It’s half the price of the Garmin and offers good all-round fitness-tracking features. Over 2017 we’ll see a lot more wearable trackers, many of them odd: fancy a Welt, a sensor-enabled belt that tracks your steps for as long as you keep your trousers on?

If you’re more concerned about what you’re putting into your body than what you’re sweating out, smartphone apps offer all kinds of diet and lifestyle tracking - and increasingly those apps tie in with platforms such as Apple Health, WiThings’ HealthMate, Microsoft Health, Jawbone UP and many more. Platforms are designed to enable data sharing from multiple trackers, so for example Apple’s Health app can get data not just from the iPhone it’s on but also from the Apple Watch, from wireless scales and from a wide range of wired and wireless health-monitoring devices. If you haven’t already committed to a particular health-tracking platform, it’s a very good idea to check out sites such as Wareable.com to find out the latest news and rumours about the different manufacturers. For example, at the time of writing Microsoft has announced

the end of its Microsoft Band tracking device, so if you buy one now you might not be able to get a repair for it or a replacement one if it breaks. It also means that if you want to upgrade from a Band 2, there won’t be a Band 3 to fulfil your wishes.

Gadgets don’t just help you when you’re exercising or watching what you eat. They can help you when you’re asleep too. Many wearable devices such as the Fitbit Blaze and Surge, Fossil Marshal, Pebble Time and Apple Watch (via third-party apps) can monitor your sleep, gathering data to help you identify the triggers of a poor night’s sleep and the best times to set the alarm for, and the best times to head up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire. The data recorded does vary from device to device and some are more practical than others - wearing a smartwatch in bed all night means you’ll have to charge it in the morning - but the insights can be useful.

Images L to R: Casio Smart Outdoor Watch; Garmin VivoSmart HR+; Misfit Ray fitness tracker; Fossil Marshal smartwatch

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By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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Realistic Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier New Year leSS alcohol Your unrealistic resolution: “I’ll give it up entirely!” “I won’t drink at home/when I’m out/on weekdays/until Easter!” If you rarely drink, you’ll find sticking to such drastic resolutions easy. But if you rarely drink, you’re probably not making alcohol-based resolutions...

New Year resolutions sound like a great idea; a fresh year and a fresh start seem to fit together, and even if we’re determined not to make any, other people can sometimes inspire us – or shame us – into making our own.

But if resolutions are such a good idea, why do they fail so often?

Setting YourSelf up for failure At New Year, festive goodwill and New Year enthusiasm can give us a rosier view of life, tricking us into making a multitude of overly ambitious resolutions. They reverse the positive effect of goal setting by setting us up to fail - making us more likely to give up completely.

Here are some tips for turning three popular, doomed-tofailure aspirations into realistic resolutions.

More exerciSe Your unrealistic resolution: 

I’ll go to Pilates every week, walk at least two miles every weekend and do my dance DVD every Tuesday!

You haven’t managed to do any of these things every week this year - so it’s unlikely you’ll achieve all of them, every week this year. Be honest about why you don’t do them.

The activities you’ll find the motivation or time for are those you can fit in most easily and enjoy the most. a Better resolution: I’ll do an hour’s exercise every week.

Perhaps you most enjoy a walk, but bad weather puts you off? Plan to walk every weekend, but commit to doing your exercise DVD instead if the weather’s awful. Or plan to fit in the exercise DVD weekly; anything else is a bonus. While it’s not the NHS recommended amount of exercise, it’s some, and it’s consistent. You can increase it later.

Recent research shows that even low alcohol intake (well under the recommended limits of 2-3 units daily and 14 units per week) increases your risk of many serious conditions, including dementia and some cancers, so cutting back is well worth doing. But going teetotal or drastically reducing your intake may be hard if you’re a regular drinker. a Better resolution: Think about when and where you drink alcohol, and plan to reduce your intake gradually.

Here are a few strategies to try: • If you usually have 4 drinks on a night out, replace drink 3 with a large soft drink; it may last you the rest of the evening, halving your alcohol intake.

• Match every alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

• Find other ways to relax if you always have a drink on your return from work, and try to make it a Friday-only treat (or reduce your measure).

Feeling you ‘need’ a drink is a warning sign – a first step on a potentially dangerous path.

Consider if you need to make changes in your work life.

• If you drink wine with dinner

change tothis, the every housenight, and organise but alternate it really isnights worth(or thealternate effort it withease non-alcoholic for the of findingwine). things • Swap later on). some Neveralcoholic say: ‘I’vedrinks got lowwhat alcohol thisfor box, shallorI nonput in alternatives.

They’ve it?’ alcoholic Instead, match the size a long and there’s andcome shape of theway container to now a large range. what’s being kept inside (in other words, find small, lidded no SMoking boxes things like Lego Your for unrealistic resolution: and big squishy baskets for “I smoke 30 a day, but I’m teddy Storeatas much givingbears). up forever midnight, asDecember possible near 31st!”to where it’s most needed, quicker but don’t It’s probably to store list frequently items belowor not aggravated conditionsused knee levelbyorsmoking above shoulder caused than to list height, especially if they’re those that are - and it can be hard to accept you’re addicted heavy.

Avoid storing things tosurfaces nicotine. such But inas reality, on tableswhen crave a cigarette to ‘calm oryou desks – they’re where you yourtonerves’ that twitchiness want put things while you’re you feel isthem, a symptom of organising not keep withdrawal, which can come on them there afterwards. And very quickly with nicotine. allow yourself room to expand can make – This but only within smoking reason. Ifa you

hardallowed habit to extra kick, particularly cigarette lingering in the have space, and you can easily assess which if you’re moderate air (second-hand smoke) then filledait… it’s timeortoheavy start items you never wear.

You – and while a few and settling surfaces, allsmoker over again. could try the on same idea people do succeed in going where they are re-released in the kitchen (turn the Easy ways to banish clutter ‘cold turkey’, the most reliable (third-hand smoke), soinyou’ll handles of your mugs one • and Write a list of way where you angst-free is to reduce be improving the health of direction, put glasses upside your intakeStart gradually housemates and visitors too. wantnicotine to declutter. with down, and so on), the (and/or tackleor your intake). • Swap to e-cigarettes or the hardest thetoxin easiest playroom, the living room… the important thing is that A–Better Resolution: Pick or vaporisers; you’ll be inhaling • Make it a but family you nowthe know what strategies you combine cut-back nicotine, not competition. cigarette Who will be the fastest to below to suit you, and if one toxins such as cyanide and need to do. find three things to throw doesn’t work, try another. arsenic.

• Have an intensive declutter to give • workout Visit your GP,spend who can • away, Smokethree to a things timed schedule and just five away and three things prescribe some nicotine and gradually increaseto the minutes clearing as much as tidy Offer prizes as replacement products and timeaway? between cigarettes. you can in one area. You’ll necessary. refer you to counselling.

Even if you smoke 25 a be amazed at the difference You can also buy nicotine day and only dropisone daily • If what you need some you can make. Repeat as replacement products cigarette perdecluttering, fortnight, you’ll emergency often as youand can.see what experiment still be a non-smoker in under there’s no shame in popping works best for you.

Some a year.

• Not sure which clothes to are everything into a big box particularly suitable forall heavy get rid of? Hang them ‘Resolution’ an array and hiding has it somewhere smokers. with the hooks facing one ofuntil scientific and historical you have time to go you make wear • way.

If youEvery don’ttime already, meanings, one of which is through it properly. yourself smoke outside. ‘reduction to a simpler form’. So something, re-hang it with Main Image: Mazeballs bed, It takes effort keep your resolutions simple the hookmore facing the and opposite £625, Loaf: 0845 468 0698; prevents toxins from your – and realistic! way. After, say, six months, www.loaf.com

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Beauty Beauty Resolutions

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

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It seems you can barely pick up a magazine without reading about another new skincare ‘miracle worker’, from skin softeners and beauty essences, to micellar water.

Most of these are ‘nice to haves’ rather than essentials. If you are looking to up your skin care regime though, I’d recommend adding a serum. They’re more concentrated than a moisturiser, and designed to target specific concerns, from fine lines to blemishes.

French brand Ekia’s Sérum Fermeté – Highly Active Firming Serum, is designed to tighten and lift skin.

The ‘magic ingredient’, a tree extract called dragon’s blood sap, is said to help firm skin, smooth fine lines, increase moisture and aid skin renewal. My skin certainly felt tighter and more hydrated after using the 

serum. £48.99 from www.hollandandbarrett. com.

It’s easy to get stuck in a perfume rut. Rather than play it safe with your favourite scent, why not head to a local perfume shop and try a few new ones? Ideally, spritz a perfume on a card first. If you like the scent immediately, and still do after half an hour, then try it directly on your skin.

Fragrance is designed to change over time, so don’t just spray, sniff and buy. Give it time to show you what it’s made of. Van Cleef & Arpels So First (from £32) is a nice one to try. Light, fresh and feminine, it’s bursting with floral notes, such as freesia and frangipani, with a warm base of vanilla and sandalwood.

Many of us are guilty of splashing out on top of the range hair straighteners and styling products, then throwing whatever shampoo and conditioner is on offer in our basket. My top hair care recommendation is to go for a gentler, decent shampoo and conditioner. Personally, I avoid any that contain sodium lauryl sulphate, as I find it leaves my hair dry and brittle.

JASÖN do some great haircare products, priced from around £6.50 for a half-litre bottle that will last for ages. If you’re looking to treat yourself however, I can recommend Saach Organics Hair Strengthening Shampoo and Nourishment Conditioner.

They’re packed with nourishing natural ingredients, such as almond oil, coconut milk and hibiscus, and leave my highlighted hair feeling soft and healthy.

Prices start from £9.95 at www. saachorganics.com.

Makeup bags and brushes can be a bit of a breeding ground for bacteria, and that can lead to spots and skin irritation.

So if you haven’t given them a wash for a while, now’s the time. Clean brushes with a gentle hand wash or baby shampoo, pat them dry and then leave to air dry.

Alternatively, if they’re looking a bit worse for wear, treat yourself to some new ones. The Nanshy range is a good choice. They’re made with premium synthetic fibres (so cruelty-free), assembled by hand and rigorously tested.

They’re also lovely and soft and great for blending. Nanshy brushes start from £5.95 at www. myshowcase.com.

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Health  Fussy

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

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Realistic Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier New Year

Eaters

Ah, fussy eaters. Don’t you just love them? And don’t you just love those parents who gloatingly tell you that their child eats whatever they’re given, or goes to bed hungry? (Obviously these people have never been woken up at 3am by wails of, “I’m soYear hungry.

Please sound can I like New resolutions have some porridge?”) a great idea; a fresh year and a fresh start seem to fit together, Remember the days when your andwould even ifeat we’re kids mostdetermined things, not to make any,blended other people as long as it was with can sometimes inspire us – or carrot?

Or when you smiled shamebecause us – intoyour making smugly nineour own. old would happily chew month But if resolutions are such on broccoli?

It’s like they hit atwo good idea, why do theybuds fail so and then develop taste often? that despise anything other than pasta, YourSelf bread and sweets.

Setting up for Forget five a day, sometimes failure you wonder whether child At New Year, festiveyour goodwill has much as a grapeandeaten New so Year enthusiasm sized portion fruit and can give us aofrosier viewveg of all week.

If you’re your wits end life, tricking usatinto making a multitude overly trying to getofthem toambitious eat some resolutions.these They tips reverse vegetables, mightthe positive just help. effect of goal setting by setting us up to fail - making We know it’s winter, but there us more likely to give up are few kids who’ll refuse completely. ice-cream or lollies, even if it’s Here areoutside. some tips turning snowing Try for blending three popular, two small frozendoomed-tobananas failure aspirations into realistic with a couple of handfuls of resolutions. frozen raspberries or mixed More fruit, andexerciSe about a third of a cup unrealistic ofYour yoghurt.

It makesresolution: a great 

ice-cream and uses up those bananas the kids have been turning their noses up at. Or, even simpler, buy a readymade smoothie, pour it into lolly moulds and freeze.

While too much fruit juice isn’t great for a child’s teeth, one I’ll goistofine.

Pilates every week, glass Ideally, give it to walk with at least two miles them a meal.

Keep every an weekend do juices my dance eye out forand mixed and DVD everytoo.

Tuesday! smoothies (Some even have added multivitamins.)

You haven’t managed to do any of these thingsbelief, every week Contrary to popular thisallyear so it’s unlikely you’ll not kids- like tomato-based achieveMost all ofdo them, every sauces. however. week this year. Beare honest Cooked tomatoes even about why you don’t healthier than raw, so do try them.

The activities you’ll of find the whizzing up a batch sauce motivation or timeveggies. for are those with a few hidden you can fit in most easily andof Cook a couple of cans worth enjoy thetomatoes, most. chopped along with

a Better resolution: I’ll do an some salad peppers, carrots, hour’s every week. leek andexercise any other vegetables you have languishing in the Perhaps you most enjoy a fridge.

Youbad canweather add a tiny bit walk, but puts ofyou sugar you to want. off?ifPlan walkBlend every until smoothbut if your kidstoare weekend, commit doing particularly fussy, then use itif your exercise DVD instead as a weather’s pasta sauce, or add it to to the awful.

Or plan mince to make bolognaise, or fit in the exercise DVD weekly; cottage pie.

Freeze what you anything else is a bonus.

While don’t usethe – it’ll keep for months. it’s not NHS recommended amount of exercise, some, You can also disguiseit’s veggies it’sways. consistent.

You can inand other Cauliflower increase later. mixes wellitwith potato for

leSS alcohol

Your unrealistic resolution: “I’ll give it up entirely!” “I won’t drink at home/when I’m out/on weekdays/until Easter!”

If you

by Kate Duggan rarely drink, you’ll find sticking to such drastic resolutions easy. But if you rarely drink, you’re probably not making alcohol-based resolutions... example. Or try finely slicing research shows that a Recent sweet potato, tossing it in even intake (well olive oillow andalcohol roasting it to make under the recommended ‘intergalactic orange crisps’.limits (It’s daily and 14 units allofin2-3 theunits name.) per week) increases your risk Kids often serious prefer raw of many conditions, vegetables to cooked.and Yousome including dementia could offer so them raw carrot, cancers, cutting back is well cucumber andBut salad pepper worth doing. going teetotal crudities as a side dish or or drastically reducing your snack. intake may be hard if you’re a regular drinker.

Some kids will surprise you by loving quiteresolution: strong flavours. a Better Think (Mine madand for where olives for aboutgo when you example.)

And and strong flavours drink alcohol, plan to can be great masking the reduce your for intake gradually. taste vegetables.

So try to try: Hereofare a few strategies pesto, garlic or mild curry.

• If you usually have 4 drinks

on a night replacesome drink Children also out, like having 3 withYou a large drink; control. couldsoft give themit may last vegetables you the restsome of the a list of five evening, halving alcohol days, and ask them your to choose twointake. for dinner. Or start a reward chart where theyalcoholic get a sticker • Match every drink for with eachatype vegetable they soft of drink. eat that other week.ways And try setting • Find to relax if you outalways varioushave raw veg with a drink ontortilla your wraps andfrom letting them return work, andmake try to fajitas.

Oritdoing the same with make a Friday-only treat pizza (or bases. reduce your measure).

Feeling youfails, ‘need’ drink is a When all else myafussy a first fivewarning year oldsign will –eat moststep on a potentially dangerous things if I pretend it’s a fish path. that Consider make doesn’t wantiftoyou be need eaten,toand changes yourthings work we life.do he’s a shark.inThe as parents…

• If you drink wine with dinner

every night, change to alternate nights (or alternate it with non-alcoholic wine).

• Swap some alcoholic drinks for low alcohol or nonalcoholic alternatives. They’ve come a long way and there’s now a large range.

hard habit to kick, particularly if you’re a moderate or heavy smoker – and while a few people do succeed in going ‘cold turkey’, the most reliable and angst-free way is to reduce your nicotine intake gradually (and/or tackle your toxin intake).

cigarette lingering in the air (second-hand smoke) and settling on surfaces, where they are re-released (third-hand smoke), so you’ll be improving the health of housemates and visitors too.

• Swap to e-cigarettes or A Better Resolution: Pick or vaporisers; you’ll be inhaling no SMoking Parkway, combine Hillingdon, Middlesex, 9JXbut not cigarette the cut-back strategies UB10 nicotine, Your unrealisticIndependent resolution: below to suit you, and if one toxins School for boys and girls aged such 3 - as 11cyanide and “I smoke 30 a day, but I’m doesn’t work, try another. arsenic. giving up forever at midnight, • Visit your GP, who can • Smoke to a timed schedule December 31st!” prescribe some nicotine and gradually increase the It’s probably quicker to list replacement products and time between cigarettes. conditions not aggravated or refer you to counselling.

Even if you smoke 25 a caused by smoking than to list You can also buy nicotine day and only drop one daily those that are - and it can be replacement products cigarette per fortnight, you’ll hard to accept you’re addicted experiment and see what still be a non-smoker in under to nicotine. But in reality, when works best for you. Some are a year. you crave a cigarette to ‘calm particularly suitable for heavy ‘Resolution’ has an array your nerves’ that twitchiness smokers. of scientific and historical you feel is a symptom of • If you don’t already, make meanings, one of which is withdrawal, which can come on yourself smoke outside. ‘reduction to a simpler form’. So very quickly with nicotine.

It takes more effort and keep your resolutions simple This can make smoking a prevents toxins from your – and realistic!

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Ickenham OPINION (Jan17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 19/12/2016 11:46 Page 1

Motoring  This Time OPINION

By James Baggott



Ferrari California T Handling Speciale

It’s War

THe following is a complicated tale of floods, fallen leaves and traffic wardens. It’s been a while since something happened that made my blood boil, but this situation more than made up for the wait.

and you lose all rear legroom – which means even carrying a five-year-old requires the front seat passengers to perform some gymnastics for cars by 8.30 the next morning so the council could come theleaves. journey. The boot is pretty along and sweep up the cramped too. If you don’t want The next day, most people went to work taking their cars to use the roof, you get a little with them. I moved my car and parked on a patch of waste more space, but if you do then ground up the road. Because they were away or whatever, you’ll be restricted to two small some people didn’t get the memo and left their cars where at best. Weekly shopper, they were. Anyway,bags a road-sweeper duly arrived and thisand isn’t. cleared up all the leaves it had stopped raining hours

Three years ago, my town was ravaged by severe flooding. Well over 200 homes were flooded and mine was one of them. The flooding was caused beforehand anyway. That shouldthe havewheeL been that, except… by a torrential downpour, the heaviest the Met Behind Office has ever recorded. You would think that it Some other people For who long didn’tdistance get the memo were the motorway could be written off as a freak event but, town’s ever industrious traffic the wardens.

I have never journeys, California T HS unfortunately, something very similar happened worked out if traffic is wardens get commission on every a comfortable companion.

Meet the California T HS to drive. thethey louder seven years earlier.

People were angry; whyEven was with ticket write or maybe warden who writes the most The the 552bhp turbo-charged V8 – the tweaked ofafter the the first exhaust system tickets on thiswins HSan all-expenses somethingversion not done flood? They paid trip to Butlins. Whatever has impressive breadth to its manufacturer’s folding model, on the road wanted someone to hard-top blame and God doesn’t have it is,we theyfound clearlyitsaw an opportunity which inflamed their power delivery and although familytoFerrari.

With two seats just a little too quiet. stand for re-election.

The “authorities” wound penalty notice issuing zeal. Every car left parked on the road the feeling of acceleration as the scapegoat and an organisation in the up back for small children In fact, wewas foundgot thea yellow polythene bag affixed to the windscreen, even is somewhat numbed in the to force them lump to do something about it. and a formed V8 turbo-charged though there was no parking restriction in place when they California lacked a lot of the

cabin, it can hit 60mph in just up front, thewith convertible parked As isthis the is way such things, what started out excitement you’dwere expect to the previous day. They visited my patch of 3.6decided seconds. waste ground too, and thatSadly, my car the wasturbo fine but Italianassupercar for those thatpopulist an anti-establishment movement find in a Ferrari – despite engine loses some of the of a the one next to it was committing an offence worthy need to carryformed more athan one followed quickly committee by some performance its impressive charms of a normally aspirated fine.feel working parties steering significant other.

Newand for the the occasional credentials it just£70 didn’t – itannoying may offer improved group.

In the meantime, the authorities finally gotas we’d Handling Speciale model are It is hard to say what unit is more about this tale, the as involving hoped. performance, but lacks some of finger out and earmarked That severalsaid, million some their stiffer springs, louder bloody of the parking wardens or the it wassheer certainly a mindedness the pleasureI you pounds buildever-soflood defences. The committeecompanion hystericalover overreaction ofaural the committee. have expect no doubt exhaust and to some comfortable left looking for–a for purpose in life. from a Ferrari. that failed every ticket wrote could be successfully subtlewas design tweaks distance and never to the wardens appealed, we but I’m sure most people just paid the discounted whichBut you’ll be an charged £5,568 then, emergency camedraw along.

Some whenever a crowd Those stiffer springs and louder fine, rather risk getting stuck with the full £70 fallen from the trees, does tend to The£35 to addleaves to anhad ever-expanding list as parked it up. quality of its thanexhaust come into play when penalty and go to a lot of trouble besides. What happen in the autumn. It was also raining quite question of options. build is without toohaving toyou select the ‘Sport’ setting should have been a shining example of a community hard, an event that is also not –unheard of demonstrated in perfectly with on the Manettino switch on the Looks and image working roof together to avert a potential disaster has ended in November.

The town was in deadly peril - the dramatic a wonderfully steeringPerhaps wheel.traffic Hit the bumpy The California is aimed at drains and, bitterness and recriminations. wardens who leaves could block the before you mechanism. road button on the steering a certain type of buyer and issue too many illegal tickets should be sacked.

One thing’s know it, we would all be up to our necks in too, and you’ll beget a new space and practicaLity as such it has the The ability to for sure, the memberswheel of the committee need to muddy water. committee swung into action compliant ridea OK,cleaning. so a Ferrari isn’t going to they rewarded disappoint behind the wheel, street hobby.

Maybe could walkwith the astreets wearing and organised an emergency In that’s just win any awards sandwich board proclaiming “Theabout End is perfect Nigh!” for our unlessthe you drive it inevening, context. dark of the cones were put ataccessibility the rutted roads. A parking camera like a through Citroen Berlingo might, This isside a GT car road designed for of the and notices pushed Howard Clemmow makes backing the Ferrari this is a sports car letterboxes, asking residentshowever to move their comfort, looks and kerbthe appeal into spaces a pretty simple and comes with sports car above driving entertainment, compromises. Put the front affair and despite its sports car unlike its thoroughbred 488 seats back to anything less credentials the visibility isn’t too stablemate. That means it’s more comfortable than exciting than a knee crushing position bad either. 

VaLue for money Ferrari’s standard system isn’t for sure. It’s not as emotive to The California T Handling a match for the likes of Audi drive either – more functional Speciale costs £155,244 – or Porsche, so the addition of long-distance GT than out and pitching it against the Audi R8 Apple’s integrated software is out sports car.

Spyder and Porsche 911 Turbo well worth selecting.

However, for families that Cabriolet. But that base price need flexible space, want who wouLd Buy one? soon increases once you start the style of a convertible but California buyers are family ticking some options boxes. with the added refinement men or women who need Two tone exterior (£4,320), of a folding hard top, and for the occasional flexibility carbon fibre dash inserts whom anything less than a of carrying more than one 74 Oxford Road, Middx, UB9 4DN (£3,744), Scuderia Ferrari sideNew Denham Uxbridge, Ferrari badge simply won’t do, passenger. OK, so that might shields (£1,056) and front and the California will hit the spot. mean compromising on space rear parking cameras (£4,032) Throw in the fact the Handling for everyone, but at least the are just a few of the options Speciale pack looks like a option is there should they that can soon add up. In fact, bargain when compared to the need it. our test car had no less than other options on the list and 29 options added – including buyers would be simply foolish Verdict titanium wheel bolts at £1,810 not to opt for the HS option It’s hard not to be a little – which pushed the purchase when signing the order form. disappointed by the driving price up to a staggering thrills the California fails to £215,011. That’s a whopping serve up, though what that’s £59,767 on extras. down to is difficult to pinpoint.

TANDOORI RESTAURANT 

 01895 239503 

Website: www.maya-tandoori.com Email: info@maya-tandoori.com

One well worth adding, though, is Apple CarPlay (£2,400) which makes the infotainment system far more usable.

The turbo-charged engine isn’t as evocative as it could be: the sound certainly lacks the excitement of a Ferrari, that’s

Sunday Buffet

Tuesday Gourmet Night

12 Noon - 10pm (All Day) A variety of freshly prepared vegetarian & non vegetarian dishes

£10.95 (Eat in only)

£7.95 adult £4.50 children under 12

Takeaway Offer

Starter Main Course Side Dish Naan or Rice (any seafood £3.50 extra)

Restaurant Offer

15% Off when you order over £25. Collection only

15% Off when you book a table for 4 or more FOOD ONLY

Bring this voucher with you.

Bring this voucher with you.

Not to be used in Conjunction with any other offer

Not to be used in Conjunction with any other offer 

   

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  

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   

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                 

         

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PROTECT YOUR  HARD EARNED  HOME ASSETS AND 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 

Karen Munro Careers (Jan17).qxp_Layout 1 19/12/2016 01:16 Page 1

KAREN MUNRO MAC RCDP Career Coach www.munrocareers.co.uk

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twitter - @munrocareers facebook - munrocareers

Karen is a professional and qualified Careers Practitioner and Trainer who provides support in all aspects of Career Development and Transition including effective CV Coaching, Interview Skills and Networking Techniques.

A member of the Association of Coaching and registered with the Careers Professional Alliance, she works with both private and business clients around London and the South East who are looking for career change, direction, motivation and support.

She works as an Associate Career Coach for a number of organisations including Personal Career Management Ltd and is part of the MOD contract providing career support and guidance to Military Personnel transitioning in to civilian life.

Karen contributes to ‘In and Around’ every month sharing her practical knowledge and wealth of experience with her local community.

Embracing the right now...

JANUARY is a great time for reflection on the year that has passed. However, it can also be a time to look back with regret about the things you haven’t been able to accomplish or achieve and can it can become a difficult time of year for many of us.

from changing your attitude to work, approaching things differently as well as taking on additional responsibilities to make your job more enjoyable.

Remember, “If you love your job, you’ll never work another day in your life.”

If you’re looking for a promotion, embrace it as a new challenge and use everything you’ve learnt about your job and yourself over the last 12 months to help you seek more responsibility and new opportunities.

Finally, you might want a new job or even a complete career change. Perhaps the one thing you’ve learnt about yourself over the past 12 months was that you didn’t actually want to do the same job any more.

However, January should be a time to embrace where you are right now.

Remember how you got here. Was it through hard work, talent, good or bad luck, playing it safe or perhaps from taking risks? Chances are, it was a bit of everything and it’s important to recognise that everything you did had a consequence - it got you to where you are right now.

It’s important to take responsibility for your actions and to learn from your mistakes.

What did you learn about yourself last year? How can you use it to improve your focus for the year ahead?

January is notorious for being the month when people make a concerted effort to improve things, do things differently or even change direction.

You may be looking to improve your current job, get a promotion or even get a brand new job or career.

Improving your job may be about a range of things 

Changing your career can feel like a huge hurdle and most people will think about it, perhaps even talk about it but will find it more challenging actually making it happen.

Change takes time and dedication.

Time? Because in order to achieve it you need to map out a path towards your goal and start to break down the steps you need to take to get you there.

Dedication? Because if you really want to take that journey and change your career you have to dedicate your efforts towards what you want to achieve.

Making peace with the past can help you embrace the future.

Wishing all my readers and followers a very happy and prosperous 2017.

Karen munrocareers

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Smart motorways rack up £450,000 from speeding fines. Are you next?

by Caroline Dunne Consultant IBB Solicitors caroline.dunne@ibblaw.co.uk

Speeding is one of the most common and dangerous acts a driver can commit behind the wheel.

In 2015 over 52,000 drivers were issued fixed penalties on 11 stretches of the motorway including M1, M25 and M6. In comparison only 2,023 drivers were caught on the same stretches in 2011 - before the upgrade to smart motorways.

The £6 billion pound investment in smart motorways has resulted in the “safest motorways on the network”. according to Shaun Pidcock, a spokesman for Department of Transport.

For speeding drivers, it means there is a higher risk of being caught. This can result in an immediate fine and points on your license.

Smart motorways manage the traffic flow through various speed limits and opening the hard shoulder during busy times.

Already, almost 240 miles of motorways have been incorporated into smart motorways and a further 200 miles are either planned or under-construction.

Driving penalties can be costly and emotionally draining so it is important that receive the support you need from family, friends and even the right legal expert.

Today, smart motorways catch more than 1,000 drivers speeding every week.

At IBB Solicitors we have solicitors who specialise in road traffic law and advise individuals and employers facing charges relating to speeding. Our goal is to help you understand the charges, advance any defence and support you if you go to court.

On the M1 motorway in Nottingham, police issued 8,489 tickets; an equivalent of nearly £450,000 worth of fines.

If you are facing any charges relating to speeding , we are here to help.

Call us on 0330 999 4999 at any time if you are charged with a speeding offence or email us on roadtraffic@ibblaw.co.uk. 

 Motoring 

By James Baggott

Ferrari California T Handling Speciale

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Meet the California T HS – the tweaked version of the manufacturer’s folding hard-top family Ferrari. With two seats in the back for small children and a V8 turbo-charged lump up front, this is the convertible Italian supercar for those that need to carry more than one significant other. New for the Handling Speciale model are some stiffer springs, louder exhaust and some ever-sosubtle design tweaks – for which you’ll be charged £5,568 to add to an ever-expanding list of options.

Looks and image The California is aimed at a certain type of buyer and as such it has the ability to disappoint behind the wheel, unless you drive it in context.

This is a GT car designed for comfort, looks and kerb appeal above driving entertainment, unlike its thoroughbred 488 stablemate. That means it’s more comfortable than exciting 

to drive. Even with the louder exhaust system on this HS model, on the road we found it just a little too quiet.

In fact, we found the California lacked a lot of the excitement you’d expect to find in a Ferrari – despite its impressive performance credentials it just didn’t feel as involving as we’d hoped.

That said, it was certainly a comfortable companion over distance and never failed to draw a crowd whenever we parked it up. The quality of its build is without question too – perfectly demonstrated with a wonderfully dramatic roof mechanism. space and practicaLity OK, so a Ferrari isn’t going to win any accessibility awards like a Citroen Berlingo might, however this is a sports car and comes with sports car compromises. Put the front seats back to anything less than a knee crushing position

and you lose all rear legroom – which means even carrying a five-year-old requires the front seat passengers to perform some gymnastics for the journey. The boot is pretty cramped too. If you don’t want to use the roof, you get a little more space, but if you do then you’ll be restricted to two small bags at best. Weekly shopper, this isn’t.

Behind the wheeL For long distance motorway journeys, the California T HS is a comfortable companion.

The 552bhp turbo-charged V8 has impressive breadth to its power delivery and although the feeling of acceleration is somewhat numbed in the cabin, it can hit 60mph in just 3.6 seconds. Sadly, the turbo engine loses some of the charms of a normally aspirated unit – it may offer improved performance, but lacks some of the aural pleasure you expect from a Ferrari.

Those stiffer springs and louder exhaust come into play when you select the ‘Sport’ setting on the Manettino switch on the steering wheel. Hit the bumpy road button on the steering wheel too, and you’ll be rewarded with a compliant ride that’s just about perfect for our rutted roads. A parking camera makes backing the Ferrari into spaces a pretty simple affair and despite its sports car credentials the visibility isn’t too bad either.

S

VaLue for money The California T Handling Speciale costs £155,244 – pitching it against the Audi R8 Spyder and Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. But that base price soon increases once you start ticking some options boxes.

Two tone exterior (£4,320), carbon fibre dash inserts (£3,744), Scuderia Ferrari side shields (£1,056) and front and rear parking cameras (£4,032) are just a few of the options that can soon add up. In fact, our test car had no less than 29 options added – including titanium wheel bolts at £1,810 – which pushed the purchase price up to a staggering £215,011. That’s a whopping £59,767 on extras.

One well worth adding, though, is Apple CarPlay (£2,400) which makes the infotainment system far more usable.

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Ferrari’s standard system isn’t a match for the likes of Audi or Porsche, so the addition of Apple’s integrated software is well worth selecting.

who wouLd Buy one?

California buyers are family men or women who need the occasional flexibility of carrying more than one passenger. OK, so that might mean compromising on space for everyone, but at least the option is there should they need it.

Verdict It’s hard not to be a little disappointed by the driving thrills the California fails to serve up, though what that’s down to is difficult to pinpoint.

The turbo-charged engine isn’t as evocative as it could be: the sound certainly lacks the excitement of a Ferrari, that’s

for sure. It’s not as emotive to drive either – more functional long-distance GT than out and out sports car.

However, for families that need flexible space, want the style of a convertible but with the added refinement of a folding hard top, and for whom anything less than a Ferrari badge simply won’t do, the California will hit the spot.

Throw in the fact the Handling Speciale pack looks like a bargain when compared to the other options on the list and buyers would be simply foolish not to opt for the HS option when signing the order form.

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 Health 

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

Realistic Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier New Year

 

leSS alcohol Your unrealistic resolution: “I’ll give it up entirely!” “I won’t drink at home/when I’m out/on weekdays/until Easter!” If you rarely drink, you’ll find sticking to such drastic resolutions easy. But if you rarely drink, you’re probably not making alcohol-based resolutions...

New Year resolutions sound like a great idea; a fresh year and a fresh start seem to fit together, and even if we’re determined not to make any, other people can sometimes inspire us – or shame us – into making our own.

But if resolutions are such a good idea, why do they fail so often?

Setting YourSelf up for failure At New Year, festive goodwill and New Year enthusiasm can give us a rosier view of life, tricking us into making a multitude of overly ambitious resolutions. They reverse the positive effect of goal setting by setting us up to fail - making us more likely to give up completely.

Here are some tips for turning three popular, doomed-tofailure aspirations into realistic resolutions.

More exerciSe Your unrealistic resolution: 

I’ll go to Pilates every week, walk at least two miles every weekend and do my dance DVD every Tuesday!

You haven’t managed to do any of these things every week this year - so it’s unlikely you’ll achieve all of them, every week this year. Be honest about why you don’t do them.

The activities you’ll find the motivation or time for are those you can fit in most easily and enjoy the most. a Better resolution: I’ll do an hour’s exercise every week.

Perhaps you most enjoy a walk, but bad weather puts you off? Plan to walk every weekend, but commit to doing your exercise DVD instead if the weather’s awful. Or plan to fit in the exercise DVD weekly; anything else is a bonus. While it’s not the NHS recommended amount of exercise, it’s some, and it’s consistent. You can increase it later.

Recent research shows that even low alcohol intake (well under the recommended limits of 2-3 units daily and 14 units per week) increases your risk of many serious conditions, including dementia and some cancers, so cutting back is well worth doing. But going teetotal or drastically reducing your intake may be hard if you’re a regular drinker. a Better resolution: Think about when and where you drink alcohol, and plan to reduce your intake gradually.

Here are a few strategies to try: • If you usually have 4 drinks on a night out, replace drink 3 with a large soft drink; it may last you the rest of the evening, halving your alcohol intake.

• Match every alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

• Find other ways to relax if you always have a drink on your return from work, and try to make it a Friday-only treat (or reduce your measure).

Feeling you ‘need’ a drink is a warning sign – a first step on a potentially dangerous path.

Consider if you need to make changes in your work life.

• If you drink wine with dinner

   

every night, change to alternate nights (or alternate it with non-alcoholic wine).

• Swap some alcoholic drinks for low alcohol or nonalcoholic alternatives. They’ve come a long way and there’s now a large range. no SMoking

Your unrealistic resolution: “I smoke 30 a day, but I’m giving up forever at midnight, December 31st!”

It’s probably quicker to list conditions not aggravated or caused by smoking than to list those that are - and it can be hard to accept you’re addicted to nicotine. But in reality, when you crave a cigarette to ‘calm your nerves’ that twitchiness you feel is a symptom of withdrawal, which can come on very quickly with nicotine.

This can make smoking a

hard habit to kick, particularly if you’re a moderate or heavy smoker – and while a few people do succeed in going ‘cold turkey’, the most reliable and angst-free way is to reduce your nicotine intake gradually (and/or tackle your toxin intake).

A Better Resolution: Pick or combine the cut-back strategies below to suit you, and if one doesn’t work, try another.

• Visit your GP, who can prescribe some nicotine replacement products and refer you to counselling.

You can also buy nicotine replacement products experiment and see what works best for you. Some are particularly suitable for heavy smokers.

• If you don’t already, make yourself smoke outside.

It takes more effort and prevents toxins from your

cigarette lingering in the air (second-hand smoke) and settling on surfaces,  where they are re-released (third-hand smoke), so you’ll be improving the health of housemates and visitors too.

• Swap to e-cigarettes or vaporisers; you’ll be inhaling nicotine, but not cigarette toxins such as cyanide and arsenic.

• Smoke to a timed schedule and gradually increase the time between cigarettes.

Even if you smoke 25 a day and only drop one daily cigarette per fortnight, you’ll still be a non-smoker in under a year.

‘Resolution’ has an array of scientific and historical meanings, one of which is ‘reduction to a simpler form’. So keep your resolutions simple – and realistic!

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Ickenham TRAVEL (Jan17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 19/12/2016 12:00 Page 1

Beauty TRAVEL

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Want a winter market?

Beauty Resolutions Try a cruise!

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

It seems you can barely pick up a magazine without reading about THE first time I was asked to go aboard a cruise ship, another new skincare I went with notions of my fellow‘miracle passengers representing a certain type of clientele.

I was soand glad to be worker’, from skin softeners proved wrong. It was an amazing experience and one beautywanted essences, to micellar water. for I quickly to repeat with my husband company.

However, he proved a little unwilling Most of these are ‘nice to haves’ and exhibited all the reservations of someone who rather essentials.

If you had never than been on a cruise before, so Iare hatched a plan.to up your skin care regime cunning looking Most of the main lines offer adding a though, I’d cruise recommend “mini cruises,” a fantastic way to They’re concentrated seeserum. if you can earn yourmore sea legs, and they are great value too, as than a moisturiser, and designed to they are normally Five Star with full target specific from fine board.

Now, we have aconcerns, particular love for all things Christmas in my lines to blemishes.

house so when I spotted a mini break to Bruges for the winter French brand market, I knew I could get the Ekia’s Sérum other half to go and, sure enough, Fermeté – he agreed to give it a try.

Active We boarded at Southampton and Highly after telling my husband several times it wasn’t a boat,Firming he finally realised what I was talking about. As soon asSerum, we boarded is he looked at me and said, “You were right; this is amazing.”. designed I smiled rather smugly in the knowledge that there was to tighten so much more to come. We set sail with the two of us anda lift skin. bubbling away in the outdoor hot tub, brass band champagne playing on the quayside and a glass of The ‘magic at our side. We went to the restaurant for our evening ingredient’, a meal, a lovely relaxed 7 course dinner with silver service tree extract and enough options to suit every conceivable palate; it called was delicious. Afterwards we decided to head to the onboard casino and came winners (for once). dragon’s blood sap,away is said to help firm When we woke up, we were already docked in skin, smooth fine lines, increase moisture Zeebrugge; my husband was astonished as he’d not felt and aid skin renewal. My skin certainly felt movement or heard any clunking or banging. He said it tighter more hydrated after indeed! using the was like a and floating luxury hotel, praise After 

serum. £48.99 from www.hollandandbarrett. com.

breakfast, we got the coach into Bruges, which was only It’sdecided easy to in aof one 20 minutes away. We to get take stuck advantage of the ship’s partialperfume excursions; weRather took a guided rut. than tour for the first 30 minutes and then had several free hours play it safe with your favourite to enjoy the city before returning to the ship. scent, why not a Bruges is a historical fortress cityhead withtowonderful local perfume shop and try architecture. We took a ride in a horse drawn carriage before making our way thenew highlight of our visit, the a to few ones?

Ideally, Christmas Weonbought spritz aMarket. perfume a some souvenirs and lots of the card first.

If you like the famous Belgian chocolates, then scent immediately, took a turn on the ice rink, soothing bruises and hurt pride andourstill do after half with aanmulled afterwards. hour, wine then try it Next, we decided to visit the directly on your skin.

Basilica of the Holy Blood, a church Fragrance is designed built in the 12th century with lots of to change over time,items; so of art and historical pieces veryand interesting. don’t just spray, all sniff buy. Give it time A canal boat ride was also a must; to show you what it’s made of. Van Cleef & cruising down all the small canals and getting to see Arpels So First (from £32)toissee a nice one tois even more of the city, it is easy why Bruges try.

Light, fresh and feminine, it’s bursting called the “Venice of the north.” We disembarked and decided on a light lunch and as a stop at theand famous Beer with floral notes, such freesia Wall.

With 780 with Belgian beers, all with of their own glass, frangipani, a warm base vanilla andit was very hard to limit ourselves to just one. Having taken sandalwood. the coach back to Zeebrugge and boarded the ship again weof had in theof piano bar, then out got dressed Many usa coffee are guilty splashing on ready for the evening's events, another gourmet meal top of the range hair straighteners and followed by a dance show of the standard you would styling see products, thenEnd, throwing whatever normally in the West before heading for the nightclub.

There danced the night by a shampoo andwe conditioner is onaway offeraided in our cocktail or My two,top returning to ourrecommendation cabin at around 3am! basket. hair care After another lovely (and much needed) breakfast, we is to go for a gentler, decent shampoo and disembarked. My plan had worked and my husband was conditioner.

Personally, I avoid any that converted.

We now cruise regularly on several different contain sodium as I like findit.it liners.

So, go on, givelauryl it a try;sulphate, you might even

leaves my hair dry and brittle.

Rhiann Hill

JASÖN do some great haircare products, priced from around £6.50 for a half-litre bottle that will last for ages. If you’re looking to treat yourself however, I can recommend Saach Organics Hair Strengthening Shampoo and Nourishment Conditioner.

They’re packed with nourishing natural ingredients, such as almond oil, coconut milk and hibiscus, and leave my highlighted hair feeling soft and healthy.

Prices start from £9.95 at www. saachorganics.com.

Makeup bags and brushes can be a bit of a breeding ground for bacteria, and that can lead to spots and skin irritation.

So if you haven’t given them a wash for a while, now’s the time. Clean brushes with a gentle hand wash or baby shampoo, pat them dry and then leave to air dry.

Alternatively, if they’re looking a bit worse for wear, treat yourself to some new ones. The Nanshy range is a good choice. They’re made with premium synthetic fibres (so cruelty-free), assembled by hand and rigorously tested.

They’re also lovely and soft and great for blending. Nanshy brushes start from £5.95 at www. myshowcase.com.

  



Home & Interiors Health

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

 Declutter for thefor New YearHealthier

By Katherine Sorrell Realistic Resolutions a Happier, New Year 

New Year resolutions sound like I’ll go to Pilates every week, a great idea; a fresh year and a walk at least two miles every fresh start seem to fit together, weekend and do my dance and even if we’re determined DVD every Tuesday! not to make any, other people You haven’t managed to do can sometimes inspire us – or any of these things every week shame us – into making our and few -boxes baskets. thisayear so it’s or unlikely you’ll What own. could be a better achieve all of them,through every Work methodically New Year’s resolution But if resolutions are such a weekroom this year.

Be honest each (it’s boring, but for your home than good idea, why do theytofail so about why–you don’t do them. necessary try doing just half eliminate mess, create often?

The activities you’ll find theof an hour a day for a couple space and generally have Setting YourSelf up for motivation time are those weeks) and or sort outfor obvious afailure good sort out? you canthings fit in most easily rubbish, that can goand to At New festive goodwill When theYear, festive fun comes enjoy the most. a local charity shop, items that and New Year enthusiasm to an end, the presents are a Better resolution: I’ll do an could be sold second-hand, give us a rosier view of allcan opened and the Christmas hour’s exercise every week. life, tricking us into making a anything that needs mending, pudding finally finished, it’s multitude of overly ambitious Perhaps you most enjoy little-used things that can abe time to take aThey breath and the resolutions. reverse walk, butinbad weather puts put away the garage or loft, assess just howofmuch mess positive effect goal setting yougenuinely off? Plan to walkstuff every and great that and clobberus has up- in by setting upbuilt to fail making weekend, but commit to get doing you want to keep.

Try to your home over the past year. us more likely to give up your exercise DVD instead if rid of as much as possible If completely. the answer is too much, the weather’s awful. Or plan to (let’s face it: we all have too then it’sare time to declutter your Here some tips for turning fit in the exercise DVD weekly; much stuff), only holding onto stuff and sort your storage, so three popular, doomed-toanything else is a bonus. While things that you really need that youraspirations home will into be messfailure realistic it’s not the NHS recommended and/or love. resolutions. free and super-stylish in time amount of exercise, it’s some, for 2017. and it’s consistent.

You can More exerciSe With what’s left, it’s now time later. it will go.

Yourgrab unrealistic resolution: First, some rubbish bags toincrease work outit where 

leSSour alcohol Often, most persistent clutter from the fact that Your arises unrealistic resolution: we designated “I’llhaven’t give it up entirely!” spaces “I won’t where can easily drink things at home/when I’mbe out/on weekdays/until Easter!” you put, so stuff just ends up If lying rarely drink, sticking around.

Labelyou’ll your find storage such drastic if to necessary, andresolutions make sure easy.

But if you rarely drink, the whole family knows what’s you’retoprobably notYou’ll making meant go where. alcohol-based resolutions... already have created extra Recentspace research shows that storage by having evena low alcohol intake (well such good clear-out; if you under the recommended limits still need more, look for all of 2-3 units daily and 14 units the areas where you could fit per week) increases your risk additional storage, whether of many serious conditions, built-in or free-standing: including dementia and from some backs of doors to under cancers, so cutting backthe is well stairs, ofBut wardrobes to worth tops doing. going teetotal under the bed.reducing Think racks, or drastically your hooks well a intakeand mayshelves be hardas if you’re regular drinker. cabinets and as conventional chests of drawers and,Think where a Better resolution: possible, ensure coabout when and they where you drink alcohol, and plan to ordinate with existing furniture, reduce your intake gradually. enhancing your home’s style Here are adding a few strategies to try: and even a soupcon

of• on-trend glamour.

If you usually haveYou 4 drinks onalso a night replace may wishout, to have a drink 3 with a large drink;ofit rethink about thesoft location mayconventional last you the rest of the some storage evening, halving your toys alcohol spaces.

If, for example, intake. are always in the living room • Match every alcoholic drink rather than in the children’s with a soft drink. bedrooms, how about adding Find other ways to relax if you a• toy storage unit somewhere always have a drink on your handy, rather than having to return from work, and try to tidy them away upstairs every make it a Friday-only treat day? (or reduce your measure).

There are ayou few‘need’ rulesaofdrink is a Feeling warning – abe first step on storage thatsign might helpful. a potentially dangerous path.

Obvious, perhaps, but worth Consider if you to make bearing in mind allneed the same. changes in your life.

First, store like withwork like (it may • If you drinktowine with dinner take a while go through

the house and organise this, every night, change to but it really is worth the effort alternate nights (or alternate it for thenon-alcoholic ease of finding things with wine). later on). Never say: ‘I’ve got • Swap some alcoholic drinks this what shall I put in for box, low alcohol or nonit?’

Instead, match the size alcoholic alternatives.

They’ve and shape of way the container to come a long and there’s what’s kept inside (in now a being large range. other words, find small, lidded no SMoking boxes for things like Lego Your unrealistic resolution: and big squishy baskets for “Iteddy smoke 30 a day, butasI’m bears).

Store much giving up forever at midnight, as possible near to where it’s December 31st!” most needed, but don’t store It’s probablyused quicker to list frequently items below not aggravated or conditions knee level or above shoulder caused by smoking than to list height, especially if they’re those that are - and it can be heavy. Avoid storing things hard to accept you’re addicted surfaces such as tables toonnicotine.

But in reality, when or desks you you crave – a they’re cigarettewhere to ‘calm wantnerves’ to put that things while you’re your twitchiness organising not of keep you feel is a them, symptom them therewhich afterwards.

Andon withdrawal, can come very quickly withroom nicotine. allow yourself to expand – but only within reason.

This can make smoking a If you

have allowed extra space, and hard habit to kick, particularly filled it… it’s time to start ifthen you’re a moderate or heavy all over–again. smoker and while a few people do succeed in going Easy ways to banish clutter ‘cold turkey’, the most reliable • Write a list of where you and angst-free way is to reduce want to declutter. Start with your nicotine intake gradually the hardest or the easiest (and/or tackle your toxin intake).

– the important thing is that A Better Resolution: Pick or you now know what you combine the cut-back strategies need to do. below to suit you, and if one • Havework, an intensive declutter doesn’t try another. workout andwho spend • Visit your GP, canjust five minutes some clearing as much as prescribe nicotine you can in one area.and You’ll replacement products be amazed at the difference refer you to counselling.

You buy Repeat nicotineas youcan canalso make. replacement products often as you can. experiment and see what • Not sure which clothes to works best for you. Some are get rid of? Hang them all particularly suitable for heavy with the hooks facing one smokers. way. Every time you wear • If you don’t already, make something, re-hang it with yourself smoke outside. hook facing opposite It the takes more effortthe and way. After, say,from six your months, prevents toxins

 

you can easily assess which cigarette lingering in the you neversmoke) wear. You airitems (second-hand could try the idea and settling on same surfaces, in the kitchen (turn the where they are re-released handles ofsmoke), your mugs in one (third-hand so you’ll put upside bedirection, improving theglasses health of housemates visitors down, and and so on), the too. playroom, the livingorroom…

• Swap to e-cigarettes inhaling •vaporisers; Make it a you’ll familybe competition. nicotine, but Who will benot thecigarette fastest to toxins such as cyanide and find three things to throw arsenic. away, three things to give • Smoke a timed away to and three schedule things to and increase theas tidygradually away? Offer prizes time between cigarettes. necessary.

Even if you smoke 25 a •day If what you drop needone is some and only daily emergency decluttering, cigarette per fortnight, you’ll there’s no shame ininpopping still be a non-smoker under into a big box a everything year. and hiding somewhere ‘Resolution’ hasit an array until youand have time to go of scientific historical throughone it properly. meanings, of which is ‘reduction to a simpler form’. bed, So Main Image: Mazeballs £625,resolutions Loaf: 0845simple 468 0698; keep your www.loaf.com – and realistic!

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Ickenham CHINESE NEW YEAR (Jan17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 19/12/2016 09:18 Page 1

 Chinese

New Year

The Year of the Rooster

ChineSe new Year falls on Saturday 28 January. in China many people will take a whole week off from work to mark the celebration. it is known as the Spring Festival.

On New Year’s Eve, Reunion Dinner is eaten. Many Chinese believe this is the most important meal of the year. It is usually shared by several generations and consists of fish, dumplings, spring rolls, glutinous rice cakes and sweet rice balls.

To mark New Year, red lanterns are hung in the street, red couplets are pasted on doors and images of prosperity displayed. Fireworks are lit and it’s believed that the person who launches the first firework of the New Year will have good luck. Lion and Dragon Dances take place and these are intended to scare away evil, and attract health, wealth and wisdom.

Many New Year activities have links with Chinese legends...

New Year is called Guo Nian which means ‘celebrate a New Year’ or ‘overcome Nian’. Nian was an ancient sea living monster who came onto land on New Year’s Eve to eat people and livestock. One year, an old man with white hair and a ruddy complexion managed to scare away the monster by pasting red papers on to doors, burning bamboo which made a loud cracking sound, lighting candles in the houses and wearing red clothes.

Another monster called Sui was said to terrify children whilst they slept. Parents would stay up all night watching 

and lighting candles to try and keep their children safe. One official’s family gave their child eight gold coins to play with. The child wrapped the coins in red paper and then played at unwrapping them and wrapping them back up until he got so tired he fell asleep. The parents put the coins under the child’s pillow and legend has it that when Sui came and tried to touch the child, the eight coins omitted such a strong light that it scared the demon away. This is the basis for why elders and those who are married give children and young unmarried people red envelopes with coins in them at New Year. The red envelope is called Yasui Qian which means suppressing Sui money and the purpose is to scare away the monster and bring good luck.

According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal symbol. There is a 12 year cycle and 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.

‘The China Highlights’ website says that those born in the Year of the Rooster are observant, hardworking, confident and courageous. They are best matched with those born in the Year of the Ox or Snake.

Susan Brookes-Morris

 

We help people in their later years to enjoy the life they always have.

Whatever you want to know about elderly care, please come and talk to us. Our home will be open in June this year when you can view our facilities, sample our bar & bistro and ask any questions you might have about the home and your care requirements. Whether it’s for you or a friend or relative, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Our innovative care concept includes: Chauffeur-driven car | Cinema room | Bistro & Bar | Private dining | Hair Salon and Spa | Library All-inclusive pricing | Creative events | 50% higher staffing than average  Paying above the living wage

 Short Story  The Science of Snow Shovelling

Maurice laced his boots up eagerly, pleased with himself for remembering to get the snow shovel out of the shed last night.

Thanks to a thick blanket of snow, this Sunday morning was the perfect opportunity to win back the favour of Mrs Harby, his comely neighbour. What woman could resist a man with a shovel? And when it came to snow and the shovelling of it, Maurice considered himself quite the expert.

He opened his front door and was met with an unwelcome sight. Mrs Harby’s teenage grandson, Dale, was already pacing her drive wielding a shovel of his own. Maurice’s last encounter with Dale had ended with a line full of Mrs Harby’s sheets going up in flames. The boy was a menace, and, by the looks of things thought Maurice, his snow shovelling technique was a disgrace. Rather than methodically working down the driveway, Dale was randomly throwing snow everywhere.

“Can I give you some advice young man?” Maurice called over. “You’re going about that all wrong.”

“Nah, I’m alright,” Dale called back.

“You’re just making more work,” Maurice said. “I’m sure your grandmother would like to get her car off the drive at some point.”

“Yeah,” Dale said, hacking at the ground. “She’s going out for Sunday lunch.”

“Anywhere nice?” Maurice liked to keep abreast of all 

Mrs Harby’s comings and goings.

“I didn’t ask.” Dale kicked a pile of snow.

“I’d better lend a hand.”

Maurice strode purposefully across with his shovel. It was time to impress the lady by taking control of the situation.

“You know what would get this done quicker?” Dale said, stumbling into a snow drift.

“Chucking down some hot water.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Maurice said. “The only way to clear this drive is with hard work. Hot water will do more harm than good.”

“Yeah, right,” Dale said sarcastically, throwing down his shovel. “I’m off to get some.”

Good lord, Maurice thought, don’t they teach them anything at school these days? At least with the boy gone for a few minutes he could get on with the job properly.

Dale returned with a freshly boiled kettle.

“Out the way,” he said, “I’m going to pour this.”

“Don’t,” Maurice said. “It’ll just make matters worse.”

“Course it won’t,” Dale said.

“Just to prove it, do a patch test,” Maurice said. “Pour a small amount somewhere that your grandmother won’t tread and see what happens.”

“Good plan,” Dale said. “But if it works we’ll pour it everywhere.”

If it works I’ll eat my shovel Maurice thought.

“Somewhere she definitely won’t tread?” Dale said. Mrs

Harby opened the front door, elegantly dressed for her lunch date.

“Morning!” Maurice gave a dignified bow. “We’re conducting an experiment.”

“How lovely,” she said. This is wonderful Maurice thought, not only will she be pleased with me for clearing her drive, she’ll be impressed by how I’m educating her grandson.

“Go ahead lad,” he said indulgently. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Dale stood next to his grandmother’s car with the kettle held high, a cloud of steam coming out of the spout. Then, before Maurice could stop him, Dale poured the scalding water all over the windscreen. There was a sickening crack as the glass shattered into a thousand irreparable fragments.

Maurice’s face drained of all colour.

“Oh mate!” Dale laughed. “You were totally right.”

Mrs Harby scowled and stormed back inside the house, slamming the front door behind her.

Maurice’s next challenge to impress Mrs Harby was how to get a windscreen replaced on a snowy Sunday morning. And the less Dale was involved in that the better.

By Jackie Brewster



Finance

Interest Rates Are Low, So What Are Your Best Options For Saving? By Ann Haldon

  are a few of the different accounts available at the time of writing.

Bank current accounts

With interest rates set to remain low for a while, it’s worth considering what you could do with the spare cash you might now have. It’s always a good idea to pay off your debts first, but there is also some benefit to starting a small nest-egg.

From April 2016 everyone has a Personal Savings Allowance, which means that many people won’t need to pay tax on their savings (subject to a maximum limit). This makes the Individual Savings Account (ISA), although still a good choice, perhaps no longer the automatic first choice for savers.

This broadening of your options means you could switch your current account to benefit from the credit interest offered by a different bank, or perhaps opt for a fixed-term ISA that removes the temptation to spend.

With each bank applying their own rules for eligibility, here 

It’s not something that we are used to, but currently some banks are offering high credit interest rates on their current accounts. Most of these deals only last for a year, however, and are used to attract new customers, but many also offer cash back or a monetary incentive.

• Nationwide offers 5% AER fixed on their FlexDirect account for balances up to £2,500. This rate lasts for one year only and then drops to 1%, so you’ll need to be prepared to swap again if you want to get a higher rate after this. To be eligible for the account you have to pay in at least £1,000 per month.

• Tesco Bank pay 3% variable AER on balances up to £3,000. There is no minimum pay-in amount with this account, and you get Clubcard points when you spend using your debit card.

Bear in mind that this rate is variable, however.

regular savings accounts As the name suggests, these accounts require a regular payment in order to benefit from the higher interest rates.

They are often linked to a current account with the same bank, in which a minimum balance needs to be held, so this could affect your eligibility if you’re not able to maintain this balance.

Again, some high interest rates are only available for a year as the banks use them as ‘loss leaders,’ assuming their new customer won’t be inclined to move once the rate falls.

• First Direct offers 5% AER for one year, to customers holding a First Direct 1st Account. You’re allowed to save between £25 and £300 per month, but if you miss one deposit your savings account will close and the balance will be placed into a low-interest account.

• The HSBC Regular Saver is available to current account customers (Advance Account or Premier Account). It offers a credit interest rate of 5% AER on savings up to £3,000 per year, but if you miss a payment your money is put into an account with low interest. cash isa Once the obvious choice to maximise your savings, a cash ISA can be a good place to start your nest-egg if you don’t

want to switch bank accounts or save a regular amount each month.

In the 2016/17 tax year the ISA limit is £15,240, and you have a choice between a variable and fixed rate account.

• The Coventry Building Society Easy Access ISA offers a rate of 1.1% AER. There is no limit on the number of withdrawals, and you can replace money that you’ve taken out in a tax year without it becoming part of the ISA limit.

• Paragon Bank’s three-year fixed term ISA pays 1.5% AER at the time of writing, with a minimum of £500 being required. Although you can access your money in a fixed term ISA if you need to, the banks make hefty charges for doing so.

 

Fixed-rate accounts If you want to guarantee your rate of interest and are sure you won’t need the money for some time, a fixed-rate account could be a good option. You need to factor in the likelihood of rates rising again in the future, however, and try to determine the best length of time to lock your money away, otherwise you might lose out if the interest rate goes above that of your account.

• Atom Bank offers 1.4% AER for a one-year term, but you must open the account with their Android or iOS app, which won’t appeal to everybody. You can deposit between £50 and £100,000, and the interest is applied either monthly or annually.

• Tesco Bank has a fixed-rate account over three years,

offering 1.2% AER. You can open it online with a minimum deposit of £2,000.

Savings accounts offer a guaranteed return on your money, which can grow surprisingly quickly, especially if the interest is applied monthly.

Having some cash to one side gives you a degree of control to deal with unexpected life events such as redundancy, or simply the reassurance that you have a ‘cushion’ to fall back on. http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/banking/compare-bestbank-accounts#interest http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/best-regularsavings-accounts#bb http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/best-cashisa#manipulate http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/fixed-rate-savings



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Gardening Fighting the Frosts

by Pippa Greenwood

if the container is in a very prominent position.

If very harsh weather is forecast or a spell of mild weather has promoted some soft, new growth, drape a double layer of horticultural fleece over the top growth of the plants and anchor it well. Alternatively, consider Easy Fleece Jackets: they come in three sizes and have a draw-string and toggle so that you can easily insert the plant and then secure it – find out more on my website www.pippagreenwood. com/products/protectyour-crops.

plums - are hardy, they are also prone to damage. The main risk is to newly opened blossom, though the buds themselves may be damaged too, with late frosts being the most harmful.

If you are planting new fruit plants, it really pays to buy from a specialist nursery and to get late-flowering varieties, as they are less likely to be flowering when there is still a risk of frost.

  

With frost, rain and perhaps even some snow, at this time of year our gardens can be in for quite a battering. Although most of your garden plants are probably fairly frost resistant, what can you do to minimise the damage to those which are not so hardy? It’s time to get outside and take some precautions.

Plants in containers are particularly vulnerable to freezing or frosting, and thin-walled containers pose the greatest threat. Where possible, plunge your pots by digging a hole in the soil and placing the plant in its pot into the hole. If it is too heavy to move then wrap it well in several layers of bubble wrap, polythene or old curtains, using lengths of hessian to create a more appealing outermost layer 

A double fleece layer can be used on plants in beds and borders too, or to protect slightly tender wall shrubs.

Much larger plants can be protected with a home-made ‘cage’ – wrap a framework of four stakes or sturdy canes with netting or chicken wire, then fill the central space around the plant with dry bracken, straw or leaves.

Evergreens in containers and in open ground may suffer from drought as well as foliage or stem growth, so continue to water these, especially if they are in a sheltered spot or the weather has been dry. A deep mulch applied to the soil or compost surface before the ground freezes will help to keep water available.

Although most fruit trees - like apples and pears, cherries and

Finally, use fleece to cover any seeds already sown out of doors. A double layer of wellanchored fleece or a fleececovered pull-out EasyTunnel is quick and easy to install, and will help to provide protection and that bit of extra warmth for germinating seeds and seedlings. If you are planning on sowing any early varieties of crops such as broad beans or lettuce, then I’d also suggest that you cover the soil before you sow. A layer of wellanchored polythene will keep off excess rain and allow a little warmth to build up, so when you sow the seeds they won’t suffer from excess sogginess and won’t get such a cold shock.

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com and book Pippa for a gardening talk or peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items, including pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, fleece jackets for plants, pull-out EasyTunnels, ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Voucher cards, signed books and lots more besides.

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DENHAM What's On... Apr16.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2016 16:39 Page 1

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



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...



DENHAM What's On... Dec16.qxp_Layout 1 29/11/2016 17:23 Page 2

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



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 with Danielle Every Monday 7-8pm at Harefield Baptist Church. Call Danielle 07989 128131. www.zumba-class.co.uk Zumba Gold Low Impact Party at your own pace for the active older adult. Mon & Fri, 10:30am at Denham Village Hall, Village Rd, UB9 5BN. Tue, Wed, Thu at New Denham Community Hall, UB9 4DW. Tue: FitSteps, 1pm (based on ballroom steps no partner required). Wed: Zumba at 8pm. Thu: Zumba at 11am. 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

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 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 6.457.45pm, St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley.

Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com continued overleaf...

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DENHAM What's On... Dec16.qxp_Layout 1 29/11/2016 17:23 Page 3

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PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS

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)

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.

Little Lions A new Toddler Group with craft, singing, stories and much more. Wednesdays, 10.00am – 11.30am, St Mark’s Church Hall, Green Tiles Lane, Denham, UB9 5HT. Hosted by St Mary’s Church, Denham. Call Kathy 01753 884736.

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

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Tiny Toes Childcare Full Day Care Nursery. Call 01753 655650 or tinytoes@ivercommunity.org

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

SELF DEFENCE...

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 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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YOGA CLASS — 

SUITABLE  FOR BEGINNERS 

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are postures (a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility) and breathing. 

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ALL SESSIONS SUPERVISED

BY A FULLY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR SESSIONS COST £3— Starting Friday 6th Jan or Monday 9th January CLASSES SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS OR PEOPLE WANTING TO TRY FOR FIRST TIME

EVERY FRIDAY EVERY MONDAY 11.30AM—12.30 at 2.30PM—3.30PM at St. Marks Church Hall, New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Rd, New Denham, UB9 4DW Green Tiles Lane, Denham, UB9 5HT

Yoga mats provided for FREE

Yoga mats provided for FREE

For further details and to book call 01895 837 334 Or e-mail

Leon.Popplewell@gll.org 

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and Bake

Mulled Pears This is a lovely winter pudding that tastes just as delicious served warm or cold. Choose firm but ripe small pears, and use a vegetable peeler to scoop out the core from the base of each one.

Ingredients: • 450ml red wine (see Tip) • 150g caster sugar • 1 pared strip of lemon rind • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 whole cloves • 8 small Conference pears • 2tsp arrowroot • Softly whipped double cream or crème fraiche, to serve

Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour, plus cooling time 

1. Pour the wine into a large pan

and add the sugar, lemon rind, cinnamon stick and cloves. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.

2. Meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stalks on.

Gently lower the pears into the hot liquid. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes until the pears are tender.

3. Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and

set aside in a heatproof serving dish. Blend the arrowroot to a paste with 1tbsp cold water and stir into the poaching liquid. Simmer gently for a further 5 minutes, stirring, until syrupy. Remove the lemon rind and cloves from the syrup.

4. Pour the hot syrup over the pears and leave for 30

minutes. Serve the pears and syrup, warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped double cream or crème fraiche.

TIP

Choose a full-bodied red wine such as Merlot or Burgundy. If you prefer, replace half of the red wine with clear apple juice or cranberry juice.

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