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Well, having said last month about everyone’s thoughts turning from holidays to Christmas, mine have done a complete u turn. I’m not sure whether that’s something to do with the impending going back of the clocks, the shorter days and longer nights, or the sudden realisation that 10 months into the year and I still haven’t had a holiday. Jackie has managed a couple of small breaks, but then her planning and time management skills are far better than mine. The mags have really kept us on our toes this year and whilst they do involve a lot of work, Jackie and I both love what we do, particularly getting to meet and talk to so many new people every month. Jackie’s face literally lights up at her desk when she gets a call from someone saying how much they like the magazines. We think of the Ruislip and Ickenham magazines as our babies, being the newest of the six at a little over a year and a half old. However, we are de lighted at the support we’ve been given and hope to grow them into even better publications in the new year. Local contributions and articles are always most welcome, so do please continue to keep in touch, either by telephone, email or facebook and let us know what’s going on where you are. Now, back to the planning, where are those holi day brochures?
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Three easy ways to save money this winter 6 Karen Munro: Careers 8 Health: Tea & Coffee the good and the bad 10 Computer Helpdesk 12 Coffee Break Puzzles 14 Kids Puzzle Page 16 Home & Interiors: On the wall 18 History: What happened in October 1964 20 Puzzle Solutions 21 Travel: Alicante 22 Beauty: How to get a perfect pout 24 What’s on at the Compass Theatre 26 Hobbies: Learning Calligraphy 30 Is it time to part with your old mattress? 32 Wildlife Zone 34 Ruislip Central Horticultural Society 35 Garden Feature 36 Used Cars: Retro Rockers 38 Reader Travel Offers 40 Local Events 42 Tech: Some like it hot 44 Local Telephone Numbers 46 RSPCA Re Homing Appeal 46 What’s On Clubs, Groups & Classes 48, 50 & 52 Recipe: Cheesy onion soup 52 Beer of the Month 54 Wordsearch 54
Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07931 368151 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Finance
Three Easy Ways to Save Money This Winter
By Ann Haldon
big difference though, the result being a warmer home and reduced bills. Draught excluders -
Fuel bills are a major worry for all of us in winter. Prices go up but the need to stay warm remains, and it’s not just heating the house that’s the problem. Skyrocketing costs of petrol and food drain your finances on a weekly basis, but there is a little cheer on the horizon.
Below are three ways to help you make ends meet
this winter. All are easy to implement - they just take a little thought and planning, so why not start now before the bad winter weather strikes.
Reduce energy consumption
According to the Energy Saving Trust, savings of around £300 a year can be made using cavity wall and loft insulation in an average semi-detached house. At the time of writing, British Gas offers free or subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation to eligible homeowners on mainland Britain. This is part of the government’s ‘green’ initiative, with each type of insulation generally taking less than a day to install. Even small measures make a
It’s surprising how much heat is lost through small gaps under doors and around windows – not something you’d always notice day to day. All these suggestions add up to a much warmer home without costing the earth.
• Self-adhesive foam strips around window frames • Letterbox and keyhole covers • Home-made draught excluders for the bottom of doors • Heavy curtains for the front and back doors • Secondary glazing for windows that aren’t already double-glazed • Large pieces of cardboard wrapped in foil placed behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room • Sealant for underneath skirting boards • Chimney or fireplace draught excluders Energy monitors - These monitors let you know how much energy each appliance consumes. Most people quickly change their habits once they see the spikes in energy usage recorded by the monitor. Lighting - This is one of the easiest areas in which to
reduce consumption. Energysaving light bulbs, external light sensors, and switching off lights when not in use all help to keep down costs. Appliances - Freezers work more efficiently when full, as do ovens. Not only that, but you’ll save money buying and cooking food in bulk. Kettles are notorious for high energy consumption. Make sure yours is in optimum condition with regular descaling, or buy an eco kettle with two chambers. One reservoir holds the water, the other is used to measure and boil exactly how much you need.
An interesting statistic from the Energy Saving Trust reveals that desktop PCs use 85% more energy in a year than laptops. Switching off any device rather than leaving it on stand-by will reduce electricity bills, but make sure to unplug them at the wall as well.
This also applies to microwaves and cookers. Not many people think of this but it takes money to run that digital clock – use a battery-powered wall clock instead.
Halve grocery bills
A little planning goes a long way when it comes to shopping. Pre-prepared menus and shopping lists are easy ways to reduce waste as well as save money. The ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ website has some useful tips in this respect, and offers advice for saving money on food. The main message is buy and cook in bulk. Cooking becomes less of a chore when you can just
grab a home-cooked meal out of the freezer several nights a week.
surprise. The biggest savings of around 5%-10% can be made when you manage your own account online and pay by direct debit.
• Avoid pre-payment meters – the choice of tariffs available is very limited about Saving money is often
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. A large pan of chilli, Bolognese sauce, or a casserole is easy to make and you’ll be done and dusted in half an hour.
Late Sunday afternoon shopping trips are a revelation, when incredible deals can be found in the ‘reduced’ aisle if you time it right. This alone saves a huge amount of money over the course of a year. Cooking from scratch, making your own bread, home brew and wine all save money, and if results are good you can always give away your goodies as Christmas presents.
Switch suppliers
If you’ve never switched gas and electricity suppliers before, you could be in for a pleasant
Suppliers like their customers to pay by direct debit as there’s less likelihood of default. It keeps their credit control costs down, and they earn interest on any overpayments you make during the summer months. To make sure you get the best deal:
• Always read your own meter – don’t rely on an estimate from your provider • Don’t assume that dual fuel is always the cheapest way to buy • Changing to online bills could save you up to 10% • Use a price comparison website to find the best deals • Make sure you get a refund for any overpayments
changing your habits. Things like unplugging appliances and turning off lights are simple to do, and can save you hundreds of pounds over the course of a year. http://www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/Insulation/Roof-and-loftinsulation http://www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/Insulation/Cavity-wallinsulation http://www.britishgas.co.uk/ products-and-services/energysaving/home-insulation/freeinsulation.html http://www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/Electricity/Products-andappliances#computer http://england. lovefoodhatewaste.com/
Karen Munro - Career Coach www.munrocareers.co.uk #@munrocareers www.facebook.com/munrocareers
Karen is a professional Career Coach providing individual support in all aspects of employment including effective CV writing, interview skills training, networking and successful job searching. A member of the Career Development Institute and Careers Professional Alliance, a qualified Careers Practitioner and Trainer, she works with both private and business clients around Hillingdon, South Bucks and Middlesex. Karen is currently facilitating workshops and offering individual coaching to Military Personnel leaving the Armed Forces at RAF Northolt, helping them through their transition to civilian work. Karen writes for a number of careers focused and military resettlement magazines and regularly contributes to ‘In and Around’ sharing her practical experience with her local community. I have been doing a lot of work on the subject of ‘networking’ lately. I recently ran a Networking Techniques workshop and was also invited by the ‘Officers Association’ to discuss the topic with service leavers via a webinar. Firstly, let’s understand what is networking? Well, the true definition of networking is to “interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career.” With up to 85% of the job market not being actively advertised, it is clear many of those jobs are secured through friends of friends, word of mouth, direct and indirect contacts. Networking is therefore critical to anyone thinking about making a career change or looking for a job. There are always some key concerns raised about networking and one of them is the fear of approaching people initially. How do you start networking? Many of my clients worry networking will appear ‘false’, ‘fake’ or ‘insincere’. However, networking is normal and expected in the commercial world and everyone is doing it. Networking is about having relevant conversations with other people who may have a common interest with you, such as the industry you work in or want to work in, or a specialism. It isn’t however, asking people for a job directly. People will instinctively shy away from direct requests for work. So a different approach is required. Networking is about researching and asking relevant questions and exchanging ideas and experiences. Start with your primary contacts, people you know already and have a good rapport with – how can they help you? Widen your search by asking them if they know anyone in their contacts who may be able to help you. Can they refer you anyone? These referrals will be the decision makers, recruiters and people with the information you need to find out about the job market. Start to get yourself noticed. Ask about industry trends; who is hiring and who is firing? What skills and training are currently required in your line of work and what will make you a strong candidate? Ask people for feedback on your CV . Find out which organisations only use Agencies and which ones don’t. There is no point registering with a particular recruitment agency if the
company you want to work for doesn’ t use them. Networking will bring all this information to your doorstep and will effectively become the foundation of your job searching strategy. I always recommend using Linked-In (www.linkedin. com) as a fantastic resource to facilitate networking as well as using Twitter to follow companies and get real time information on the job market and industry trends. However, don’t fall in to the trap of thinking networking is all about being on-line, because nothing is better that meeting someone face to face. Personal impact is important so use your online connections to facilitate meeting face to face, perhaps over a coffee, where you can engage with someone personally. Always make sure when you meet someone for a networking meeting, you are clear about what you want to gain from the meeting. Don’t turn up waiting for them to initiate conversation. You will need to explain to them what you want to discuss and what information you are looking for. Nearly all of my clients find employment through networking. It demonstrates they are proactive and professional and are prepared to get out there, meet people and work hard. Networking can facilitate employment even when a vacancy doesn’t exist. It can lead to alternative job offers, more referrals, new posts being created and will continue to expand your contacts even further. For every networking meeting you have, try to get at least 2 more referrals and remember to communicate with everyone. Keep your primary contacts ‘in the loop’ letting them know how you are getting on and how their referrals have helped you. Networking can start to become a full time job in itself. It can be extremely rewarding meeting new people and engaging in conversations about common themes in employment and industry. It will boost your confidence and your communication skills – and that can only be a good thing!
Karen
“unlocking your career potential”
and Coffee: Tea Good and The Bad the By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
We meet up for coffee; invite friends for a cuppa. But are these drinks friends or foes?
Caffeine
The good: Caffeine increases our alertness, and may temporarily sharpen our cognitive abilities. Substantial research suggests that coffee and tea drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, most likely due to caffeine, which may also help with symptoms. The bad: Caffeine can raise blood pressure and adrenaline levels. It can also relax pelvic muscles, making you urinate more frequently. High levels may be linked to low birth weight or miscarriage. The truth: Maximum protection against Parkinson’s disease seems to come from just three cups of tea or coffee daily. While lab results seem promising, there’s no definitive evidence linking tea and coffee drinking with reduced Alzheimer’s risk. Our bodies can become accustomed to caffeine. Without it we can become tired, irritable, headachy and even shaky and nauseous. So how much is too much? Recommended limits average at 400-600mg per day and just 200mg if you’re pregnant. • cup of green tea: 40mg • cup of normal tea: 70mg • mug of instant coffee: 100mg • filter coffee: 150mg • average latte: 150mg • large Americano: 200mg
Don’t forget other caffeine sources too: energy drinks, chocolate and some painkillers and fizzy drinks.
Antioxidants
The good: Antioxidants mop up free radicals which can damage our cells. We all know green tea contains antioxidants, but so do black tea and coffee - just at lower levels. The bad: It’s unclear how much we benefit from these antioxidants once our body has processed our cuppa. But active compounds in green tea are being used in research with nanotherapeutics – the development of microscopic compounds that escape processing to find and target diseases, including cancer. The truth: Many foods contain antioxidants, often at higher levels than tea and coffee, so there are better sources.
Diabetes prevention and management
The good: Some evidence suggests that moderate amounts of coffee or tea, drunk black or with a little milk, may slightly reduce your risk of Diabetes Type 2. The bad: There’s also research showing that high coffee intake may impair insulin resistance, making it harder to stabilise blood sugar levels. The truth: You’re likely to see both theories in the media, but more research that eliminates other influential factors is needed.
Reducing stroke, coronary heart disease risk and cholesterol levels
The good: Some studies suggest that drinking tea and coffee reduces stroke, coronary heart disease risk and cholesterol levels. The bad: Contradictory evidence. One study found high tea consumption, and low and high coffee consumption reduced stroke risk most,– moderate consumption made no difference. Reported reductions in cholesterol levels were small. The truth: Once again, more research is needed to exclude other factors and study longterm effects.
Liver health
The good: Research suggests moderate consumers of coffee and green tea are less likely to suffer from NALD (non-alcoholic liver disease). The bad: High intake of green tea supplements has been linked to liver damage, although it’s not clear whether green tea extract or another ingredient is guilty. The truth: Tea or coffee can’t prevent or reverse liver damage if you drink or smoke heavily. So moderation seems best. Three or four cups of tea or coffee daily appear to give maximum health benefits and minimum risk, and without milk or sugar they’ll be calorie free - but practically nutrition-free too, so drink fruit juices and dairybased drinks as well.
To the casual observer, the most significant uses that technology and the internet have been put to are all social – the internet makes it much easier to buy the stuff we crave; social media makes it much easier to share our thoughts and experiences with each other every waking hour of the day. But the big changes have been going on behind the scenes, particularly in terms of database technology and cloud computing. One business that has made use of these developments to provide a service that offers both a social good and vast c o m m e r c i a l opportunities is Theranos. Launched as a tech start up in 2003, it has attracted around $70 million in funding so far, much of it from some household names of the technology world, and is now poised to launch on the stock market in a multibillion dollar IPO. What is it doing to get investors so hot under the collar?Theranos does blood tests – nothing very exciting about that you might think; we’ve been doing blood tests for decades, but the way that Theranos does them could lead to a dramatic improvement in the effectiveness of healthcare services around the world. There are hundreds of common blood tests that can be carried out and the results can determine if the patient has anything from Crohn’s Disease to Diabetes. Blood tests are also an essential tool in the early diagnosis of cancer. The current system for doing blood tests normally starts at the GP’s surgery or hospital. The doctor reviews the patient’s symptoms and comes up with a potential diagnosis of what is wrong with them;the blood test effectively confirms if the diagnosis iscorrect. A sample of blood is taken and put into a test tube. A paper trail is then created that links the sample with the doctor, the patient and the type of test required. Then the sample is sent to a central laboratory where the
test is carried out and the results sent back to the doctor. The whole process is complex and time consuming and it is not unknown for the wrong results to come back to the wrong patient. More importantly, it is expensive so budget constrained doctors will often be reluctant to order a barrage of blood tests to confirm an early diagnosis. By comparison, the Theranos system is a revelation. The doctor or a nurse uses a handheld testing device which can perform a battery of up to 30 tests on just one drop of blood. The device can perform hundreds of different tests as required and the results are beamed wirelessly back to the database that holds the patient’s medical records, where they are available to everyone who needs to see them. The benefits are immense. For starters, the cost of the tests is less than half that charged by the existing laboratories. In America alone it is estimated that the two main healthcare providers could save over $200 billion over the next decade. That’s before the savings in administration are taken into account. Then there’s the time saving; the results are available instantly rather than a week later. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Early diagnosis of cancer transforms survival rates and drastically cuts the costs of treatment. Early diagnosis of diabetes could save the NHS billions and transform the lives of those who suffer from it. It’s not just about money either; it’s about people’s health and happiness and about switching the ethos of health services from cure to prevention. The story of founder, Elizabeth Holmes, is an interesting one. She dropped out of Stanford at the age of 19 and used her tuition fund to start up the business. She successfully sold her idea to some very savvy investors and is now poised to become the first woman technology billionaire. Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is a multibillionaire and has had a film made about his life and he just created a dating site. What does the future hold for Elizabeth Holmes?
Birmingham Christmas Market & Worcester £10 D Victorian Christmas Fayre £99PP 2 days half board • 29 November, 2014 PP
EPOSIT
River Avon Christmas Lunch Cruise & Festive Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas MarketHillingdon, is the largest outdoor Christmas UB10 9JX Parkway, Middlesex, Market in the country. Traditional stalls offer an array of beautiful Independent School forWorcester boys and girls aged 3 - 11 handmade toys, Christmas decorations and craft goods. Victorian Christmas Fayre is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. INCLUDED: 1 night stay at the Hilton Hotel, Bromsgrove • 1 dinner and 1 breakfast • Visits to Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre Coach travel and excursions Quote BG11-IA • Coach travel and excursions
Stratford-upon-Avon
Great Day Out • Wednesday 3 December, 2014
£10PP DEPOSIT
£69PP
Join us for a Festive Lunch Cruise on the Countess of Evesham, a popular, well-established family-run 70ft restaurant cruiser. Enjoy a traditional 3course Christmas lunch while the Restaurant Boat cruises some of the most delightful stretches of the gently flowing River Avon. You will also have free time in Stratford-upon-Avon which will be decorated for Christmas. INCLUDED: Free time in Stratford-upon-Avon • 3-hour River Avon cruise on the Countess of Evesham • 3-course traditional Christmas lunch on-board starter, main course and dessert • Return coach travel
Quote RA12-IA
Christmas in Dorset, Longleat & Broadchurch 4 days half board+ • 24 December, 2014
£10PP DEPOSIT
£429PP An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School
Join us for a 4-day Christmas break at the Sherborne Hotel in rural Dorset. The hotel is nestled in 6 acres of private grounds and is surrounded by fields. It is a short walk from the historic market town that shares its name. The hotel has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment programme. There will be entertainment on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day evenings. Our holiday includes visits to Longleat, with a ride on the Santa Express, and West Bay - home to TV’s Broadchurch. INCLUDED: 3 nights stay at the Sherborne Hotel, Sherborne, Dorset • 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 1 traditional Christmas Day lunch • Visits to Longleat and West Bay • Coach travel and excursions
OPEN MORNING Quote2014 XD12-IA Wednesday 15th October
Call 01895 83234371 33to33 Please telephone 01895 make an appointment ABTA No. Y029 Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays & Voyages, ATOL 9362 Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 - www.sthelenscollege.com www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: 9JX info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
Home & Interiors
On The Wall
Choosing a wall finish is a question of combining personal choice and practicalities. While some finishes are hands-offdon’t-touch delicate, others are ideal for protecting walls from knocks and bumps, muddy paws and sticky fingers; some are meant only for perfectly smooth walls, while others are great at disguising blemishes. Find the right type of finish, then decide how colourful, patterned and textured you want it to be. A plain white wall, for example, may be just the ticket for showing off your collection of tin toys, or as a counterpoint to bright cushions and other accessories. On the other hand, you may want an exciting wallpaper that draws the eye to a feature wall, or adds pzazz to an otherwise boring room.
By Katherine Sorrell
Ideas for feature walls • Peel-off stickers. Instant transformation. Available in all sorts of designs, small or large, from simple outlines to complex illustrations. • Wallpaper with a huge, graphic pattern and bold colours can be overwhelming for a whole room, but is a great focal point on just one wall. • Paint effects are right on-trend. Try modern styles such as broad horizontal stripes or a dip dye effect. • Maps (old or new) are goodlooking and educational. Simply paste straight on to the wall. Try sheet music, wrapping paper and pictures enlarged on a photocopier, too. • Digital images can be enlarged as much as you like. Why not use one to cover an entire wall? • Wallpaper samples, vintage or modern, can be pasted up as a colourful collage. On the same theme, why not employ different colourways of the same pattern for an impressive and unusual effect? A world of wallpaper Wallpaper is oh-so-hot right now, but as well as being fashionable, it’s a brilliant way to add interest to any room. Conventional, machine-printed
designs are easiest to get hold of, usually inexpensive and simple to put up. But there is a whole world of wallpaper choice out there, from natural woven fibres and light-reflecting metallic papers to interactive papers that you can colour in or add stickers to, hand-blocked papers, three-dimensional designs incorporating crystals, sequins or tiny LED lights, digitally printed papers made to your own design and even magnetic wallpapers that work as a noticeboard. Types of wallpaper Standard decorative wallpapers are ideal for areas that don’t suffer from moisture or severe wear and tear. Vinyls are durable and easy to put up, often coming pre-pasted. They can be used anywhere, but are especially suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Washable wallpapers have a transparent coating to make them wipeable. Embossed wallpapers feature a raised, textured pattern and are meant to be painted. Blown vinyls are similar. Flock wallpapers feature a velvety texture in stencil-like designs. Foils are metallic wallcoverings. They vary from a gentle sheen to almost mirror-like. Natural wallcoverings include grass, silk, wood veneer, hessian and cork. Though they are backed with paper, they can be delicate and difficult to clean. Image: Create a wall-to-wall indoor garden with this geranium wallpaper mural, from £99, from Digetex HOME (0161 873 8891; www.DigetexHome.co.uk).
What happened in...
...October 1964? high speed rail link between Tokyo and Osaka was opened. It had an operational speed of 170mph; ‘coasting’, as Craig Breedlove would probably call it.
At Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, on 15th October, Craig Breedlove, set a new land8th: Baby, I can drive my own speed record of over 520 mph. car! Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr, passed Just seconds later he set his driving test. another (still unbroken) record for the world’s longest 10th: Yoshinori Sakai carried skid – nearly six miles! His the Olympic torch into the parachute brakes failed and stadium in Tokyo to open the the car travelled another six Summer Olympics. Yoshinori miles before crashing into a was born in the outskirts of lake at 200 mph. He managed Hiroshima on 6th August, to exit the car without even 1945, the day the atomic getting wet. bomb was dropped. This Craig is currently working on a project to take a car powered by two jet engines to 1,000 mph (mach1.4), although the 77-year-old won’t be driving it himself. No, don’t all rush, he already has a driver. 1st: The first section of the
choice of runner was a symbol of Japan’s reconstruction and commitment to world peace.
(I know the feeling, I’m always forgetting stuff). The threeman crew landed the next day after sixteen orbits of Earth. 14th: At the age of 35 Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
15th: The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, won the general election, ending thirteen years of Conservative Government. American composer/ songwriter Cole Porter died aged 73. 16th: China successfully exploded its first atomic bomb.
12th: The USSR launched Voskhod 1, the world’s first spacecraft to carry more than one person and the first not to take spacesuits and helmets
Petrol was about 4/6d a gallon The average price of a house was about £3,360
Three of the bestselling singles this year were: (There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me - Sandie Shaw I’m Into Something Good - Herman’s Hermits Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
29th: The Star of India, an almost flawless ‘double-sided’ star sapphire the size of a golf ball was part of a haul stolen from the American Museum of Natural History. The gang responsible were jailed and the gems were recovered – all except one. The Eagle Diamond is still missing.
Short Shorts by Patrick D Cousins is a collection of short stories available as an e-book for £1.99. Rainbows, Dreams and Angels is a double novella from Amazon. You can hear the song on You Tube.
TRAVEL
Arribar Alicante Most people think of Alicante as the airport you fly to before heading off to the tawdry delights of Benidorm, but it is actually a major tourist resort in its own right. I’d heard good things from a relative and chose it for this summer’s family holiday. We were staying in the Melia Alicante which rears up above the seafront like a cruise liner that has run aground between the beach and the marina. Built at the dawn of the Spanish tourist trade, the Melia is old enough to be classified as retro. The rooms are large and wellappointed and enjoy views across the beach or the marina, while the public areas are stylish and smart. The breakfast deserves a mention because it caters to every conceivable taste; I got into the habit of enjoying a glass of Buck’s Fizz with my Fruit ‘n’ Fibre. On the downside, the Melia suffers from the problem that afflicts many town centre resort hotels, a small pool and a shortage of both sunbeds and space to put them in. Alicante is a very cosmopolitan city and, unusually, many of the tourists are Spanish along with the usual gaggle of Brits, Germans and Scandinavians. The main beach, Postiguet, is a beach lover’s paradise with fine golden sand, shallow water and acres of serviced sunbeds. An inflatable archipelago is moored just
offshore to entertain those who want to do more than just dip in the water to cool off and the entire two mile beach is lined with bars and restaurants. Every water sport you could possibly desire is available, including flyboarding, which I haven’t seen before, where participants are propelled into the air by two jets of water attached to their feet. On the other side of our hotel, the area around the marina has been heavily developed with a clutch of high end nightclubs and restaurants and the gaudiest casino this side of Las Vegas. The promenade features an array of stalls selling jewellery and handbags along with a couple of cocktail bars and a life-size galleon which doubles up as a restaurant. There are few nicer places to sip a Pina Colada while you ponder what to eat that evening. Talking of eating out, you really are spoiled for choice in Alicante. Across the road from the Melia lies the old town, a charming maze of squares and alleyways where you can sit out on the street and tuck into a first rate meal. With the exception of a low rent Italian on the main boulevard, we didn’t have a bad meal during our stay; I can particularly recommend the Monastrell restaurant, superb food and surprisingly inexpensive. This part of Alicante has a great atmosphere and is remarkably civ-
ilised; there are no stag weekends or drunks and the street crime that plagues places like Barcelona is conspicuous by its absence. If you grow tired of sunbathing, eating and drinking, there are other things to fill your day. Alicante is home to a handful of museums and a medieval fortress perched on a mountain, though it’s a bit of a hike if you want to visit it. You can also take a boat trip out to the island of Tabarca a few miles down the coast. This was once a pirate lair but nowadays it is left to the restaurateurs and shopkeepers to extract money from the wallets of passing tourists. The voyage out there takes about an hour and costs 18 euros a head, not a bad way to spend a day. Alicante has a lot going for it as a holiday destination but there is a problem. It is not just a tourist resort, it is a city in its own right and, as such, it is not immune from the economic malaise that grips much of Spain at the moment. Beggars are everywhere, even pestering you as you dine and there are too many boarded up shops, while the waiters are overly desperate to lure you into their restaurants. But, if you can ignore these things, Alicante has a charm all of its own.
Howard Clemmow
Beauty
Professional Make-Up Secrets: How to Get a Perfect Pout a natural pale hue is an essential tool when making-up thin lips. Warm the pencil in your hands before lining your lips just slightly outside their natural line and bring the liner as far down to the corners of your mouth as you can - whilst still keeping it looking perfectly natural. Particularly emphasise your cupid’s bow and the middle of your bottom lip.
With the help of a few simple make-up tools and techniques it’s easy to transform your lips into the pout you’ve always wanted. Thin Lips Thin lips are a big beauty concern for many women - especially as they age. That’s because over the years, our lips lose their plumpness and become visibly thinner. Fortunately
there’s plenty that can be done to add some volume, without having to resort to fillers. Choose lipsticks in light shades and always opt for a glossy finish. Lighter colours work to make lips look bigger by bringing that area of your face forward, whereas darker shades have the opposite effect by pushing it back. Light-reflecting pigments in glosses and lipsticks add instant fullness to thin lips - unlike matte formulations that make the lips look flat. A creamy lip liner, in
Using a lip brush, neatly fill in your lips with your chosen lipstick. Add a dab of gloss to the centre of your bottom lip and highlight your cupid’s bow by adding a touch of shimmer highlighter - powder, cream or pencil varieties will all do the job. Uneven Lips If your bottom lip is fuller than your top, then your lips can look uneven - but it’s easy to balance things out with well-applied lipstick. Choose a lip liner in a shade that matches the lipstick you are going to use and apply it to your cupid’s bow - at the centre of your top lip. Don’t be tempted to extend the line
all the way down because you only want definition in the centre.
matches your liner.
as possible, then line the outer corners of your mouth by using light, feathery strokes. Bring the line up and round, over your cupid’s bow but make sure the line isn’t as strong as the one on the corners of your lips, because emphasising the corners of the mouth will have an elongating effect.
Cover your bottom lip with a dot of concealer or foundation - this makes it easier to correct the shape - then line the centre of your bottom lip slightly above the natural line and softly extend the line outwards, but not all the way to the corner of your mouth.
Bring the lip liner on to your bottom lip and lightly fill it in - the aim is to create a matte finish so that your bottom lip appears less prominent. Then, using a lip brush, fill in your top lip with the lipstick that
Draw attention to your top lip and create a perfect finish by adding a touch of gloss to the centre of your top lip. Narrow Mouth If your mouth is small and narrow it can look out of proportion compared to your other facial features. A little lip liner and lipstick can easily ‘extend’ the mouth though. Find a lip liner that matches the natural colour of your lips as closely
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Relatively Speaking
Hobbies What’s on at
by Alan Ayckbourn at Compass Theatre Wed 15 - Sat 18 October
Compass Theatre
Greg wants to marry Ginny,
even though they've only known each other The Art Of The Pen: Learningfor Calligraphy a month. He follows her on a visit to what
he assumes is her parental home, so that he can ask her announcements. father’s permission. You may also Unfortunately, houseinbelongs toart, Ginny’s seethe it used religious font middle-ageddesign lover, Philip, and his wifegraphic Sheila. and typography, Prolonged misunderstanding design, stone inscriptions reigns in this early Ayckbourn and memorial documents. classic. In addition, monarchs and
October/November 2014
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government officials throughout the world still employ calligraphers to create official charters and letters of state. at Winston
Comrades in Arms
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Churchill that Theatre It is estimated there 19 professional October are upSun to 50 working in Britain In this year scribes of commemorating the including Paulthe Antonio outbreak of today the First World War, (www.paulantonioscribe.com) Choir presents a powerful and at Compass Theatre evocative choral who programme runs his business from Thurs 2 - Sat 4 October reflecting the emotions associated a small studio in Clapham, Join the Cat in the Hat as he takes you with conflict, oppression andWriting the fight south London. for The word manuscript literally The word “calligraphy” is a on a journey into the fantastical, freedom.a list of clients that includes means “written by hand”for and combination of the Greek bombastical and songtastical world of Dr Seuss. television companies, upmarket it is thanks to the scribes words for “beauty” and Seussical The Musical is fabulous fun-filled show for all of history that the works jewellers and corporate “writing”, but calligraphy is very the family, featuring the much loved characters from the of classical scholars and events he uses much more than just “beautiful atorganisers, Compass Theatre world famous books by Dr Seuss including Horton the philosophers such as Homer, conventional pens, brush pens writing”: it’s an ancient Sun 19 October Elephant, the Grinch and many more. Suitable for the Aristotle, Pliny and Herodotus visual art form, practised or quills made out of goose, very young, but all ages will enjoy. Another fun general have been saved for posterity. for thousands of years, that swan or turkey feathers to knowledge quiz night These industrious writers continues to attract admiration create stunning, hand-written in of aid of the restoration of Ickenham also copied out hundreds and interest today in spite of scripts. Hall and Compass Theatre's building religious and literary works, at Compass our obsession with all things Theatre Like most passionate ranging from the bible toand thefittings. The bar will be open digital. Wed 8 - Sat 11 October throughout. artists, Tickets Paul include calligraphic is poems of Chaucer. Join Argosy as they a tasty Supper keen toChip ensure that with his writing The printing press was For early calligraphers the take you on a either fish,for chicken, is valued more than just its developed in Europe in the beauty and expressiveness theatrical journey guaranteed sausage or veggie burger. “It’s not decorative appearance: mid 15th century but before to ignite of the writing was just as the Theknowledge Grimm's Tales comes merely about pretty flourishes thatsenses time allasthe important as the meaning of alive on stage. Not for the faint-hearted. but more about structure and of the Western world was the words themselves: this led accuracy, contained within painstakingly written by hand to the creation of illuminated letter angles, heights, weights, on natural materials such as books embellished with gold at Compass Theatre shapes and underlying rhythm.” clay tablets, stone and animal leaf and vivid paintings. So Thurs 23 October skins. at Compass Café Bar Aside from its professional extraordinary were these One applications, of ITV1's X-Factor winnershas Sun 12 October & works of art that they were calligraphy Thanks to the development Stevebecome Brookstein plays songs a popular hobby 9 November frequently commissioned by of parchment - aSun more from his new album live on stage and there are plenty of online kings, queens and noblemen sophisticated writing Oncesurface a month comedy at Compass Theatre in an acoustic resources available to help you to demonstrate their status and madeevent of stretched and treated night at the Compass Theatre Bar. A concert accompanied by guitarist learn, from YouTube ‘how to’ selection of the best-and calf or sheep hides our upcoming religious faith. Luca Boscagin. to step-by-step guides. comedians working the British are days you’ll Ha!find Ha! 'Brilliant!'videos medieval ancestors were ablecircuitThese Sircan Tomalso Jones You get hold of a wide performing monthly, insuch the Bar at Compass to create manuscripts calligraphic scripts appearing Ha! Ha! range of books on the subject. Theatre, with of theKells, express intention ofonproviding as the Book written wedding andHa! event Ha! Great Value around 800 Entertainment AD, that have on a Sunday invitations, testimonials, birth You’ll need some fairly basic evening. survived up to the present day. and death certificates and equipment to start out: a set
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Seussical The Musical
Quiz ‘n’ Chips
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The Grimm's Tales
Comedy Compass
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Steve Brookstein: Forgotten Man
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Mary Poppins(U)
at Compass Theatre Tues 28 October
Join the practically perfect Mary Poppins for a Jolly Holiday as she magically turns every chore into a game and every day into a whimsical adventure. Along the way, you'll be enchanted by unforgettable characters such as Bert, the multi-talented chimney sweep. Directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and David Tomlinson.
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Jolly Holiday Craft & Performing Workshops
at Compass Theatre Wed 29 October Workshops inspired by the film screening of Mary Poppins in the same week - all programmed to keep 5 to 11 year olds busy in the Half Term holiday. Make something to take home in the Craft Workshop then learn a routine to perform in the Performing Workshop. Sessions last 2 hours and run at 10am and 1pm - so you can bring a packed lunch and come to both. Workshops fill up fast so book places in advance.
Just So Stories
by Rudyard Kipling at Compass Theatre Thurs 30 October
Movement, puppetry and a little bit of magic for Half Term. Using live music, puppetry and just a little bit of magic, Apollo Theatre Company tackles Rudyard Kipling’s best beloved tales that take us on a journey back to where it all began.
Blues Brothers Halloween Special at Compass Theatre Fri 31 October
The UK's leading, most authentic tribute to Jake and Elwood Blues with a 12 piece high octane live professional show band performing classics as featured in the hit motion pictures The Blues Brothers, Blues Brothers 2000 and much more. So slip on those dancing shoes and get ready to shake your tailfeather with an authentic tribute that will keep you moving all night long!
Murder on PLeisure Island
at Compass Café Bar Sun 2 November
PLeisure Island is the perfect holiday getaway, with everything you would expect; sun, sea... and suspicion! The detective urgently needs your help to discover the killer from among the shady, sun-tanned suspects. Solve the mystery in the Compass Cafe Bar over a chip supper. Choose from fish, sausage, chicken or a veggie burger.
Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens
at Compass Theatre Wed 5 - Sat 8 November As the audience settle back for an evening of cosmic cabaret, all is not well at Saucy Jack’s. The evil shadow of a serial killer looms over the bar; cabaret acts are being killed off one by one, found stabbed by the heel of a sequinned sling-back shoe. Part celebrity, part super-hero: strong, sexy, liberated...and all woman! The Space Vixen's mission is to fight crime and liberate the universe harnessing the Power of Disco! Not suitable for children.
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Jesus Christ Superstar
at Compass Theatre Wed 19 - Sat 22 November
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground-breaking rock musical tells the story of the last 7 days of Jesus of Nazareth. Featuring the hit songs I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Superstar, this spectacular show brings to life the most famous story of all time.
Theatre details... COmpaSS TheaTRe Glebe avenue, Ickenham, UB10 8pD. WINSTON ChURChIll TheaTRe aND hall pinn Way, Ruislip, ha4 7Ql.
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hIllINGDON BOx OFFICe 01895 673200
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Come and learn how to sing in perfect harmony in six weeks with our fun and friendly chorus, and sing in a final performance for your friends and family. for six weeks from 7.45pm until 9.15pm at South Ruislip Community Centre, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HS. Pre registration is required, so book your place now for by calling Patricia Kirkham on or email patriciakirkham@talktalk.net.
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Hobbies
The Art Of The Pen: Learning Calligraphy
The word “calligraphy” is a combination of the Greek words for “beauty” and “writing”, but calligraphy is very much more than just “beautiful writing”: it’s an ancient visual art form, practised for thousands of years, that continues to attract admiration and interest today in spite of our obsession with all things digital. The printing press was developed in Europe in the mid 15th century but before that time all the knowledge of the Western world was painstakingly written by hand on natural materials such as clay tablets, stone and animal skins. Thanks to the development of parchment - a more sophisticated writing surface made of stretched and treated calf or sheep hides - our medieval ancestors were able to create manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, written around 800 AD, that have survived up to the present day.
The word manuscript literally means “written by hand” and it is thanks to the scribes of history that the works of classical scholars and philosophers such as Homer, Aristotle, Pliny and Herodotus have been saved for posterity. These industrious writers also copied out hundreds of religious and literary works, ranging from the bible to the poems of Chaucer. For early calligraphers the beauty and expressiveness of the writing was just as important as the meaning of the words themselves: this led to the creation of illuminated books embellished with gold leaf and vivid paintings. So extraordinary were these works of art that they were frequently commissioned by kings, queens and noblemen to demonstrate their status and religious faith. These days you’ll find calligraphic scripts appearing on wedding and event invitations, testimonials, birth and death certificates and
announcements. You may also see it used in religious art, font design and typography, graphic design, stone inscriptions and memorial documents. In addition, monarchs and government officials throughout the world still employ calligraphers to create official charters and letters of state.
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It is estimated that there are up to 50 professional scribes working in Britain today including Paul Antonio (www.paulantonioscribe.com) who runs his business from a small studio in Clapham, south London. Writing for a list of clients that includes television companies, upmarket jewellers and corporate events organisers, he uses conventional pens, brush pens or quills made out of goose, swan or turkey feathers to create stunning, hand-written scripts.
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Like most passionate calligraphic artists, Paul is keen to ensure that his writing is valued for more than just its decorative appearance: “It’s not merely about pretty flourishes but more about structure and accuracy, contained within letter angles, heights, weights, shapes and underlying rhythm.”
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Aside from its professional applications, calligraphy has become a popular hobby and there are plenty of online resources available to help you learn, from YouTube ‘how to’ videos to step-by-step guides. You can also get hold of a wide range of books on the subject. You’ll need some fairly basic equipment to start out: a set
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of pens with nibs of different sizes (costing approximately £20), pencils, a ruler, a soft rubber for erasing guidelines, some ink (or ink cartridges) and a quantity of high quality, ink-friendly paper. You may find it useful to start out with a plain paper notebook, so you can chart your progress as you gradually improve.
height. Working near a source of natural light is preferable to being dependent upon artificial light sources.
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You should begin by working on the upward and downward strokes you will use to form letters, using a wide nib pen. There are some helpful tips to get you started at the website www.calligraphyforbeginners. com but if you prefer to take lessons with a tutor it may be worth popping into your local library to ask about adult education classes. Alternatively the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society publishes a list of UK tutors on their website (www.clas.co.uk).
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It will take some months of practice and study to develop a good technique, but it will be worth it in the end when you are able to transform mundane items such as Christmas cards, invitations and place settings
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If you want to use a quill pen you can dry out a large feather and cut it to shape with a sharp knife. Be warned, however: writing with a quill is far from easy and you may be tempted to give up before you’ve even started! As you’re likely to spend considerable time practicing and writing, it’s important that you make yourself as comfortable as possible, so ensure that you are sitting with your back well supported at a desk or table of suitable
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into elegant keepsakes. Even medieval monks (forced to write for hours on end) were not without complaint. Historians have discovered that monks often wrote notes in the margins of illuminated manuscripts and comments range from comic observation (“Oh, my hand!”) to seething frustration: “New parchment, bad ink: I say nothing more.” Learning your craft can be hard work, but thankfully these days we don’t have to spend hours creating parchment pages or sharpening quill pens in order to create something unique and beautiful. Just putting pen to paper is enough to turn simple words into works of art.
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Beauty
Is It Time To Professional Make-Up Secrets: How to Get a Perfect Pout Part With Your
a natural pale hue is an essential tool when making-up thin lips. Warm the pencil in your hands by Kate before lining McLelland your lips just slightly outside their natural line and bring the liner as farreacts downtoto theheat, corners body it to youras shape. This ofmoulds your mouth you can reduces air keeping circulationit around - whilst still your body, which makes looking perfectly natural. the memory mattress feel Particularly warmer, butemphasise it may make it harder for you move your cupid’s bowtoand the aroundofatyour night.bottom lip. middle
Old Mattress? An old mattress is like an old relationship: worn-in and comfortable, with the odd uneven bit that you have learned to avoid. It may have been beautiful when it was new, but now you’ve ceased to notice the frayed corners, the sagging middle and the missing studs. Although it is comforting and familiar, your old mattress may not be giving you the good night’s sleep you deserve. Here are three common mattress myths that may deny With the help you a peaceful rest: “My old mattress is of a few simple comfortable because it has make-up adapted to thetools way I lieand in bed.” Unfortunately you can techniques it’s still feel comfy long after your mattress lost its ability to easy tohas transform provide your body with the your into the proper lips support it needs. “The stiffness I feel each pout you’ve always morning is due to too much exercise, or old age – or wanted. both!” It may simply be due to a mattress that doesn’t Thin give Lips you enough support. If you lips generally in Thin are afeel bigbetter beauty the morning when you’ve concern for many women slept elsewhere, it’s time for - especially a change. as they age. That’s because over the “My mattress is still under guarantee!” Thelose warranty years, our lips their exists to protect the plumpness and become consumer from product visibly Fortunately defectsthinner. and is not an
indicator of how long a mattress should be used. A mattress that has been in constant use for five to seven years may need to be replaced. If it is time for you and your mattress to part company, how do you go about choosing a newer model? Pocket sprung mattresses have springs sewn into individual fabric pockets so your partner’s movement won’t affect your side of the bed. These mattresses there’s plenty that can be can be costly but proved done add some volume, mostto popular in a survey without having toconsumer resort to conducted by the association Which? fillers. Continuous coil mattresses Choose lipsticks in light are made from a single shades opt looped and wire, always while open-coil are made of formattresses a glossy finish. Lighter single springs fixed together colours work to make lips by one wire. The springs look bigger byunit, bringing move as one so you that are area yourtoface forward,by moreoflikely be disturbed your partner’s movements whereas darker shades at night.the These mattresses have opposite effectare by cheaper, but tend to wear out pushing it back. faster than those with pocket springs. Light-reflecting pigments in Memoryand foam mattresses glosses lipsticks add are good at relieving instant fullness to thin lips pressure on painful joints, - unlike matte but usually costformulations more than a sprung that makemattress. the lips Memory look flat. foam is affected by room Atemperature: creamy lip liner, as thein mattress
Latex mattresses are hypo-
Using a lip and brush, neatly allergenic so can prevent bacteria house dust fillfungi, in your lips with your mites from accumulating. chosen lipstick. Add a Latex is made from rubber dab of gloss toelasticity, the centre so has natural ofretaining your bottom lip and its shape as soon as the pressure removed. highlight youriscupid’s Mattress toppers: As the bow by adding a touch suggests, a topper ofname shimmer highlighter sits on top of your ordinary - powder, cream or pencil mattress to give you extra varieties will support, all do the comfort and butjob. it
won’t help if your mattress has already Uneven Lipsbegun to sag. Toppers can also provide If ayour bottom lip islayer fuller useful protective between and than your the top,sleeper then your fullcan mattress the event of lips look in uneven - but night-time accidents or spills, it’showever easy toprices balance things vary and out withcan well-applied some be as costly as buying a new mattress. lipstick. Remember, comfort, support Choose a lipare liner a and durability keyinwhen shade matches the it comesthat to buying a new mattress. It’sare worth taking lipstick you going totime to search for the itright one, as use and apply to your your reward will be many years cupid’s - at the centre of blissfulbow sleep. ofMain yourImage: top lip. Don’t be Top Dog Mattress tempted to extend line £645, the Loaf.com
the wildlife zone
kaiser
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.
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he male sparrowhawk, or kaiser as I call him, could be a rare visitor to the Millstream Fork wildlife garden. This is difficult to prove as sparrowhawks are difficult to watch because they are usually just flashing through a patch of ground whilst hunting. It is difficult to distinguish exactly how rare sparrowhawks are in the area, although I piece together bits of evidence. When the Kaiser arrives in the wildlife garden, birds scatter like shrapnel. On two occasions I have seen this male sparrowhawk grab birds on the patio with his sharp, killing talons. When I was a child, I thought that a bird of prey’s sharp beak was for stabbing the prey to death, whilst being held in a vice like grip. However, these claws are so powerful, that the razor blade talons do the killing as well as 8 sowing needles pressed deeply into the body at the same time. After the prey has been killed, the formidable beak plucks the feathers and tears the flesh into smaller digestible fragments. The Kaiser’s first successful hunt at Millstream Fork was when I had a Blue Tit nest box sited at the side of the patio doors about 8 feet off the ground. One early evening in summer, at about 6 o’clock, the Blue Tit flew back to the nest box. As the Blue Tit flew towards me and the nest box I noticed its flight path. They fly in a particular style which is up and down, rather like a large radio or alpha wave, if seen from the side-on perspective. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the sparrowhawk flash in from the left side of the patio. In one stupefying moment, the Kaiser snatched the flying blue tit just about a yard or so from the safety of its home. The hunter gyrated, wheeled around on the spot and flew back from whence it came, having made the perfect kill. On the ground a few yards of way from this incident a pair of Mallards were waddling around in a relaxed manner, slowly searching for food on the path near the patio. In an instant, they had figured out the danger of the fatal incident. They were deeply upset and created a commotion. I could easily tell this from the loud and hurried quacks they made, their nervousness and the way they stomped around in tight circles for a few moments. For some moments afterwards they were still fluffing their wings, looking around and on their guard for any other possible threat. Within a minute they had flown up and were away. This may have been because sparrowhawks also hunt mallards and smaller waterfowl. Therefore this pair really could have been ‘sitting ducks’ in the true sense of the word as their only fighting weapon would have been their bills. The sparrowhawk’s short, rounded wings and longish tail have evolved over countless millennia to live in woodlands, where these features enable the bird to get extra maneuverability. With the burgeoning suburbs, the sparrowhawk uses their skills of twisting and turning whilst flying at great speed to dodge fences, trees and outhouses to catch songbirds by surprise. The second time I saw a successful hunt at Millstream Fork was when the Kaiser crashed into two feeding baskets hanging from the patio bird table just three feet away from where the mallards had been on that first fatal incident. This time the victim was a young Robin, a fledgling, whose red breast feathers had not yet had time to replace its speckled brown feathers. This time I clearly saw the Kaiser’s yellow eyes, his bluish grey back and his white and rusty barred chest as he turned around with his sorry prey firmly locked in his talons. sparrowhawks and other predators such as Kestrels and hobbies are animals whose evolutionary path has led them to being carnivores. It is how these birds have fitted into an ecological niche that makes sure that the predators cannot have a digestive system that lives on berries or leaves. Therefore their position in the ecological niche means that they must hunt smaller birds in the food chain, irrespective of how human beings feel about it. My suspicions that Millstream Fork is actually inside a sparrowhawks territory was all but vindicated shortly afterwards. This was when I had witnessed another sparrowhawk hunting in my garden on three or four occasions. However as this sparrowhawk was much larger than the Kaiser, it must have been the hen. I also noticed that it had different markings to the male. The hen had a dark brown back and dark bars on her chest. Moreover, within a few weeks of these sightings, I had seen this hen take a fully grown Woodpigeon a couple of hundred yards away from Millstream Fork in another garden. Usually in nature the males are larger then females, perhaps due to their need to fight off other males of the same species for the right to mate. For many other species, the male has to do much of the hunting for the nesting female. However for many birds of prey, including sparrowhawks, the male, or tiercal, is about a third smaller than the female. As a result of this activity, I expect to see sparrowhawks here at the wildlife garden for as long as they are able to find enough food. I accept that sightings may be scarce, although their presence is likely to be more common than is actually observed. All of this seems to point to the probability that there is a local pair of nesting sparrowhawks. I would love to see their nest in the trees around here, which is where I suspect they are.
the charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk
AuTuMn SHow
LAST month Margaret told us all about Dahlias, and if you visited the Great Barn in Ruislip on the 13th of September you will have seen what all the fuss was about - over 100 Dahlias were on display with a spectrum of colours.
This month, RCHS Show Manager Patricia Swindells gives an in depth review of the RCHS Autumn Show. This month is a great time to start planting your bulbs for Spring flowering, Narcissi (Daffodils) do a lot better if planted earlier. Plant them in groups of 5s or 7s rather than one or two dotted here and there. Clumps have a greater effect. Tulips too give an amazing show a little after the Daffodils are over, allowing a seamless flow of floral delights into the summer months, and you can start planning these too now. one of my favourite is the fantastic ‘Queen of the night’ and ‘Black Jewel’ with its wonderful dark purple fringe. This variety also repeats well year after year. In the RCHS Spring show in March 2015 you could even show your well rewarded efforts! Over to Patricia with the Autumn Show review... Ruislip Central Horticultural Society Autumn Show September 13th 2014. Unlike at the Summer Show there was no apocalyptic clap of thunder to open the Autumn Show. Instead we were blessed with warm sunshine typifying Keats description of Autumn as a “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. once more the Society members excelled in providing a dazzling display of colour in their exhibits. The display of Dahlias caught the eye on entering the old Barn in Ruislip. The red, orange, purple, yellow and pink flower heads were spectacular and caused a few members of the public to enquire how they too might grow some for next year! The display of fruit and vegetables was mouthwatering and the Show Manager did take the precaution of counting the exhibits as the temptation to taste the produce might have been overpowering. Surprisingly there were quite a few wine producing grapes on display so it might not be too long before a ‘Chateau de Ruislip’ is featured in the local stores. The display in the Domestic section showed that the tradition skills are not lost but thriving. The Floral Art competition showcased the skills of our members. The themes Halloween,
Remembrance and Happy Birthday produced exhibits of a very high standard with only single marks differentiating between First and Second place. Another section which highlighted the skills was the Handicraft section. This is a section of the show which is growing in popularity and the standard of entry was very high. Another area of growth is the children’s' section and the Society would like to encourage more children and grandchildren of members to take part. The Cacti and Succulents are always worth close inspection and it was good to see young members of the public taking time to look and ask questions. It was from this section that one particular exhibit caught the Judges' eyes and so was awarded the ‘Best in Show’. The members of the Society were also able to enter other plants that demonstrated the range of plants that are grown throughout Ruislip from shrubs with berries to patio pots from Roses to Fuchsias. As usual the Ruislip public and the members of the Society ensure that there was a very good turnout and when looking at all the exhibits proved too tiring the Society was able to offer refreshments to round the visit off. If you exhibited in the Autumn Show why not do it again in March 2015 and if you were a member of the public inspired by what you saw, why not join us and participate in the Spring Show? There are sections for everyone even complete novices – so come and join us and be part of the Ruislip Central Horticultural Society community.
RCHS MAILBAG Q This time of year I begin to see amazing colours on trees which I have always wanted in my garden. I want to buy a tree for the garden however, I want that amazing Autumn colour, can you recommend a tree for this effect. Thank you. Sally, Ruislip. A Sally, one of my all time favourite trees for Autumn colour is ‘Liquidambar styraciflua’ commonly known as American Sweet Gum. The leaves usually have five (but sometimes three or seven) sharply pointed palmate lobes rich dark green, smooth, shiny, star-shaped leaves with turn brilliant orange, red, and purple colors in the Autumn. This Autumnal coloring has been characterized as not simply a flame, but a conflagration. Its reds and yellows compare to that of the maples (Acer), and in addition, it has the dark purples and smoky browns of the ash Fraxinus Email your questions for the team at the RCHS to rchstalks@gmail.com, we look forward to answering them in the coming issue. Look out next month for our tips on pruning.
Warren
Gardening
Conifers
by Pippa Greenwood
Conifers are a great way to add colour, texture and living sculpture to your garden 365 days of the year. With several hundred different cultivars of conifer to choose from in the UK, there really is one to suit every situation. Dwarf Conifers - There are many conifers which reach a maximum height of 1m (3ft). These are obviously particularly useful for small gardens and will often add a great extra dimension to a rock garden or a small-scale border. They may need an occasional trimming, but generally hold their shape well. Recommended: Picea abies ‘Little Gem’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Gnome’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Aurea’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Vilmoriniana’, Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Tall and Narrow - Very stylish, many of the columnar or tall, slim conifers look especially stunning when used to create a screen, or to add height to a mixed border or a shrub border. Being rather like a living sculpture they are also good grown as a single specimen tree in a lawn. Recommended: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata Aurea’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’.
Pyramidshaped Conifers - With their relatively wide bases and narrow tops, pyramidal conifers can bring welcome shape, texture and evergreen colour to your garden and if carefully position are often useful to hide an eyesore. Recommended: Picea albertiana ‘Conica’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Yvonne’ or Thymus occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ Spherical Conifers - With their prominently rounded shape these conifers naturally produce a sculptured look and are perfect for growing either side of a gateway or house entrance. They also look great in a mixed border, adding colour, texture and interest when many of the other border ingredients are below ground. Recommended: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sunset’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Glauca’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Danice’ Ground-Cover Conifers - Great for hiding low-lying eyesores such as manhole covers, an evergreen groundcover hides them all year long. Low growing conifers also work well for covering steep slopes and edging paths and beds. They will help to keep weeds at bay and are very low maintenance. Recommended: Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Coat’, Juniperus conferata, Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’. Conifers for Containers
- Conifers can look great either on their own (especially when planted with a few small bulbs around their roots, to add splashes of seasonal colour) or in a mixed planting where they help to bring structure, texture and off-season colour. Recommended: Juniperus compressa ‘Compressa’, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Ellwood’s Gold’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-Sugi’ , Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Springtime’, Pinus leucodermis ‘Schmidtii’ Conifer Planting and Growing Tips - Make the planting hole a minimum of 1m wide by 30cm deep and incorporate plenty of bulky organic matter such as garden compost, proprietary planting mix or well-rotted manure. Tease or spread out the roots well and backfill the hole with garden soil mixed with planting compost. Make sure that only the roots are below the soil surface, water in well. Keep the soil moist at all times, especially during late spring and summer when drought is likely. Feed in April using a proprietary fertiliser to keep the growth good and ensure it is a good colour. Trim conifers regularly but remember if you cut back into old or brown growth you’ll end up expose all the old growth as they don’t produce dormant buds.
Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for a great range of gardening-related items including‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Cards, handmade pottery herb planters, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, signed books and lots of useful garden items.
The first of the retro rockers, the Figaro was really a design exer cise that made it into production, with 20,000 being produced in just one year. Styled on the 1960s’ Datsun Fairlady, the Figaro was as cute as a button. A tiny 1.0 litre turbo engine pro vided surprisingly brisk perform ance but this car was all about style and comfort. Standard equipment included leather, air conditioning, a CD player and a full length sunroof that all but made it a cabriolet. All UK ex amples are imports but are easy to find. Expect to pay £4,000 for a decent example with 60k on the clock.
The New Beetleis a perfect example of the platform sharing that VW have made into an art form; it’s really a Mk3 Golf with a curvy, retro body plonked on
top. A concept car that was intended to capitalise on the enduring popularity of the origi nal Beetle, it has proved re markably successful. It’s avail able as either a hatchback or a cabriolet and features just about every engine fitted to a Golf up to 2005. The Beetle is compara tively practical and wellbuilt but the handling is a disappointment and most models are slow and decidedly thirsty. You can pick up a Beetle for under a grand but a pristine 2010 model with 20,000 miles on it will set you back just £7,500.
BMW’s take on the iconic British car has been a massive success story, so much so that there are now 7 different models in the MINI range. The designers have managed to combine the pert looks, dinky proportions and unique style of the original car with a sporty drive and BMW’s exemplary engineering and build quality. The original 1.6 litre engine comes in 3 flavours, 98bhp, 118bhp and a hefty 168bhp from the supercharged Cooper S; all provide strong performance and decent econ omy. Inside, it’s as retro as you like but the back seats are cramped and the boot is tiny.
The handling is terrific but the ride is punishingly harsh, par ticularly with the 17” wheels fitted. MINIs are cheap and plentiful; I found a 2009 Cooper S with 35K miles under its belt for £7,500.
Fiat belatedly got in on the retro act with the supremely pert and pretty 500. Based on the de pendable Panda, it has all the predictable 1960s’ styling cues and that tiny exterior belies the surprising amount of space inside, considerably more than the larger MINI. The original range of 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines together with a 1.5 litre diesel were all fairly weedy and not particularly frugal, but the new 950cc Twinair turbo is a gem. The handling of the 500 is pretty good but it provides an uninvolving drive together with an overly bumpy ride. There was a waiting list for the first few years of production and prices have held up surprisingly well; you can pick up a 2008 1.2 Lounge (high spec) with sub 50k mileage for £5,250.
In and Around Reader Travel
Riviera of Flowers Monaco & Portofino 8 DAYS SEMI ALL INCLUSIVE FROM
£849pp
Free Drinks & Champagne check-in
Portofino
Monaco
Dolceacqua
Departures: 13 April, 15 May, 19 & 25 September, 1 October, 2015 This super holiday, taking in the French and Italian Rivieras, starts with a glass of bubbly at St Pancras’ famous Champagne Bar before taking an afternoon Eurostar to Lille or Paris. After an overnight stay, we continue by TGV train to Nice then coach to Diano Marina on Italy’s Riviera of Flowers. Enjoy free drinks every night at the hotel and excursions to Monaco, Eze, Portofino and Dolceacqua. INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Champagne Check-in at London St Pancras • Return rail travel from St Pancras to Nice • 1 night hotel B&B in Paris or Lille • 6 nights in Diano Marina - half board plus selected free drinks 6pm to 11pm every night • Excursions & transfers abroad
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Voyages Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays & Voyages www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
ABTA No. Y0291 ATOL 9362
Birmingham Christmas Market & Worcester £10 D Victorian Christmas Fayre £99PP 2 days half board • 29 November, 2014 PP
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the country. Traditional stalls offer an array of beautiful handmade toys, Christmas decorations and craft goods. Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. INCLUDED: 1 night stay at the Hilton Hotel, Bromsgrove • 1 dinner and 1 breakfast • Visits to Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre Coach travel and excursions • Coach travel and excursions
EPOSIT
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River Avon Christmas Lunch Cruise & Festive £10 D Stratford-upon-Avon £69PP Great Day Out • Wednesday 3 December, 2014 PP
EPOSIT
Join us for a Festive Lunch Cruise on the Countess of Evesham, a popular, well-established family-run 70ft restaurant cruiser. Enjoy a traditional 3course Christmas lunch while the Restaurant Boat cruises some of the most delightful stretches of the gently flowing River Avon. You will also have free time in Stratford-upon-Avon which will be decorated for Christmas. INCLUDED: Free time in Stratford-upon-Avon • 3-hour River Avon cruise on the Countess of Evesham • 3-course traditional Christmas lunch on-board starter, main course and dessert • Return coach travel
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Christmas in Dorset, Longleat & Broadchurch 4 days half board+ • 24 December, 2014 Join us for a 4-day Christmas break at the Sherborne Hotel in rural Dorset. The hotel is nestled in 6 acres of private grounds and is surrounded by fields. It is a short walk from the historic market town that shares its name. The hotel has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment programme. There will be entertainment on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day evenings. Our holiday includes visits to Longleat, with a ride on the Santa Express, and West Bay - home to TV’s Broadchurch. INCLUDED: 3 nights stay at the Sherborne Hotel, Sherborne, Dorset • 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 1 traditional Christmas Day lunch • Visits to Longleat and West Bay • Coach travel and excursions
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Holidays & Voyages, Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk
£10PP DEPOSIT
£429PP
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ABTA No. Y029 ATOL 9362
october events
Local Events october into november
Ruislip/northwood Flower arrangement society northwood and Pinner liberal synagogue, oaklands Gate, northwood ha6 3aa. Forthcoming Events: tue 7th october - Area demonstrator, Andrew Lloyd - ‘The Colours of Autumn’. tue 4th november - Area demonstrator, Alan smith ‘Christmas Crackers’. tue 2nd December - national demonstrator, Anthony Williams - ‘Christmas Lights’ cost: visitors £5 for Area Demonstrators and £6 for national Demonstrators. tickets may be purchased on the door. call 01923 829621 for details.
watch & take part – face painting, Punch & Judy show, ferret racing, archery and craft-making plus refreshment tents & a bbQ. entry will be £1 per adult & £3 parking. children go free.
michael sobell hospice Fundraiser ‘Brain Box Quiz night’ Wed 8th october, 7.30pm michael sobell hospice, mount Vernon hospital, northwood, ha6 2Rn our popular quiz night returns. tickets cost £15 and includes a fish & chip supper (veggie option available) there is also a licensed bar. Free parking. barclays bank will match funds to make your donation go further. tickets can be booked online at www.michaelsobel lhospice.co.uk or 01923 844730. hUBB Business Breakfast event thu 9th october, 8am-9am Uxbridge Conservative Club, 46 harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PJ. networking with local professionals and in partnership with the Hillingdon chamber of commerce. ‘state of the nation - Healthcare in the UK’. Guest speaker Graham roberts from WPA. coffee & pastries. For details email: emma.zovich@wardwilliams.co.uk ‘Butterflies’ autumn sale & Community Coffee morning sat 11th october, 9am-1pm ickenham Village hall, 33 swakeleys Road, ickenham, UB10 8DG should anyone require to hire a table or require more information please contact vera on 01895 635224 or chris on 676900 or email: butterfliesickenham@yahoo.com apple Day sat 18th october, 11am-4pm home Cottage Farm, Bangors Road south, iver heath A great family fun day out with numerous stalls for local charities, producers and traders – from toffee apples and pumpkins to bric-a-brac and crafts. Lots of children’s activities and events for all ages to
Quiz ‘n’ Chips night sun 19th october Compass theatre, Glebe avenue, ickenham ,UB10 8PD Another fun general knowledge quiz night in aid of the restoration of Ickenham Hall and compass theatre's building and fittings. the bar will be open throughout. tickets include a tasty chip supper with either fish, chicken, sausage or veggie burger. tel: 079 302 68686.
Ruislip Central horticultural society thurs 21st october, 7.30-9.30pm st lawrence Church hall, 2 Bridle Road, Pinner, ha5 2sJ A talk not to be missed! 'Plants for the Autumn' given by timothy Walker, Director of oxford botanic Garden. For more details contact Warren reeves; call 01923 451616, email: rchstalks@gmail.com or visit www.ruisliphorticulturalsociety.org.uk £3 members, £4 non-members including refreshments. Flower Festival Fri 31st oct to sun 2nd nov st marys Church, the Fairway, south Ruislip Dedicated to the First World War and those who gave their lives for us. see www.stmarychurch.co.uk for more.
Don't miss the DeaDline! If you would like us to publicise your event in our november issues contact us no later than Friday 10th october.
noveMber events Uxbridge Business Biscotti Wed 5th november, 8.30-10.30am Devonshire Business Centre, Boundary house, Cricket Field Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1QG the philosophy is simple – if you want to network, make contacts and forge business relationships in an informal environment visit Uxbridge biscotti. there’s no need to book, just come along and buy a cup of tea or coffee (donation of £2) to support
the venue! (Nearest car park is ‘intu shopping centre’). Glebe Primary school Pta shopping evening thu 6th november, 6pm-9pm ickenham Village hall, 33 swakeleys Road, ickenham, UB10 8DG Free entrance. various stalls plus refreshments on sale. ‘Butterflies’ Christmas table top sale & Community Coffee morning sat 8th november, 9am-1pm ickenham Village hall, 33 swakeleys Road, ickenham, UB10 8DG should anyone require to hire a table or require more information please contact vera on 01895 635224 or chris on 676900 or email: butterfliesickenham@yahoo.com Ruislip manor Christmas Fayre sat 8th november come and join the fun. call Les Drussel on 07792 856984 for more. Celebration of Voice Cabaret evening Fri 21st november, 7.15pm ickenham Village hall, 33 swakeleys Road, ickenham, UB10 8DG two sensational acts - Matt & Molly (mollymariewalsh.com) and shane Hampsheir (www.shanehampsheir. co.uk). Licensed bar. tickets £15 includes a selection of canapés. Available in advance from Pro Music International, swakeleys rd, Ickenham or on the door.
LIve MUsIc events the Watersedge Packet Boat lane, Cowley, UB8 2Js Fri 10th oct the Flyers Fri 14th nov Ladies night with Drag Queen tiffany Wells and 2 male strippers (show starts 9pm with DJ 'til late £15 pp inc basket meal) the 3 steps high st, Cowley, UB8 2DX sat 11th oct 'Amy Winehouse' tribute sat 18th oct 'Pack of Lies' Fri 24th oct 'stiles' sat 25th oct cher tribute Fri 31st oct Halloween Party the swan at iver 2 high street, iver, sl0 9nG Fri 17th oct two tone Fri 24th oct boogie shoes Fri 31st oct Halloween Fancy Dress Party + disco - 1st prize £100 the Whip & Collar 135 swallow street, iver, sl0 0hU sat 18th oct rod stewart tribute sat 25th oct Halloween Fancy Dress + DJ, plus prizes for best dressed!
Technology taking the expense out of heating your home
Some Like It Hot
With summer a rapidly fading memory it’s likely that you’ve had the central heating on for weeks or even months. With energy prices constantly increasing, a few simple bits of kit can make a huge difference to your outgoings. One of the simplest changes you can make is to replace your boiler’s old timer with a modern digital programmer, such as Siemens’ RWB29. This £45 device enables you to set different times for weekdays and weekends, and you can set three different heating times per day. Installing it and any similar programmer isn’t a particularly difficult job and the extra control it offers can help reduce your heating bills. Another option is to invest in thermostatic radiator valves, or TRVs for short. With prices starting at around £7, TRVs are simple to fit and enable you to set different temperatures in different rooms, so for example you might set the bedrooms to be several degrees cooler than the living room. You can even get digital ones such as the Terrier i-temp i30, which enables you to set up to 6 different temperature settings per day - handy if the room’s temperature is subject to
outside factors such as late afternoon sunshine. For many of us our heating systems are fairly low tech, but that’s changing with the arrival of systems such as British Gas’s Hive. Hive connects your boiler to your broadband, and that means you can control it with a smartphone app. You might override the heating settings because you’re coming home later than expected, keep an eye on your daily energy use, or just show off by turning the heating on and off when you’re at work. British Gas reckons that the £199 Hive will pay for itself very quickly, offering savings of up to £150 a year on your energy bills, and it’s compatible with 99% of the UK’s gas boilers. One of the most advanced home energy gadgets is the Nest learning thermostat, which is now owned by Google. The £249 device isn’t just a good looking thermostat; it’s a computer that learns your everyday activities and sets the heating to suit - and it knows when you’re out, lowering the heating accordingly. Once again the big selling point here is reduced energy bills, and Nest has proved so successful at doing that in America that
some US energy companies are giving them away free to their customers to help keep their bills down (and the customers loyal). A thermostat is hardly the most exciting sounding gadget, but Nest has big ideas: Google has teamed up with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and fitness gadget maker Jawbone, remote control firm Logitech and garage door firm Chamberlain to make Nest compatible with their products. A Mercedes car knows what time you’ll be home and can alert the thermostat accordingly; a Jawbone fitness tracker can tell when you’re waking up and can turn the heating up automatically; allin-one remotes can get all your entertainment gadgets ready for a movie while dropping the temperature to make the thriller even more chilling. It won’t be long before Google adds voice control to the mix, and it’s clear that it sees Nest as the centre of a much wider home automation system. It’s hot stuff already!
By Gary Marshall
Images left to right:British Gas Hive smart thermostat; Honeywell Homexpert replacement heating programmer; Nest learning thermostat; Thermostatic radiator valve
Van Gough
The Barnes Family RSPCA Middlesex North West is appealing to local animal lovers to become to help them to cope with increasing numbers of unwanted and abandoned animals. Many of the animals in our care need a little bit of extra love, and would struggle to live in animal centre environment. Whether they are baby animals who are too young to be rehomed, mothers who need a safe haven to give birth, or animals who have been abandoned and need someone to help them to get their confidence back. We are looking for volunteers who live locally who are able to care for pets in their homes on a short term basis, until they are ready to find a permanent home. All veterinary, food and accommodation costs are covered by us – the only commitment we need from you is time and lots of love to give. Whether you are elderly and want some extra company, but don’t want to commit to a forever pet, or a busy animal loving family – please get in touch! The Barnes family have been fostering animals for us since 2009. “We all love animals and fostering has proved to be a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Giving temporary homes to animals, we get a lot back in return. We have had the opportunity to experience all sorts of rabbits, guinea pigs and cats, with expert advice and support on hand. It is lovely to pick the children up from school and tell them a new foster pet is waiting for them at home. When a foster pet goes on to their forever home, the children now recite what I have always said – ‘you never know what or who you are going to get next’ and as yet we have never been disappointed,” said Jackie Barnes. If you would like to join our wonderful team of volunteer fosterers please call our Animal Welfare Team on or email us at
regular & local events...
Quiz night Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Coach & Horses, Ickenham oaken leaves english Folk Dance club Meet every Thursday 8.15-10pm at Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road, Ruislip. Beginners welcome call Joan 01895 638008. events at eastcote royal British legion club, southbourne gardens Zumba Tue & Wed 7-8pm £5. Contact Hayley 07835 120642 or email: hayleyzumba@gmail.com Karate for all levels, beginners welcome contact Frank on 078335 33569 Sats 10am and Mons 6.30pm Weekly Quiz Night ! Every Thurs. comeDy... comedy Bunker Ruislip Golf Centre Ickenham Road Ruislip HA4 7DQ for more details of visit: www.comedybunker.co.uk comedy nights The Empire Comedy Club at The White Bear, Ickenham Road HA4 7DF every Thurs night. Pete 01895 675293 hoBBies... Brushstrokes art classes with sue Friendly weekly classes with tuition. Beginners welcome. Hayes, Ickenham & Ruislip. Ring Sue 01895 639294 or 07949 805246 chiltern aviation society Meets every 4th Wednesday, Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham Road. Call Keith Hayward 01895 637872
harrow & hillingdon geological society Meet for lectures at 7.30 for 8.00pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Cavendish Pavilion, Field End Road, Eastcote, HA4 9PG. All are welcome, visitors £3 donation, please. Refreshments available. For information contact: Jean Sippy, Secretary Tel: 020 8422 1859 www.hhgs.org.uk hillingdon arts & crafts club Meet every 2nd Friday in The Parlour at the URC Church in Swakeleys Road from 9.45-11.30am. £3pp. Call Sue Williams 07799 054444. hillingdon Family history society At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Research room is open (10am-1pm) on the first Saturday of the month and on every Friday (except the Fri before the first Sat). Experienced help available. See
www.hfhs.co.uk or contact Mrs Pat Reynolds 01895 444442 e: hillingdonfhs@onetel.com inland Waterways association Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk ruislip, northwood & eastcote local history society The Society meets on the third Monday of the month from September to April at St Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip High Street, at 8.15pm. See RNELHS website for details. Susan Toms, 01895 637134 or e: toms.susan@gmail.com ruislip & District natural history society Meet last Monday of the month from Sept to April (except Dec) in Guide Hut near Ruislip Library. Contact: John Matthews 01895 636215. ruislip central horticultural society Talks and advice for local gardeners , new members welcome. for more info call Warren Reeves on01923 451616 or email rchstalks@gmail.com ruislip & northwood Flower arrangement society Meet every 1st Tues of the month at the Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Oaklands Gate, Northwood HA6 3AA the language clubs of hillingdon From late Sept until mid-July. Speak some German, Spanish, French or Italian? Want to practise speaking and listening in friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers and native speakers? Join a Language Club! Each Club meets on a different Friday of the month at 7.30pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 723 . Spanish Club . French Club starts 10 Oct 01895 253 472. Italian Club starts 17 Oct 020 8863 3468. uxbridge & ickenham Floral art society Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. Call 01895 850943 for details. keep-Fit, Dance & Drama... aikido classes Yeading Community Centre, UB4 9BH. Seniors: Mon & Fri 8-10pm. Juniors (6yrs+) Fri 6.30-8pm. Learn a non competitive martial art. Friendly British Aikido Board registered club, under Sensei Sheppard 6th dan. Full information on www.kuraiaikido.co.uk. Contact Keith Holland 01895 636344 or email kuraiaikido@hotmail.com
argosy players theatre group Meets at Ruislip Conservative Club, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip. Every Thurs, 8pm. Call 07972 394702. classical pilates Mat classes for beginners through to advanced levels, based in Ruislip. Contact Tonja Osborn 07766 011036 or email TonjaOsborn@gmail.com Dance, gymnastics and Free running classes By Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles of dance from RAD ballet,to Zumba. Check out our website for full class listings www.futunityuk.com. Contact 01895 251224 or admin@futunityuk.com eastcote exercise classes Metabolic workout class, 45 minute stretch class. Mon, Tues & Sat mornings. Contact Virginia King 01895 232551 or email virginiaking@vking2468.freeserve.co.uk empowering yoga Fusion of Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga Wed 9.30-10.45am at Windmill Studio Centre, Ruislip Manor. Thur 9.30-11am at St Thomas More Church, Eastcote + classes in Harrow. Free Trial Class contact Joanne 0845 4561336 e:info@empoweringyoga.co.uk Fusion pilates+ classes Mon 10-11am, St Lawrence Church, 2 Bridle Road, Eastcote, HA5 2SJ and Wed 8:30-9:30pm, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, HA5 1JD. Classes run throughout the year. For details contact Lenka 07929 472 194 or email rybickova.lenka@gmail.com Fitness league Tone & Stretch exercises for women of all fitness levels. Tues 7.30-8.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838. www.thefitnessleague.com images school of Dance Fun and friendly dance & drama classes for all ages including RAD Ballet & Contemporary dance. Based in Ruislip Manor. www.imagesschoolofdance.co.uk e: info@imagesschoolofdance.co.uk irish Dancing classes For boys and girls from age 5 upwards. Beginners and advanced classes available. Monday, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wednesday, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic church hall. e: Deirdreosullivan@hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383
Finance
Three Easy Ways to Save Money This Winter
By Ann Haldon
keep-fit, dance & drama continued...
Jam2000 performing arts & agency An explosive and exciting Performing Arts School. Classes available from 2.5 years to adults, male and female at The Windmill Studio Centre. T: 01895 624755 www.thewindmillstudio.com E:thewindmillstudio@gmail.com Jazzercise Dance fitness classes 9.30am and 10.30am every Wed at Ruislip Manor Sports & Social Club, Grosvenor Vale. Call Kelly on 07833 941497 modern Jive classes Mon 8-11pm at West Drayton Fuel bills are aTues major worry Community Centre. & Thurs 8-11pm at of Uxbridge Civic Centre for all us in winter. Prices Beginners Welcome – First Night Entry go up but the need to stay & Free Lifetime membership with this warm remains, not just listing. Contact Alan: and 0208it’s 933 4350 or 07860 250961 www.clubceroc.com heating the house that’s the email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com
problem. Skyrocketing costs passion danceand Group of petrol food drain your Based at Queensmead Sports Centre financesPool. on aClasses weekly basis, & Highgrove include: butJazz, there is a Tap, littleContemporary, cheer on the Street Ballet, Musical Theatre, Minie Me’z (3-6 years horizon. Ballet, Tap & Street), Kids Parties. We offerBelow Shows,are Workshops, Competitions three ways to and help Assessments, Ageends 3+ allmeet abilities you make welcome. Call 07882 413428
this winter. All are easy to
ruislip dramatic- Society implement they just take a Meets at South Ruislip Methodist littleMon thought planning, Church. 8pm and & Thurs 8.15pm.so Call why 07854 not284508. start now before the
bad winter weather strikes. Salsa classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, energy LongReduce Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. consumption Improvers/Intermediates: 8.45-9.30pm According to the Energy Freestyle dancing/practice time Saving til Trust, savings of around £300 a 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, year can be made using cavity Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. wall and loftstarts insulation in an Beginners class 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.30-house. average semi-detached 9.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time of writing, British timeAt til the 11pm
Gas offers free or subsidised Showcase musical theatre and auditions cavity wall Nowloft holding forinsulation our Xmas show! pop along any Fri until to Just eligible homeowners onend of Sept. Rehearsals every Fri at The mainland Britain. This is part Sacred Heart Church Hall, 73 Pembroke of the government’s ‘green’ Rd, Ruislip Manor 7.30pm-10.30pm. info@showcasemusicaltheatre.org.uk initiative, with each type of generally taking less the insulation pilates club St Giles Reformed Church than&aThe dayUnited to install. Halls, Ickenham. Call 07968 920070 www.thepilatesclub.co.uk Even small measures make a
big difference Yoga South Ruislip Community Association though, the pregnancy yoga classes 9.45-11.15am result being a at Deane Park Hall, Long Drive, South warmer home Ruislip. Call Katja on 07951 763851
reduce consumption. Energypre-ScHooL & kidS GroupS... saving light bulbs, external light Sing & Sign sensors, and switching off lights Britain’s favourite Baby Signing Classes from 6not months Wed Uxbridge when in use allathelp to keep Leisure Centre, Fri at The White Bear, down costs.
marketS...
contact Cathy -07712 047621 or email: Appliances Freezers work cathyseddigh@singandsign.co.uk more efficiently when full, as do ovens. Not only that, but SeLf defence... you’ll save money buying and Silat kuntao indonesian Self-defence cooking food in bulk. art Kettles Traditional self-defence from Central Java, includes empty hand, are notorious for high energy traditional weapons, meditation and consumption. Make sure yours healing massage. Adult classes only. is in optimum condition with Mon and Wed 8pm-10pm at Denham Village Memorial Hall, regular descaling, orDenham, buy an UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 eco kettle with two chambers. or e: kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. One reservoir holds the water, the other to measure SeLf HeLpis&used Support... and boil exactly how much you ear4u need. Help, support and advice. Meets every
and reduced bills.
Draught duck pond artisan food & craft excluders market and farmers’ market Artisan Market - on the 3rd Sunday of It’s surprising each month from 10am-3pm, much Farmers’ Market - firsthow Sunday of each month from 10am-2pm. Both at the heat is lost Great Barn, Ruislip. Free parking & through small friendly dogs are welcome at both gaps under events. www.duckpondmarket.co.uk doors and around windows
mad cat crafts – not something you’d always Hand painted and decorated objects. Wed to Friday 10am-5pm; Satthese 10am-4pm notice to day. All atsuggestions the Great Barn, Ruislip 7SU. add up toHA4 a much www.madcatcrafts.co.uk
warmer home without costing
northwood the earth.craft market First Saturday of each month • Self-adhesive foam strips 10am-2pm, Methodist Church Hall, Oaklands Gate, Northwood. around window frames www.northwoodcraftmarket.co.uk
• Letterbox and keyhole covers
ruislip country market • Home-made draught Every Fri 10-11.30am - car park at excluders for the bottom of St Martins Approach, Ruislip. Fruit, veg, doors eggs, honey, hand made cards and cakes, pies more... • jewellery, Heavy curtains for and the front
and back doors
muSic... • Secondary glazing for
windows aren’t already eastcote choralthat Society Rehearses every Tuesday from double-glazed 8-10pm at Ruislip Methodist Church, • Large pieces of cardboard Ickenham Road. New singers wrapped in foil 904556. placed behind welcome. Call 01895 radiators to reflect heat back
capital connection Ladies into the room Harmony Singing Every Wed evening at South Ruislip • Sealant for underneath Community skirtingCentre, boardsDeane Park, Long Drive, HA4 OHS. Call Jean on 01895 • Chimney or fireplace draught 474877 www.capitalconnection.org.uk
excluders
the Harrow apollo male choir Energyevery monitors - These Rehearse Tues 7.30pm-10pm in the Belmont let Room the Harrow monitors youatknow how Arts Centre Hatch End. New members much energy welcome. Tel: 020each 8959appliance 1244 or consumes. Most people quickly www.harrow-apollo-male.choir.org
change their habits once they top Jazz at the fairway see the energy usage Ruislip Golfspikes Centre,inIckenham Rd, West Ruislip.by Last Monday of the recorded the monitor. month, top UK musicians. Lighting - This is Tel: 01895 632394 or one visit: of the www.jazzwestlondon.com easiest areas in which to
Ruislip. FREE TASTERS BOOK NOW
Monday at the Orange Couch An interesting statistic fromCafé the (formerly the D spot), Ruislip Manor Energy Saving Trust reveals from 10am-2pm. Call Ann on 07890 315156 or 01895 that desktop PCs672706 use 85% more energy in a year than rosemary conley laptops. Switching offJunior any School, Mon 6-7.15pm Hillside Northwood HA6than 1RX.leaving it on device rather Tue 10-11.15am & Wedelectricity 7-8.15pm stand-by will reduce North Harrow Methodist Church, bills, but make sure to unplug Pinner Road HA2 6EQ. Thurs 5.306.30pm them at Eastcote the wall Methodist as well. Church HA5 2QU. Call Sam 01895 460766
This also applies to microwaves sam.simon@rosemaryconley.com. and cookers. Not many people SociaL think of GroupS... this but it takes money to run that digital clock crosier investment club – use about the Stockwall Market and aLearn battery-powered clock improve personal investment skills. instead. Meets 7.30pm, 3rd Thurs in month at
Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Halve grocery bills Lane,
Pinner HA5 1AA. 0208427 3559
A little planning goes a e:secretary@crosierinvestment.org.uk w: www.crosierinvestment.org.uk long way when it comes to shopping. Pre-prepared menus friends of Shenley park and shopping lists areand easy Improving the wellbeing maintenance of flower beds, shrubs ways to reduce waste as well andsave the new flower garden and seating as money. area created last year, the group won a
people’s choice grant to Waste’ purchase The ‘Love Food Hate playground equipment. We are actively website has sometouseful tipsregular in seeking volunteers help with this respect, offers advice action days in and the park. Anyone interested Geoff 07931 for saving please moneycontact on food. The 561020 or Louise 07966 220995 main message is buy and cook in bulk. Cooking becomes less continued overleaf... of a chore when you can just
Super slimmer Mandy is jumping for joy!
A Ruislip slimmer has discovered less is more after losing 4st 12lb and of the Year’. reaching the final stage of the London District finals of ‘Woman
Mandy Bratchell lost weight with her local Slimming World group at St Mary’s in South Ruislip and dropped from dress size 24 to size 12, inspiring her fellow slimmers who voted her as their representative in the annual Slimming World ‘Woman of the Year’ 2014 competition.
Mandy joined Slimming World after she found herself making excuses to not play hopscotch with her daughter. She says: “I had always struggled with my weight and gained over 5 stone in my first pregnancy and suffered with high blood pressure, back problems, asthma and gestational diabetes. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry and miserable. Slimming World is completely different, I never have to miss out or feel deprived and I’m now the slimmest – and the happiest – I’ve been in years!”
The 46-year-old follows Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, which encourages slimmers to fill up on satisfying yet healthy everyday foods like fruit and veg, lean meat and fish, pasta, potatoes, rice and pulses without having to weigh or measure. She says: “Everyone is amazed how much I can eat and still lose weight, our whole family enjoy shepherds pie, pasta or a roast just cooked in a healthier way.”
“The support I’ve received from my Consultant and group has been brilliant, they really kept me going and I love all the recipe ideas I get in group”.
“I never dreamt I could achieve so much and I loved taking part in the District Finals and was so thrilled to reach the final stage. My weight loss has made such a huge difference – it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and my fitness has improved. I can do things now that I couldn’t before including playing hopscotch!”
Amanda, who runs the St Mary’s group, says: “I’m so proud of Mandy. Not only does she look fabulous, she’s improved her health and is bursting with energy. She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women in Ruislip to change their lives in the same way. It can be hard to admit that you need to do something about your weight and to ask for help, but I think Mandy shows just what’s possible when you do.”
There are Slimming World groups 6 days of the week in the Ruislip area, for details go to http://www. slimmingworld.com or contact Amanda on 07973 803055.
social groups continued...
Friendly rubber Bridge Tuesdays & Fridays 12-4pm at Pinner Bridge Club, 103 Marsh Road, Pinner. For details call Keith 01895 622033 ruislip afternoon group for Women Meets 1st Thursday of every month. Talks, Lunches & outings. Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road 2-4pm. Call Mrs R Hall pm 01895 633782 ruislip common Wi All ladies welcome. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 2pm in Room 1, Methodist Church, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7BZ. Visit: ruislipcommonwi.weebly.com ruislip social club Tropic at Ruislip at Ruislip Social Club Grosvenor Vale Ruislip HA4 6JQ for Fridays and occasional other nights, live bands & tribute bands for more details visit www.tropicatruislip.co.uk contact and ticketline 0208 707 2256 ruislip Wi Fancy something different but not too taxing, yet fun? We meet every 1st Thursday of the month at Upper Room, GAA Sports & Social Club, West End Road, South Ruislip from 7.20pm10pm. Kim Murphy 07989 558925 email ruislipeveningwi@gmail.com
Women’s social group Social group for women in West London. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and organised trips and welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@seemaa.co.uk sport...
Back to netball Thurs 7-8pm at Queensmead Sports Centre £3 per session for more info email sportsdev@hillingdon.gov.uk Badminton club At St Pauls Church Hall, Tiverton Road, Ruislip Manor. Every Wednesday at 8pm and 10pm. Call Tony or Ann 01895 472578 Badminton club Requires additional players of average standard! Every Tuesday evening 7.45 to 9.45 at Vyners School, Ickenham. Interested? Then email John on turksclub@hotmail.co.uk Badminton The Badminton Hall, Kings College Road, Ruislip HA4 7JZ. Tuesday from 10am. Call John 01895 630199
Bessingby park Bowls club Every Tues & Thurs, 2-4pm. Call Jack on 0208 845 1469.
Bikewise Bike rides setting off from 61 Swakeleys Road. 2nd and 4th Sun of every month to various destinations. Email@bikewisegb.com or call 01895 675376. Bowls Deane Park Bowls Club, Bessingby Park, Ruislip. Call Mrs Lathwell on 01895 639489 dads army golf society Tuesdays & Thursdays at Ruislip Golf Club Come & Join Us!! for more info call Sid on 01895 631489 ladies Badminton club Thursday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm at Eastcote Hockey and Badminton Club, Kings College Road, Ruislip, HA4 7JZ. Call Diane on 01895 634352 swakeleys tennis club Adult Social Tennis Club in Ickenham. Would suit people returning to tennis after a break, Four days a week all year. Contact Pam 01895 677149 or Ed 01895 635568 www.swakeleystennis.co.uk
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