In and around west drayton oct 14 by In and Around Publishing

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West London Monumental & Architectural Stone Masons

     We are pleased to announce the opening of our new showroom in Yiewsley High Street.    

We are a family run masonry company that has been producing quality memorials and masonry work in the West London area since 1888.

We offer a wide range of traditional and contemporary memorial designs and inscriptions for placement both at home and abroad. We also specialise in Renovation and cleaning of Memorials. For centuries the timeless beauty of stones such as Granite, Italian marble, Nabresina have been the esteemed choice for commemorating and marking the last resting place of those departed from this life. All our work comes with a BRAMM 10 year workmanship Guarantee Come in to our showroom and have a chat with our friendlystaff who will be able to advise and guide you through our services and offers.

We have a special offer of A Best Grade Black Granite 2’6 Lawn Memorial with concrete foundation and 100 Gild Gold Leaf or painted letters and optional flower container included for £575.00 (other colours are available in the offer for £675) And Best Grade Full Black Granite memorial 3’OG Headstone with concrete foundation and 100 Gild Gold Leaf or painted letters and soil centre optional flower containers included £1599.00! (other colours are available in the offer for £1749) 117a Yiewsley High Street.Yiewsley.Middlesex.UB7 7QL.Telephone 01895 435558 Email yiewsleysales@kenwardandson.co.ukwww.kenwardandson.co.uk

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 And whether you’re a fan of Autumn or not, it’s definitely here! Fortunately, we’ve had some fabu lous weather this year and it seems a lot of people, like myself, have been quite happy to remain at home and make the most of it. The downside of that, particularly if you work for yourself, is that you don’t really take a break. I did manage a lovely overnight hotel stay in Marlow last month, but I think being miles away from home with a good book and a sun lounger (the back garden doesn’t count), is what’s really needed to recharge your batteries. Having become ill yet again right on deadline, I’ve realised that taking a break is not really a luxury, but an absolute necessity and if you don’t plan them, they tend not to happen.

Armed with half a dozen holiday brochures and driven by the impending longer nights and shorter days, we’ve suddenly gone into holiday planning frenzy. Christmas somewhere hot is definitely on the menu and for the first time in over eight years, we’re going to book next Summer’s holiday too. This is all a bit alien to me, but I’m assured that if you plan for things to happen, they will indeed happen! Feeling rather motivated by the whole planning ethos, I’ve started a log of all the things I want to achieve and the steps I need to take to make them happen. I’m starting small of course with day to day things, which always end up being done at the last moment and if that works well, who knows, I may become brave enough to at tempt the grand five year plan...well maybe 12 months anyway! .

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History: What happened in October 1964

Computer Helpdesk

RSPCA Re Homing Appeal

Used Cars: Retro Rockers

Tech: Some like it hot

Is it time to part with that old mattress?

Health: Tea & Coffee  the good and the bad

Reader Travel Offers

Beauty: How to get a perfect pout

Wordsearch

Hobbies: Learning Calligraphy

Coffee Break Puzzles

Home & Interiors: On the wall

Local Events

Three easy ways to save money this winter

Pets Corner

Garden Feature Clubs, Groups & Classes Puzzle Solutions

42 44, 46 & 48 49

Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk 

www.inandaroundpublishing.co.uk 

  We are grateful for the support of local businesses whose adverts appear in this publication and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, claims made by advertisers or endorse companies, products or services. This publication, its contents and advert designs are © of In and Around Publishing. Any copying or reproduction in part or fully, is strictly forbidden without our prior consent.

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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. 

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 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 commercial 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 multibillion 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. 

comparison,

the

Theranos

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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?

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Flora

Emma

         Due to no fault of her own, Flora is still looking for her forever home. Could anyone help give this beautiful girl a place to live her life happily, with lots of love and TLC? Please do get in touch. Flora and her two kittens came into the RSPCA when someone found them scared and injured on the side of the road. Flora is a tabby and white female around 3 years of age. When she arrived, she was filthy and had several wounds on her side. Despite this, she was constantly purring and very thankful for the human attention. Flora's two kittens were found with her and were only 6 weeks old. Although uninjured, they were very scared and wouldn't let the RSPCA staff near them. After lots of hard work and TLC by the team here, they were absolutely fine and have now found new homes, leaving Flora behind. Could you offer Flora her forever home? Emma is 23 years old white and tabby. Emma is yet another of the many unwanted cats to end up in our care after being rejected by their owners. It's hard to imagine how anyone could not fall in love with this beautiful girl, who is so friendly and adores being fussed. She is semilong haired, so will require some grooming but she doesn't seem to mind this at all. Emma would make such a lovely family member and is just looking for genuine love and care in return. Can you help Emma find the love she is looking for? The RSPCA have many more animals that have been abandoned and are waiting for you. If you can give either of these lovely girls a home then please ring   or visit our website  to download an application form if you are looking to adopt. 

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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.    

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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 wellbuilt 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.      

      

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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.    

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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.       

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Some  Like It Hot 

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Technology taking the expense out of heating your home

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

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 Is It Time To  Part With Your  

Old Mattress?

by Kate McLelland 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 you a peaceful rest: “My old mattress is comfortable because it has adapted to the way I lie in bed.” Unfortunately you can still feel comfy long after your mattress has lost its ability to provide your body with the proper support it needs. “The stiffness I feel each morning is due to too much exercise, or old age – or both!” It may simply be due to a mattress that doesn’t give you enough support. If you generally feel better in the morning when you’ve slept elsewhere, it’s time for a change. “My mattress is still under guarantee!” The warranty exists to protect the consumer from product defects 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 can be costly but proved most popular in a survey conducted by the consumer association Which? Continuous coil mattresses are made from a single looped wire, while open-coil mattresses are made of single springs fixed together by one wire. The springs move as one unit, so you are more likely to be disturbed by your partner’s movements at night. These mattresses are cheaper, but tend to wear out faster than those with pocket springs. Memory foam mattresses are good at relieving pressure on painful joints, but usually cost more than a sprung mattress. Memory foam is affected by room temperature: as the mattress

reacts to body heat, it moulds to your shape. This reduces air circulation around your body, which makes the memory mattress feel warmer, but it may make it harder for you to move around at night. Latex mattresses are hypoallergenic and so can prevent fungi, bacteria house dust mites from accumulating. Latex is made from rubber so has natural elasticity, retaining its shape as soon as the pressure is removed. Mattress toppers: As the name suggests, a topper sits on top of your ordinary mattress to give you extra comfort and support, but it won’t help if your mattress has already begun to sag. Toppers can also provide a useful protective layer between the sleeper and full mattress in the event of night-time accidents or spills, however prices vary and some can be as costly as buying a new mattress. Remember, comfort, support and durability are key when it comes to buying a new mattress. It’s worth taking time to search for the right one, as your reward will be many years of blissful sleep. Main Image: Top Dog Mattress £645, Loaf.com

Iver Village Infant

 School  Open Days Come and find out what makes our school so unique.   

Friday 10th October 9.30 am Tuesday 14th October 1.30pm Thursday 13th November 9.30 am

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“...a happy community, where children are well behaved and work successfully as a team with the teaching staff” Ofsted 2013 “Reception children's learning activities inside and outside of the classrooms are well planned, interesting and an experience where the children delight in finding out new things”. Ofsted 2013

You and your child will be able to explore and discover life in all parts of our school. A full tour will be available and the chance to meet the teachers and pupils too.

Caring, Growing, Learning in the Heart of the Community Iver Village Infant School www.iver-inf.bucks.sch.uk

Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9NT Tel:01753 655104 office@iver-inf.bucks.sch.uk

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Tea and Coffee:  The Good and  the Bad  By Alison Runham  www.alison.runham.co.uk

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Tea and Coffee: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Truths We meet up for coffee; we invite friends round for a cuppa. But are these drinks good for us or doing us harm? Taken without milk or sugar, they’re practically calorie-free, but syrupy lattes can contain over 400 calories. However there’s more to consider than calories.

Caffeine

The good: Caffeine is a stimulant which can increase our alertness, and some evidence indicates it may temporarily sharpen our cognitive abilities. There’s now substantial research suggesting that coffee and tea drinkers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, most likely due to caffeine content (which may also help with the symptoms). The bad: Caffeine can raise your blood pressure and adrenaline levels. It can also relax muscles in your pelvis and urethra, meaning you need to urinate more frequently. The truth: Maximum protection against Parkinson’s disease seems to come from drinking just three cups of tea or coffee a day, so this isn’t an 

excuse to go overboard, and it seems to be more effective for men than for women - sorry, ladies. While lab results seem promising, there’s no definitive evidence to link tea and coffee drinking with a reduced Alezheimer’s risk, as results have been contradictory. Our bodies can become accustomed to daily caffeine, meaning that when we go without it, we can become tired, irritable and headachy. People used to very high levels of caffeine may get shaky or experience mood swings and nausea when they go without it. So how much caffeine is too much? Recommended limits from experts average at around 400-600mg per day and just 200mg if you’re pregnant, as high caffeine levels may be linked to low birth weight or miscarriage. • cup of green tea: 40mg • cup of normal tea: 70mg • mug of instant coffee: 100mg • average filter coffee: 150mg • average latte: 150mg • large Americano: 200mg When you’re estimating your daily caffeine intake, don’t forget other sources too – energy drinks, chocolate

and some painkillers and fizzy drinks also contain caffeine.

Antioxidants

The good: Antioxidants mop up free radicals which can damage our cells. Think of antioxidant drinks and you probably think of green tea, but black tea and coffee contains antioxidants too, at slightly lower levels. The bad: Unfortunately, there’s still debate about how much we benefit from these antioxidants by the time 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: Lots of foods contain antioxidants – often in higher levels than tea and coffee. So tea and coffee aren’t necessarily the best sources.

Diabetes prevention and management

The good: Some evidence suggests that moderate amounts of coffee or tea (‘proper’ tea, not herbal or fruit teas) can slightly reduce your risk of developing Diabetes Type 2 (if drunk black, or with

just a little milk). The bad: There’s also evidence to show that high coffee intake may impair your insulin resistance, making it harder for you to keep blood sugar levels stable. The truth: You’re likely to hear both of these theories ping-ponging back and forth in the media, but more research that eliminates other influential factors is needed.

while low and high coffee consumption were best – with moderate consumption making no difference. Reductions in cholesterol levels are small. The truth: Once again, despite the media half-truths and misinterpretations, the fact is that more research is needed to exclude other factors and study long-term effects.

that tea or coffee can prevent or reverse the effect of toxins on your liver, so if you drink or  smoke heavily, they’re not a miracle cure that will undo the damage. The good, the bad and the ugly truth leads us to a familiar conclusion – the best advice, for now, is moderation. Carry on drinking tea and coffee, but remember that three or four cups seem to give maximum health benefits while avoiding the risks. If you really love the taste, choose decaffeinated versions for cups 5 and 6. Also bear in mind that tea and coffee aren’t that beneficial nutritionally, so try to include fruit juices and dairy-based drinks in your diet too, and try herbal or fruit teas for a change.

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Reduced stroke and coronary heart disease risk, and cholesterol levels

The good: Some studies seem to suggest that drinking tea and coffee reduces stroke, coronary heart disease risk and cholesterol levels. The bad: Contradictory evidence. One study seemed to suggest high consumption of tea reduced stroke risk most,

Liver health

The good: Research suggests that people who consume moderate amounts of coffee and green tea are less likely to suffer from NALD (nonalcoholic liver disease). The bad: High intake of green tea supplements has been linked to liver damage, although it’s not clear whether the green tea extract is the culprit – it may be one or more of the other ingredients. The truth: There’s no proof

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In and Around Reader Travel Hobbies 

Riviera of Flowers Monaco & Portofino

The Art Of The Pen: Learning Calligraphy 8 DAYS SEMI ALL INCLUSIVE FROM

£849pp

Portofino

Free announcements. You may also Drinks see it used in religious art, font & design and typography,Champagne graphic design, stone inscriptionscheck-in and memorial documents. In addition, monarchs and government officials throughout the world still employ calligraphers to create official charters and letters of state.

 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.

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, Like most passionate ranging from the bible to the calligraphic artists, Paul is poems of Chaucer. keen to ensure that his writing The printing press was For early calligraphers the is valued for more than just its developed in Europe in the Monaco Dolceacqua beauty and expressiveness decorative appearance: “It’s not mid 15th century but before of the writing was just as merely about pretty flourishes that time all the knowledge important as the meaning of but more about structure of the WesternDepartures: world was 13 April, 15 May, 19 & 25 September, 1 October, 2015 and the words themselves: this led accuracy, contained within painstakingly written by hand to the creation of illuminated super holiday,such taking with aangles, glass of bubblyweights, at St Pancras’ heights, onThis natural materials as in the French and Italian Rivieras, starts letter books embellished with gold and underlying rhythm.” famous Champagne before taking an afternoon Eurostar to Lilleshapes or Paris. After an overnight stay, we clay tablets, stone and Bar animal leaf and vivid paintings. So skins. continue by TGV train to Nice then coach to Diano Riviera of Flowers. Enjoy free drinks from its professional extraordinary wereMarina these on Italy’sAside every night the hotel and excursions Eze, were Portofino andapplications, Dolceacqua.calligraphy has works to of Monaco, art that they Thanks to the at development become a popular hobby frequently commissioned by of INCLUDED: parchment Escorted - a morethroughout • Champagne Check-in at London St Pancras • Return rail travel from St Pancras and there are plenty of online kings, queens and noblemen sophisticated writing to Nice • 1 night hotelsurface B&B in Paris or Lille • 6 nights in Diano Marina - half resources board plus available selected free drinksyou 6pm to to help to demonstrate their status and made of stretched and treated 11pm every night • Excursions & transfers abroad learn, from YouTube ‘how to’ religious faith. calf or sheep hides - our videos to step-by-step guides. medieval ancestors were able These days you’ll find You can also get hold of a wide to create manuscripts such calligraphic scripts appearing Voyages rangeGN of books on the subject. as the Book of Kells, written on wedding and event ABTA Y0291 Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. around 800 that &have GNAD, Holidays Voyages invitations, testimonials, birth You’ll need someNo.fairly basic ATOL 9362 www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Uxbridge day. UB9 5EL and survived upDenham, to the present death certificates and equipment to start out: a set 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.

Call 01895 83 33 33

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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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Quote BG11-IA

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

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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

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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

Choose a neutral coloured lipstick in a creamy or satiny finish - it’s important to stick to lighter shades, as darker hues will make your lips appear smaller.

By Helen Taylor

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   

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Beauty 

Answers on Page 49

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In and Around Reader Travel Hobbies Riviera of Flowers Monaco & Portofino 

The Art Of The Pen: Learning Calligraphy

   £849pp  8 DAYS SEMI ALL INCLUSIVE FROM

Portofino

Free announcements. You may also Drinks & see it used in religious art, font Champagne design and typography, graphic check-in 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. 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.

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, Like most passionate ranging from the bible to the calligraphic artists, Paul is poems of Chaucer. keen to ensure that his writing The printing press was For early calligraphers the is valued for more than just its developed in Europe in the Monaco Dolceacqua beauty and expressiveness decorative appearance: “It’s not mid 15th century but before of the writing was just as merely about pretty flourishes that time all the knowledge important as the meaning of Departures: 13 April, 15 May, 19 & 25 September, 1 about October, 2015 but more structure and of the Western world was the words themselves: this led accuracy, contained within painstakingly written by hand This super holiday, taking in the French and Italian Rivieras, starts with a glass of bubbly at St Pancras’ to the creation of illuminated letter angles, heights, weights, on natural materials such as books embellished with gold to Lille famous Champagne Bar before taking an afternoon Eurostar or Paris. an overnight shapes and After underlying rhythm.”stay, we clay tablets, stone and animal leaf and vivid paintings. So on Italy’s Riviera of Flowers. Enjoy free drinks continue by TGV train to Nice then coach to Diano Marina skins. Aside from its professional extraordinary were these every night at the hotel and excursions to Monaco, Eze, Portofino and Dolceacqua. applications, calligraphy has works of art that they were Thanks to the development become a popular hobbyfrom St Pancras commissioned by INCLUDED: • Champagne Check-in at London St Pancras • Return rail travel of parchment - aEscorted more throughoutfrequently and there areselected plenty of online and sophisticated writinghotel surface to Nice • 1 night B&B in Pariskings, or Lillequeens • 6 nights in noblemen Diano Marina - half board plus free drinks 6pm to resources available to help you to demonstrate made of stretched and treated & transfers 11pm every night • Excursions abroad their status and learn, from YouTube ‘how to’ religious faith. calf or sheep hides - our videos to step-by-step guides. medieval ancestors were able These days you’ll find You can also get hold of a wide to create manuscripts such calligraphic scripts appearing GN Voyages range of books on the subject. as the Book of Kells, written on wedding and event ABTA No. Y0291 Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. & Voyages around 800 GN AD,Holidays that have invitations, testimonials, birth You’ll need some fairly basic ATOL 9362 www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL survived up to the present day. and death certificates and equipment to start out: a set 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.

Call 01895 83 33 33

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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.

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).

 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

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

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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Home & Interiors 

On The Wall

What’s on your walls? Create character and add atmosphere with a finish that’s as simple or eye-catching as you wish, says interiors expert Katherine Sorrell Choosing a wall finish is a question of combining personal choice and practicalities. Naturally, while some finishes are hands-off-don’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 

        By Katherine Sorrell

and textured you want it to be. A plain white wall, for example, may be just the ticket for showing off your collection of snow globes or tin toys, or as a counterpoint to bright cushions, throws 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. Suffice to say that a change of wallcovering can transform cold into cosy, boring into beautiful and out of date into instantly cool.

Preparing your walls 1. Your wall should be as smooth as possible, so cut away and replace any bulging, loose or crumbling plaster, strip off old wallpaper and fill any small cracks or holes. 2. Allow new plaster to dry. Before painting, prime it with watered-down emulsion. 3. If you plan to wallpaper over new plaster, coat it with sizing solution or watereddown wallpaper paste as well. 4. Hang lining paper

horizontally (this is called cross-lining) to disguise any remaining blemishes before painting or wallpapering.

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, and it’s a brilliant way to add interest to any room, be it ever so subtle or dramatically different. 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.

bathrooms. Some are textured. Washable wallpapers have a transparent coating to make them wipeable.

PAPerIng  knoWhoW

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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 prepasted. They can be used anywhere, but are especially suitable for kitchens and

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. However, they can be delicate and difficult to clean.

Main 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).

It’s best to decorate the ceiling and woodwork before you start papering. Make sure you buy enough paper to complete your project – there are plenty of online calculators that will help you, allowing for pattern repeats and wastage. Check that the batch numbers are the same on all the rolls, or you may come a cropper with slight colour variations. Use the paste recommended by the manufacturer. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the paper, the easier it will be to hang and the longer it should last.

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    

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    

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october events 

Local Events october into november 

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.

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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. 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!

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Finance  

Three Easy Ways to Save Money This Winter

     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

By Ann Haldon

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.

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

surprise. The biggest savings of around 5%-10% can be made when you manage your own account online and pay by direct debit.

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

• Avoid pre-payment meters – the choice of tariffs available is very limited  Saving money is often about 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/

Guy Fawkes  Night Fireworks Display

 Richings Park Sports Club   Wednesday 5th November, 2014 Doors Open 6.15 pm  Wellesley Avenue, Richings Park, SL0 9BN

Firework Display 7.15 pm Licensed Bar & Food Available

Adults £5 accompanied children under 12 £1 No drinks,ﬁreworks or bottles BBQ Food Available

allowed onto site No Parking within the grounds

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They’re itching to tell you something... This year seems to have been a bumper year for fleas. The weather has been warm and often humid which is flea heaven! Added to that, like many other vets, i suspect that one of the more popular ingredients of flea products, Fipronil, already difficult to apply effectively, appears to be losing its efficacy and most other pet shop products are ineffective anyway.

your pet can carry diseases.

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Don’t forget that if you see one flea on your pet there are probably dozens. Adult fleas lay eggs on the coat that then fall off into the environment (your house!) along with the flea’s droppings – the characteristic black bits you see in the coat. The eggs hatch into larvae which turn into pupae and then into adult fleas which then jump back onto your pets (or you)! in good conditions the life cycle can complete in less than a week, a female flea can lay 60 eggs a day. Added to that, the eggs can live for years in your home so there is the potential of a huge reservoir of fleas maybe in their thousands. Routine flea control is essential all year round to prevent this build-up but especially through the late summer and into Autumn. Fleas are the most common skin parasites but you will come across a few other creepy crawlies on your pets. Lice can cause itchy skin but at least spend all their life on the host so they don’t infest your house. Look for the characteristic white ‘nits’ in the coat. Sarcoptic mange is caused by a microscopic mite that burrows in the skin. it is commonly passed directly from dog to dog or from foxes to dogs on bushes, fences etc. it causes intensely itchy patches, typically on the flanks, elbows, face and ears. Demodectic mange shows as bald patches usually on the head and face most often in short coated dogs. it is usually not very itchy but can spread and may be a sign of other more serious disease. Ear mites are commonly found in cats and rabbits but sometimes affect dogs (especially puppies from pet shops and poor breeders) and can cause a lot of irritation and infection. Ticks can be picked up from parks and other wooded over-grown areas but although they won’t stay long on 

Rabbits and other small pets don’t suffer from fleas as frequently but mites and lice are common. Cheylitiella (walking dandruff) causes patches of itchy white scurf on rabbits. Guinea pigs can suffer from a form of mange which is severely pruritic and can be debilitating, and even life threatening. Even reptiles and birds can suffer from, often visible, external parasites.

More than ever your vet is best able to give you advice on treating fleas and other parasites, and has the most up-to-date and effective treatments.

M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com

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Gardening  

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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.

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hobbies...

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Afternoon Leisure Painting Monday 2pm to 4pm and Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The advanced and fundamental concepts of art in any media. Enthusiastic people welcome to learn. Southlands Arts Centre telephone 01895 632171 Crafty Cards Have fun creating your own cards. 2nd and 4th Friday, 10am to 12noon. Contact 01753 652 459 Craft evening Group Tuesday 7.30pm. Members own projects and workshops to share experience and further skills at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442980

handicraft - Morning Group Tuesday 10am to 12 noon, needlecraft and any handicraft with material. Paper 3D decoupage, patchwork, cross stitch, soft toys etc., at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442910 harlington Locomotive society Every Thursday, 8pm at the club in High Street, Harlington, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 5ET. For details call Peter Tarrant on 01895 851168 hillingdon Family history society Based at Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Our research room is open (10am-1pm) on the first Sat of the month and every Fri (except the Fri before the first Sat). A wide variety of records, and help is always available. General meetings once a month. See www.hfhs.co.uk or Call Mrs Pat Reynolds 01895 444442 e: hillingdonfhs@onetel.com hillingdon Railway Modellers Club Meet every Thursday, 7.30pm at Yiewsley Baptist Church. Contact tonymoth@Hotmail.co.uk hillingdon Natural history society Meets 1st wed of the month at the Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@hillingdonnaturalhistorysociety.org.uk

middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk

iver Flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call Jayne on 07730 249876. www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver

Knit & Knatterers Hand and Machine Knitting, Crochet 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 7.309.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 421777 Les Artists - evening Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm. A mixed ability class for still life, portraiture etc. All welcome at Southlands Arts Centre. 0208 797 4635 outline Theatre Group At St. Matthews Church, Yiewsley. Every Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome from 8yrs+. See www.outlinetheatre.co.uk or call Robert Jones on 01895446352 Painting Group - Morning Tuesday 10.00am to 1.00pm. Experienced watercolorists very welcome at Southlands Arts Centre Tel: 01895 421328 spinning & Weavers Group Tuesdays 7.30pm-9.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 443481 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.

West Drayton & District history society The society meets on the last Tuesday of each month Sep-May (excluding Dec) at St Martins Church Hall, Church Road at 7.30pm. inland Waterways Association Each month there is a talk of either Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, local or national interest. During the summer months a programme Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. 

of visits and walks are arranged. Membership £6 per year. Call either Paul 07980 483182 or Cyril 07704 837042 for details. Yiewsley Angling & West Drayton Fishing Clubs Every Thursday 8-10.30pm Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. For more details call 01895 443423 KeeP-FiT, DANCe & DRAMA...

bagot stack (Fitness League) Term Time Only. Vyners School, UB10 8AB on Tue 7.30 - 8.30pm. Also in Windsor Monday & Thursday. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 www.thefitnessleague.com bokwa Fitness Tone & Core African craze via the US - hits all your fitness targets in one - 07771 872592 learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk Dance, Gymnastics and Free Running Classes Presented by Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles of dance from RAD ballet, Contemporary & ISTD Tap to Break Dancing , Street Dance, Hip Hop & Zumba. Check out our website for full class listings, www.futunityuk.com. Contact Futunity Uk Head Office 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com Fitness Club St Catherine School, Money Lane, West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thursday 6-7pm. Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, www.tauruspt.co.uk Tel: 07906 087749 irish Dancing classes 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 Contact Deidre e: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383

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keep-fit, dance & drama continued...

Ladies only kickboxing club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk Linedance for improvers Tuesdays 12-2pm Royal British Legion, Station Road, West Drayton. Call Instructor Ann 0791 435 8050 Line dancing Thurs 12-2pm. St Martins Church Hall, Church Road, West Drayton. Call Susan 01895 832837 susanwynne376@gmail.com Linedancing Tuesday evenings 7.30-10.30pm. Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call Ann on 0791 435 8050 modern Jive classes Mondays, 8-11pm, West Drayton Community Centre Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. Beginners welcome, first night entry and free lifetime membership with this advert. Contact: Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 or email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com.

nordic Walking & Wellbeing Explore our borough’s green spaces . with all round exercise in the open air 4 wk courses various days and locations pre-booking essential contact 07771 872 592 / learningmoves@hotmailco.uk pilates, movement and matwork Tuesdays 7.45-8.45pm, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Penny 01895 420409 or 07771 872 592 / learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk pinewood fitness The Fitness Room, Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Sl0 0NH Mon 20.00-21.00, Wed 19.30-20.30

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Booking only. Various Fitness Circuits, Boxercise, Gym Work £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, www.tauruspt.co.uk 07906 087749

Salsa classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.459.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm

tai chi classes Sat 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan on 07880 601429 to book. tap dance Mondays 7.30-8.30pm at Meadows Community Centre, West Drayton. Adult Beginner/Intermediate tap. No exams. Contact 01895 420409 / learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk. Yoga for all Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Priya 01895 440712 Zumba Mon 6pm, Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane Hillingdon UB8 3QU. Tues 7.30pm, St Marys Church Hall, Hemmen Lane (off Church Rd, Hayes) UB3 2JQ. All welcome. £5. Ann-Marie Samuels 07701 012927 Zumba fitness class Weds 8-9pm at Langley Grammar School Sport Centre Reddington Drive Langley, SL3 8LL. Thurs 7-8pm at Yiewsley / West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, West Drayton. UB7 9JL. Call Gabriel 07735090325 or email gabrielzumba@instructor.net www.gabriel84.zumba.com

pre-SchooL & kidS groupS...

mobile disco for children A mobile disco available for hire, for children of all ages call Zoe on 07747 063149 for details. Slough Sea cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thu 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12yrs) & Cadets (age 1218yrs). Fees £2 per week, courses from £5 for a weekend. Email: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk muSic... faraday country music club in Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for the best live Country Music every Thursday for listeners, western partners, freestyle or line dancers. From 8-11pm. Call Deb 07986 050742 www.faradaycountry.co.uk guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Contact Sam for a FREE lesson 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk Yiewsley & West drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com

Yiewsley & West drayton training Band This is open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wednesday during term time 6.457.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com continued over...

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What are the options for a parent who’s had a good career, is used to earning a good income but has chosen to give it up in order to have a family?

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flexible, there’s no pressure and it’s very rewarding. To find out more, please call Leena on 

Returning to their old career will bring demands, pressure and they’ll suffer the guilt of the working parent. In part time jobs the hourly rate is poor and paying for childcare during school holidays is expensive. There is a way of building a fulltime income around the family’s needs working with a family run global company in the booming health and nutritionprofession. It has the Investors In People Champion award for training and support, the work is totally

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PETS... Iver Dog Training Club Every Tue and Fri 6.30pm-9.00pm at St Andrews Church, Richings Park. Call Diana 01753 732907 Iver Heath Fields Dog Club 'Outdoor Training' every Sat at 10.15am, Wed at 11am. Call Mike on 01753 817852 or 07795 031335 SElF DEFEnCE...

children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. Call Dan 07776 421957. www.sk.harrow.ac.uk Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence, includes empty hand, weapons, meditation and healing massage. Adult classes only. Mon and Wed 8pm-10pm at Denham Village Memorial Hall, Denham, UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 or kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com.

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Close Quarter Combat Based in Richings Park. Specialising in speed, strength and conditioning training. Pad work combinations. Suitable for men & women of all ages. 1-2-1 sessions. Call Mark 07525 366126 e: mj.wilding@hotmail.com

SElF HElP & SUPPorT...

Alcoholics Anonymous Meet every Sunday, 7.30pm at St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. For more call Howard 07816 315688

Karate Club of Denham For ages 5 years and upwards. Sundays 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Call 07988 743725

Hillingdon Brain Tumour Group Support group held every 2nd Thurs of the month 12.30-2.30pm, Hillingdon Baptist Church, Hercies Rd, Hillingdon, UB10 9LS. Call Cyril or Becky 01895 637444.

Karate Club of Uxbridge For ages 5 years and upwards. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call 07988 743725

rosemary Conley Every Thursday 10-11.30am, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call Sarah on 0208 569 0181

Kung Fu Club West Drayton A work out for everybody, attractive trainings for children & adults on: Tue 5.30-6.30, Fri 7.30-8.30, Sun 5.306.30. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella: 07702 479 435 or sportsclubuk@gmail.com

Slimming World The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm Tel: Nicki 07826 698360

Heathrow Boxing Club Men & women, boys & girls Junior Boxing Club: Tue & Thu, 5pm. Senior Boxing Club Mon, Tue & Thu, 8pm. 422 Bath Road, Longford, Middlesex, UB7 0EB. Tel: 0208 123 1271. Martial Arts Bujinkan Kuri Dojo Ninjutsu and Bujutsu, Unit 21 Bridgeworks, UB8 2JG. Tel: 07878 471124. Training: Sun 10.30am12.30pm, Tue 8-10pm, Thu 8.3010pm www.bujinkankuridojo.co.uk Shorinji Kempo self defence Learn the practical self defence techniques of this traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm 

Slimming World New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. New joiners turn up at 10am to register Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 Slimming World Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Road, Yiewsley. Wednesdays 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Weight Watchers Every Tuesday, 5.30pm and Friday at 10.00am Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call 01784 256974 or 07879 455882 SoCIAl GroUPS... Bingo Club Tea & Bingo, 1-3.30pm, meet on 4th Wed of month, transport available. We also go on outings throughout the

year and welcome new members. Pop along to the West Drayton Community Centre or call 01895 443423 Harlington Women’s Institute Every 1st Wed of month, 7.309.30pm at Landsdown House, St Peter's Way Hayes UB3 5AB. Call Sarah Wilson 0208 759 0019 Southlands ladies Group Talks, outings, own evenings. Mon fortnightly. Call 01895 445766 Senior Citizens Welfare Association W/D & Yiewsley Bingo played every 4th Wednesday of month 1- 3.30pm. Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Transport available. 01895 443956 Tea Dancing 2-4pm every Tuesday at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre Women’s Social Group Looking to make new friends? Social group for women. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and have organised trips. Call Seema 07730 898635 or seemaa@seemaa.co.uk SPorT... Hayes & Harlington road runners Every Wed, 8pm at Hayes and Harlington Community Association, Albert Road, Hayes. Email: michsampson76@aol.com (ladies) jack.nisbet@talk21.com (men) www.hhroadrunners.com. Pink ladies netball Club All levels and abilities welcome. Training at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tues evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm. Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - call Rhiannon 01895 448878 email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk Uxbridge Squash Club All welcome. Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Rd, Uxbridge. E: squash@ uxbridgesquash.org.uk or visit: www.uxbridgesquash.org.uk. Yiewsley & West Drayton Bowls Club Interested? Come along, just bring your flat shoes! Tuesdays 2pm. Call Kenny Smith 07957 140627.

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Indefinable quality For expert advice and installation of all Schueco systems: 9 9 9 9

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9 9 9 9

Curtain-walling Structural Glazing Windows Glass Sky Lights

0844 358 2227 info@bifolddoorfactory.co.uk www.bifolddoorfactory.co.uk