The Curtain Gallery
Shop Local! West London’s one stop shop for curtains, nets, voiles & blinds JOIN US INSTORE FOR THE BEST DEALS
NETS & KITCHEN WINDOW SETS
OVER 1500+ DESIGNS
20% OFF
o K
ALL NETS & VOILES NEW! GORGEOUS ART NOUVEAU
MADE TO MEASURE BLINDS, CURTAINS, CUSHIONS AND ALL SOFT FURNISHINGS
COLOURED ALUMINIUM BLINDS
FRESH SPRING LOOKS FOR 2017
Vi
*F
d *E *W s *W *W
Ex
187 Field End Road | Eastcote | Middlesex | HA5 1QR | T 0208 866 0555 Turn right out of Eastcote Station [Met & Piccadilly line] - less than a one minute walk | Bus 282 stops outside
2 Car Parks available at the rear of the store [access via North View or Abbotsbury Gardens] Online Store www.thecurtaingallery.net | http://www.facebook.com/TheCurtainGalleryLondon INANDAROUNDMAGAZINE_FEBRUARY2015.indd 1
06/03/2017 13:21:00
Pre rec val £2 an ple
n
London Timber Buildings DPS (Apr17).qxp_London Timber Bulidings (Apr17) 30/03/2017 13:08 Page 2
London Timber Buildings DPS (Apr17).qxp_London Timber Bulidings (Apr17) 30/03/2017 13:08 Page 3
.
.
d
.
EST. 1985 EST. 1985
A N D C O N S E R VA T O R I E S LT D Manufactureres to trade and retail
WE SUPPLY AND FIT THE HIGHEST QUALITY: ● WINDOWS ● DOORS ● BI-FOLDS ● CONSERVATORIES SHOWROOM: WOODFIELD WINDOWS LTD. 39 VICTORIA ROAD, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX, HA4 9AB
THE WOODFIELD CHALLENGE: WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT ANY PRICE FOR LIKE FOR LIKE WINDOWS AND DOORS
NO SALES PRESSURE Visit our showroom to view our extensive range of windows and doors
VISIT OUR NEWLY REFURBISHED SHOWROOM OR CALL WITH YOUR OWN WINDOW MEASUREMENTS TO GET YOUR FREE, NO OBLIGATION INSTANT QUOTE
1. MEASURE THE INSIDE HEIGHT AND THE WIDTH 2. CALL OUR TEAM NOW FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE:
01895 622 207
ELIMINATE HORRIBLE GLASS CONDENSATION
01895 622 207
CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE BEFORE
VS
AFTER
OUR REPAIR SERVICES INCLUDE: • ANY WINDOW & DOOR REPAIRS • ALL TYPES OF GLAZING REPAIRS • REPLACE CONDENSATION FILLED GLASS • FIX WINDOWS & DOORS NOT SHUTTING • REPLACE FAULTY HINGES AND HANDLES • KITCHEN & BATHROOM SPLASHBACKS • LOCK REPLACEMENT SERVICES • CAT FLAPS FITTED
→
WWW.WOODFIELDWINDOWS.COM ● INFO@WOODFIELDWINDOWS.COM
Beauty
British Beauty by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
This month we’re celebrating British beauty brands, from boutique perfumers to global bestsellers. The founders of Scottish skincare brand Ishga include a beauty therapist, a scientist and a seaweed specialist. So it’s perhaps no surprise that Ishga products harness the power of organic seaweed to deliver noticeable, lasting results. Along with Hebridean seaweed, key ingredients include thistle oil, jojoba oil and aloe vera. Ishga products are a real pleasure to use and the brand has built up a devoted fan base (which includes me). You’ll find the Ishga range in a number of five-star spas across the UK, as well as online. If your skin has a tendency to feel dry and tight, try the Hebridean Marine Toner, £25. It’s really hydrating and packed with antioxidants; see www.ishga.co.uk. Bradford born Leighton Denny is probably best known for his nail varnishes. There are now 101 of them, in pretty much every colour you could want. But Leighton’s talent doesn’t stop
there. His tanning products, lip colours and fragrances have attracted a league of fans in their own right. His perfume Light and Dark Lively, £43.50, beat numerous big brand top-sellers to be crowned Elle Magazine’s Readers’ Choice in the Fragrance Foundation UK awards last year. It’s a unisex fragrance that’s citrusy, woody and very wearable; see www.ld-boutique.com. Narynda Kumar first started experimenting with skincare when she developed stressrelated dermatitis. Rather than resorting to steroid creams, she created a balm using the beeswax from hives in her garden. It was so successful that she made more for friends. As demand grew, Narynda decided to take the plunge and set up her own business. She created a range of skincare products using natural ingredients, such as beeswax, oat extracts and seed oils. To begin with, Narynda sold her skincare products at craft fairs and farmers’ markets, but they’re now available from online retailers such as notonthehighstreet.com and Love Lula, as well as from Narynda’s own website. Try the Day Cream, £17.50. It’s gentle enough for even sensitive skin, but powerful enough to give your skin a real boost; see www. narynda.com.
Spanish-born Marina Barcenilla now lives in Glastonbury, where she’s been creating award winning fragrances for several years. One of her perfumes, India, was named Best New Independent Fragrance by the Fragrance Foundation UK. While I do like India, my favourite has to be Spring Rain, £70. With notes including bergamot mint, rosemary, geranium, rose, blood orange, lemon and Indian frankincense, it’s fresh, vibrant and unlike anything else on the market; see www. mbparfums.com.
Akamuti was launched by aromatherapist Lindsey Hedges back in 2003. Since then it’s developed a reputation for great quality, natural products. Everything is handcrafted, using ethically sourced sustainable ingredients, such as seed and nut oils, organic shea butter and essential oils. Every product I’ve tried feels really decadent – nourishing, soothing and a real joy to use. The Fragrant Tranquillity Bath Salts, £8.50, for instance, are a real treat at the end of a busy day. They leave skin feeling super soft, and smell divine; see www. akamuti. co.uk.
r
.
Ickenham EASTER CHOCCIE (Apr15)_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 28/03/2015 10:11 Page 1
Home & Interiors Who put the
Chocolate in Easter Eggs?
Refresh Your Home For Spring
By Katherine Sorrell
of a newly painted space; it’s a it away; don’t let relatively quick and inexpensive worn out, unusable DIY job that creates an overall and unnecessary impression going above and items take up muchneeded space. Let go beyond the effort involved. with Debbie Singh-Bhatti of them and you’re Introduce colour bound to feel better: Now’s the time to ditch dark, it’s like therapy for heavy and gloomy winter your interior. to this chocolate was enjoyed as afresh drink). But the EASTER without chocolate eggs would be like shades and get with spring-like colour. Yellow, chocolate couldn’t be moulded and earlyblue eggs Christmas without presents. Simply unthinkable! Clean house and green are all traditionally were And yet the tradition of giving chocolate at Easter Now that yousolid. have associated with spring – and it lots of lovely cleareggs didn’t is relatively recent, dating back 120 years or so to Chocolate truly gain in popularity until just so happens that Pantone’s space, you will the late nineteenth century. Cadbury entered colour the market 1875. Their early of theinyear is gorgeous probably notice that Easter is a Christian festival that commemorates eggs were made from dark chocolate with ‘Greenery’, described as a‘aplain, some of your house the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. smooth withzesty dragees (small, hard fresh and yellow-green could do with ansurface. Filled shade that evokes thechocolate first days Occurring in Spring, which is regarded as a time extra-special of sweets), they were decorated with deep of spring when greens renewal and birth by many faiths and cultures, piping and marzipan flowers. Thenature’s range gradually clean. How good revive,until restore andCadbury renew’. Use the egg has been used as a symbol of in 1893 was will you feel when increased liberally with plenty of bright you have washed producing birth and fertility since well before 19 different lines, but it white for a really clean, fresh down your front Christianity. wasn’t until 1905 when the look for the season. door, wiped all your company introduced Cadbury Dairy Originally painted bright colours shelves and light Include a dash Milk that the sales of of pattern Easter eggs to celebrate the sunlight of spring, fittings, shampooed Your clean, clear backdrop of As our gardens start toeggs really received a boost. decorating and colouring your rugs, washed your loose pale spring colours is perfect grow popular and blossom fills became during the Middle covers and curtains and taken All-chocolate eggs did to not for adding pops of pattern thewhen trees,they it’swere timedyed to think Ages, red to your duvets to the launderette? immediately replace the novelty make an impact. Chevrons about refreshing symbolise the bloodand of Christ. To say nothing of cleaning are of still having a moment, as eggs the Victorian era, however, re-energising ourduring homes areCadbury trianglescontinued and geometrics Forbidden as a food Lent, your mirrors and windows and to prodin general theyfilled ready forhard-boiled, a stylish spring. eggs were decorated – there’s nothing like a bit of uce a fancy(especially cardboard ifegg scrunched-up newspaper and have a tribal feel), as well and then given to children at Easter with chocolates until the early 1930s. Clear the clutter white vinegar for giving them a as tropicals, textures (think asThere’s good luck symbols. nothing like a good eggs appeared in 1923 as a wonderful sparkle.The first crème chunky knits or grassy weaves), tidycentury, up to make In old-fashioned the eighteenth pasteboard or papier forerunner to the Cadbury Creme Egg,such launched in graphic botanicals as Havepopular a brush with paint your home feel small re-booted. mache eggs with gifts inside became ferns and leaves and the 1971. An instant hit, it has now become Cadbury’s a long hard look at your Heavy winter duvets,century furry these Take natural marble being and and by the nineteenth had evolved most popular egg, with patterns over 500ofmillion paintwork. Be honest: has throws and cable-knit hot water stone. shell eggs still form the into cardboard eggs covered in silk, lace or velvet made every year, though some of it seen better days? bottles can all be stored out of and fastened with ribbon. sector of the Easter egg market. Perhaps windowslargest need sanding the way, while at the same time Faberge its firstto egg 1883, and orSo, repainting, door frames this is aproduced good opportunity go inand we have Cadbury to thank for our modern day where through eggs shelves and from cupboards elaborate made silver andneed gold,touch-ups ivory Easterthey’ve egg, and in particular their invention of Dairy knocks and bashes and get rid of anything you no jewelshad and porcelain - some inlaid with - followed. Milk. How ironic, then, that this year they should over the years? Or maybe a longer need. Give it to charity, The first chocolate eggs were made in France and recently decide to replace the nation’s favourite whole room could do with a hold a car boot sale, sell it in on Germany in the early nineteenth century, not long chocolate makeover? You simply can’t on their most popular egg with an Ebay – whatever works best. after thebroken, first eating chocolate alternative! beat the(prior spick-and-span look Will Easter ever be the same again? If it’s mend it or throwwas invented
We’re family when family can’t be there
Up your game with accessories Out with the old and in with the new: replace accessories that have seen better days with ontrend items such as cushions and throws, duvet covers, vases, prints, small storage containers, mirrors, clocks, table lamps and plants (quick tip: grab a succulent, a cactus or an air plant for fashionforward houseplant style). You really don’t have to spend a fortune to overhaul your look dramatically.
scented flowers (the ones imported from abroad don’t tend to smell so good). And one last thing – if possible, try to dry your laundry in the sunshine outdoors – you just can’t beat that beautiful fresh smell.
warm enough to sit outside in a patch of sunshine – so think about pressure washing up your your patio, scrubbing barbecue and cleaning down your outdoor furniture ready for some outdoor entertaining. After all, it’s not that long until summer…
Image Top Left: Artificial bulb jar £5; faceted vase (set of three) £12; short botanic herb jug £12 (small) and £25 (large); green glass tea light holder £5 (large) and £4 (small); fern glass tea light holder £10.50: all from The Contemporary Home, 02392 469400; tch.net.
Add some scent We all want a beautifully Left Bottom: Ceramic door scented home – but instead of knob with gold-painted edge, artificial air fresheners, whether £4.99: Ian Snow, 01271 spray or plug-in, use scented Bring the outdoors in 858649; iansnow.com. candles, avoiding paraffinNow the warmer weather is based ones in favour of natural here, open the windows as Above: Scandinavian cushion wax. Alternatively, try reed as possible, and get cover in individual tile print green, £15.50: We are flexible and able tomuch adapt our services to meet the needs diffusers with essential oils, or some air circulating around Andshine, 07765 530607; simply arrange locally sourced, andshine.co.uk. your home. It might even be of older people, children, people with autism or learning disabilities, as well
Companion and driving service
as those with physical disabilities or other health needs... we can even take your pet to the vet! • Shopping or running errands (we can do multiple stops) • Hospital, medical or physiotherapy appointments • Weddings, funerals or other family events • Visiting friends • Trips out - we can take you out for a couple of hours or a whole day • Anywhere you might want to go
Book your journey
0333 014 6211
www.drivingmissdaisy.co.uk
DBS Checked Fully Licensed First-Aid trained Dementia Friend
(Independently owned and operated franchise business)
Zorg Invades! The Spring term has continued to be great fun with aliens visiting the school! One even tried to take over the Head teacher's office. The visiting aliens also seemed to have a love of reading!
We’re going on a steam train! Our Year 3 children went to the Railway centre and loved travelling by steam train. The trip linked into their work on the Victorians and they learnt about the start of the railways. Year 5 - Educational Visits Our Year 5 children have had the opportunity to sing and drum at the Royal Albert Hall. This was an amazing experience and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. They also went on a trip to the Science museum and loved trying out the ‘Wonderlab’.
s e
We are now accepting new NHS patients Emergencies seen same day We care for anxious patients Open 7 Days a Week
The Village Dental Practice understands the need for an NHS Dentist in Harefield and the surrounding areas. We have therefore been working closely with NHS England and DentistryForYou and are proud to announce that we are WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS TO BE REGISTERED ON THE NHS!
Some patients may be entitled to FREE NHS Treatment and children under 18 can receive expert care for free as well
Call today to book your appointment
01895 822 262
The Village Dental Care 16 High Street Harefield Hillingdon UB9 6BU www.villagedentalharefield.co.uk
www.dentistryforyou.co.uk
New Penalties for Using a Hand-Held Mobile Phone and Driving From March 2017
by Caroline Dunne Consultant IBB Solicitors caroline.dunne@ibblaw.co.uk
The penalty for driving and using a hand-held phone (or other device) has increased to six points and a £200 fine.
Although it has been illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or device while driving or stopped in traffic with the engine on since December 2003, the Government has recently introduced tougher penalties. According to research by Think.direct.gov.uk, drivers are four times more likely to be in a crash if they use a phone. Figures obtained from the Department for Transport show that a driver impaired or distracted by their phone was a contributory factor in 492 accidents in Britain in 2014. What does the offence of ‘Using Mobile Phones When Driving’ entail? • The law states that it is “It’s illegal to use a handheld phone or similar device while driving, or riding a motorcycle”. • The rules are the same if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. • The offence applies to any usage of the phone (or other device) including making phone calls, viewing a map, reading a text and viewing files, apps, web pages or social media. • It’s also illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device when supervising a learner driver or rider. What are the new penalties? If you are caught committing this offence, you will be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for using a mobile phone while driving and issued with a £200 fine and six points on your licence.
If it has been less than two years since you passed your test, six points would result in the revocation of your driving licence by the DVLA. This means that you would need to re-take your driving test. The exceptions to these rules are: • You can use a handheld phone or other device if you are parked safely. • You can use a handheld phone or other device if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or unpractical to stop. Using a mobile phone or other device on the job Your employer may be open to prosecution if: • They cause or permit you to drive while using a phone (or other device) or to not have proper control of the vehicle • If they require you to make or receive calls whilst driving • If you drive dangerously because you’re using a phone (or device) installed by your employer. If you are an employer and you force your staff to use a phone, it could result in imprisonment, large fines and your company being suspended from operation. Employment policy advice for employers An employer should not take any steps that are seen to be encouraging their employees to break the law and following this new law, that would include having expectations of quick responses to emails and/or texts. It is advisable for employers to make it compulsory that all employees, who are on the road for significant periods of time, have a “hands-free” phone or device.
Call us on 0330 999 4999 at any time if you are charged with a mobile phone offence or email us on roadtraffic@ibblaw.co.uk
History
Time For Tea By Catherine Rose
Tea is enjoyed all over the world but the English adopted it as their own around four hundred years ago. Believed to have originated in Southern China, tea drinking dates back to around 3000 BC. However, it didn’t become popular in England until the 17th century, when it was made fashionable by King Charles II and his Portuguese wife Catherine de Braganza, who brought it over to the Royal court from her native country. Coffee houses had recently been established in London and the custom of tea drinking was quickly introduced. Samuel Pepys referred to it in his diary of 1660: ‘…I did send for a cup of tee (a China drink) of which I never had drank before’. The coffee houses also sold loose leaf tea so that women, who did not frequent them, could enjoy it at home. It soon became popular for wives to host tea parties and invite their friends. Tea was very much the privilege of the wealthy. It was
expensive to import and seen as a valuable commodity, kept locked inside ornate caddies. Teapots, teacups and saucers were prized possessions and there were many different designs produced during this time. Because it was so expensive, the tea smuggling trade flourished. In 1785, following pressure from tea merchants, the government slashed the high import tax on tea, making it much more affordable to the masses. Thus, tea drinking grew in popularity among the working classes, sparking a debate about whether tea was bad for the health, causing ‘idleness’ and ‘melancholy’ amongst other things. Eventually, alcohol came to be viewed as the far greater evil and working class people were then encouraged to become ‘teetotal’. The concept of afternoon tea is a peculiarly English tradition but tea served with food was only introduced in the mid-19th century by Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner, which in those days was traditionally served quite late in the evening. Soon friends were joining her for ‘afternoon tea’ at her home in
Woburn Abbey and, thanks to her frequent trips to London, the custom grew to become a fashionable social event amongst the upper classes. During the Victorian era, a wider selection of tea began to be imported from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and India. Tea rooms serving afternoon tea grew in popularity, especially among women, being one of the few places where they could meet without a chaperone. By the early 20th century, many establishments had expanded on the custom of a musician playing in the background and were holding tea dances in the afternoons. Today, tea has become an integral part of our daily routine and could be described as Britain’s national drink. Although invented in America in the early 20th century, the tea bag didn’t become popular in England until the 1970s, when it revolutionised our tea drinking habits and put fortune tellers who read tea leaves at the bottom of a cup into decline! Still considered a rather genteel English custom, today, sumptuous afternoon teas are served by many top hotels with a bewildering number of different tea blends on offer along with a ‘tea sommelier’ to help you choose. They are often booked up months ahead - a testament to tea’s enduring popularity.
“A Cure for Your Double Glazing Panes”
Do you have any problems with……..
MISTED SEALED UNITS OR BROKEN HANDLES BROKEN OR WORN HINGES DOORS THAT ARE HARD TO LOCK OR OPEN WINDOWS JAMMED SHUT OR CAN’T LOCK PATIO DOORS HARD TO SLIDE OR OPEN NEW PANELS WITH CAT FLAPS FITTED BI-FOLD DOORS HARD TO OPEN OR CLOSE VELUX WINDOWS MISTED UP LOCKSMITH SERVICE
AFTER
BEFORE
Please call for an instant quote or feel free to make a website or Email enquiry.
Office: 0208 581 0836
Email: info@windowdoctorrepairs.com
Mob: 07957 741246
Website: www.windowdoctorrepairs.com
Ricotta Stuffed Chicken
Serves 4
Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes This recipe is a great way to turn chicken fillets into something special. You can prepare them a couple of hours in advance and keep covered in the fridge, then simply cook when needed.
Ingredients: • 75g ricotta cheese • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest • 4 large skinless chicken breast fillets • 12 thin-cut rashers streaky bacon • 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 1tsp Dijon mustard • Pinch of sugar • 100g baby spinach leaves • 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
TIP
Instead of ricotta you could use low-fat soft cheese such as Philadelphia or a mild and creamy goats’ cheese.
Use a sharp knife to make a deep pocket in each chicken fillet, making sure not to cut right the way through. Place the ricotta cheese in a bowl and stir in the thyme leaves and the lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place one-quarter of the ricotta mixture in the pocket of each chicken fillet. Use the back of a knife to stretch the bacon rashers. Wrap 3 rashers around each chicken fillet and secure with a metal skewer. Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C Fan, Gas Mark 4. Heat 1tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken fillets over high heat for 2-3 minutes until the bacon is browned, turning once. Transfer to a roasting tin and cook for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Cover and leave in a warm place to rest for 10 minutes. To make the dressing, whisk the remaining oil with the vinegar, mustard and sugar in a small jug and season to taste. Slice each chicken fillet into 6 pieces and arrange on the salad leaves. Scatter over the toasted pine nuts and spoon over the dressing. Serve immediately.
Thinking of replacing your kitchen, bedroom, or home office?
Visit one of our large showrooms for inspiration & to book your FREE design visit.
Farnham Common Showroom
1-2 The Parade, Farnham Common, Bucks SL2 3QJ Tel: 01753 642362
Ashford Showroom
85 Church Road, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 2PE Tel: 01784 245964 4914 Ashford Adverts - Gerrards Cross Local ART.indd 1
27/07/2016 17:16
Martin’s Carpet Cleaning Company
• Carpets dry in 1 to 2 hours
• Upholstery Cleaning • Leather Cleaning • Rug Cleaning Safe and Non toxic eco friendly cleaning solutions Satisfaction guaranteed OR you pay NOTHING
Free phone: 0800 118 2898 M: 07590 047242
Don’t Just Leave Your Care To The Kids
by Kate McLelland A debate about how we will fund social care - now and in the future - is currently raging, with politicians blaming each other for the looming crisis. These days the media is full of stories about vulnerable older people let down by fifteenminute home care visits. Added to this, the Guardian recently reported that the country has lost almost 1,500 residential care homes in the past six years. All this may leave you wondering what quality of care we can expect in the coming years. If you have children, it may be tempting to ignore the negative headlines, in the hope that your offspring will look after you when the time comes. But given the way lifestyles are changing and new working patterns are emerging, this could be a risky strategy: you would be wise to put an alternative plan in place. Blame the economy Nowadays, economic pressures are forcing families to live further apart. Research carried out by the WRVS found that a reduction in job security, coupled with changes in the labour market, has driven many families to live elsewhere. 82 per cent of adults who moved
away from their parents did so for work reasons, with the result that 10 per cent of older people now live more than an hour’s drive away from their nearest child. We’re all living longer Thanks to improvements in health care, older people are now living longer. Parents are also waiting longer before having their first child – statistics gathered last year showed that first-time mums in their thirties and forties now outnumber those giving birth at age 20 and under. With the state pension age due to rise again from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, our working lives are getting longer, too. It’s likely that you will start to need care just as your children are working through their final years before retirement. Even after retirement it’s entirely possible that – exhausted by years of work and parental responsibility – your children may be reluctant to swap full-time work for the job of full-time carer. Thinking ahead If you are intending to downsize, then consider moving to a property that can be modified as your needs change, with a toilet - and
ideally a shower room - on the ground floor, and a reception room that can be adapted into a bedroom if you become unable to climb the stairs. If the property is close to shops and good transport links, so much the better. As you grow older, you should continue to discuss your situation with your children. It may be that you all agree to move into a property with a ‘granny flat’, or compromise by moving separately to an area where there is a good residential care home nearby, so you can still maintain close contact with your loved ones if your health deteriorates. Finally, keep an eye on options for funding your long-term care. There are some excellent sources of advice available, including the Money Advice Service (www. moneyadviceservice.org.uk). None of us can predict what will happen in the future. In the best-case scenario you could remain fit and healthy throughout your old age, but if that isn’t the case, considering your options now may make life a little easier for yourself, and your family, as you grow older.
We help people in their later years to enjoy the life they always have. Whatever you want to know about elderly care, please come and talk to us. Our home will be open in June this year when you can view our facilities, sample our bar & bistro and ask any questions you might have about the home and your care requirements. Whether it’s for you or a friend or relative, we look forward to seeing you soon. Our innovative care concept includes: Chauffeur-driven car | Cinema room | Bistro & Bar | Private dining | Hair Salon and Spa | Library All-inclusive pricing | Creative events | 50% higher staffing than average Paying above the living wage
Short Story
The Last of the Wild Chickens
Vinny burst through the door of the community centre. “You’ll never guess what’s on top of the bike shed!” At the mention of the bike shed Eunice’s heart skipped a beat; had Vinny discovered her guilty secret? She’d been stacking chairs, assuming that all the members of her ‘Trimmer You!’ slimming club had departed. It had been a tough session. She’d had to be particularly strict with the group about avoiding the temptation of chocolate over the Bank Holiday weekend. There had been tears. Now Vinny was back, his ‘Trimmer of the Week’ rosette flapping in the breeze. “An actual chicken!” he continued breathlessly. “Sat there bold as brass.” Eunice stared at him, her mind racing. A chicken was not what she was expecting. “Don’t be daft,” she reasoned. “There’s no way a chicken could get up there - they can’t fly.” “Try telling that to this one,” Vinny laughed. “It’s probably just a pigeon,” Eunice said firmly, hoping this would be enough to make Vinny finally go home. “I’m no Bill Oddie, but I think I know the difference,” he said. “Come and have a look if you don’t believe me.” Very reluctantly Eunice pulled on her anorak and followed Vinny to the bike shed. A
fat brown bantam sat clucking on the flat roof admiring the view. “I wonder where it’s come from,” Eunice said, her eyes searching the rest of the roof. “Someone round here must keep chickens.” “Perhaps it’s been living wild,” Vinny said. “A chicken wouldn’t last five minutes in the wild.” “Well they had to live in the wild originally,” Vinny answered. “This might be the last of the wild chickens.” “We’ll have to get it down,” Eunice said irritably, reminded, more than ever, how annoying Vinny could be. “We can’t lock up and leave it there. Can you reach up and grab it?” “I’m not sure.” Vinny looked worried. “I’ve never held a bird before.” Eunice did not find this at all surprising. The bird ruffled her wings and stared at them indignantly. “Just grab her firmly around her sides,” Eunice said. “I’ll go and phone the caretaker to see if he knows who she belongs to.” Eunice went back into the community hall and paced up and down. She needed time to think. Within moments Vinny popped his head around the door. “Mystery solved!” he said cheerfully. “This lady walked into the car park and asked if
I’d seen her chicken.” “Who was it?” Eunice hoped her ordeal was finally over. “Someone from the village,” Vinny said. “She said chickens can fly, they’re just not very good at it. Apparently this one’s always trying to escape.” “So it wasn’t a wild chicken then?” Eunice smirked. “No, but I think it was a magic one. Look...” From behind his back Vinny produced a large Easter egg wrapped in pink foil. “It had rolled down the side of the shed. That chicken must have laid it.” Eunice stared first at Vinny in disbelief, and then at the incriminating confectionary. She had one last trick up her sleeve. “A chocolate egg laying chicken!” she gasped. “I’ve heard of them but I’ve never seen one in real life.” She held out her hand for the egg. “I’d better take care of that.” “What are you going to do with it?” Vinny whispered as though afraid to wake it. “Do you think it will hatch?” “Maybe,” Eunice said, “particularly if I take it home and put it somewhere nice and warm.” Which, in a roundabout way, had been Eunice’s plan for that egg all along. By Jackie Brewster
Changes Our books this month are all about change, from shifting viewpoints to rewriting history.
Stickertopia, The Flower Garden – Mitchell Beazley Walk into any bookstore and you’re likely to see at least one shelf dedicated to grown-up colouring books. So it’s not too much of a surprise that sticker books are having a similar grown-up makeover. This one includes 30 garden illustrations, from Klimt’s garden path to the butterfly garden in Bronx Zoo. You can add extra colour and detail with stickers of flowers, leaves, butterflies and birds. It’s surprisingly relaxing, and there’s something rather satisfying about putting your own mark on the designs. All Our Wrong Todays – Elan Mastai No one expects Tom Barren to amount to much. They certainly don’t expect him to go back in time and completely change life as they know it. But that’s what happens. In Tom’s world 2016 looks rather different than it does to us. The discovery of a clean, almost effortless form of energy back in the 60s has made the world something of a utopia. But then Tom becomes the first time traveller, and accidently rewrites history. When he gets back to 2016, everything has changed.
Take Courage, Anne Brontë and the Art of Life – Samantha Ellis Anne is often seen as the ‘other Brontë’. Most of us would struggle to remember the names of either of her books. In part this is because of the way she’s usually portrayed – quiet, reserved and, well, less interesting than her siblings. Ellis goes to great lengths to show that this was far from the case. Anne’s novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, was, in many ways, more subversive and ahead of its time than those of her sisters. As Ellis talks us through her research, a very different Anne Brontë starts to emerge. Take Courage is far from a dry clinical biography; Ellis is clearly indignant at Anne’s treatment and the book is a real pleasure to read. Good Me, Bad Me – Ali Land Can a child brought up to be a killer change her fate? That’s the question posed in this gripping psychological thriller. Milly is in foster care with a new family and a new name. All she wants is a fresh start. But Milly’s mum is a serial killer, and Milly was the one who put her behind bars. As the trial approaches, Milly has to decide what she
wants from life, and how far she’s willing to go to get it. The Art of Contribution – Ann Skinner The Art of Contribution aims to help people live a more meaningful life. Life coach Ann Skinner shares her advice for making a positive impact on the world. The book is broken up into short, easily digestible chapters. They focus on lessons that Skinner has learnt herself, from embracing imperfections to contributing not ‘from a place of feeling that some things in the world need fixing, but from a place of wanting to add joy to it’. Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi Homegoing follows the descendants of two African sisters – one sold into slavery, the other married off to a slave trader. We meet warring tribes in Ghana, brutalised slaves on American plantations, men forced into hard labour once slavery has supposedly been outlawed, drug addicts and numerous other characters. Brilliantly written, vivid and, at times, harrowing, this is one of those books you’ll find yourself recommending to anyone who’ll listen.
Savings Accounts FP+ (Apr17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 30/03/2017 11:01 Page 1
Savings Accounts
Explained WHetHer you’re saving for a holiday or a rainy day, there are lots of ways you can earn interest on your money, from peer-to-peer lending to fixed rate bonds. the most popular options include: Cash ISAs let you save up to £20,000 a year tax free. Fixed-rates ISAs tend to earn you more interest than easyaccess ones, but you will have to pay a penalty if you withdraw money early. the new Lifetime ISA is for people under 40 who are saving for their pension, or for a first house. You can save up to £4,000 a year and the government will top it up by 25%. Bank accounts Some bank accounts are currently offering higher rates of interest than savings accounts. At the time of writing this article, Nationwide was offering 5% interest on balances up to £2,500, for the first year, for people paying in at least £1,000 every month. However, to use a bank account to save money in, you might want to open a separate account. that way your savings won’t disappear on paying the bills. Keep an eye open for offers. Lots of banks will offer you a bonus for opening an account, but you might have to pay in a minimum amount each month. Savings accounts Savings accounts aren’t paying huge levels of interest at the moment, but they are still worth a look. regular savings accounts, where you put a fixed sum away each month, usually pay a little more. And ones where you lock your money away for a set time pay more again. the interest rate is still pretty low in most cases though, so you might want to consider other options first. It’s not just about the AER Aer stands for Annual equivalent rate. It shows you the percentage of interest you’d earn if you left your money in an account for a year. While the Aer is certainly an important
deciding factor, it’s not the only thing you’ll want to consider. Other questions to ask yourself include: • Whether you want to be able to get to your money straight away if you need it. • How long you’re planning to save for. • Whether you want a guaranteed return or are prepared to take a risk in the hopes of making more money. • Whether you want to save regular amounts each month, or lump sums. • How you want your money to be invested. • Whether the organisation aligns with your values (e.g. will it invest your money in animal testing, or green energy projects)? • How good the customer service is. www.moneysavingexpert.com is a good place to visit to find out the latest ‘best-buys’. It also gives information about customer satisfaction rates.
Ickenham APRIL FOOLS (Apr16).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 30/03/2016 18:56 Page 1
! HFinance a!
TIME OF YEAR
April Fools
Ways To Reduce ‘Hidden’ Spending So You Can Save Money Or Pay Off Debt By Ann Haldon
so-called ‘deals’ top of the annual increase in and careful premiums, Insurance Premium placement of Tax (IPT) has also risen from goods around 5% to 6%, making insuring your the store. This car even more expensive. can result in By Louise Although there’s nothing you Addison food wastage can do about IPT, if you plan in as consumers advance and can afford to pay are encouraged in one lump sum rather than by passion anddebit, is a reference to IF you asked my late father-in-law what he tocorruption buy more of the word monthly direct you’ll save the they mocking of Jesus by the Romans remembered about 1957 he’d lecture you for an hour than needand tormenting money in the long-run. It’s also his crucifixion. worthwhile It definitelylooking loses something about the Russians launching Sputnik 1. If you’d asked – at a particular at the levelin translation though! of cover your current policy my own dad and he would have smiled and said, ‘The danger if you There are the obvious ways great Panorama spaghetti hoax!’ In England, also shop when you’re hungry. April Fools’ Day is and a bitwhether of a misnomer provides, it’s still as to save money, such as My dad loved documentaries almost asBy much as he your we only have until appropriate. 12 noon to play our pranks; not planning meals using comparison websites loved a good joke so when the BBC ran their(even now for just really fair when the Scots enjoy a full 48 hours of ahead a week), or cancelling an unused gym Maybe you’ve included one infamous spoof programme about the spaghetti making a list and ‘hunting sticking the to gowk’ (cuckoo). membership, but what about of your children on the policy, harvest in Ticino, Switzerland, he was init,his element. It’scontrol always worth watching or reading the news on April you’ll have more the ‘hidden’ money pits that for example, but if they don’t Spaghetti was considered an 1st as many programmes over your household budget drain your cash in a less drive the car regularly, is it exotic food at the time and my and newspapers run hoax and be able to make regular evident way? really necessary when you father had never tasted it. He articles. Previous jokes savings. Shopping for fruit and could always insure them on a Three areas was caught out immediately along with the have included: vegetables at local market temporary basis if needed? spring to mind – food, cars majority of the British public and A full page BMW car stalls can also be a cheaper and technology – all To further reduce premiums, laughed along with theessential joke. advertisement detailing option – the produce will be parts lifethe butdistinguished ones that can try: The factof that their new ‘cross-channel’ fresher and you’ll be supporting seriously deplete financial broadcaster Richard your Dimbleby modelyour which be • Increasing levelcould of your local economy. reserves. So what can was in on it tickled him allyou the do eitherexcess. right or left hand voluntary Cars to stem the flow of cash, start more. drive, had pedals on • Having an immobiliser or both An essential part of everyday off yourthat debts, save It to is pay believed thisorwas sidestracking and adevice moveable approved life for most people, running something special thetowards first time the medium of fitted.steering wheel. a car is expensive and such as retirement or a family
! a H ! Ha
television had been used to A report on dehydrated • Taking advantage of multiconstitutes a significant chunk holiday? stage an April Fools’ Day joke. water, claiming that a car discounts if you have of the annual budget. So Foodknows shopping No-one the true origin special powder could be more than one car in the although you may already be Love Food date Hateback to the Roman of According April Fools’to Day. It might converted to water by exposing it to UV light. household. resigned to spending a small Waste, £13 of billion of edible spring festival Hilaria, a timefood of jollity: the most A report about the discovered remains of a new fortune on your car, have you Fuel was wasted households popular theory by though is that it crossed the channel dinosaur which apparently had a Roman coin in its looked closely at all the costs? Fuel is usually the largest cost across the UK in 2015, from France. stomach. and of the You calendar can reduce the outlaythink on that for toGregory 7.3 million tonnes.¹ In equating 1582 Pope switched the French I always themotorists, best pranks areone those which best ways save is to alter insurance, petrol involve and servicing, Onethe of the issues is that people from Roman, Julian one to the new, shorter, sending someone on a to ‘fool’s errand’, for a left your paint driving Avoiding making savings a striped don’t plan their food shopping, Gregorian calendar. Under the old calendar New smaller Year handedover spanner, or habits. a long weight. harsh acceleration braking, areas. Try it and see for yourself. and overestimate how much was celebrated from March 25th to Aprilnumber 1st. Theof first Be sure toand do it before and may reducing yourApril speed on has the their household day of the Gregorianneeds. calendar is, if course, January 1st.premiums insurance midday though or you be told: Fools’ motorway, only by none a few. miles Some refused accept the new calendar and still The ever-increasing cost Although it’sto a very convenient been and gone; you’re the fool ifand I am per hour, will help you save. celebrated New Year on April 1st. Peopleofcalled them is a particular insurance way to shop, supermarkets Louise poisson d’Avriloverspending or April fish.with ‘Poisson’ bugbear is in fact You can check the priceAddison foramotorists. On encourage
Ha!
Ha! H a
H
of local petrol online using PetrolPrices.com, and plan ahead so you’re not forced into buying expensive fuel at motorway service stations en route. Making sure your tyres are at the correct pressure, and reducing unnecessary weight in the car, will also help.
If you naturally reach for your mobile to make a call and could manage without a home phone, you’ll make a significant saving on line rental and call costs.
Joint pain?
If you prefer to keep the landline, maybe you could save on the cost of your mobile phone. With so many competitive pay-as-you-go deals around, it’s worthwhile checking them against your contract. Also, don’t forget about recycling any old phones to raise extra cash.
servicing and MoT Package deals on servicing are available on new and used cars, and although it may seem a large outlay at first, they can See the specialist offer long-term savings. As far consultant as MOTsorthopaedic are concerned, you The mobile phone and can saveof theyour cost ofchoice a re-test within broadband market is so just by carrying out a few competitive that simply by 2 weeks and get back to simple checks before taking the contacting your provider and car in, such as tyre tread depth work sooner. saying you want to leave, and light bulbs. you’ll probably be offered a
• and PainTeChnology diagnosis phones Most people don’t question the Joint fact that•they haveinjections a landline, but do you really need one?
your data or minutes - you’re probably paying more than you need in additional save charges, and could money by choosing a deal with a larger allowance.
better deal just to retain your business. Also consider whether: • You consistently exceed
• Arthroscopies and ligament repairs
• You need a fast broadband speed, or if a cheaper ‘standard’ broadband package would suffice. The best deals are generally reserved for new customers, so it’s worthwhile haggling if you’re not completely satisfied with the deal they’re offering, but be aware of any early exit penalties that might form part of your contract. ¹https://www. lovefoodhatewaste.com/article/ unite-food-waste-fight http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/bills/article-1591904/50ways-save-money.html
• Orthopaedic surgery
‘Back to work’ package Includes a specialist consultation, MRI scan and treatment plan starting from £499
01753 665 404 info@spirethamesvalley.com www.spirethamesvalley.com
Unusual Easter Traditions (Apr17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 30/03/2017 09:50 Page 1
Unusual Easter
Traditions
HOW will you celebrate Easter? If you need ideas check out these unusual traditions... Pace Egg Plays were once a widespread way of celebrating across rural England. Performed on Good Friday the drama involves a form of a combat between a villain named Old Tosspot and the hero St George. Historically the actors were working class men and women who toured the villages performing in pubs and on the street as a way of earning extra money. In the plays someone is always killed, this may be St George or a Turkish Knight known as Bold Slasher. The poor fellow is however revived by a comic doctor, linking to the Easter themes of death and rebirth The use of the word Pace is linked to the Latin word Pacha which translates to Easter. The egging part comes from the fact that performers were given eggs which were wrapped in onion skins and carefully boiled. They’d receive other gifts too, including money as an incentive to perform by the crowd. Some believe the phrase ‘to egg someone on’ originates from when rival groups of performers found themselves in the same village and traded insults, had wooden sword fights or even try to steal each others Pace Eggs. The Pace Eggs were sometimes rolled but the practice of egg rolling has become a tradition all on its own both in the UK and abroad. Usually hard boiled eggs are decorated and rolled down a grassy hill with an ensuing competition to see whose egg can roll fastest and remain unharmed. The exact symbolism of egg rolling isn’t clear, but as eggs have links to the Easter and Spring themes of rebirth, renewal and fertility this seems to provide some reasoning for it. If you are looking for a different type of activity on Easter Monday, then you
might like to consider the traditions of Whipping Monday linked to countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic. In Slovakia women are doused by men with water and whipped with braided willow branches. This is said to symbolise youth and strength and make women healthy for the Spring. The men then get a reward from the lady in question which is a dyed egg, a ribbon tied around their whip and for adults an invite in for some food and vodka. Some men also receive coins. In the Czech version there is no water. Just the whipping and here the implement is called the pomlazka and the tradition ends at noon. I think I’ll stick with egg-rolling!
The Internet of Things FP+ (Apr17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 30/03/2017 10:15 Page 1
The Internet of Things
SMART HOMES Smart home devices are becoming increasingly common. They let you control your heating, hot water, lights and other technology while you’re out of the house. Let’s say you’re running late from work. You realise you’re going to miss your favourite TV programme, so you use your phone to set it to record. You also postpone the heating coming on, and turn a light on so it looks like someone is home. At least you know your security cameras will send an alert to your phone if they detect any movement.
The ‘internet of things’ refers to electronic devices connecting to each other using the internet. It’s a way to collect information and improve efficiency. Take as an example, a Fitbit or other fitnesstracking device. These give you an indication of how many steps you’ve walked or ran in a day, your heart rate, calories burned and so on. You can also synch one to an app on your phone, or to an online account. Then you can check your progress over a week, how you compare to other people you’re sharing information with, how many calories you’ve burnt off and so on. If you also sync your account up with ‘smart’ scales, it’ll keep track of your weight and BMI, to give you a fuller picture of your health in one place.
On the way home, you nip to the supermarket, but can’t remember whether you need milk. A couple of clicks and your smart fridge has sent you a photo of its contents. After buying the milk, you turn your heating on, and set your coffee machine to have a brew ready for when you get in. SMART HEALTH The internet of things isn’t just about making our lives a bit easier. Trials are underway to see how it could help people with pre-existing medical conditions. Medical devices that patients use at home can collect data to give healthcare providers a better picture of a patient’s day-today health. Doctors can even be sent an alert if measurements go above or below a safe level. SMART CITIES By using smart technology, and acting on data, cities could become more efficient. From bins that send an alert when they need emptying, to traffic lights that help reduce congestion, the internet of things is set to bring about a lot of changes. It may seem like sci-fi, but it might not be that long until you’re travelling in a driver-less vehicle, which knows exactly where there’s an available parking space, and any road closures to avoid on the way to your destination. The future is looking smart!
“It’s never too late to turn your life around”
eltze estates
Wexham £350,000 A spacious 2 double bedroom first floor maisonette forming part of this converted Georgian grade 2 listed character property circa 1840. No onward chain. EPC: E
Iver £575,000 A 3 bedroom Grade 2 listed barn conversion with 2 receptions, superb kitchen breakfast room, wealth of beams and study on the second floor. EPC: D
Iver £890,000 A 5 bed detached bungalow set in circa 0.5 of an acre. With a long drive, ample parking and a detached 2 storey store. Opportunity to extend, subject to planning. EPC: D
Iver Heath £775,000 An extended 3 bed detached with large conservatory and 4 receptions. Potential to extend, subject to planning. Updated shower room & bathroom. EPC: D
To view any of the above homes call 01753 651652 www.eltze.co.uk
And Another Thing... Tom Has A Spring Clean by Tom Hughes @groomsdaybook
“Tom look at the state of the house, it’s a disgrace.” Placing my copy of Vauxhall Insignia Monthly onto the coffee table (after pushing the empty tea mugs to one side) I tossed yesterday’s paper onto the floor and bid my dearly beloved to snuggle down next to me on the sofa. “Now, my Little Chickadee, what seems to be the problem?” “It’s getting beyond a joke. This place needs a good going over. It needs bottoming!” Blanching slightly, I pressed Sarah to elucidate. “When you say -” “What I mean Tom, is that we need to spring clean the house.” Sensing my rendezvous with Nigel in the Old Paraffin Lamp suddenly under threat I made a gallant attempt to head the cleaning cavalry off at the pass. “No problem, just name the day
darling.”
organising.”
“The day Tom, is today, and the time is now. Here.” A pair of bright yellow gloves landed in my lap. And so, it came to pass that my Saturday afternoon, just like my very first car (a red Renault 5), was written off. “Right Tom, first job is the spare room upstairs. It’s like an Aladdin’s cave up there. Start with the skirting boards - yes the skirting boards. And Tom? Please don’t start rummaging.”
“Well it looks like rummaging to me.”
My school report from 1983. English - Tom is an inquisitive boy who unfortunately is easily distracted, he -” “Tom what are you doing?” My yellowing report slipped from my grasp. “Nothing.” “Exactly, nothing. You haven’t even made a start on the skirting boards. You’re rummaging.” “Im not rummaging, I’m
Shamefully, I pulled out my tongue at the back of the slammed door. My rummaging - sorry, organising continued. Old concert tickets, football programmes, all manner of nostalgia collected over half a lifetime all snuggled together in plastic bags. The bucket of soapy water sat cooling at my feet. But Sarah was right, this room wouldn’t clean itself, I had to take action - and quick. I Googled cleaning services near our post code. But there was no time for delegation. Taking a deep breath I dropped to my hands and knees and attacked the woodwork. And do you know something? In scrubbing away, I felt a pride and dignity in honest physical labour I hadn’t experienced since snoozing away the night shift at the
Sunblest bakery during my student summers. After an hour of toiling the room was cleaned to within two inches of its life. What next? Of course - our own bedroom. Replenishing my pale with hot water I attacked our bedroom woodwork. It was then I saw it - and life would never be the same again. It was my damascene moment. On Sarah’s bedside cabinet was a copy of Spark Joy, The Art of Tidying by Marie Kondo. Eventually Sarah reappeared with two mugs of tea to find Yours Truly sat cross-legged, Spark Joy in one hand and a rolled up t-shirt in the other.
the drawers open?” Folding some pyjamas, I gently enquired of my wife, “Why have you never mentioned this book before? It’s a revelation - look at my sock drawer.” Proudly I pulled the handle to reveal my socks laid out like little fat soldiers. “Well that’s fine, but that pair is odd and those are mine. And what have you done in my wardrobe?” Sarah’s face told me my attempts at reorganising had not achieved the desired effect. Tutting and muttering, Sarah began the task of undoing all my good work. Opening another draw she closed her eyes and hissed -”Tom, just, just leave everything to me and go and clean the
bathroom. You can’t do much damage in there surely!” An hour later I limped gingerly downstairs to find Sarah sipping coffee whilst flicking through Good Housekeeping. “Tom are you ok ? Have you been crying?”
“Tom, what on earth are you doing? And why are all
“No. By the way, have you ever mistaken Flash disposable bathroom cleaning cloths for Andrex moist toilet tissues?” “No. Why?” “Oh, no reason.” “Well you’ve done very well today. Come and snuggle down next to me.” “If it’s all the same to you dear, I’ll stand.”
Gardening FP+ (Apr17).qxp_IN! Tipss Style Editorials (Mar13) 30/03/2017 11:30 Page 1
Fuchsia Perfect
I LOVE hardy fuchsias. They are some of the most rewarding plants to grow. They are easy to propagate, flower well and are not the least bit temperamental.
They are named after a 16th Century German herbalist and physician called Leonard Fuchs. Lots of gardeners struggle to spell fuchsia but if you think of his name and stick and ‘ia’ on the end you have it! In mild areas or at the seaside they can grow into huge shrubs. Elsewhere hard frosts see off most of the top growth in winter, then new shoots burst up from the soil in the spring, maturing into small shrubs about 2-3 feet / 60-100cm tall. At this time of year rooted cuttings are cheap. Grow them on for a few weeks under cover, changing the pot to a slightly larger one as they grow, then plant them out in May. Choose a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Make sure you pinch out the shoot tips frequently. It delays the flowers a little but they will become bushy little plants which produce more flowers in the long-run. Once they are mature you can more or less leave them to it. Simply sprinkle a handful or two of fertiliser around them in the spring and again in the summer. There are lots of lovely varieties. “Mrs. Popple” is tall with red and purple flowers. “Mrs. W. P. Wood” is paler with pearly flowers. I have a soft spot for “Whiteknight’s Pearl” which is a beautiful pale pink. If you have a smaller plot try “Tom Thumb” or “Alice Hoffman”. It’s a little known fact that the berries and inner petals of fuchsias are edible (though it’s worth noting that ‘edible’ doesn’t mean they necessarily taste good!). However there is now a variety bred especially for eating. It’s called “Berry” and produces fruit with a flavour something like a sweet fig. The fuchsia berries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They don’t have a long shelf life so pick them when they are soft and squishy and eat them fresh, or freeze small quantities as you collect them, until you have enough to make fuchsia jam or add to muffins, much as you might add blueberries.
Finance
Ways To Reduce ‘Hidden’ Spending So You Can Save Money Or Pay Off Debt By Ann Haldon
There are the obvious ways to save money, such as using comparison websites or cancelling an unused gym membership, but what about the ‘hidden’ money pits that drain your cash in a less evident way? Three areas immediately spring to mind – food, cars and technology – all essential parts of life but ones that can seriously deplete your financial reserves. So what can you do to stem the flow of cash, start to pay off your debts, or save towards something special such as retirement or a family holiday? Food shopping According to Love Food Hate Waste, £13 billion of edible food was wasted by households across the UK in 2015, equating to 7.3 million tonnes.¹ One of the issues is that people don’t plan their food shopping, and overestimate how much their household needs. Although it’s a very convenient way to shop, supermarkets encourage overspending with
so-called ‘deals’ and careful placement of goods around the store. This can result in food wastage as consumers are encouraged to buy more than they need – a particular danger if you also shop when you’re hungry. By planning your meals ahead (even for just a week), making a list and sticking to it, you’ll have more control over your household budget and be able to make regular savings. Shopping for fruit and vegetables at local market stalls can also be a cheaper option – the produce will be fresher and you’ll be supporting your local economy. Cars An essential part of everyday life for most people, running a car is expensive and constitutes a significant chunk of the annual budget. So although you may already be resigned to spending a small fortune on your car, have you looked closely at all the costs? You can reduce the outlay on insurance, petrol and servicing, making smaller savings over a number of areas. insurance premiums The ever-increasing cost of insurance is a particular bugbear for motorists. On
top of the annual increase in premiums, Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) has also risen from 5% to 6%, making insuring your car even more expensive. Although there’s nothing you can do about IPT, if you plan in advance and can afford to pay in one lump sum rather than by monthly direct debit, you’ll save money in the long-run. It’s also worthwhile looking at the level of cover your current policy provides, and whether it’s still appropriate. Maybe you’ve included one of your children on the policy, for example, but if they don’t drive the car regularly, is it really necessary when you could always insure them on a temporary basis if needed? To further reduce premiums, try: • Increasing your level of voluntary excess. • Having an immobiliser or approved tracking device fitted. • Taking advantage of multicar discounts if you have more than one car in the household. Fuel Fuel is usually the largest cost for motorists, and one of the best ways to save is to alter your driving habits. Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking, and reducing your speed on the motorway, if only by a few miles per hour, will help you save. You can check the price
of local petrol online using PetrolPrices.com, and plan ahead so you’re not forced into buying expensive fuel at motorway service stations en route. Making sure your tyres are at the correct pressure, and reducing unnecessary weight in the car, will also help. servicing and MoT Package deals on servicing are available on new and used cars, and although it may seem a large outlay at first, they can offer long-term savings. As far as MOTs are concerned, you can save the cost of a re-test just by carrying out a few simple checks before taking the car in, such as tyre tread depth and light bulbs. phones and TeChnology Most people don’t question the fact that they have a landline, but do you really need one?
H
If you naturally reach for your mobile to make a call and could manage without a home phone, you’ll make a significant saving on line rental and call costs.
If you prefer to keep the landline, maybe you could save on the cost of your mobile phone. With so many competitive pay-as-you-go deals around, it’s worthwhile checking them against your contract. Also, don’t forget about recycling any old phones to raise extra cash. The mobile phone and broadband market is so competitive that simply by contacting your provider and saying you want to leave, you’ll probably be offered a better deal just to retain your business. Also consider whether: • You consistently exceed
your data or minutes - you’re probably paying more than you need in additional save charges, and could money by choosing a deal with a larger allowance. • You need a fast broadband speed, or if a cheaper ‘standard’ broadband package would suffice. The best deals are generally reserved for new customers, so it’s worthwhile haggling if you’re not completely satisfied with the deal they’re offering, but be aware of any early exit penalties that might form part of your contract. ¹https://www. lovefoodhatewaste.com/article/ unite-food-waste-fight http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/bills/article-1591904/50ways-save-money.html
Don’t Be An April Fool
Keep your stuff safe with PC protection
Connecting an unprotected PC to the internet is rather like stripping naked, covering yourself in honey and throwing yourself into a nest of angry wasps: the question isn’t whether you’re going to get stung, it’s how bad the results are going to be. The internet is full of unpleasantness, and some of it is trying to make you an April fool. Trying to con people on the internet is very cheap and safe: the likelihood of getting caught is incredibly small, and the cost of contacting even millions of people is incredibly small too. So entire call centres make fake technical support calls to unsuspecting people, trying to convince them that their PC is broken and they need to download software to fix it. That software then nabs their personal information, or their online banking details, and that information is used to compromise their various accounts and steal their money. It’s important to stress this: if you’ve ever tried to call the support lines of Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, BT or any other big firm, you’ll appreciate how long it takes to get through. These companies don’t have the resources to make proactive support calls, let alone monitor your computer for
any problems. Apps can help. A powerful but simple password manager such as the excellent 1Password solves a big problem with the internet - you need different, strong passwords that can’t be guessed for each individual site or service, but you also need to remember them. 1Password creates and remembers them for you, automatically filling them in when you need them. This means that if, say, your favourite photo site is hacked, your login details can’t be used to get into your Amazon account, eBay account or PayPal account. Macs don’t generally suffer from malicious software, but Windows PCs do: there are more Windows users in the world, so they’re a more tempting target. That means security software is essential. BitDefender Anti-Virus Free Edition, AVAST anti-virus and AVG Free anti-virus can protect your PC from malicious files and apps, and they’re constantly updated with details of the latest threats. In the case of apps such as BitDefender, they can also scan links in your emails to let you know whether that email from the bank or Apple is fake (the answer, 99 times out of a hundred, is yes).
These apps matter because in addition to fake emails and malicious software, there’s a new villain in town: ransomware. Ransomware is a program that sneaks onto your computer and locks you out of it completely, meaning you can’t access your email, your photo library or anything else of value on your PC. The only way to unlock it appears to be to call the supplied telephone number and pay the ransom, which is usually a few hundred pounds. That’s a really bad idea, because the details you use to pay the ransom are then used again and again until you have no money left. Security software such as the apps mentioned above can protect you from ransomware in two ways. They can prevent it from getting onto your PC in the first place, and remove it if your PC is already infected. When you consider the cost of the software is zero and the likelihood of an unsecured PC getting something nasty is 100%, security software is a must-have for anybody with a PC.
Images L to R: 1Password password manager; Avast free anti-virus; AVG Free anti-virus; screenshot of typical ransomware demand
A+Studio Ad_Layout 1 13/01/2014 12:18 Page 1
A+Studio
Leigh Martin Tugwood RIBA Architectural and Self-Build Management Services
2-Hedz
Design & Build Network
A+Studio is part of the 2-hedz Design & Build Network (w) www.2-hedz.com (e) info@ap-studio.co.uk (t) 01753 655391 (m) 07721 320738
Saturday 6th May 2017 2pm until 5pm
IVER HEATH VILLAGE HALL A fun-filled event for the whole family, fundraising for our local schools and library We are looking for… • STALL-HOLDERS: we have space for a few more stalls in the village hall. Do you love baking cakes, making jams or pickles? Do you make or sell arts, crafts, books or children’s toys? Additional stall-holders welcome. • VOLUNTEERS: if you have a few hours of spare time and can help on the day, we need extra volunteers to help in the car park, litter-picking and with other jobs.
Interested? We’d love to hear from you if you would like to join us. Contact the Iver Heath Residents’ Association today by phone, email or via our website. T: 07572 125960 (24/7 answer phone) E: ihrasecretary1@gmail.com www.iverheathra.co.uk
In association with:
Parenting Children’s Parties
Balloon candles available from www.dotcomgiftshop.com
Keep the fun levels up and your stress levels down with our top party tips.
• Raid the recycling box to make robots, spaceships or monsters.
OutdOOr parties Most kids love a treasure hunt, and it ties in well with a pirate, knights or princess party. You could leave a series of clues leading to one big stash of small prizes to split (chocolate coins tend to go down well). Or you could hide sweets, trinkets and other mini prizes around the garden. Just make sure you keep a few extras to hand, to avoid any tears.
Make sure you tell parents that the children will need old clothes or painting aprons. And bear in mind that paint may not have dried by the time the party finishes, so you’ll have to deliver the artwork at a later date.
Once they’ve found the treasure, you could: • Have a water pistol fight. • Challenge the kids to an obstacle course. • Hold a mini-Olympics, complete with ‘real’ medals. • Set up a tin can alley, or a game of skittles.
• Host a sleepover, complete with movie, popcorn and a chocolate fountain. • Hold a fashion show. Just raid some charity shops and let kids loose on the clothes with fabric pens, glitter and badges. • Have a disco party, with glow sticks, a glitter ball and a dance-off.
parties fOr craftlOving children If your child loves nothing more than creating a new work of art, why not dedicate the party to ‘making stuff’? Depending on the age of the children, you could: • Make masks out of paper plates, feathers, stickers, glitter and so on. • Paint pots or trinket boxes. • Decorate plates or mugs with porcelain pens.
parties fOr pre-teens Pre-teens may prefer to head out somewhere with a couple of friends. If they do want a party though, you could:
parties that let yOu take it easy If this all sounds like a bit too much work, you could turn to the professionals. From hiring a children’s entertainer to heading to a soft-play centre, there are plenty of options to choose from. And they’re often not as expensive as you might think. Some companies offer a full package including
by Kate Duggan entertainment, food and a party bag, which can actually work out around the same price as you’d pay to buy it all yourself. Alternatively, you could let your child choose two or three friends to take out for the day. Head to the zoo, trampoline park, cinema, theme park, or just out for a picnic. tOp tips fOr a successful party: • Don’t invite too many people. A good rule of thumb is to only invite one or two more than the age of your child. So if your son is turning five, you might want to invite six or seven children. However, it is a very rough guide, as all children are different. • Consider how many children there are in the class or friendship group. Inviting 12 of the 14 girls in your daughter’s class could cause a lot of upset. • Don’t overwhelm your child. Younger children may struggle with lots of excited guests, loud music and bright lights. Try to create a safe, quiet space where they can retreat if they need to. • Don’t feel you have to spend a fortune. Often the simpler, cheaper parties are the ones that children love the best. • Rope in as many helpers as you can!
Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. For further information, or to arrange a visit, please telephone 01895 234371 Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com
Motoring
By James Baggott
New Audi Q5
Replacing ultra-successful cars is never easy for a manufacturer, but that’s the challenge Audi has faced with the Q5, the brand’s best-selling SUV. Built at the manufacturer’s most advanced ‘smart factory’ in Mexico, the refreshed offroader is packed with clever technology, features revised engines and a fresh look that the maker hopes will continue to win over buyers. But has it done enough? Looks and image The new Q5 may be a little less flashy than its Jaguar F-Pace rival, but that smart new octagonal nose, dramatic headlights and sharp body creases give it fantastic presence on the road. That’s helped by a wonderfully squat stance and perfect proportions. Inside the quality is clear. Solid, good quality materials are everywhere and the leather seats are comfortable and perfectly adjustable. There is plenty of space around the driver and logically placed controls for the multimedia system. There’s also a three-zone climate control system, an optional Bang & Olufsen sound
system, and the optional virtual cockpit, which replaces the dials with a 12.3-inch high resolution display. space and practicaLity The new Q5 is bigger and wider than its predecessor – but still 90kg lighter. Inside there’s more headroom and rear knee-room, while boot space is up 10 litres. Two adults will sit comfortably in the back, but a large transmission tunnel seriously eats into rear legroom in the middle seat. Safety systems are plentiful and buyers can opt for active lane assist, pre-sense assistance which helps detect if a crash is imminent and can apply the brakes for you, and cross-traffic assistance at the rear that will help when pulling out of parking spaces. In slow moving traffic it’s even partly autonomous, slowing down and speeding up in jams while keeping you in your lane. What’s under the bonnet? There are three engine options to pick from – but the best seller, and our pick of the bunch, is the 187bhp, 400Nm, 2.0-litre TDI, which will account for 60 per cent of sales in the
UK. This comes as standard with a clever new Quattro Ultra all-wheel drive system that can switch seamlessly between two and four-wheel drive automatically. Fuel economy is 56.5mpg with emissions of 132g/km, and it hits 60mph in 7.7 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 135mph. A 2.0-litre TFSI petrol option with 250bhp is also available. It’s capable of returning 40.9mpg and emits 157g/km. A feisty 3.0-litre V6 TDi completes the line-up, producing 284bhp and a stonking 620Nm of torque. behind the WheeL The new Q5 is quite simply brilliant to drive. We tested the car on a variety of terrain, from motorways to cities and beaches to dirt tracks; it took them all in its stride. On the road it’s quiet, refined and accomplished, while in the grit it was surefooted and secure. The revised 2.0-litre diesel engine is punchy and works brilliantly when combined with the 7-speed S-tronic gearbox - overall it’s by far and away the best choice of transmission. Verdict Audi has moved the game on with its new Q5 but not ruined a recipe that has won it so many admirers. Stylish, comfortable and great to drive, it’s now packed with even more clever technology and features. With best in class performance and economy, and some highly tempting optional extras, we’d be very surprised if any of its rivals managed to usurp it at the top of the sales charts any time soon.
491
• High academic attainment • Outstanding pastoral care • Broad and Enriching Curriculum • Provision for rising 3s • School Day from 8.00am – 6.00pm IAPS Preparatory Day School for Boys 3 - 7 and Girls 3 - 11
01753 541 075 admin@etonend.org
www.etonend.org
35 Eton Road, Datchet, Berkshire SL3 9AX
by Pippa Greenwood
Flower Power
Blooming Hollyhock Flower You can inexpensively and easily grow a huge range of flowers from seed at home. Just about every perennial flower is available to grow from seed, and once they have reached flowering size they’ll just keep on performing! There are lots to choose from, including lupins, silene, Echinaceae, geranium, perennial poppies, delphiniums, gaillardia, hollyhocks, rudbeckia and salvia. Pay a visit to your local garden centre or use a seed catalogue and start planning; you could save a fortune, and all from a packet or two of seed.
make sure you collect up any that falls on the surface below.
Once the compost is in the tray or pot, firm it down so that there are no large gaps beneath the surface, and level it off to make it easier to sow the seeds evenly and at the same depth. You can make your own tamper using a piece of wood with a small block of wood nailed to it to make a ‘handle’.
To start, you need containers to sow the seed into – I like to use half-sized seed trays, RootTrainers or smaller individual cells – and some good quality compost and your chosen seeds. It helps if you have something to tamp down the compost too, plus labels, a permanent marker, a dibber and some vermiculite (for covering seeds that need some light to germinate well).
It is easier to look after seedlings if the seed has been sown in straight rows; make the rows using a plastic plant label. Check the packets for the correct depths for the seeds, and if you are sowing seeds in small cells then it is easier to make the holes using a dibber (or a pencil if you don’t have one). RootTrainers are ideal for larger seeds such as sunflowers. Don’t sow too densely or the seedlings will need more thinning out and will be more likely to become drawn, leggy and weak. Once in place, just cover the seed with compost.
Sieve compost through a compost sieve to remove the larger lumps, leaving fine compost perfect for seed sowing. If you sieve it straight into the pots, cells or trays,
Next, use a watering can with the rose attached and water
If you are sowing larger seed into cells, just pop the seeds in to the prepared holes and cover to the required depth.
thoroughly. If the seed sown was quite small, it is best to stand the tray in a shallow tray or bowl of water, so the compost absorbs water from below – this way the seeds are less likely to be displaced. Finally, label your seed trays clearly, ideally with a permanent marker. Many perennials need heat for the seed to germinate reliably. Put the trays, pots or cells into a propagator, standing each on moist capillary matting. Once the seedlings appear, gradually lower the temperature and then prick each one out into its own pot. Keep them fed and watered as they grow and in just a few weeks or months you will have some great plants ready for the garden. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com to buy gorgeous UK grown vegetable plants accompanied by weekly advice emails from Pippa, or to peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items including SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug and other nematode controls for leather jackets, vine weevils and other pests, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books and lots more besides.
Pets Corner... (Apr17).qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2017 21:02 Page 1
Spring Survival Guide...
FINALLY, Spring has arrived and we're able to get outside and enjoy the semi-warm weather, for our pets as well as ourselves. But beware of some of the hazards that can come from Spring visitors as well as from plants and products we commonly find in our gardens.
Although Winter seemed to hang-on forever it was still again overall very mild and this also means, like last year, there’ll probably be another glut of slugs and snails. These are tempting morsels for dogs, inquisitive puppies especially, and even if dogs don’t eat them deliberately the slug's slime trail can be dangerous if they eat grass. Slugs and snails transmit Lungworm which is a serious and frequently fatal disease. Clearing slugs and snails from the garden is a near impossible task so it is important to prevent Lungworm as it is difficult to treat. Thankfully this is easily achievable with Advocate®, a multi-purpose combined flea and worm product that is only available from vets and also treats mites like the one that causes sarcoptic mange, which is also easily caught in the garden from urban foxes. Remember, if you are putting down slug bait, beware that it is palatable and highly toxic to dogs so you must prevent them gaining access to it or better, use something else like a beer trap.
of contamination with faeces and urine and clean it thoroughly if it is dirty. Special long-lasting fly repellent products are available to apply to the skin. If you see evidence of fly eggs and maggots seek immediate veterinary advice. Tulips and daffodils are poisonous, especially their bulbs, however, lilies pose a particular hazard for cats because they are attracted to them and all parts are very toxic including the pollen. Cats often sniff the pollen or get it on their coats. This applies to lilies indoors as well and I would advise anyone with cats to avoid displays of lilies which are accessible to them. As the weather warms up so fleas and other skin parasites become more active so remember to re-start or continue adequate flea and parasite control. Pet shop products are usually ineffective so get advice from your vet.
M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com
Coco-shell mulch is a popular product in use in gardens these days. All chocolate products are toxic to pets and the coco-shell, which is attractive to dogs, is particularly rich in theobromine, the poisonous ingredient. It is much safer to use alternatives such as tree bark. The pollen count will be going up as hayfever sufferers know and animals, especially dogs, can suffer from hay fever too. They do not however snuffle and sneeze but suffer from red itchy skin especially on the ears, paws and under belly. Chronic ear conditions are often caused by this and sometimes this is the only sign. Unfortunately once animals have this problem it means lifelong treatment but symptoms can be helped by avoiding long grass. While grass is a natural diet for rabbits, spring lawn grass is lush and low in fibre and can cause diarrhoea so allow access sparingly. Remember: Never to give lawn mowings to rabbits or guinea pigs as it will ferment and cause stomach upsets. While on this subject, be aware of fly strike. This is something I can’t repeat too often but check your rabbit’s bottom every day, especially during warm spells, for signs
Th 16 H H w
w
Home & Interiors
Refresh Your Home For Spring By Katherine Sorrell
it away; don’t let worn out, unusable and unnecessary items take up muchneeded space. Let go of them and you’re bound to feel better: it’s like therapy for your interior.
As our gardens start to grow and blossom fills the trees, it’s time to think about refreshing and re-energising our homes ready for a stylish spring. Clear the clutter There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned tidy up to make your home feel re-booted. Heavy winter duvets, furry throws and cable-knit hot water bottles can all be stored out of the way, while at the same time this is a good opportunity to go through shelves and cupboards and get rid of anything you no longer need. Give it to charity, hold a car boot sale, sell it in on Ebay – whatever works best. If it’s broken, mend it or throw
Clean house Now that you have lots of lovely clear space, you will probably notice that some of your house could do with an extra-special deep clean. How good will you feel when you have washed down your front door, wiped all your shelves and light fittings, shampooed your rugs, washed your loose covers and curtains and taken your duvets to the launderette? To say nothing of cleaning your mirrors and windows – there’s nothing like a bit of scrunched-up newspaper and white vinegar for giving them a wonderful sparkle. Have a brush with paint Take a long hard look at your paintwork. Be honest: has some of it seen better days? Perhaps windows need sanding and repainting, or door frames need touch-ups where they’ve had knocks and bashes over the years? Or maybe a whole room could do with a makeover? You simply can’t beat the spick-and-span look
of a newly painted space; it’s a relatively quick and inexpensive DIY job that creates an overall impression going above and beyond the effort involved. Introduce colour Now’s the time to ditch dark, heavy and gloomy winter shades and get fresh with spring-like colour. Yellow, blue and green are all traditionally associated with spring – and it just so happens that Pantone’s colour of the year is gorgeous ‘Greenery’, described as ‘a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew’. Use liberally with plenty of bright white for a really clean, fresh look for the season. Include a dash of pattern Your clean, clear backdrop of pale spring colours is perfect for adding pops of pattern to make an impact. Chevrons are still having a moment, as are triangles and geometrics in general (especially if they have a tribal feel), as well as tropicals, textures (think chunky knits or grassy weaves), graphic botanicals such as ferns and leaves and the natural patterns of marble and stone.
w
Up your game with accessories Out with the old and in with the new: replace accessories that have seen better days with ontrend items such as cushions and throws, duvet covers, vases, prints, small storage containers, mirrors, clocks, table lamps and plants (quick tip: grab a succulent, a cactus or an air plant for fashionforward houseplant style). You really don’t have to spend a fortune to overhaul your look dramatically. Add some scent We all want a beautifully scented home – but instead of artificial air fresheners, whether spray or plug-in, use scented candles, avoiding paraffinbased ones in favour of natural wax. Alternatively, try reed diffusers with essential oils, or simply arrange locally sourced,
scented flowers (the ones imported from abroad don’t tend to smell so good). And one last thing – if possible, try to dry your laundry in the sunshine outdoors – you just can’t beat that beautiful fresh smell. Bring the outdoors in Now the warmer weather is here, open the windows as much as possible, and get some air circulating around your home. It might even be
warm enough to sit outside in a patch of sunshine – so think about pressure washing up your your patio, scrubbing barbecue and cleaning down your outdoor furniture ready for some outdoor entertaining. After all, it’s not that long until summer…
Image Top Left: Artificial bulb jar £5; faceted vase (set of three) £12; short botanic herb jug £12 (small) and £25 (large); green glass tea light holder £5 (large) and £4 (small); fern glass tea light holder £10.50: all from The Contemporary Home, 02392 469400; tch.net. Left Bottom: Ceramic door knob with gold-painted edge, £4.99: Ian Snow, 01271 858649; iansnow.com. Above: Scandinavian cushion cover in tile print green, £15.50: Andshine, 07765 530607; andshine.co.uk.
Health
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Wheezes and Sneezes: How to Tackle Hay Fever
of steroid nasal spray users were using them correctly in the study).
Hay fever or seasonal allergies can be caused by the pollen of numerous trees, grasses or plants and it affects around 18 million people in the UK. Diagnosis If you’re unsure it’s hay fever causing your symptoms, see your GP. They may refer you for an allergen test to determine whether you’re allergic to pollen or other organic material such as animal hair or dust mites. a skin prick test only tests for the most common allergens, so it may be inconclusive. Your skin is pricked and exposed to a tiny dose of allergen - it should react if you’re allergic. a blood test for the Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, produced when you encounter pollen, may also be used. symptoms Symptoms can range from mild to life-impacting: • itchy and/or runny nose • sneezing • irritated, itchy, watery eyes TreaTing Hay Fever How you treat your hay fever will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. Research by Allergy UK in 2014 showed that 62% of sufferers found their current medication ineffective – yet they failed to seek better alternatives or didn’t use it properly (only 14%
Ask a pharmacist for advice on the right medication and alternatives if it’s ineffective. Ensure you follow doctor’s, pharmacist’s and manufacturer’s instructions carefully. See your GP if over the counter treatments aren’t working, or you develop sinus or ear infections. oral Medications (Tablets and Liquids) antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical triggered by allergen exposure, to reduce or stop your allergic reaction. They may not relieve a blocked nose but are usually effective against other symptoms. As a preventative, they work best if taken regularly and started in advance of high pollen count periods. They can also be taken as required when symptoms begin. Some older antihistamines (e.g. chlorpheniramine, known as Piriton) make you drowsy and can affect your ability to do your job or drive. However, most people now choose newer, nonsedating antihistamines (e.g. Loratadine). steroids are only usually used short-term if other medications aren’t working or if your hay fever causes or aggravates asthma. They reduce symptoms by reducing inflammation. nasal sprays and Drops Decongestant nasal sprays unblock your nose but can cause rebound congestion after a few days, so only use them for occasional relief or as an additional treatment on days
when symptoms are severe. steroid nasal sprays or drops prevent and reduce inflammation in the nasal lining and can help relieve eye itchiness too. antihistamine nasal sprays relieve an itchy nose and reduce sneezing. eyedrops Antihistamine eyedrops reduce itchiness and watering. inhalers and injections If seasonal allergies cause or exacerbate asthma, you may be offered a steroid inhaler and/or a ‘reliever’, such as salbutamol (‘Ventolin’). Injectable medications may sometimes be recommended if steroids aren’t adequate. Monoclonal antibody treatments (‘mabs’) such as Xolair block a substance involved in allergic reactions. immunotherapy If your symptoms are persistent or severe, your doctor may suggest immunotherapy to progressively build allergen immunity. A specialist will gradually introduce your body to small amounts of allergen by injection or a sublingual tablet and monitor your reaction. Treatment is started three months before your trigger pollen season. PrevenTion Reduce pollen contact by avoiding drying washing outside, showering before bed and closing windows. You can check the Met Office pollen forecast at www.metoffice.gov. uk/health/public/pollen-forecast For more information: AllergyUK: www.allergyuk.org; Helpline: 01322 619898
IVER What's On... Feb17.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2017 04:04 Page 1
Beauty
regular events...
Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret's Close. Call Diane 07926 854184.
British Beauty
Free Family games event ballet Classes Second Saturday of every month - for Iver Heath Village Hall, Friday 4.45parents, carers and guardians with 7pm. Call L Killian 01753 814280 children of all ages, at the Kings Church, 10am-midday - visit by Iver, Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Children's Zumba (Zumbatomic) www.hartentertainment.co.uk for Classes Wednesdays at 3.30-5.30pm details or call 07747 063149 to let us at Iver Heath Village Hall, Saint know your coming. Open to all. Margaret's Close. Call Diane on
8-9pm, Thurs 7-8pm. St Lawrence Church Hall Bridle Road Pinner Fri 9.30am. St Lukes Hall Love Lane Pinner Wed 7.45-8.45pm, Sat 910am. Wendy Whitefoord 07803 602142 e: wendy.whitefoord@ btinternet.com. See www.jazzerciseuk.com or facebook.com/ JazzerciseDenhamNewDenham
This month we’re celebrating British beauty brands, from boutique perfumers to global
hobbies...
art Classes Come & Join Us! Isabel Hunt, your local bestsellers. artist, teaches a new project every week, which can be a landscape, seascape, still life, pets, The founders portraiture, etc. In theoffirst 2 sessions equipment/materials are provided. at Scottish skincare St Marys Church Hall St Marys Rd brand Ishga include Langley SL3 7EN info: 07411 a beauty therapist, 125407 or 01753 542209 chavi2000@hotmail.com a scientist and a
seaweed specialist. Chinese brush Painting group We meet on Saturday The So it’s perhapsmornings. no class is guided by an experienced that Ishga tutor.surprise Learn to compose and develop your own Chinese painting style as products harness well the points of Chinese thefiner power of organic calligraphy. At Harefield Library, deliver Park seaweed Lane VillagetoCentre, Harefield or contact Phyllis Nash on 01895 476 noticeable, lasting 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com
there. His tanning ladies only kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm at Watts products, lip colours Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 Clubbercise class and fragrances have Come and Glow with glowsticks in the 1SZ. First Class FREE! Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 email: attracted a league dark to 90s anthems up to present leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk time music. £5 PAYG contact of fansLizin their own www.kickboxing-london.co.uk 07795 512938 or Facebook page right. His perfume ‘Clubbercise with Liz Iver’ for more onlY' Weight loss and Light and Dark'ladies details. Fitness Classes Lively, £43.50, Starting beat new classes from 21st Futunity February for ladies to at be any crowned age, any for children Street Dance and Hip Hop numerous big brand top-sellers fitness level run by Fitness age 7-11 years. Fri's from 4-9pm call Elle Magazine’sProfessionals. Readers’ Choice in the Great fun, socializing, Cheryl on 01753 651754 or email fitness and Fragrance Foundation UKpersonal awardsprogramming, last year. childcare@ivercommunity.org nutrition/goal techniques. It’s a unisex fragrance that’sachieving citrusy, woody donna’s keep Fit Two sessions a week (mornings), £5 very wearable; Iver Heath Village Hall. and Call Donna each.see Westwww.ld-boutique.com. Drayton Venue. Dates and 07926 854184
01753 674945. Tue 9.45-10.45am times to be confirmed. Please register profitness121@ Narynda Kumaryour firstinterest startedat:experimenting Fitness Club gmail.com or call for more info: St Catherine School, Money Lane, with skincare when she developed stress07702 479 435 Ella or 07948 505 West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thu 6-7pm related dermatitis. 971Rather Calli. than resorting to Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a steroid creams, Military she created balm using the class. Shaun Thompson, 07906 Fitnessa Class 087749 www.tauruspt.co.uk enjoyso the A good get fit and beeswax from hives inway hertogarden. It was results. Along with Hebridean seaweed, key outdoors, suitable for beginners successful that she made more for friends. insanity French sessions ininclude iver ingredients thistle oil, jojoba oil and Monday 7-8pm, Iver Heath Rec, Iver. Mon 8.15-9pm. St Peter's French Intermediate Class. Small As Centre, demand grew, Narynda toSL0 take0RD. Church Road, decided Iver Heath, aloe vera. Ishga products real pleasure essential. 07745 622011. friendly group with French Native are aBooking £2 per session. 1st session FREE! the plunge and set up her own business. Teacher meets every Iverhas Village to use and theTues. brand built up a devoted info: Leon 01895 837334. iver health & exercise sessions Hall 7.30-9.30pm from Sept 22nd me). You’ll She created a range of skincare products fan base (which includes the for overfind 55's. Designed to keep over 2015 Call 07940 281233 nordic Walking & as Wellbeing using natural ingredients, such beeswax, 55's fitspas and to suit all abilities. Ishga range in a number of five-star e: c.marionnet@blueyonder.co.uk All round exercise in the open air, Session includes light lunch and oat extracts and seed oils. To begin 4 week courses various with, days and across the UK, as well as online. If your skin activity. £5 includes lunch Fridays inland Waterways association locations pre booking essential Narynda sold her skincare products at craft tendency feel at dry and 10am-1pm tight, try the Evreham Sports Centre, month Meethas 2nd a Tues of every to contact 07771872592 / Street, Iver, SL0fairs 0HS.and farmers’ markets, but they’re now Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Hebridean Marine Toner, £25.Swallow It’s really learningmoves@hotmailco.uk Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. available from online retailers hydrating and packed with anti-Jazzercise Classes middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk P90X such as notonthehighstreet.com oxidants; see www.ishga.co.uk.Jazzercise Classes New Denham Thurs 8.15-9pm. St Peter's Centre, Community Centre Oxford Road Mon and Love Lula, as well as from Mandarin tuition Iver. Cardio and toning class using 9.30-10.30am, Tues 6.45 - 7.45pm , In Iver Heath. All welcome. Experienweights. £5 Booking essential. 07745 Narynda’s own website. Try the Bradford ced teacher. Callborn YuanLeighton on 07932 Denny Wed, Thurs , Fri 9.45-10.45am. 622011. Denham Village Memorial Hall Village 649107 or ynhyuan@yahoo.co.uk Day Cream, £17.50. It’s gentle is probably best known for his Road Thurs 6.30-7.30pm. Ruislip Personal for training even sensitive skin, nail varnishes. There are now Sports & Social Club Grosvenor Vale enough Looking for some extra help to get fit keeP-Fit, danCe & draMa... but&powerful enough to give 101 of them, in pretty much Mon 6.45-7.45pm Tues 9.30am, into shape? For more info and adults Zumba Classes 7-8pm, Wed 9.30-10.30am. Pinner your prices Rachel on 07745 622011 skincall a real boost; see www. every colour you could want. But Running on Wednesdays 6-7pm at Methodist Church Love Lane Mon
Leighton’s talent doesn’t stop
narynda.com.
continued overleaf...
Spanish-born Marina Barcenilla now lives in Glastonbury, where she’s been creating award winning fragrances for several years. One of her perfumes, India, was named Best New Independent Fragrance by the Fragrance Foundation UK. While I do like India, my favourite has to be Spring Rain, £70. With notes including bergamot mint, rosemary, geranium, rose, blood orange, lemon and Indian frankincense, it’s fresh, vibrant and unlike anything else on the market; see www. mbparfums.com.
Akamuti was launched by aromatherapist Lindsey Hedges back in 2003. Since then it’s developed a reputation for great quality, natural products. Everything is handcrafted, using ethically sourced sustainable ingredients, such as seed and nut oils, organic shea butter and essential oils. Every product I’ve tried feels really decadent – nourishing, soothing and a real joy to use. The Fragrant Tranquillity Bath Salts, £8.50, for instance, are a real treat at the end of a busy day. They leave skin feeling super soft, and smell divine; see www. akamuti. co.uk.
IVER What's On... Mar17.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2017 14:29 Page 2
KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Tai Chi Classes Tues 10am at the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610 Every Saturday 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429.
7-18 year olds, we teach guitar, bass, drums and vocals in small groups and as a band. Sessions will run after school at R'n'R Studios, Uxbridge starting October. Contact Conor for details on 07946 402797 or email wlsr.uxb@gmail.com
Pilates Iver Heath Village Hall on Thurs 7pm8pm call Mrs S Webb 01923 721335 Pilates Class Tues 12-1pm & Thurs 9.30-10.30am St Peters Centre, Iver. All levels, booking essential. Call Rachel 07745 622011.
Pilates and Tai Chi Fit courses Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk PiYo® Classes Sweat, stretch & strengthen all in one low-impact, music -driven, body sculpting workout. Tues 7-7.45pm. St Peter's Centre, Iver. £5 per class booking essential. Call Rachel on 07745 622011.
Pinewood Fitness The Fitness Room, Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Sl0 0NH. Mon 20.00-21.00, Wed 19.30-20.30. Booking only. Various Fitness Circuits, Boxercise, Gym Work. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, 07906 087749 www.tauruspt.co.uk
Toddler & Junior Fitness Fun Junior Trampolining Weds 4.30pm5.30pm held at the Evreham Sports Centre Iver. Call 01753 672610.
Weight Watchers Chalfont St Peter Community Centre SL9 9QX. Wednesdays, 7pm. Iver Village Hall, SL0 9NW. Thursdays, 6.30pm. Iver Heath Village Hall SL0 0DA Saturdays, 9am Call Nicky 07443 567244 nicky_iverww@hotmail.com www.weightwatchers.co.uk
Yoga Iver Heath Village Hall.Mon 6.307.45pm. Jon Bell 07790 682238. ZUMBA in Langley Mon 7-8pm & Tues 7-8pm St. Mary's Church Centre. Thurs 7-8pm St. Francis Church Hall. ZUMBA ® Fitness Classes Mon & Thurs 7-8pm. St Peters Centre, Iver - all levels welcome! Call Rachel on 07745 622011.
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 til 11pm
Zumba Fitness Weds 8-9pm at Langley Grammar School Sport Centre Reddington Drive Langley, SL3 8LL and Thurs 7-8pm at Yiewsley / West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, West Drayton UB7 9JL.Call Gabriel 07735 090325, gabrielzumba@instructor.net www.gabriel84.zumba.com
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
Iver Singers Singing for Fun Tuesday during term time from 19:00-20.30 at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Bucks, SL0 0DA. New members welcome. FREE first session. No auditions. Call 07733 466177 www.iversingers.com.
Taurus Circuits Pinewood Studio. With Personal Trainer Shaun. Monday 8pm-9pm Booking only 07906 087749
Learn to Play in a Rock Band At a professional recording studio taught by expert musicians. Open to
MUSIC...
Richings Players Amateur theatre group perform three shows per year at Iver Village Hall. Contact Evelyn on 07950 039827 richingsplayers@mail.com See www.richingsplayers.co.uk.
The Windsor & District Big Bands Appreciation Society Meet on 2nd Wed of each month at 7.30pm, Datchet Hall, Horton Rd, Datchet. Meetings feature the music of the big bands of the 40s & 50s Swing era. Two recitals from records, tapes & CDs, along with a raffle and sometimes a live band. If you like to reminisce, do come along and join us! Contact Derek on 01753 654398 Signature A Cappella singers Monday night at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Iver Heath SLO 0DQ. 7.45-10.30 with a ten minute break.If you enjoy singing please come along or visit www.signaturesingers.com Stoke Poges Singers A friendly four-part choir singing a wide variety of music. New members always welcome - no auditions. Rehearsals on Thursday evening at St Andrews Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges from 8pm. Come along to a rehearsal or contact Naomi on 07831 217575 or Cheryl on 01753 655682. www.stoke-poges-singers.org The Rock Project Greater London We teach 7-18 year olds how to play guitar, bass, drums and vocals in small groups and as a band. Wed's at Nower Hill High School, Pinner and Thurs at Vyners School, Ickenham. Juniors (7-11) 4.15-6.15pm and Seniors (11-18) 6.30-8.30pm. £20 per two - hourly session. Contact Pritpal on 07855 863058 or email uxbridge@therockproject.com continued overleaf...
HILLINGDON
Lond
MUSIC CONTINUED... Yiewsley & West Drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. ontact Lynne on 07976 824152 or Lynne@ywdband.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band Open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wed during TT. 6.45-7.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com PETS... Iver Dog Training Club Meet Tuesday & Friday 6.30-9pm, 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 or see website www.ihfdc.com PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Iver Village Pre-School open Mon-Fri from 9am-3pm, we take children between the ages of 2-5 yrs. Funding is available for 2, 3 & 4 year olds. For more details contact Sandra Davis on 01753 654859 or theoffice@ivervillagepreschool.co.uk French for Children with La Jolie Ronde, 5-11yrs. In Iver, Saturdays. Call Estelle 07831 779888 Rainbow Guides Iver Heath Scout Hut on Tuesday, 5.30-6.30pm. Call Sian Mann on 07951 172396. Iver Village Infant School Nursery (formally Richings Park Pre School) St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. Monday to Friday 9.15am-12.15pm. Extended days Monday to Thursday until 2.15pm. 15 hours per week funding available for 2-3 year olds per week. Call 01753 655104. Email: nursery@iver-inf.bucks.sch.uk
Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Monday and Thursday 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) and Cadets (age 1218 yrs). Fees £2 per week, courses from £5 for a weekend. Visit us on Facebook, pop-in or email: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk
Karate Club of Denham / Uxbridge For ages 5 years and up. Sunday 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725.
Sticky Fingers Mothers & Toddlers Iver Heath Village Hall, Wednesday 9.30-11.30am. Call Janet Beale 01753 652375
Kung Fu Club West Drayton Great Kung Fu work out for children & adults on: Tuesday 5.30-6.30, Friday 7.30-8.30, Sunday 5.30-6.30. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella: 07702 479 435 or email: sportsclubuk@gmail.com
The Launchpad An after school for children aged 5-11. We also offer holiday play schemes. Evreham Centre, Swallow St Iver SL0 0HS Call Cheryl on 01753 654546 or email childcare@ivercommunity.org
Martial Arts Bujinkan Kuri Dojo Unit 21 Bridgeworks, UB8 2JG Tel: 07878 471124. Training: Sun 10.30-12.30pm, Tue 8-10pm, Thu 8.30-10pm www.bujinkankuridojo.co.uk
Tiny Talk Baby Signing Classes Tuesday classes at St Mary’s Church Hall, High Street, Harefield UB9 6BX, 10am, price £5 pre-paid per family. Thursday classes at St Giles' Church Hall, 1 High Road, Ickenham UB10 8LE, 10am, 11.15am and 1pm, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ, 10.30am, price £5.00 pre-paid per family. Please call Bev Meier to book 01895 824935 or 0781 8025993 Tiny Toes Childcare Full day care nursery for children aged six weeks to five years open from 8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Evreham Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HS. Call Paula on 01753 655650 tinytoes@ivercommunity.org SELF DEFENCE... Close Quarter Combat In Richings Park. Speed, strength and conditioning training. All types of pad work combinations. Suitable for adults of all ages. 1-2-1 sessions. Call Mark 07525 366126 email: mj.wilding@hotmail.com Karate (Adults & Children) Iver Heath Village Hall on Tues & Thurs. Kids 7-8pm, Adults 8-9.30pm. Call Sensei R. Baker 07898 946330.
Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence art from Central Java, includes empty hand, traditional 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. SELF HELP... Alcoholics Anonymous Every Sun, 7.30pm, St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. Call Howard 07816 315688. Slimming World Tues 5.30pm & 7.30pm and Wed 9.30am at Evreham Sports Centre, Iver Heath. Call Kate: 07432 107089 Weight Watchers Chalfont St Peter Community Centre Weds 7pm. Iver Village Hall Thurs 6.30pm. Iver Heath Village Hall. Sats 9am. Contact Nicky 07443 567244 nicky_iverww@hotmail.com SOCIAL GROUPS... Coffee Shop At St Margarets Church, Church Rd, Iver Heath. Wed 10.45-11.45am. Enjoy a coffee and a chat in a friendly, informal atmosphere. continued overleaf...
IVER What's On... Apr17.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2017 12:05 Page 4
SOCIAL GROUPS CONTINUED... Colne Valley Park Conservation Volunteers Every second weekend of the month. Hands on help to protect the wildlife and landscape of the regional park. For more details contact Steve Ord steven.ord@groundwork.org.uk or call 07718 043080. Heathway Ladies Group We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2o/c at Iver Heath Village Hall. We have speakers, outings, social lunches and more. If you would like to come along as a guest for a fee of £1.50 towards the speaker to see if you like us, we will make you very welcome. Call the secretary Tricia Cooper 01753 81774 or email: tricia.cooper3@yahoo.com. Inspirations Spiritualist Group Spiritualist group for like-minded people. Weekly services with a guest Medium every Thursday at The Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane, Hillingdon, UB8 3QY. 7.15pm for 7.45pm start. Admission £5 Concessions £4.50 Accompanied Children u16 - FREE. Enqs: 07968 039426 or 0208 841 4901. Iver & District Countryside Assoc., If you enjoy walks in the country and social evenings, why not join us? Call Paul Graham 01753 655183 Iver Evening Women’s Institute Iver Village Hall, meets 2nd Monday of month, 7.30pm. Call Margaret 01753 653751 for details. Iver Heath Ladies Meet on the 1st Monday of the month except Bank Holidays when we meet on the 2nd Monday. 2pm in the Community Room of the Iver Heath Village Hall. New Members and Visitors Welcome. Contact Pat Roberts 01753 647674 or email pat@roberts3011.orangehome.co.uk Iver Heath Community Library The Library is open: Tues 9.30-1pm & 2-5pm . Thurs 9.30-1pm & 2-6pm.Sat 10am-1pm. Free membership of all Bucks libraries Free public pc & Wi-fi. Reading Group, craft group, bounce and rhyme for toddlers, childrens crafts , coffee mornings enqs: 0845 2303232 lib-ivh@buckscc.gov.uk
King's Friends A group of older men and women enjoying life. Contact 01753 651178 for our latest programme. Probus Club of Langley & Iver is always looking for new members, we meet for lunch at The Pinewood Hotel, Wexham Park Lane, George Green, SL3 6AP on the last Tuesday of the month (except Dec). We are friendly and attract retired persons of both sexes who usually are from a professional background although there is nothing rigid about background. We normally have a speaker and cover a wide range of interests. Call Maureen Richardson 01753 819456. The Rotary Club of Langley & Iver meets on Thursdays, 7pm at the Pinewood Hotel, Wexham Park Lane, George Green, SL3 6AP. We are a small friendly club that welcomes everyone. If you are interested in improving the lives of others and have fun doing it contact Graham Jones 01753 540148 or 07802 784024 or visit http://langleyiver.rotary1090. org/email: akahold@hotmail.com Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West London. Looking to expand your social group and make new friends? 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 for more. SPORT... Back School Small Osteopath lead rehab excercise sessions designed to help strengthen the back with lots of self care advice. Held at Lotus Wellbeing Clinic call 01753 677 604 for further details. Basketball Drop-in sessions for adults age 16 and over. Saturdays 12-2pm. £3 per session. At the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610. Darts Richings Park Sports & Social Club Wellesley Avenue. Men & Women Players. Tuesday & Thursday Nights. Call Gerry 07957 804204
Iver Heath Tennis Club Church Road, Iver Heath, Bucks. SL0 0RW. New members always welcome, adults and juniors, visit our website for details www.ihltc.co.uk or call John Stephenson 01895 441033 Iver Heath Bowls Club Interested in playing bowls? Ring Brian Carter 01753 817794 or Hon. Sec. Betty Hemsley 01753 651775. Iver Short Mat Bowls We are open on Wednesdays 2-5pm and 5-10pm in Iver Village Hall, experience not necessary. Age 18yrs+. Cal Bob 01753 654049 or Ron 01753 819644 or Mary 01753 654765 Iver Veterans Golf Society For men and women over 60. We meet every Tuesday morning at Iver Golf Club. Handicap not necessary. Regular competitions held at Iver and other courses. You do not need to be a member of Iver Golf Club, just come along and play and make some new friends. Special rates for IVGS members. Contact: 01753 654246 Ladies Golf Meets 10am every Monday & Wednesday at Rickmansworth Golf Club, new members welcome. Email ladies-captain@ rickmansworthgolf club.co.uk or call 07941 589445. Learn to Sail! We are an RYA approved training centre and are open to new members, www.kingsmeadsc.org.uk FREE sailing taster sessions! Nordic Walking Taster Session Iver Starts Wednesday 30th January, 10am-11am, £5 at Evreham Sports Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, Bucks, SL0 0HS. Session is £5 with poles included. If you would like to book onto the course or require more details call the Evreham Sports Centre on 01753 672 610. Richings Park Bowls Club Bowls is a game for the young and not so young alike; all you need to start playing is a flat pair of shoes. Come along and give it a go. Club nights on Friday evening. For further information, please contact: Colin Cawley on 01753 650502. All welcome to this small and friendly Club.
Are you 55 years or over?
Are you retired, or easing yourself out of full time work, or perhaps just moved to the area – are you looking to meet new people for friendly and competitive golf? Then why not join our ever-growing Seniors Section here at Richings Park? New members are always welcome and we have a lot to offer:
An excellent 18 hole golf course
Great practice facilities with a dedicated and qualified coaching team
An active sociable and friendly seniors group that welcome new members
A regular weekly roll-up every Tuesday morning
An annual programme of friendly and competitive golf competitions that offers annual trophy competitions, KO competitions league matches, friendly matches against other local clubs – a really varied calendar with something for everyone
A series of social events and much much more
Why not come and take a look at the facilities we have here – if you like the look of what’s on offer we can arrange for you to join in the Tuesday roll-up on a no obligation basis. If you are interested and want more information, contact Roger Harvey, the Richings Park Seniors Secretary, on 07815 001715 or email rah.1082@yahoo.co.uk - what have you got to lose and you just might make a lot of new friends. ******* Richings Park Seniors Richings Park Golf Club, North Park, Iver Bucks SL0 9DL
Cake and Bake
Chocolate & Orange Hot Cross Buns
Give the classic hot cross bun a delicious twist with the addition of chocolate chips, orange zest and piped chocolate crosses!
Ingredients:
1. Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt, mixed spice, orange
• 500g strong white plain flour, plus extra for dusting
2. Bring the milk almost to the boil in a small pan then stir in the butter
• 1/2 tsp salt • 2 tsp ground mixed spice • Zest of 1 orange • 50g caster sugar • 1 x 7g sachet easyblend or fast-action dried yeast • 300ml hand-hot milk • 55g butter, cubed • 1 large egg, beaten • 75g dried mixed fruit • 50g dark chocolate chips
FOR THE GLAZE
AND CROSSES • 1-2 tbsp warmed golden syrup • 50g dark chocolate, melted
Makes 12 Ready in 2 hours, 45 minutes
zest, sugar and dried yeast. Make a well in the middle.
until melted. Leave the liquid to cool until it’s just hand hot. Pour the liquid into the well with the beaten egg and mix with a round- bladed knife to make a soft and slightly sticky dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
3. Place the dough in a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover with oiled
cling film. Leave the bowl in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, flatten out with the palms of your hands and scatter over the dried fruit and chocolate chips. Fold and knead the dough until the fruit and chocolate chips are incorporated. Divide and shape the dough into 12 even-sized buns and place on a large greased baking sheet.
5. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place until the buns have risen by at least half again and are almost touching each other - this will take about 45-60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C, 180C fan, Gas Mark 6.
6. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until risen
and golden brown. Leave on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. Brush with the warmed golden syrup whilst the buns are still warm.
7. When the buns are cold, spoon the melted chocolate into a small
disposable piping bag, snip off the end and pipe a cross on each bun. Leave until set then serve.
TIP
These buns are best eaten on day they’re made, but if you have some left over the next day simply split and toast and serve with butter or chocolate spread.
5
e
s] n
50% off on Showroom
Kitchens units *Terms & Conditions Apply. See in Store for details
Visit Us Today For Your : * Free no obligation home
design visit * Experienced design consultants * Wickes professional installation service * Wickes guarantee * Wickes price promise Extra 5% discount with this Book Present this leaflet to the store and receive a further £200 off your order valid for any order over the value of £2000, managers discretion applies and terms and conditions apply. please see in store for details.
Wickes Uxbridge
12 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB81JS Tel: 01895 203 720 Mon-Sat 7 am to 8 pm and Sun 10 am to 4 pm
FREE QUOTES 10 YEAR GUARANTEE HIGHLY SKILLED TEAM 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
t ply & fi s, We sup onservatorie c , es. ing in z fl la o g double orches and ro p doors,
S NOW U L L A C 663
663 01753
We take great pride in every job we undertake and are always professional. No matter what the size of the job we visit the property to get an understanding of what is required. Next we design and develop your products following your specification. Finally we professionally install and test your products to make sure everything is in working order and that you are satisfied with the end result.
3 High Street, Iver, SL0 9ND
www.alpha-windows.com / sales@alpha-windows.com /AlphaWindowsLtd