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Well, we’re definitely bang in the middle of summer now and already the longest day of the year is behind us. Having taken a quick glance back at my July ramblings of previous years, I noticed that a common theme has been my dissatisfaction with the previous month’s weather. This year we’ve seen some beautiful weather, the bbqs have been out in force for weeks and the plants in my garden are flourishing nicely. A stark contrast to this time last year, when everything had virtually turned into a sodden mush. Like most parents, I’m now keeping my fingers crossed for continued sunshine throughout the coming school holidays. Even my teenage daugh ter, who will turn fifteen this month, can only watch so much television in a six week period. Right, well I’m off to clean the bbq, cut the grass, get the garden parasol out and pour myself a large gin and tonic! In the meantime, do continue to keep in touch, either by telephone, email or facebook and let us know what’s going on where you are. We always do our very best to print your events and local information, and also to share it with other readers via our facebook page. Why not give us a visit and a Like!
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Tel: 01895 835907 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 01895 835907 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Children’s Puzzle Page 6 Wordsearch 8 Super duper science facts 8 Whats the alternative: Shiatsu 10 Technology: Happy Snapping 12 History: What happened in July 1961 14 Motoring: Stars of the New York Motor Show 16 Our Financial Times 18 Road Test: Mercedes C250 Bluetec 20 Interview with K evin Ryder Kumalia 22 Coffee Break Puzzles 26 Computer Helpdesk 28 Beauty: Perfect Nails 30 Sunny Summer Days 32 Interiors: Double up your space 34 Health: Have a Healthy Holiday 36 Cake & Bake: Peach Gallette 40 Designer Life 42 Reader Travel Offers 44 Life Begins 46 Coaching from the Heart 48 Parks & Local Events 50 We Can Help 52 Richings Park Residents Association 54 Garden Feature 56 Iver/Iver Heath Schools Community 58 Pets Corner 60 Puzzle Solutions 61 Around Britain Trivia: 5 Medical Firsts 62 Beer of the Month 64 Citizens Advice Bureau 66 RSPCA Rehoming Appeal 66 Clubs, Groups & Classes 68 ,70 72 & 74
We are grateful for the support of local businesses whose adverts appear in this publication and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions, claims made by advertisers or endorse companies, products or services. This publication, its contents and advert designs are © of In and Around Publishing. Any copying or reproduction in part or fully, is strictly forbidden without our prior consent.
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Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. Please telephone 01895 234371 to make an appointment
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com
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Eton End School 35 Eton Road • Datchet • Berkshire • SL3 9AX Tel: 01753 541075 Email: admin@etonend.org Website: www.etonend.org For further information or to arrange a visit please contact our Registrar
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25/10/2011 10:28
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Happy Snapping How to get the best from your phone photos and videos
Think of the last time you took a photograph or recorded a video. What did you use? For most of us, the answer will be “my phone”: in a very short space of time phone cameras have replaced traditional cameras for most people’s everyday shooting. However, not everyone is getting the most from their phone’s camera - and a few apps and accessories can make an enormous difference. One of the most common problems with smartphone clips is the washed-out effect you get when you use the flash. While some recent smartphones use LED flashes to try and address this, it’s better if you just turn the flash off altogether: apps such as Google Camera, Apple’s iPhoto and Camera+ enable you to change the exposure, which affects how much light the camera lets in: the longer the exposure, the better the lowlight performance. Another problem that affects many photos and videos is camera shake. While many phones attempt to compensate for this they can’t get rid of it completely, so if you’re finding blur is a problem it’s a good idea to invest in a phone tripod such as Joby’s GripTight (around £20), which can grip 12
to almost anything and ensure shake-free shooting. If you fancy getting creative with your camera there are lots of options to choose from, from cheap and cheerful wideangle lenses to Sony’s truly impressive QX10 Lens. It isn’t cheap - the RRP is £179 - but it adds a wireless, 18 megapixel lens with 10X optical zoom to deliver photographs you simply won’t believe came from a smartphone. Another way to get creative is to use specialist apps. The aforementioned Camera+ and iPhoto enable you to apply filters that make your images look ancient, while 8mm does the same for video by applying vintage camera filters ranging from Super 8-style footage to what looks like an early black and white movie. iStopMotion makes it easy to create Wallace and Gromit-style stop motion videos, while Filmic Pro offers a range of professional video features that turn an iPhone into a powerful high definition video camera. There’s one big problem with smartphone shooting, though, and that’s the smartphone itself: the screen is too small and the speakers too quiet for you to spot audio and video issues that are really obvious
on a big TV. For best results it’s always a good idea to edit your images and video on your computer, and there are several ways to transfer it: via the USB cable that came with your device, or by taking out the memory card (if your phone uses one) and popping it into a card reader. Many recent PCs have memory card slots that take the industry standard SD/SDHC memory cards, but if you don’t have one or you want the option to use multiple memory card formats it’s worth investing £10 or so in a memory card reader that plugs into a spare USB socket. There’s no shortage of software for editing images on PCs and Macs: both Mac OS X and Windows have decent built-in image editors, while the free paint.net (on PC) and The GIMP (PC and Mac) deliver professional image editing for free. You can get decent video editing for free too: Lightworks on PC is great, as is Apple’s own iMovie. Both programs make it easy to clean up and edit your clips. Images left to right: Sandisk memory card reader, The GIMP image editing software, Joby GripTight smartphone tripod, Sony QX10 smartphone lens system
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What happened in... ...July 1961?
USSR joined Nikita Kruschev at the Kremlin for a chat and a few vodkas, during which the Russian President warned him against joining France and the US in going to war over West Berlin. “Six hydrogen bombs would be quite enough to annihilate the British Isles,” he said, affably, “and nine would take care of France.”
1st: At 7.45 pm in Sandringham, Norfolk, Frances Spencer gave birth to a baby girl. The child was christened Diana Frances Spencer, but the world would know her as Princess Diana, or simply Diana. 2nd: American author and journalist Ernest Hemingway rose early, without waking his wife, and took a shotgun from a cupboard. Then the Nobel prize-winner, whose talents and accomplishments would fill this page, took his own life. British Ambassador to the
8th: American defector Lee Harvey Oswald travelled to the American Embassy in Moscow to ask for the return of his passport. His wish was granted and he returned to the States. And assassinated the President. Identical triplets were born at Long Island Jewish Hospital and subsequently adopted by three separate families, each unaware of the multiple birth. The siblings met by chance in 1980 and discovered they had been the subject of a secret study into separation of identical twins and triplets by the Louise Wise Agency.
A gallon of petrol was about 4/- 10d The average cost of a house was about £2,800
Three of the bestselling singles this year were: Runaway - Del Shannon Temptation - Everly Brothers Well I ask You - Eden Kane
19th: The world’s first in-flight movie, By Love Possessed, starring Lana Turner, was shown during a TWA flight; but only to its first-class passengers. 21st: Piloting the MercuryRedstone 4 capsule, Gus Grisson became the second American in space. During the splashdown the door opened prematurely and the capsule began flooding. He managed to swim clear but his space suit was now flooding. He was rescued by helicopter in time to disappoint a hungry shark which had been closing on the scene. Gus was killed in 1967 when the capsule of Apollo 1 caught fire. 25th: Following increasingly threatening rhetoric from the Kremlin, President Kennedy gave a speech to the nation. In it he vowed to redouble the country’s military capability and take whatever action necessary, including nuclear, to counter threats to West Berlin and the free world. 31st: IBM introduced their Selectric typewriter, or the ‘golf ball’ as it was more commonly known. Surely technology cannot advance further than this, I remember thinking when I first saw this marvel.
Hear the song from the book Rainbows, Dreams and Angels, written by Patrick D Cousins, on You Tube. Patrick Cousins’ Short Shorts is available on Kindle 14
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Stars of the New York Motor Show
The New York Motor Show might not be the biggest event on the automotive calendar, but there were some still some treats in store for car fans in the Big Apple. Land Rover Discovery Concept It was launched on an aircraft carrier, next to a spaceship, with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop - this launch is a massive deal for the manufacture. It’s packed with tech, including augmented reality that can project sat nav directions onto the smart glass windscreen, gesture controls that open doors without touch and the ability to remotely drive the car using a tablet or smart phone. How much will make it into production is unclear, but it’s exciting stuff. Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe The world’s chief executives are sure to make their next meeting on time thanks to this luxury missile. With 577bhp under the bonnet, the monster S63 AMG Coupe can hit 60mph in just 3.9 seconds. It has a 5.5-litre turbocharged V8 engine and an interior that’ll please those used to five star hotels. Air suspension, an imaginatively-titled Magic 16
Body Control system and other trickery helps keep caramel lattes from spilling on Saville Row suits. On sale in November it will cost £100,000.
BMW M4 Convertible Convertible? Cabriolet? We’re not sure which term the Germans prefer, but all we know is the BMW M4 looks absolutely stunning with its roof chopped off. The M4 features a clever three-piece folding metal roof and some not-so-subtle design tweaks. These include quad tailpipes, a larger front bumper and a tweaked kidney grille. The convertible will go on sale in September costing £60,730 with a 3.0-litre turbocharged six cylinder. The 0-60mph time is now down to 4.6 seconds. Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary It wouldn’t be an American motor show without some muscle, and thankfully Ford has been taking its protein shakes and come up with this. The night before the show, Ford chopped one up and rebuilt it on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, recreating a stunt they pulled off with the original back in 1954. It’s only available in blue or white, has a retro four speed auto box and chrome detailing.
Under the “hood” is a 5.0-litre V8 producing 414bhp. Kia Sedona At last, Kia’s not-so-pretty Sedona MPV has been given the same plastic-surgery treatment as the rest of the range. The new model might still be a little bit van-like, but with the trademark Kia tiger nose and smart headlights, it looks a lot more stylish – and it needed it. The MPV has seating for eight as well as some clever trickery that can fold seats away and remove them. BMW X4 There were a number of models that didn’t make our top cars of the show cut, and this X4 was very nearly one of them. Let’s face it, the crossover fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. The maker has form here - apparently 240,000 people bought the equally visuallychallenged X6. Borrowing engines from the X3, the X4 will go on sale priced from £35,590 – that’s a lot of money for a car only a mother could love. So why’s it included here? Well, we like manufacturers being brave – and revealing this with a straight face was certainly that... By James Baggott
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For readers of a certain age, the news media have been playing a familiar tune over the past few months. It is a particularly British character trait which means that the subject of house prices is always guaranteed to capture our attention, and can normally be relied upon to start a lively discussion. Since the late 1960’s house prices have, by and large, shown increases which have outstripped inflation. As a result, prewar babies and the boomer generation have often been able to supplement their dwindling pension returns by downsizing to a smaller house in retirement, or alternatively by using equity release. Over the past couple of years it has appeared that lenders have managed to put the nasty shock of the 2008 Credit Crunch behind them, and they have started to believe that they should perhaps, after all, consider lending once again. With interest rates at temporary “emergency” low levels for the last five years, it is perhaps not too surprising that house prices have started to take off, once again. This move has been led by the London market, where a steady influx of the affluent from all corners of the globe has seemingly insulated the property market from any economic factors that might be influencing the rest of the country. Certainly in the rest of the Home Counties, however, we have seen some similarly rapid gains in prices. Warning bells are ringing, however. The Bank of England, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and even the IMF have issued warnings in recent weeks about the state of the UK housing market, and the risks that a “bubble” would bring. The Chancellor and the BOE Governor have been unambiguous in warning that the market should not be allowed to gain a runaway momentum, and we have been put on notice that interest rates may have to rise earlier rather than later, if the economic news continues to look promising. The IMF spokesman managed to get in on the act by combining an apology about their earlier incorrect warnings about the state of the UK economy with a warning about the property market. The irony is that the Financial Conduct Authority, the recent successor to the Financial services Authority, might have solved the problem for them. 18
As an adviser in the mortgage area I am only too familiar with these two bodies. As a general rule, they seem to feel that a month without a new initiative is a month wasted, and readers may be aware that a new raft of regulation (known as the Mortgage Market Review) has recently landed on our collective doormats. The background to this regulation is eminently sensible. With interest rates at these low levels, it is pretty obvious that they can only really move in one direction. Similarly, if the economic data continues to show solid levels of activity, interest rates might well move pretty quickly. Lenders are now being encouraged, therefore, to ensure as far as possible that borrowers will be able to manage mortgage payments at higher level of interest rates. As with all new regulatory frameworks, the organisations being regulated are determined not to be the first to slip up. Nowadays, lenders all use a version of an Affordability Calculator when they assess the amount that they can lend to a prospective borrower, rather than the more traditional income multiples. This takes into account the borrower’s expenditure, and in particular their nondiscretionary spending (pension contributions, insurance etc). Now, however, it seems that borrowers are required to give much more information to accompany a loan application. As a direct result, these Affordability Calculators are suddenly producing much lower figures in terms of maximum borrowings. As an example, I have just spent a few days trying to source a mortgage of 3.5 times income for a lady, without success. Worse than that, the calculators would sometimes change their lending figure after an initial decision and one lender in particular bravely offered her a loan of 1.5 times income as a maximum. In today’s market, where young housebuyers, particularly in the Home Counties, will normally need to borrow large amounts to complete a purchase, these new restrictions will undoubtedly take the heat out of prices. I know that people with savings will welcome any rise in interest rates, but the housing market does provide a huge contribution to the UK GNP (not to mention the Stamp Duty revenue to HMRC) and any downturn could have a detrimental knockon effect to the economy. Just for the moment, however, I feel that they might have thrown the baby out with the bath water. It looks as if we could be back to the old days, where you could only borrow money if you could prove beyond doubt that you didn’t need to.....
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The Mercedes C Class can trace its lineage back to 1982 and the launch of the 190. It has always been a solidly built, prestigious and comfortable midsize saloon and it has always been a solid, if unspec tacular, seller. Unfortunately, it has also long had a problem: compared to the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 it has always been the plain and slightly boring sister, the one that will make a good wife but never gets to date the captain of the football team. Can this all new version do anything to address that?
Inside, the big story is all about the touch pad controller (standard on all models) and the exciting graphics that ap pear on the centrally mounted 7 inch screen. For me, the sublimely comfortable seats, the quality of materials and the impeccable fit and finish are a bigger deal, but Mercedes wants to emphasise the tech nology which is comprehensive and hugely impressive, particu larly the collision avoidance system which automatically brakes the car if it thinks it is going to hit something.
It is immediately obvious that the C Class is not trying to beat the 3 Series at its own game, it is playing to its own traditional strengths. Take the styling; long and sleek with deeply sculpted side panels and a shapely front end, it looks like a scaled down S Class – hand some rather than overtly pretty. There’s lots of aluminium in the new body panels which means that, despite being larger than the outgoing model, it is con siderably lighter. But Mercedes hasn’t used this weight saving to make the C Class more agile; instead it is more eco nomical. It is the same story with the new 2.1 litre diesel engines, badged 220 Bluetec and 250 Bluetec. They are significantly more powerful than before but Mercedes isn’t talking about performance, it is all about greater refinement and economy.
Unusually, I was driving a high spec car with plenty of options including air suspension and a 7 speed automatic gearbox. The 2.1 litre diesel produces a weighty 202bhp but is most impressive for its effortless torque; linked to the smooth shifting auto, it holds onto the higher gears and is beautifully refined at speed. This is a fast car, hitting 62mph in a little over 6 seconds and capable of topping 150, but it still man ages over 70mpg – take that BMW! The air suspension is a revelation, well worth every penny of the £895 upgrade cost. The ride comfort is aston ishingly good, far better than anything I have ever experi enced in this class of car. It goes over even quite large bumps as if they just don’t exist, yet there is no wallowing and minimal body roll. The handling is extremely com
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posed too; it won’t make you feel like a racing driver but you can carry a huge amount of speed through a corner in un ruffled calm, even if you lift off mid bend. Whether you buy a C Class depends very much on what you are looking for in a car. It can’t match the driving dynam ics of a three series and it is not as good looking as an A4,nor is it such a complete all rounder as the BMW. However, it is laden with world beating technology, has very strong performance coupled with quite astonishing fuel economy and, most importantly for many, it is supremely comfortable. There is also the solid build quality and that perceived sense of prestige that is so much a Mer cedes hallmark. For me, though, the greatest selling point is the feeling of under stated class that comes with this car. That is something that BMW and Audi cannot match; they are too ubiquitous, too commonplace. They may be very good but they are not special and that is what you want when you spend over £30,000 on a car, something a bit special.
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Since their formation in 2006, local band Kumalia have hosted a number of evenings of musical entertainment, putting on at least one concert in Iver every year, as well as venues including Chertsey and Banstead. Since June 2012, however, there has been no news of further concerts, so where has the band gone? Kevin Ryder, organizer for Kumalia as well as the band’s bass player, tells us that the band has been seeking new members over the last few months. Musicians have come and gone in the past, but in the summer of 2012 two of the band’s three singers, as well as the guitarist and keyboardist, left to pursue other projects, and the others have been busy seeking replacements. The spirit of the band is very much intact. The remaining members have played with Kumalia for several years, and Kevin, as well as singer Brad Harrison, have been with them since its formation. What do these changes mean? Different musicians bring different talent, so the style of songs may change when Kumalia return. ‘It’s a case of focusing on what we’re good at,’ Kevin says. ‘What we can play well rather than just play anything.’ Kumalia’s concerts have also been known for bringing support musicians to add extra variety to their performances. Alice Ryder, Kevin’s daughter as well as the band’s ‘utility’ player, bringing keyboards, additional guitar, flute or mandolin as required, now has her own band from Amersham College. A folk band known as ‘Every Wolf’s Kingdom’, they have already made debut performances locally, and may soon appear here in Iver. Kevin also says he knows plenty of other musicians he can bring in to give people ‘a full evening of music.’ So when will Kumalia return? Now the band is complete once again they are working on a new set of songs which is coming together swiftly. 22
Although a little early to commit, Kevin is hoping to be ready for a concert this autumn. ‘It’s a good time for us to do a concert,’ he says, not too close to Christmas but nicely after family summer breaks. However, we may not see them until mid January/Eastertime next year. At all of their performances every penny raised in the evening, from ticket prices and raffles, goes to charity. Previously Kumalia have raised money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, and even produced their own single, ‘Broken Angels’, for the same charity. In more recent years the money raised has gone to Christopher’s Smile, a smaller organization run by local couple Karen and Kevin Capel to raise money to research new treatments for children suffering from cancer. Although too early to say exactly when, Kumalia will be back soon, so keep an eye out for an unmissable evening’s musical entertainment. The changes to the song style and support acts bring something exciting and new for those who have seen them several times before. For those that have not yet heard of Kumalia, their events always leave everyone with a good feeling. As Kevin said: ‘You play some music, everyone has a good time and you raise some money for charity’.
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Langley Park Dog Show By kind permission of The Kennel Club in aid of Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance
Saturday 19th July 2014 Langley Park, Billet Lane, Iver South Bucks, SL0 0LS Cost to enter: £2 entry fee per class or three classes for £5 Timings: From 10.30am. Judging will commence at 12.30pm
Pedigree Classes Judge: Elayne Brown (TEPOTIS)
Novelty Classes: open to all Judge: Clare Matthews
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
AV Puppy 6-12 months AV Sporting AV Non-Sporting AV Open AV Veteran over 7 years
Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show, Best Puppy
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Crossbreed - 6 months-9 years Child handler Crossbreed Veteran - over 9 years Prettiest Bitch Handsomest Dog Waggiest Tail Rescue Best six-legs Dog and owner most alike-fancy dress is allowed Judges Choice
Best Novelty, Reserve Best Novelty Rosettes and Prizes: 1st to 4th, plus specials in all classes Parking: Free for dog show participants, pay and display charges apply for spectators
Please Remember:
No dog under six months is eligible for entry in the show Dogs which have won a CC, RCC or JW not eligible for entry in the pedigree classes Held under Kennel Club rules and regulations. Dogs need not be registered. All dogs must be on lead at all times. Any dog showing aggression will be asked to leave. Only undocked dogs and legally docked dogs may be entered in the show. No bitches in season to enter in the show No dogs to be left in cars during the event Please help us keep Langley Park clean and tidy by clearing up after your dog
Organiser: Mrs Margaret Ashmore 01753 543514 or margaret.ashmore@hotmail.co.uk With special thanks to all of this year’s sponsors
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Here is a vision of the home of the future. The house’s occupants are beavering away in their high powered jobs and it is a warm and sunny day. The window blinds automatically lower themselves to keep the interior cool. The master of the house leaves the office and he uses an app on his phone. The house cranks up the air conditioning in the living area to bring down the temperature to a comfortable 22⁰C. As he turns into his road, he uses the app again. The electric gates open, the alarm is disabled and 30 seconds later the front door unlocks itself.
have it on a fixed timer. Smart thermostats such as Nest go one better and actually learn your lifestyle patterns. Burglar alarms can be set and cancelled in the same way via a phone app; no need to worry about whether you set the alarm before going on holiday anymore and you can upgrade your existing panel at minimal cost. Smoke and fire alarms can automatically notify someone if they are activated while you are out of the property and electric appliances ranging from ovens to coffee percolators can be operated remotely via your phone or computer.
The man wanders into the kitchen and fixes himself a wellearned G&T. He goes into the lounge and says, “TV, Channel 4.” A mirror on the wall slides aside to reveal the television which is already switched on to the Channel 4 news. Meanwhile, his wife arrives and uses her own app. The kettle switches itself on, because she likes to have a cup of herbal tea when she gets home. That night as they are watching a film, an intruder breaks into the back garden. The doors and windows lock themselves automatically and the alarm primes itself to go off if someone enters the house. A CCTV image of the back garden replaces the film on the home cinema and all the TV screens in the house, while an email is automatically sent to the security company who dispatch a patrol.
The challenge for tech savvy homeowners will be integrating all the different devices. Nobody wants ten different apps on their phone; they’ll be turning on the TV instead of the kettle or opening the garage door instead of turning up the heating. Obviously, it is not going to be cost effective to pay a specialist to devise a bespoke system as described above, but there are several ways it could happen. One manufacturer could make lots of different devices with a common control system, but then buyers wouldn’t be able to pick and choose between devices, not ideal. Much better would be a common control app that works on any platform and the device manufacturers could make their equipment compatible with the app. This has already happened with the DLNA collaboration that allows a Samsung laptop to integrate with a Sony TV. Most tellingly, Google, the king of All Things Internet, has recently bought Nest Controls. The future is just around the corner.
Except, this is not the home of the future, it is a townhouse in an upmarket enclave of Manchester. There is a catch, however; the owner paid over £100,000 to automate his home. All of the equipment I described is readily available at an increasingly affordable price; for instance, a kettle that you switch on remotely using an app can be yours for less than £100. Where the big money was spent was on integrating everything together which involved installing a central server and coding bespoke software, not to mention creating a customised app. Then, of course, there were kilometres of cable to be routed and cameras, servos, sensors and much more to be put in place. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to introduce some smart technology into your home. Take central heating for instance; it is much more economical to be able to turn your heating on half an hour before you get home than
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Beauty Perfect Nails
By Helen Taylor
You might spend a lot of time and money buying-up and tryingout the latest skincare, hair care and cosmetic products, but do you pay as much attention to your nails? It’s certainly easy to overlook your hands and nails, but you really shouldn’t, because they’re often as noticeable to new people as your face; after all, a handshake is the first introduction. Un-manicured nails can really let the side down, especially when you’re otherwise well-groomed and neatly presented. But there’s no denying that it’s hard to keep your nails in 30
tip-top condition. Washingup, cleaning, cooking, and all those other unavoidable daily chores pose a threat to nails, not to mention cold weather, regular hand washing and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Even so, it’s worth establishing a hand and nail care routine and then planning a time every couple of weeks when you can treat yourself to a visit to your local nail salon. There’s more than one option though so we’ve taken an in-depth look at three of the most recent - and popular - nail services.
CND Shellac Nails
Shellac has definitely been one of the most popular nail services of recent years. Its simple application, smudgeproof finish and effective staying power have secured legions of loyal followers. Applied much like a regular nail polish, Shellac only requires a few minutes of curing time under a special UV lamp between coats. When you leave the salon your nail polish will be completely dry and you can enjoy chip-proof, glossy, lasting colour that stays looking great for at least 14 days. In fact, Shellac often stays looking so good that it only really needs to be removed when an obvious gap has emerged due to
natural nail growth. It also offers the benefit of protecting your nails against breakage meaning you can keep the length much longer than you might usually be able to. When you are ready to have the Shellac removed, a set of foils soaked in acetone are wrapped round your fingers, although some salons may speed the process by asking you to put your fingertips into a bowl of acetone. This soaking process takes about 10 minutes and then the old polish is gently scraped off and nails buffed to prepare for the new coat. There is no ‘infill’ option – even if your polish still looks great, when it has grown out you’ll need to start again. Shellac isn’t suitable for everyone though; if your nails are weak, brittle or splitting opting for a set of Shellac nails - or any artificial nail enhancement - isn’t the best option. Nails and nail beds need to be healthy before application.
Minx Nails
If it’s statement nails you’re after then Minx Nails are the perfect choice for you. Bringing fashion to your fingertips, Minx have been a favourite with celebrities everywhere since stepping into the spotlight a few years ago. Offering a vast choice of designs in show-stopping
Long lasting Nail polish
colours, patterns and prints, there’s no chance you’ll ever get bored when you choose a set of Minx nails. Minx work on both natural and artificially enhanced nails. Before application nails are given a basic manicure. Minx is a solid film with an adhesive backing that is heat activated - that’s why nails and Minx are heated before application begins. The heat allows Minx to take on the natural curve of the nail and bond to the surface effectively. Whilst still underneath a special infrared lamp, the Minx is smoothed out and filed to fit with the nail. The process is very gentle on natural nails and with a waterproof seal, it means they won’t get damaged when you swim, bath, wash-up
or do any other day-to-day tasks. The seal is only broken when they are removed. They’ll last around 14 days. Removal is easy - the product is heated up, the seal is broken and the Minx is peeled off. You might wonder why anyone would still have traditional nail polish when Shellac and Minx last so much longer. There are several reasons. Firstly you might want a shade for a special occasion or to go with a particular outfit, without necessarily wanting to keep the same colour for weeks. It’s quicker to put on normal polish and much quicker to take it off. This not only saves time, but will usually be a lower priced treatment or you
can do it at home. Particularly for a pedicure, when normal polish will often last weeks anyway, this might be a better option. And the choice of colours is much greater so you can get that perfect match if you need it. Some of the new salon polishes dry very quickly too (such as CND’s Vinylux), so whilst it won’t be as instantly ‘set’ as Shellac or Minx, your finger and toenails will be complete dry and hard within a couple of hours.
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In and Around Reader Travel Sunny
Summer £369 £799 Days... Or Not
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4 DAYS pp
pp
By Ted Bruning
Ahhh, it’s sunny July at last; the sky is blue; the air is warm and your neighbourhood smells delightfully of sun-tan lotion and barbecue.
big surprise – was August with 91.6mm, then September with 77.1mm, and taking gold by a healthy margin, was June with only 50.5mm. Mind you, June 2012 was also the rainiest Of course, being British, we month of all five summers in understand that our summers the sample with a squelching are never a glorious succession 157.8mm, and the two biggest of hot dry days and long Departures: 15 & 21 September, 2 October 2014 flash floods in rain-induced evenings of tennis and Pimms. 13 April, 15 May, 19 & 25 September, 1living October 2015 in memory weren’t in July Indeed, it has even been but August – Lynmouth in 1952 known to rain sometimes. But and Boscastle in 2004. This, let’s forget about the weather of course, being the difference for a moment and focus on between weather and climate. the climate – the difference
average high just missing at 23.1C; so not much in it there. June and September, though, fall woefully short with ranges of 11.8-21C and 11.4-20C – it’s almost as if they aren’t even trying.
All this, of course, depends on where you are. The further north you go the colder it gets, right? Well, yes; but not directly because you’re north – England has vineyards at the same latitude that Canada has polar bears. The skies above us are being that the weather is what All right then, which is the a battleground where four sets actually happens to you, by while Escorted the best Holiday of weatherby fightRail for supremacy: Escorted Holiday Rail sunniest, i.e. which has the climate is what weather average of sunny hours per day Western Scotland gets its from 5 September, 2014 Quote AZ9-IA Quote FR/RF-IA becomes when people start (which we shall call SHPD for the Maritime Polar region (cold analyzing the sake of brevity)? This Eastern Scotland This super it. holiday, taking in the French and Italian Comeone with us and on awet); charming break takingand in the to Pancras’ be July, right? spectacular Uh-uh. Zundert Flower andget Antwerp. the North ofParade England theirs The Rivieras, with a isglass at St The otherstarts difference thatof bubblyhas up of breathtaking entirely The average parade for Julyis madefrom the Continentaldisplays Polar (cold climate almost predictable famous is Champagne Bar before taking an 10-year afternoon created by volunteers using dahlias - the largest of its is 6 SHPD, better than August and dry); Wales and the West but weather most certainly Eurostar to Lille or Paris. After an overnight stay, we kind in the world. Many ofare them are animated, at 5.5 SHPD and September Country at the mercy of giving the a isn’t. The by wedding planners, continue TGV train to Nice then coach to Diano truly realistic appearance. town is also renowned as (when of course the days Maritime The Tropical (warm and barbecue chefs, church fête Marina. Enjoy free drinks every night at theshorter hotel and birth5 place of Vincent Gogh. Antwerp, Belgium’s theonly are anyway) at wet); andVan East Anglia and the organisers etcetera want to excursions to Monaco, Eze, Portofino and Dolceacqua. biggest South city, is our base for bask this break SHPD; but the winnersecond is once of England in theand is a know when is the best time for true architectural wonder. again June with 6.9 SHPD. Continental Tropical (warm and the wedding/barbecue/fête/ INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Champagne rackedPrice up includes: an dry). Hence the hottest day on from Escorted throughout • Return rail travel day-trip orLondon whatever? But •the Check-in at St Pancras Return rail Still, travel July from 2013 St average of 8.2 SHPD,London whichStisPancrasrecord was •10th August 2003 best answer andhotel it’s aB&B truly to Antwerp 3 nights B&B stay at ain 3-star Pancras to Niceis • 1–night in Paris or Lille a record in recent years. Faversham, Kent (38.5C), while British answer, this – none of hotel in Antwerp • Excursion to Zundert Flower Parade • 6 nights in Diano Marina - half board plus selected free the coldest was 30th December them. And any of them. July is, at least, the warmest including reserved seating • Transfers fromSutherland station to hotel drinks 6pm to 11pm every night 1995 at Altnaharran, month of summer, with average So let’s narrow it down. Which on arrival and departure • Excursions & transfers abroad (-27.2C). temperatures ranging from is usually the least rainy month 13.7-23.4C over the past 20 Well, that’s me decided, then. of summer? It has to be July, years; but only just. August has This GN year’sVoyages barbecues will be surely. Wrong! July is usually been a close challenger, with in Faversham. Which is handy, the wettest, actually, with an ABTA where No. Y0291 to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN101mm Holidays over & Voyages an9am average low just edging because that’s my Mum average of the five Open ATOL 9362 www. gnvoyages.co.uk Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL ahead of July’s •at 13.8C but an lives. years 2008-12. Then – another
Riviera of Flowers Monaco & Portofino
Zundert Flower Parade & Antwerp
Call 01895 83 33 33
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Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough ...with Hillingdon Narrrowboats Association We offer affordable narrowboating and training for Youth and Community groups ofppall Buckingham £10 Tenby DEPOSIT ages and abilities. Palace & Tea & on the Thames Bath We operate five 72 foot long craft which can be hired for four
3 DAYS GREAT Teambuilding or longer, including residential trips, allow you to HALF BOARD £ 159tofrom PP £89PP hours DAY OUT enjoy cruising along the Grand Union Canal our base in for all... Wednesday 30 July, 2014 - Quote BP7-IA
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Harefield. Friday 22 August, 2014 - Quote GW8-IA INCLUDED: Admission to Buckingham Palace INCLUDED: 2 nights stay at the Park Inn Hotel, Gardens & State onenjoyment the At HNA, weRooms like to• Afternoon combineTea the of cruising with practical learning about our Cardiff • 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts • Visits to Bath Yacht London, moored on the Thames near boats and how to operate them. You'll learn about some of the history of the canal, as Waterloo Bridge • Return coach travel and Tenby • Coach travel and excursions
well as seeing the local wildlife in abundance. Narrowboating is great to help develop new skills, team
Canals have over 200 years of history... 5 DAYS HALF BOARD £299PP
Thebuilding, Great and improves social awareness and confidence Babbacombe Dorset & Cruise to around others. We can even introduce a competitive Steam Fair Hidden Cornwall element to challenge teams if two boats are taken
together! GREAT PP DAY OUT £ We offer various training courses, and qualifications for all, from Competent Crew right Thurs 2014 - Quote DS8-IA Mon 1 and Sept, 2014 - Quote SE9-IA up 28 to aAugust, Certificate in Community Boat Management the Under 18s Community INCLUDED: 4 nights at the Seabury Hotel in INCLUDED: Visit to the Great Dorset Steam Fair Boat Leadership Project. Babbacombe • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners • Visits to:
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the UK’s biggest display of steam traction engines Kingsand/Cawsand by ferry from Plymouth; Sidmouth; now in its 46th year at Blandford Forum • Return Torquay and Torbay • Entertainment on some nights of Take a look at our website www.hna.org.uk and find our more about your local charity, coach travel your stay • Coach travel and excursions
and see what we do.
Highgrove Prince with Scouts, Guides, 4-star Spectacular If you're part of a youth group, school, care home, or are -working Cadets - to name just a few - we'd love to talk of to Wales you toPrivate show what we can offer. Northumberland & Holy Island Garden & Lunch 5 DAYS GREAT £10pp HALF BOARD
£329PP
DEPOSIT
Monday 8 Sept, 2014 - Quote NF9-IA INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the 4-star Marriott hotel, Gosforth Park • 4 dinners & 4 breakfasts • Visits to Holy Island, Berwick & Newcastle • Optional visit to Hillingdon Narrowboats Association Alnwick Castle & Gardens • Return coach travel Email: bookings@mail.hna.org.uk
Call: 01895 823 582 or 07860 857 877 Web: www.hna.org.uk
DAY OUT
£89PP
g t a o y INCLUDED: 2-hour guided tour of PrincebCharles’ w nit o gardens at Highgrove • 2-course lunch r at The u Hare ar m N & Hounds, Tetbury • Return coach travel m l e Co b a e r d th ff o For A Thurs 11 Sept, 2013 - Quote HG7-IAin
Call 01895 83 33 33 Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays Voyages, Registered with &the Charities Commission No 1029007. www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL Registered Company 2615065
ABTA No. Y0291
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Home & Interiors Double-Up Your Space
By Katherine Sorrell
When you have run out of space and it’s not possible to extend, the time has come to think creatively. With the right approach, you may even be able to make two rooms out of one.
Had a new baby? Children growing up? Started working from home? Every year it seems like there’s more pressure on our living space. And while it’s not always possible to move up the property ladder to a ten-bedroom mansion, there is always a way to make your current property work better for you. It’s called doubling-up – and it’s all about giving your home a new lease of life with some thoughtful rearrangements and careful additions, resulting in multifunctional rooms that are entirely practical and yet also utterly stylish.
Take a long, hard look at every room in your home and, even in the smallest of apartments, it will soon be possible to see which spaces can be modified so as to serve more than one purpose. We’re not talking about expensive extensions or complex loft conversions, but simply about making the most of what you’ve already got. Like adding a dining area to a kitchen, a home office in a bedroom or a hideaway guest bed in a living room. The trick is to forget your preconceptions about where you live and be creative with the space. To get the most out 34
No room to sit down and eat? Turn a small kitchen into a kitchen/diner with a foldaway table and chairs. The table is attached to a wall with dowels, while the chairs can be hung on a wall hook, nicely out of the way.
Calligaris Quadro white lacquered bar table, £111; Calligaris Olivia solid wood folding chairs in wenge or beech, £80 each; all Lime Modern Living, 01892 512611; www.limemodernliving.co.uk.
By raising a child’s bed you create two rooms: one for sleeping, and one below for playing, studying, relaxing or for sleepovers. The same goes with an adult bedroom – if you have high enough ceilings, consider building a mezzanine sleeping space, leaving room underneath to use however you wish. Loft bed by Oliver Furniture, £995, Nubie, 01825 724160; www.nubie.co.uk.
of every inch (vital when you need to double up on what you have), foldaway furniture is a great option to start with, whether it’s a bed, a desk or a dining table and chairs. Next, make the most of any free wall. Peg rails and hanging rails, hooks and shelves – from high above your head to fitted across an alcove, this can be incredibly useful storage. Think high: a raised child’s bed with space beneath for a desk, sofa or play area, for example. Or could you even build a mezzanine sleeping or working space? And think low: slide a truckle bed under a permanent one, or tuck stools under a small table and magically create an intimate dining area. It’s a lateral-thinking approach that’s quick, easy and inexpensive, and that will make your home as functional and as good-looking as you could ever want, no matter what changes come your way in the future.
Create a home office from the tiniest amount of spare wall space with a wall-mounted, foldaway table that also incorporates 10cm deep storage compartments. Ideal in a kitchen, under the stairs, in a child’s bedroom or in an office. Calligaris Spacebox, £281, Lime Modern Living, as above.
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Have a Healthy Holiday By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk You’ve booked the perfect holiday in the ideal destination. In your dreams you’re already there, sunbathing, sightseeing and relaxing with a good book - but it could turn into a nightmare unless you ensure you’ve got your holiday health covered beforehand.
Holidaying in the UK
If you’re holidaying in the UK, it’s easier; food, drink, transport and healthcare are all familiar and there’s no language barrier. You should still arrange travel insurance though, in case an accident or illness means your holiday is cancelled or cut short. If you’re planning to go way off the beaten track or hill climbing, check the weather forecast first. Wear appropriate footwear and ensure you take your mobile (fully charged), warm waterproof clothing and a first aid kit. Take a map too and make sure everyone knows the route (if only one person does, what happens if they’re injured and lose consciousness, or can’t walk?). Plan walks realistically as you’ll be slower over rough terrain. These things sound simple but many deaths are caused every year by ignoring these precautions. If you’re going to a beach that’s out of the way, check it’s safe for swimming. Concealed rocks and debris can be dangerous 36
and the UK coast harbours creatures that can deliver a nasty sting – check the useful guide to them here: http://bit. ly/1m9uFYJ
Holidaying Abroad
Read your guidebook and information from your travel company well in advance and visit http://www. fitfortravel.nhs.uk at least 8 weeks before departure for specific precautions for your destination. Make sure you’re aware of: • Air travel healthy and safety Newborn babies and women over 36 weeks pregnant (32 weeks if it’s a multiple pregnancy) can’t travel by air, and it’s also not advised if you’ve had a recent stroke, heart attack, surgery or trauma, or if you have a communicable disease or certain conditions affecting your ears, chest, head or cardiovascular system. Insurance can become void if you ignore advice about pre-existing conditions or conceal them, so check with your doctor. Inside aeroplanes the air is very dry. Stay well hydrated and avoid alcohol, as this will dehydrate you and altitude increases its effects. Ask your doctor’s advice if you are concerned about DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or if
you’ve given birth in the last two months. The risk of DVT can be reduced by walking, stretching, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and keeping well hydrated. Compression stockings may also help if fitted and worn correctly. • Local laws and customs Beware different traffic signals and different laws particularly about standards of dress. • Food and water safety Always wash your hands before and after using the toilet or handling food, and pack sanitizer gel or wipes in case hand-washing facilities are unclean or nonexistent. If you’re not sure the water is safe, don’t drink it or use it for brushing teeth unless it’s boiled or treated with purification tablets – otherwise stick to bottled water. Avoid ice cubes too. Choose well-cooked, freshly prepared food where you can (especially if buying from street vendors), and avoid salads, shellfish and ice-cream (unless it’s from a large commercial manufacturer). Thoroughly clean or peel fruit and vegetables. • Health precautions Depending on where you’re going, there may be a risk of malaria and it shouldn’t be taken lightly; it can be
fatal. Use repellents on exposed skin and repellents and/or insecticides around your room and on mosquito screens and your clothing, as mosquitoes may bite through it. Wear long trousers or long-sleeved tops, particularly after dark. Anti-malarial tablets need to be started before you go and must be continued (sometimes for up to 4 weeks) when you return. Pack a supply of diarrhoea medication so it’s close by if needed. • Vaccinations Again, requirements depend on destination; check http:// www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk at least 8 weeks before travel to find specific guidelines for the country you’re visiting as some vaccines are given in several doses, and factor in other countries you may plan to visit on holiday. Carry
proof of vaccinations – some countries will require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) should all be free, but you’ll have to pay for yellow fever, encephalitis,
meningitis, rabies, tuberculosis and hepatitis B (unless it’s given as a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine). • Rules about prescribed medication
Always take a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter too, including your personal details, travel dates and details of medication you’re carrying. • Your healthcare entitlements If you’re travelling to Switzerland or a country that’s part of the European Economic Area (EEA), apply for an EHIC (European Health Insurance) card which entitles you to healthcare equivalent to that provided for residents. Outside the EEA, medical care is usually dependent upon your insurance. • Sun Protection Most people still aren’t careful enough about this. In hot sunny climates wear a hat and sunglasses, avoid midday sun, stay hydrated and apply high factor sun lotion regularly.
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Cake and Bake Peach Gallette This divine summer dessert just couldn’t be easier to make – no flan tin and no baking blind! Make sure you have a good solid baking sheet to bake the galette on as this will ensure a crisp pastry base. You can replace the fresh peaches with drained canned peaches, if liked.
Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •
225g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 150g unsalted butter, diced 100g ground almonds 4 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 2 large egg yolks blended with 2 tbsp ice cold water 6 large fresh, ripe peaches, skinned, stoned and sliced Beaten egg, to glaze 1 tbsp pistachio nuts, chopped Vanilla ice cream, to serve
TIP
To skin peaches, score a cross in the skin with the tip of a knife then cover with boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain and cover with cold water for a further minute – the skins should peel off easily.
Serves 6 - Ready in 50 minutes plus chilling 40
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To make the pastry, sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the butter and using your fingertips rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in half the ground almonds and half the sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the egg yolks and water. Stir with a round-bladed knife to form a crumbly dough (add a little extra cold water if the mix is too dry). Gather the mixture together with your hands and knead gently until just smooth. Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill in the fridge for about 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to a rough circle about 30cm in diameter. Transfer to the baking sheet. Sprinkle the rest of the ground almonds in the centre of the pastry circle, leaving a 7cm border. Arrange the peach slices on top of the almonds. Fold the pastry border inwards – just over the edges of the peach slices. Brush the pastry edge with beaten egg and sprinkle over the chopped pistachios. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Sprinkle over the rest of the sugar and serve warm or cold with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
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Negative Thought Patterns That Lead to Stress Negative thoughts are distorted limiting thoughts and perceptions of our self, situations and our general outlook. Negative thinking can lead to stress, as it will not allow us to see that a situation or problem can be improved, therefore causing on going worry, fear and stress. to move from negative to positive thoughts it’s important to see what type of negative thinking a person has. Here are some common habits of negative thinking:
www.designerlife.co.uk neelam@designerlife.co.uk
Neelam Challoner is one of UK’s leading Life coaches, specialising in Re-designing women’s lives and is the founder and owner of Designer life Coaching and the Author of ‘Successful but Incomplete’. Neelam has coached hundreds of people nationally and internationally since 2004. With over 15 years experience in leadership, she has a flair for getting the best out of people. Her clients range from professionals, high net worth individuals, and solo business owners, to unemployed, single parents and women who have suffered domestic abuse. She has empowered and coached both privately and in the public sector pan London and in the Hillingdon Borough and is relentless on her mission to inspire and motivate people to release their potential and live a ‘Designer life’.
Over Generalisation this is when a person makes a general rule of a fact or event. For example “Nobody likes me” or “Everybody thinks I am stupid” Common words when over generalising; always, every, everyone, nobody. Self Blame this is when a person blames themself for everything even if it is not their fault. if someone is upset or something goes wrong this person is likely to blame themself even though in reality other people’s feelings are not in our control. Common symptom of self blame is if you find yourself constantly apologising. Personalisation this is when a person takes things personally, like if a friend on the ‘phone has to hang up quickly because something urgent has caught their attention and the person in question feels it’s because they didn’t want to talk to them anymore or isn’t interested in them or is bored. another aspect of this negative thinking habit is constantly comparing yourself negatively to others; for example thinking you are less attractive, less successful, and less competent than others. Mind Reading this is when a person jumps to conclusions about what other people think of them, often negative with no evidence at all. Having a negative opinion of you and assuming that everyone else agrees with it too. For example; “Those mums must think I can’t cope” or “He must think I am stupid.” this habit makes you imagine you can read people’s minds. Perfectionism this habit keeps a person thinking that they must do everything perfectly and never make a mistake. this is when a person is too hard on themself on reaching extremely demanding goals and in the process gets stressed with the pressure. Catastrophising this habit is thinking that things are much worse than they are. Often called a ‘drama queen’ or if unwell a ‘hypochondriac’ this person will turn a mole hill into a mountain. if this person has palpitations they will think they are having a heart attack or if their Manager wants to see them, they immediately wonder what’s wrong. this person always assumes the worst. Selective Seeing this habit is when a person tends to pay attention to negative facts and ignore positive ones. For example at an event, this person will only see negative situations such as ‘The food was not hot enough’, or ‘The music was too loud’. this person will only think of the negative things and not remember the positive things like, the food was plentiful and delicious, or that the music was lively and created a celebratory ambiance. this person even if skilled in something such as cooking or writing does not give themself any value or recognition and will ignore these qualities choosing only to focus on negative things. all of the above begin from a thought and then become actions. Negative thoughts have negative effects on our lives; they make things seem worse than they are. Negative thoughts stop you doing what you want ultimately and are very rarely true. Negative thinking is a habit and can be changed - it is a habit that was learned and it can be unlearned.
Neelam
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In and Around Reader Travel 8 DAYS SEMI ALL INCLUSIVE FROM
£799pp
Excursions included
Free Drinks & Champagne check-in
4 DAYS
£369pp
W I G Y W
T D S Departures: 15 & 21 September, 2 October 2014 13 April, 15 May, 19 & 25 September, 1 October 2015
Riviera of Flowers Monaco & Portofino
Zundert Flower Parade & Antwerp
Escorted Holiday by Rail
Escorted Holiday by Rail
Quote FR/RF-IA
5 September, 2014 - Quote AZ9-IA
This super holiday, taking in the French and Italian Rivieras, starts with a glass of bubbly at St Pancras’ famous Champagne Bar before taking an afternoon Eurostar to Lille or Paris. After an overnight stay, we continue by TGV train to Nice then coach to Diano Marina. Enjoy free drinks every night at the hotel and excursions to Monaco, Eze, Portofino and Dolceacqua.
Come with us on a charming break taking in the spectacular Zundert Flower Parade and Antwerp. The parade is made up of breathtaking displays entirely created by volunteers using dahlias - the largest of its kind in the world. Many of them are animated, giving a truly realistic appearance. The town is also renowned as the birth place of Vincent Van Gogh. Antwerp, Belgium’s second biggest city, is our base for this break and is a true architectural wonder.
INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Champagne Check-in at London St Pancras • Return rail travel from St Pancras to Nice • 1 night hotel B&B in Paris or Lille • 6 nights in Diano Marina - half board plus selected free drinks 6pm to 11pm every night • Excursions & transfers abroad
Price includes: Escorted throughout • Return rail travel from London St Pancras to Antwerp • 3 nights B&B stay at a 3-star hotel in Antwerp • Excursion to Zundert Flower Parade including reserved seating • Transfers from station to hotel on arrival and departure
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Voyages Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays & Voyages www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
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Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough Buckingham Palace & Tea on the Thames
£89PP
GREAT DAY OUT
3 DAYS HALF BOARD
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Wednesday 30 July, 2014 - Quote BP7-IA INCLUDED: Admission to Buckingham Palace Gardens & State Rooms • Afternoon Tea on the Yacht London, moored on the Thames near Waterloo Bridge • Return coach travel
The Great Dorset Steam Fair GREAT DAY OUT
10
Tenby & Bath
£ pp DEPOSIT
£159PP
Friday 22 August, 2014 - Quote GW8-IA INCLUDED: 2 nights stay at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff • 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts • Visits to Bath and Tenby • Coach travel and excursions
Babbacombe & Cruise to Hidden Cornwall
£59PP
5 DAYS HALF BOARD
£299PP
Thurs 28 August, 2014 - Quote DS8-IA
Mon 1 Sept, 2014 - Quote SE9-IA
INCLUDED: Visit to the Great Dorset Steam Fair the UK’s biggest display of steam traction engines now in its 46th year at Blandford Forum • Return coach travel
INCLUDED: 4 nights at the Seabury Hotel in Babbacombe • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners • Visits to: Kingsand/Cawsand by ferry from Plymouth; Sidmouth; Torquay and Torbay • Entertainment on some nights of your stay • Coach travel and excursions
Highgrove - Prince of Wales Private Garden & Lunch
4-star Spectacular Northumberland & Holy Island 5 DAYS HALF BOARD
£329PP
10
£ pp DEPOSIT
GREAT DAY OUT
£89PP
Monday 8 Sept, 2014 - Quote NF9-IA
Thurs 11 Sept, 2013 - Quote HG7-IA
INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the 4-star Marriott hotel, Gosforth Park • 4 dinners & 4 breakfasts • Visits to Holy Island, Berwick & Newcastle • Optional visit to Alnwick Castle & Gardens • Return coach travel
INCLUDED: 2-hour guided tour of Prince Charles’ gardens at Highgrove • 2-course lunch at The Hare & Hounds, Tetbury • Return coach travel
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Holidays & Voyages, Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com
ABTA No. Y0291
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Life Begins
My VCR Moment
by Kate McLelland
I remember the 1980s as a time of tremendous change, when the growth of technology resulted in revolutionary gadgets such as the Polaroid camera, the Boombox, the Sony Walkman and the video cassette recorder. As a teenager I constantly nagged, begged and pleaded with my parents to buy a VCR. I was tired of hearing our neighbours boast about watching repeats of Dallas and longed to be able to record all the “juvenile and mindless” comedy programmes my parents refused to watch, so I could play them on an endless loop as soon as I got home from school. My father loved his television, so I naturally assumed he would be eager to own a VCR, but he remained strangely reluctant to buy one. The day he finally gave in and came home with a brand new recorder, my brother and I nearly exploded with excitement. However, as soon as he unpacked the box and began to read the instructions, we realised something was wrong. I remember watching with fascination as my normally capable father hesitated, 46
fumbled and cursed under his breath, trying to get to grips with this alien piece of technology. After a long struggle with the cables he gave up and decamped to the kitchen for a cup of tea, leaving my brother and I twitching with impatience. Before he’d drained his cup and returned to the lounge, we had set up the VCR and made a test recording. That was the first time I had ever questioned my parents’ ability to do anything, and I recall feeling slightly smug about our success with the VCR. In future years as televisions, radios and other items of household equipment became more complex and technically challenging, we were simply given the manual and left to get on with it. It’s not unusual for patterns to repeat themselves over successive generations, and I’m a little ashamed to admit that instead of continuing to embrace the new, I simply sat back and let my own children take on the role of “expert”. I therefore managed to sidestep the IT revolution completely. Knowing next to nothing about computers never really bothered me until recently, when I agreed to babysit
one of my grandchildren. He turned up clutching a brand new tablet computer and inevitably - asked me for help. It was then that I found myself in exactly the same position as my poor father, confounded by the VCR all those years ago. It hurt my pride to realise that I am no longer able to keep up with new technology, and my experience made me think of all those other people of my age who haven’t yet picked up the basic principles of operating a computer. These people now have a precious window of opportunity to gain IT skills before their ability to learn is compromised by old age. I might have been embarrassed to admit I couldn’t use my grandson’s tablet computer, but I’m eternally grateful to him for making me aware of the yawning gap in my knowledge … a gap I’ve allowed to become wider and wider over the years. I may have let things slip, but I don’t intend to waste any more time: this week I’ve signed up for a computer course at my local library.
RICHINGS PARK SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB Bowls, Softball, Tennis Cricket, Football, Running Darts& Pool Licenced Bar & Catering Hall Hire For Weddings, Reunions Christenings Corporate Events
Wellesley Ave, Richings Park Iver, Bucks SL0 9BN Tel: 01753 651320 email: administration@rpsc.org.uk www.rpsc.org.uk
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Ann Rennie is an experienced coach, mentor and trainer. She is based in Iver Heath and works through Skype and by phone with a wide range of clients. She has a corporate background which combines sales, customer service and managing major projects. Her real passion is supporting individuals in making the changes in their thinking and behaviour that produce a transformation in the results they experience. With qualifications in NLP, sales and retail management and project management she draws on her own experience of what works in the real world with best practice from current research to create bespoke solutions. Her mantra is ‘don’t get it perfect, get it done’ and her focus on taking action led a client to describe working with her as ‘like having your own personal business supernanny’.
Difficult for whom? For you or the other person or both? Usually we begin by using our number one superpower – mind reading! We believe that because we think the conversation will be uncomfortable so will anyone else involved. Think about examples of difficult conversations the kind of things that crop up here are: A particular individual who seems to push your buttons or whose personality is in some way intimidating or draining A particular situation – giving feedback that involves telling the individual something isn’t working or is giving them a ‘reality check’ Any time a conversation turns into confrontation OR for some it can be when they have to speak up for themselves after having let others direct them or exercise control. And there are many others that may be relevant for you. It can be the people involved. It can be the situation. It can be the message or content you have to deliver.
do want to be flexible in our approach but consistent in our message. The cost of staying silent can, , be more costly to us than speaking up. to speak up and speak out. your time and a neutral place to have the conversation. let a situation go unresolved or uncommented on because you think the conversation will be tricky. And make it sooner rather than later is the general rule. don’t want to dive in full of anger or in an emotional state that isn’t useful in getting a good outcome. yourself and perhaps the other person a ‘cooling off’ period. Then pick up the conversation when both of you feel more emotionally in control. It is ok to talk about how it makes you feel and for you to acknowledge the feelings of others. However, for the conversation to reach a resolution or decision or a defined outcome the focus is on fact. A word of warning here – do you know the facts or are you mind reading? We can confuse opinion or preference for fact. You and the other person will have filters that colour how the world is seen and responded to, so there may be a mismatch which results in an inability to appreciate fully the other person’s view and how it has arisen. Avoid taking things personally– talk about behaviours and their outcomes not questioning someone’s intentions or their personal values.
is it mostly down to your perception of your ability to manage the process either finding the right words or living with the potential fallout?
Calm, consistent with values and behaviours focused on positive outcomes marks out a mindset that would be experienced as assertive. :
We may be concerned about our ability to ‘control’ the conversation and therefore the outcome, so we back away from the conversation time and time again. The truth is we cannot control the other person and how they hear and respond to what we say – all we can do is deliver our side of the conversation with clarity and positive intention. We
– when we get into a rapid exchange of opinions, facts and emotions all bundled together in a conversation or a flurry of emails and texts we can get carried along on the momentum of the interaction. Instead – hit reset and create a point when you stop and gather your thoughts and return to the real issue.
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july park EvEnts 5k Cross Country Wed 9th July, 7pm start langley Park £5.50 (members); £7.50 (non-club) on day entry +£2 last in the three-part race series. the course is one lap of scenic parkland. parking included. visit www.fabian4.co.uk for full details and registration.
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Don't miss the DeaDline! If you would like us to publicise your event in our august issues contact us no later than monday 14th July.
Basicaly saxes sun 13th July, 2pm - 4pm Black Park Café Free entry (donations welcome) live music by the lakeside for your entertainment and to raise money for the Cancer research uk. refreshments available to purchase from the cafe. Dog show sat 19th July, 10.30am - 4pm langley Park £2 per class, 3 classes for £5 the popular annual show returns to langley park. there will be pedigree and novelty classes, as well as lots of stalls to browse. all in aid of the thames valley & Chiltern air ambulance. Bushcraft Walk Wed 23rd July, 2pm-5.30pm Black Pine’s Camp, £22 adult, £17 child join andy on an interactive walk to learn the secrets of the forest and uses for natural materials. Finish at Black pine’s Camp to put your new knowledge into practice. Max ratio of 1 adult to 2 children. Over 12s only. school’s out for summer! thurs 24th July to thurs 28th august, 11am-4pm Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham Country Park. Free Fun and games on the terrace. Every thursday during the holidays. Contact: 01895 833375. nature safari Fri 25th July, 1pm-2pm langley Park Café £4 per guide Follow the self-led trail set up by our rangers, finding the clues and learning about the animals that live here. the trail takes around an hour to complete. start any time between 1pm and 2pm.
Colne Valley Festival sun 27th July, 11am-4pm Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham Country Park some activities are free Fun for all the family with canal boat trips, face painting, crafts, games, model air planes a funfair and much more. Contact: 01895 833375 Den Building mon 28th & tues 29th July, 10am-12pm langley Park Café £16 per family, £3 per extra Have a go at building your own den in langley park with the Country park rangers. Bring a picnic along to eat in your newly built den! Fun in the Park Wed 30th July, 12pm-4pm langley Park most activities are free the hugely popular family event is back in langley park and is going to be bigger than ever. the afternoon will be fun-packed with activities including falconry displays, sword swallowing and story telling, as well as fun games, face painting and an inflatable slide. there will be plenty of food on offer including a hog roast.
july EvEnts Butterflies Vintage tea Party thurs 3rd July, from 1.30pm 110 Copthall Road West, UB10 8ht £4 on the gate Entry price includes tea, Coffee and cakes, various stalls and a raffle. all Welcome. supporting sparks, research into safer childbirth
hillingdon & Uxbridge Business Breakfast (hUBB) thurs 10th July, 8am-9am Bay lodge, 36 harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1Ph. Free event In partnership with the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. Continental breakfast included. please rsvp emma.zovich@wardwilliams.co.uks school summer Fayre sat 12th July, 11am-2pm harefield infants school & nursery school Parade, high street, harefield, UB9 6Bt. lots of fun for all of the family, refreshments, homemade cakes and lots more. treasure island outdoor theatre sat 12th July, 6.30pm Picnics from 5pm the Courtyard, manor Farm, Ruislip. adults from £14.50, Child from £8, Family ticket from £40 performed by rain or shine theatre Company. tickets: 07806 766993.
a Vintage affair sun 13th July, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm michael sobell Centre, mount Vernon hospital, Gate 3, off White hill, northwood, middlesex ha6 2Rn variuos bands will be playing, tea rooms, Classic Cars, Gift stalls, rock Chorus, Dancing and more... For tickets call 01923 844730 (see main advert above)
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NEW free advice service for Chiltern and South Bucks! Finding the right advice has just got easier! People who live or work in the Chiltern and South Bucks area will now have a simpler way to access help from a range of trusted, local organisations via the one phone number. A new advice service with a difference has been launched in the Chiltern and South Bucks area. Whoever you are, whatever the problem, you can call just one phone number to access free advice: 0300 323 0121. CAN, the new Community Advice Network aims to make it easier for local people to find the advice they are looking for. If you need advice on any issue including debt, benefits, housing, mental health or employment all you need to do is call a single phone number to speak to a fully trained adviser who can help you. All advice is completely free, confidential and open to everyone in the local community. 52
In partnership with Age UK, Bucks Floating Support, MIND and Carers Bucks your local CAB service will provide referrals to these and other local agencies via the one phone number, making it simpler to get to the right advice. Besides speaking to an adviser on the phone, you can also email your query or drop into your local Citizens Advice Bureau to talk through any problem in a confidential setting. Speaking to someone face to face and going through documents together makes a huge difference when you’re feeling vulnerable. A fully trained adviser will be available to help anyone contacting the Community Advice Network by phone, email or face to face. If you don’t know who to call for help and feel this service may be able to offer advice for your problem, give CAN, the Community Advice Network a call on 0300 323 0121 or email help@canhelp.org.uk Interested in volunteering for CAN? Join our friendly team and receive full training and support as a volunteer. For more information about CAN visit www.canhelp.org.uk
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the proposers of all the bids submitted more information to the Airports Commission on 14th May and this is posted on our w e b s i t e . Although the moving of the M4/M25 junction is no longer proposed there are still a large number of issues that will affect us from both proposals. We are trying to get more information and will then consider what our next actions should be. We are still hoping to organise a presentation from Heathrow Hub Ltd, who are now proposing an M25 link road over Thorney Lane; there is still no indication that they are going to carry out a public consultation as they are required to do. and the minutes will be on our website.
These are back with a vengeance and causing a huge nuisance for residents in the south of the Park. We are working with the Environmental Health officers at South Bucks District Council, who are now considering a prosecution as they can get no adequate response from Thames Water. Unfortunately the sewage works are in Slough who are reluctant to take any action at all. if you have any problems with the flies as this will be needed as evidence. 54
Some local residents recently received an unsolicited telephone call from someone claiming to be from the police who stated that due to the level of crimes in the area the police are conducting crime prevention surveys by phone and visits. The residents were unsure whether the caller was genuine or not. If so ask the caller for their name and shoulder number and tell them that you will call them back. Dial 101, quote the shoulder number they have given to you and ask if that officer is showing as currently being on duty and confirm their name. If all matches as it should do then the 101 call taker will be able to transfer you back to the officer. If they are present at your door ask to see their I.D or warrant card. If you are not happy that they are who they say they are then ask them to wait a minute, close the door and, from inside your home, call 101 to clarify who they are and that they are booked on duty.
If you have
not already done so please remember to pay your subscriptions to your road steward or at the Post Office. Details on our website if you lose the envelope delivered to you.
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Mediterranean Magic
by Pippa Greenwood
If you can’t get away this year, how about creating your own Mediterranean hotspot in your garden? Even if you do manage to escape to the sun for a week or two this year, you’ll still have the rest of the summer at home and a little slice of Italy, France or Greece outside your back door will bring happy memories flooding back. The first thing to do is to choose the sunniest spot available – it’ll not only make sitting out there more enjoyable, but will also mean that you can install some serious sun-loving plants too.
Painting the nearby house, shed or garage wall with white masonry paint will help to create the right atmosphere and look. At the same time it will help to reflect our sunlight – often a bit washed out compared to more southern climes - so providing a stronger light for the type of plants that appreciate it.
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want to make brand new pots look more weathered try painting them with a solution of plain yoghurt as this will help to encourage rapid colonisation by mosses, algae and lichens. Any new hard landscaping such as wall, paths or patios and terraced surfaces will look best in natural stone and there are now also terracotta tiles available that are suitable for use in the garden. Terracotta tiles can also have a storageheater effect too – after a long, hot day they will have absorbed a good deal of heat and this will then be released gradually in the evening. Add interest to a vertical surface by planting a vine. They have attractive leaves and there are plenty to choose from that will fruit well in our climate. You may not be able to create your own vintage but the vines will look particularly authentic when draped with a few bunches of grapes.
Mediterranean gardens often make full use of the walls and any other vertical surfaces, so put up hanging baskets, pots and wall baskets and cram them full of plants.
Glazed tiles, wall-hangings and even the odd ornament or two can also add to the Mediterranean look, but make sure you choose items that won’t be instantly bleached by the sun.
Plants in pots are a must and if possible choose stone or terracotta containers. If you
Try growing your own oranges or lemons. With our generally milder winters some gardeners
are even managing to keep these plants outside all year round with only the minimum of protection. Growing your citrus tree in a good-sized terracotta pot means that you can move it into a more protected spot if necessary. With their wonderful silvery grey leaves and their often rather untidy or gnarled shape, olives too are a plant well worth considering. Olives are best grown in a large container unless you have a warm garden and a very well-drained soil as they hate winter wet. Some plants just spell out Mediterranean Magic – try geraniums and pelargoniums, aeoniums and sempervivums, rosemary, thyme, oregano and pretty well anything with silvery foliage. Go for the brightest coloured flowers and your new holiday destination will also benefit from a subtle Mediterranean aroma too. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for her ‘Winter thru’ Spring’ vegetable collection, great plants for September and regular advice emails from Pippa, and a super range of gardening products including Nemasys caterpillar, slug, ant and other biological controls, Enviromesh & Envirofleece
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This year has flown by as usual and now we are in the final half term! The summer term is always a very busy one in school and this year is no different. Our first week back was World Week which is one of our regular themed weeks and involves each class taking a different country to study. The children divided up into mixed age groups and then ‘flew’ around the school to visit each country and so learnt about all six of the countries that the main school classes were researching. This year the countries studied were The Netherlands, Mexico, Italy, Greenland, Japan and Israel. The children were involved in many exciting activities including making origami dogs, making and eating salsa and designing pizzas to name just a few! The children in our Nursery were studying Scotland and they have also been involved in many activities including making a Loch Ness Monster and tasting porridge. Following the themed week we held an exhibition in the school hall of all the children’s work. This was visited by family and friends who were all extremely impressed by the standard and coverage of the children’s work.
Our Nursery children and our prospective Nursery children joined together in a Teddy Bear‘s Picnic recently during which the children and their parents enjoyed taking part in Teddy Bear activities and joining in with Teddy Bear songs and rhymes. This was described by one participant as a very positive and effective way of introducing the new children and their families to the nursery staff and setting. We held our Display Afternoon just before the half term holiday. This is an occasion for the children to show their families and friends some of the PE and music they have been learning at school. All our children performed beautifully. One of the Year Two displays involved gymnastics during which the children showed their coordination and precision in jumping, rolling and balancing on both the floor and on tables. The other Year Two display was a fabulous dance which the children had helped to choreograph. It was set to the music of‘ Thriller’ by Michael Jackson. We also held our Grandparents morning in the week before half term. This is always a wonderful event with the children inviting their Grandparents into school to show them the different activities they do. Then we ask the Grandparents to tell the children all about their own school days! My how things have changed! Afterwards we invited our visitors into the school hall for a welldeserved cup of tea and a biscuit! Towards the end of this summer term we will be celebrating our 40th year as a school on our present site! The school actually opened in January 1974 although it still needed quite a lot of work doing to it even after the children had arrived! We will be holding a tea party for the children and have invited many of the previous staff and Governors including the school’s first Head Teacher, Mrs Luff and our most recent past Head Teacher, Mrs Smith. We look forward to a lovely afternoon of reminiscing and story telling!
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Pets Corner... (Jul14)_Layout 1 23/06/2014 18:09 Page 1
Finding the perfect pet - some do’s & dont’s It used to be that puppy farmers operated from Wales and Ireland and any pup with documentation from those countries should still be viewed with suspicion. However, since regulations tightened disreputable breeders are importing more from Eastern Europe. Not only are these puppies likely to be stressed and unhealthy they may have been imported on illegal documents. Be very wary of puppies from these countries: they cannot be legally imported before they are 15 weeks of age at the very earliest. Illegal puppy imports WILL be seized and possibly destroyed and may introduce Rabies into the country. DON’T buy on impulse. that cute puppy may grow into a large and difficult dog. Avoid feeling sorry for a sad or sickly looking animal, it is not your problem, it is the responsibility of the seller and it may result in being an expensive or tragic mistake. DON’T buy puppies and kittens from pet shops; they generally obtain their stock from disreputable sources. Many have poor knowledge of, or interest in, animal welfare and are only interested in profit. DON’T buy from adverts in newspapers, magazines or on the internet - good breeders don’t need to advertise and puppies may be illegal imports. I cannot emphasise the importance of this too much. DON’T let ‘breeders’ deliver to you or meet them at a ‘convenient’ neutral location, they are usually dealers covering their tracks and when there is a problem they will be nowhere to be found. DO look for ‘home-bred’ puppies and kittens that you have seen indoors with their mother. Even puppies bred in reputable breeding kennels may be unsuitable as they may not be habituated to living with a family in a normal house. the best way to find a pedigree dog is to call the Kennel Club, or for cats Cat Fancy and ask for details of breeders. Under any circumstances, look out for signs of animal dealers posing as breeders. typically they will be selling several different breeds, keeping them in cages, pens or outhouses and make up stories about why you can’t see the mother or their documents! Check all vaccination certificates are fully complete, if they’re not - don’t buy. Incomplete certificates are a sign of animal dealers and are unreliable. Mongrels and moggies can be readily re-homed from rescue societies and you will be doing an unwanted animal a favour. Sometimes word of mouth and local knowledge may lead you to a litter needing a good home but be wary and still follow the above advice. Small pets like budgies, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs etc can generally be obtained from good pet shops but look out for the conditions in which they are kept. If it is unhygienic
and the shop staff appear to have limited knowledge then look elsewhere. DON’T buy exotic pets without having done extensive research into their needs and obtained a suitable cage or tank etc. to keep them in. Good pet shops and breeders will not sell exotic pets to casual shoppers; they will insist that you show some knowledge of care before you buy. Large birds like parrots need company and are generally unhappy on their own. the vast majority of problems in exotic pets are due to poor knowledge of husbandry requirements. Remember: if you’re not 100% happy walk away, there is always another choice but wherever you find your pet take it to a vet immediately for a health check and listen to what they say, vets are the best source of unbiased advice, and the small fee may save a fortune. Finally, NEVER buy a pet as a surprise gift.
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M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com
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The rspca are now struggling with the amount of kittens in our care over 40 kittens ranging from 9 weeks to 5 months have been left at the homing centre either abandoned or unwanted. They are now hoping to find their forever home where they will be loved and cared for. All our kittens will have their full vaccinations and be flea and worm treated, microchipped, spayed (when old enough) and have 4 weeks insurance cover. If you are thinking of having a kitten then please come to the rspca first, as for many of these little guys it is their last chance to find a home. Please give us a ring on 01895 833417 or visit our website www.rspcahillingdonclinic.org.uk to download an application form. To help us stop this amount of kittens being left with nowhere to go, we urge you to get your cat neutered. The RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston, District Branch always want to help people with neutering so if you have a unneutered cat please ring 01895 231435 an b o o k y o u r appointment. 66
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flowers & gardening... iver flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call Jayne on 07730 249876. Visit: www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver
Call Rosemary 01628 776838 www.thefitnessleague.com
West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thu 6-7pm Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, 07906 087749 www.tauruspt.co.uk
iver Heath garden & allotment Club Iver Heath Village Hall. Every 2nd Monday of the month at 8pm. Call Barbara Thompson Programme Secretary 01895 235213. Contact email address is Ann McCullough Secretary amcc100@gmail.com Hobbies...
bobbin lace Making group Every Thu 7.30pm at Southlands House, The Green, Swan Road, West Drayton. Call Julie 020 8897 9368 or Margaret 01895 851349 Chinese brush Painting group Come and join our friendly group meeting on Saturday mornings. The class is guided by an experienced tutor so no experience required! You will learn how to compose and develop your own Chinese painting style as well as practicing the finer points of Chinese calligraphy often seen on paintings. Find us at Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield or contact Phyllis Nash on 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com inland waterways association Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk keeP-fit, danCe & draMa... adults Zumba Classes Running on Wednesdays 6-7pm at Iver Heath Village Hall, Saint Margaret's Close. Call Diane on 07926 854184 bagot stack (fitness league) Term Time Only. Vyners School, UB10 8AB on Tue 7.30 - 8.30pm. Also in Windsor Monday & Thursday.
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ballet Classes Iver Heath Village Hall, Friday 4.457pm. Call L Killian 01753 814280
bokwa fitness tone & Core The latest craze - hits all your fitness targets in one - 07771 872592 learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk
boxfit Saturdays 9.45-10.45am at the Evreham Sport Centre, Iver. An exciting class which uses focus pads and gloves to enhance an excellent aerobic workout. Call 01753 672610 Children's Zumba (Zumbatomic) Classes Wednesdays at 3.30-5.30pm at Iver Heath Village Hall, Saint Margaret's Close. Call Diane on 07926 854184
futunity Street Dance and Hip Hop for children age 7-11 years. Fri's from 4-9pm call Cheryl on 01753 651754 or email childcare@ivercommunity.org Modern Jive Classes Monday 8-11pm at West Drayton Community Centre Tuesday & Thursday 8-11pm at Uxbridge Civic Centre Beginners Welcome – First Night Entry & Free Lifetime membership with this listing. Contact Alan: 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 www.clubceroc.com email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com donna’s keep fit Iver Heath Village Hall. Call Donna 01753 674945. Tue 9.45-10.45am evreham adult learning Centre Please call 0845 045 4040 to book any of the following… Gentle Exercise 60+ Tue 10-11am and Fri 13.3014.30 Gentle Yoga Wed 13.30-14.30. All classes suitable for beginners to inter-mediate level. Cost £50 for 10 weeks. Fully qualified Exercise To Music Instructor. fitness Club St Catherine School, Money Lane,
Hour of Power - Ultimate workout Wed 7pm at the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610. iver Heath drama Club Meet every Wednesday at Iver Heath New Village Hall between 7.45pm & 10pm. Contact Matt Streuli email: matt@ihdc.co.uk or www.ihdc.co.uk
Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Monday 9.30am-10.30am and Tuesday 6.45pm-7.45pm. Wednesday and Friday 10-11am Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Road, Denham, Bucks. Thursday 6.30-7.30pm. Contact Wendy Whitefoord, Tel: 07803 602142 or email: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com
ladies only kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 email: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk line dancing Tuesday 7.30-10pm, Iver Village Hall. All ability levels welcome. £5, £2 kids. Call Stephanie 07958 643307 nordic walking & wellbeing Explore our borough’s green spaces . with all round exercise in the open air, 4 week courses various days and locations pre booking essential contact 07771872592 / learningmoves@hotmailco.uk Personal training Looking for some extra help to get fit & into shape? For more info and prices call Rachel on 07745 622011 Pilates Iver Heath Village Hall on Thurs 7pm8pm call Mrs S Webb 01923 721335 continued overleaf...
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keep-fit, dance & drama continued...
toddler & Junior fitness fun Junior Trampolining Weds 4.30pm5.30pm held at the Evreham Sports Centre Iver. Call 01753 672610 for details.
find out more about us, please come along to watch us one evening or visit www.signaturesingers.com
pilates class St Peters Centre, Iver. Tuesday 7-8pm. Julie Hall 07976 966 583 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 richings players Perform three plays each year usually at Iver Village Hall. If you would like to become a member call Adrian on 01753 652843 or www.richingsplayers.com Salsa classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.459.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm 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 taurus circuits Pinewood Studio. With Personal Trainer Shaun. Monday 8pm-9pm Booking only 07906 087749 tai chi classes Tues 10am at the Evreham Sports Centre, Iver. Call 01753 672610 tai chi classes Every Saturday 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429
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Yoga Iver Heath Village Hall Mon 6.30-7.45pm Jonathan Bell 07790 682238
ZumBa ® fitness classes Mon & Thurs 7-8pm. St Peters Centre, Iver. £5 per class - All levels welcome! Contact: Rachel 07745 622011 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 07735090325 or gabrielzumba@instructor.net www.gabriel84.zumba.com muSic... faraday country music club in Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for the best live Country Music every Thursday for listeners, western partners, freestyle or line dancers. From 8-11pm. Contact Deb 07986 050742. www.faradaycountry.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 Verrier on 01753 654398 Signature a cappella singers We meet on a Monday night at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margaret’s Close, Iver Heath SLO 0DQ. Time 7.45-10.30 with a ten minute break for a cup of tea, a chat and a biscuit. If you enjoy singing or would like to
Stoke poges Singers A friendly four-part choir with about forty members singing a wide variety of music during the year. New members are always welcome and there are no auditions. The ability to read music is not essential. 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 Yiewsley & West drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com
Yiewsley & West drayton training Band This is open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wed during term time 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 pre-School & kidS groupS... french for children with La Jolie Ronde, 5-11yrs. In Iver, Saturdays. Call Estelle 07831 779888 for more details. rainbow guides Iver Heath Scout Hut on Tuesday, 5.30-6.30pm. Call Cindy Gordon 01753 795724 or Tracey Glynn 01895 469804 continued overleaf...
followed by a buffet at the British Legion Club House. of Iver and Iver Heath service men and women who fell in this conflict, together with their stories so that we can make a visual display at the Clubhouse to commemorate them. We are also happy to have photos of the service people who survived the conflict. We will need to have the information by so that we have time to put the exhibition together and we will return it after the exhibition.
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pre-school & kids groups continued... richings park pre-school St Leonard's Hall, St Leonard's Walk, Richings Park Iver, SL0 9DD. Monday to Friday 9.15am-12.15pm Extended days on Tue, Wed and Fri until 2.15pm. 15 hours funding available for 3-4 year olds per week. 2yr old funding. Call 07712 477848. shooting stars pre-school An innovative pre-school setting for children aged two-five years open from 7.00am – 6.00pm Monday – Friday. Iver Village Hall, High St, Iver, SL0 9NW. Call Rafia 01753 651754 or e: childcare@ivercommunity.org 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 sticky Fingers Mothers & toddlers Iver Heath Village Hall, Wed 9.3011.30am. Call Janet Beale 01753 652375 the launchpad A breakfast club for children aged 511 and after school club for Infants. We also offer holiday play schemes. Iver Village Hall, High Street, Iver, SL0 9NW. Call Cheryl on 01753 651754 childcare@ivercommunity.org the pod An after school club for Junior school children combining childcare with specialist educational activities. Iver Village Junior School, High Street, Iver, SL0 9QA. Call Cheryl on 01753 651754 or email: childcare@ivercommunity.org 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 72
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 An inspirational full day care nursery for children aged six weeks to five years open from 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday – Friday. Evreham Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, SL0 0HS. Call Susan on 01753 655650 tinytoes@ivercommunity.org selF deFence... close Quarter combat Based in Richings Park. Specialising in speed, strength and conditioning training. All types of pad work combinations. Suitable for Men and Women 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. karate club of denham / uxbridge For ages 5 years and up. Sunday 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Wednesday 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725 kung Fu club West drayton Great Kung Fu work out for everybody, attractive trainings 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 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
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 email kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. selF help... Alcoholics Anonymous Every Sunday, 7.30pm at St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. Contact Howard on 07816 315688 "if alcohol is costing you more than money, you should meet us" slimming World Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm Evreham Sports Centre, Iver Heath Contact: Jo 07432 107089 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. heathway ladies group Every second Tues of the month at 2pm. You’re welcome as a visitor at the cost of £1.50, as we have a waiting list. Contact Secretary Tricia Cooper 01753 817749 or e: tricia.cooper3@virginmedia.com 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 (exc. BHs). At 2pm in the Community Room, Iver Heath Village Hall. Call Pat Roberts 01753 647674 or email: pat@roberts3011.orange home.co.uk continued overleaf...
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social groups continued... iver Heath community library The library is open on Tuesday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Thursday 10am-1pm & 2pm-7pm Saturday 10am-1pm We hope that people from all three local areas will join with us to preserve this important local resource. Membership is free. Many of the facilities are free including internal and external advertising features that can be used for local charity events. For details contact us or, alternatively, come to one of our free monthly coffee and cake mornings and discuss with us in person. Tel: 0845 2303232 email: 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 Richings Park Sports Club 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 very wide range of interests. Contact any member for more info or the Secretary on 01753 653571 the rotary club of langley & iver Meets on Thurs evenings 6.45 for 7pm, Richings Park Golf Club. North Park. Iver. SL0 9DL 01753 655370. We are a small friendly club that welcomes everyone, from all walks of life. If you are interested in improving the lives of others and have fun doing it, visit www.rotarylangleyandiver.org. uk or 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 74
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 (starting 7th June) 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 & 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 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. pink ladies netball club All levels and abilities welcome. Training takes place at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tuesday evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - please Rhiannon on 01895 448878 for details email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk richings park ladies Badminton club Meet at St. Andrews Church Hall, North Park, Iver. Every Monday 24pm except Bank Holidays. Intermediate standard of playing. Call Daphne Wood 01753 653404 for details. richings park short Mat Bowls Richings Park Sports & Social Club Wellesley Avenue. Wed from 4pm. Just turn up - equipment provided. run for life Richings park running and fitness club. Richings park sports club Mon and Thu 6-7pm. With Personal trainer Shaun - sessions includes running, circuits, boxing and various other exercises. Call 07906 087749. running club For Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner. Runs organised in the local area. Free of charge, chance to train with other runners at your level. Call 01753 677 604 for further details.
Whatever your thing we’re sure to have a club or event listed to suit you and your family!
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