Ruislip Dec 14 by In and Around Publishing

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Well, it’s finally here! The last magazine issue of the year and the countdown to Christmas. In and Around Publishing is coming up to its ninth year very soon and this year has been the busiest yet. With six magazines all now successfully thriv ing and growing and the possibility of more in the new year, stress and excitement are filling the office in equal measures. (Although much of An gela’s excitement is the thought of finally going away for a week at the beginning of the new year) With this issue going through the doors, we just have the January issues to get to print, before we can finish our Christmas shopping and start really talking turkey! As ever, it’s been a pleasure serving you all and we should like to thank you for your wonderful support. Every month we receive calls and emails from people who are always so enthusiastic about the magazines and it’s those comments that often drive us along when the workload is piling up. We would especially like to thank our advertisers, who continue to provide great ser vices and without whom, the magazines would not be possi ble.

Wishing each and every one of you a Very Merry Christ mas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year! We’ll be back through your letterboxes in January. .

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Using Xmas Money Gifts to Start a Savings Pot 6 Health: Eyesight Correction 10 Home & Interiors: Scandinavian Christmas 12 Coffee Break Puzzles 14 Kids Puzzle Page 16 Wildlife Zone 18 History: What happened in December 1966 20 Puzzle Solutions 21 RSPCA 22 Travel: The Gambia 24 Local Events 26 Spotlight on Eastcote 28 Ruislip Central Horticultural Society 36 Hobbies: Fishing 38 The Christmas Truce 40 Beauty: Facial Massage for Beautiful Skin 42 Garden Feature 44 Used Cars: Japanese Muscle 46 Reader Travel Offers 48 Whats on at the Compass Theatre 50 Weekly Refuse & Recycling Dates 50 Tech: The best Christmas gadgets for her 52 Local Telephone Numbers 54 Magazine Pick Up Points 54 What’s On Clubs, Groups & Classes 56, 58 & 60 Karen Munro: Careers 59 Wordsearch 61 Recipe: Roast Turkey 62

Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07931 368151 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk 

www.inandaroundpublishing.co.uk

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  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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Kare

Finance 

Using Christmas Money Gifts to Start a Savings Pot

By Ann Haldon

       money gifts this Christmas?

Would you rather give and receive money at Christmas, or do you prefer traditional gifts? People give money as a gift for various reasons. Maybe they’re not sure of the recipient’s taste, or particularly in the case of teenagers, think they might  to spend the money prefer on something of their own  choosing.

Christmas is an ideal opportunity to start a small savings pot for a friend or family member, using money that they might otherwise spend frivolously, or on everyday expenses such as food and petrol. It shows thought and consideration and has the potential to grow over the years. It could provide funds towards a summer holiday, a new car, or something long-term. Using the same reasoning it’s in your own best interests to save the Christmas money gifts you receive, rather than put them to one side to be swallowed up by everyday needs. So what are the best options for starting a savings pot for a loved one, or saving your 

Tax-free savings are the obvious choice The old cash ISAs have now been replaced by NISAs (new ISA), and anyone over the age of 16 can deposit a maximum of £15,000 each year. This is a significant increase on the old cash limit of £5,600 although the interest rates may be lower, but this type of savings account is still the best option for easy access. The Junior ISA is available to under-18s but can only be opened by parents or legal guardians, so if you’re giving money to a member of your extended family or a friend’s child, you’ll need to physically give them the money to pay in. Each year from 6th April, you can open a new NISA with the same limit, so this is a great way to save long-term too. For those looking for an investment rather than cash savings, Stocks and Shares NISAs are also available. Regular savings accounts As the name suggests, you’ll need to drip-feed these accounts on a monthly basis. Regular savers generally offer a much better interest rate than standard savings accounts, but tax may be payable on the interest depending on your circumstances.

Interest rates of around 6% are not unheard of, and some accounts may even beat the NISA for interest. Banks often offer regular savings accounts as a promotional tool, however, in the hope that you will take up some of their other products once you’re a customer. Saving ad-hoc Not everyone is able to save on a regular basis, but a separate place to put spare cash as and when you get it is very useful. Standard savings accounts usually run alongside current accounts, making it easy to either pay in money directly or transfer it from the current account. The Mason jar savings method Often started on the 1st January each year, this involves saving £1 the first week, £2 in week two, and so on throughout the year. Although there’ll be no interest, it’s surprising how motivating it can be to literally see your money grow, and you’re still saving for a purpose rather than frittering it away. So if you are offering money gifts for Christmas this year, it’s worthwhile giving a little more thought to how they are offered. On the other side of the coin, receiving money for Christmas could provide you with the start of a useful nest-egg. https://www.gov.uk/juniorindividual-savings-accounts/ opening-an-account http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/junior-isa http://frugalbeautiful.com/blog/ mason-jar-money-method-start1-save-1300-year/

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Elliot & Co Editorial (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 16:56 Page 1

PROPERTY UPDATE  from

OUR PROPERTY EXPERT

Big changes planned  for South Ruislip

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Following approval from Hillingdon Councillors on October 21st, the Old Dairy on Victoria Road has been given the green light to commence work in January 2015.

DAVID HARTNETT BSC MARLA MNAEA

Elliott & Co Estate Agents

Since its closure in 2006, the site has remained derelict. The new development which has been supported by local business and homeowners, will see up to 650 new jobs created to build the impressive 11 Screen Cinema, Asda, 5 restaurants including Nando's, Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito, 12 semi detached properties as well as 121 flats. £2.7 million will be going towards the Community Infrastructure Levy and section 106. This is standard practice for large scale developments where money is paid by the developer to support and improve local roads, accessibility and other associated issues. There is concern over the already busy junction where Long Drive meets Victoria Road. The developers are working closely with the highways in order to alleviate the congestion. Building work on the commercial element will start in January with the residential planned to commence in April 2015. It is expected that the regeneration will have a significant and positive impact to the area. South Ruislip will now become a central hub where people will come to meet and socialise. Landlords are also looking to cash in and take advantage of the expected rental demand. All eyes are now on the proposed opening date set for Easter 2016. If you have any questions or would like to register interest in buying off plan we are now taking calls.

If you would like a free no obligation market appraisal of your property or to speak to David about selling your property, call Elliott & Co on 020 8842 3333 

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Elliot & Co Editorial (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 17:12 Page 2

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Eyesight Correction  – Making your  Options Clear 

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

Eyesight correction has progressed dramatically since the first pair of glasses appeared in 13th century Italy. These days, there’s a range of options to correct poor eyesight, whether you have myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia/hypermetropia (longsightedness) or presbyopia (diminished close vision, which often affects the over 45s). Glasses Today, most lenses are made from durable, scratch resistant and lightweight plastics. Special techniques can make lenses lighter and thinner (ideal for high prescription glasses) while coatings can provide tints, ultraviolet protection, scratchresistance and anti-reflective properties to reduce glare and haloes. Bifocals, trifocals and varifocal lenses mean that one pair of glasses can be used for close reading as well as distance vision while photochromic lenses darken under ultraviolet rays, instantly turning normal prescription glasses into sunglasses. Pros: A range of options; usually correct eyesight very efficiently. Cons: Lack of peripheral vision; can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, particularly during bad weather, sport activities and moving between different temperatures. Contact Lenses Contact lenses may be more convenient than glasses and 

both rigid and soft versions allow oxygen on to the eye. This keeps the eye healthy and allows them to be worn for extended periods. Toric lenses to correct astigmatism and bifocal lenses are available too.

Soft contact lenses are made from a plastic polymer with high water content. They’re easier to adapt to than rigid lenses. Daily or monthly disposable versions decrease the chance of infection, while non-disposables are cleaned every day and changed yearly. Pros: Comfort; no loss of peripheral vision. Cons: Easily damaged or polluted. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are made from silicone polymers. Pros: No loss of peripheral vision; better correction of some eyesight problems than soft lenses; durable. Cons: Less comfortable and harder to adapt to than soft lenses; reduced risk of infection (due to lack of water content). Corneal reshaping Sometimes, contact lenses can be used for orthokeratology, a process that reshapes the cornea to improve shortsightedness. Surgery New technologies have increased the popularity and scope of vision correction surgery, which can correct

myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. While some experts remain cautious about long-term effects, research has shown that results are mostly long-lasting. Complications occur in less than 5% of cases; eye dryness is common but usually short-lived and easily treatable with drops. Severe vision loss is very rare. Some people do need a second procedure for perfect results. If you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, keratoconus, cataract, glaucoma or a herpes eye infection you should discuss this with your surgeon, as surgery may not be appropriate. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or on certain medications such as oral steroids may not be suitable candidates either. LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) The most common type of vision correction surgery in the UK. A flap of corneal tissue is lifted using a microkeratome (mechanical blade) or femtosecond (special laser). The exposed section is then reshaped using an excimer laser, and the flap replaced. Pros: Causes minimal pain; heals quickly; fast recovery of vision. Cons: Not always suitable for high prescriptions (the surgery may make the cornea too thin). Wavefront-guided LASIK A more refined version of LASIK

that analyses and tackles the finer irregularities in the eye, so that night vision, for instance, can be improved along with eyesight.

LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis) During LASEK the epithelial layer of the cornea is retained as a flap. This technique is believed to minimise complications and aid speedy healing, and can be a good choice for people with thin corneas. A special soft contact lens is kept on the eye for 3-4 days to allow the surface to heal. Pros: Less discomfort than PRK. Retaining the epithelium may help to prevent complications and speed up healing.

Cons: Can only correct low hyperopia prescriptions; effectiveness may gradually reduce over time. Vision Training  There are many programs, and now even some apps, that claim to correct your eyesight using exercises. But most experts agree that there is no scientific evidence that any of these can correct vision. Before making any decisions, seek advice from your optometrist or eye consultant. By law, your optometrist must give you a written copy of your prescription after an eye test, which can be fulfilled anywhere you choose. Visit http://www. allaboutvision. com/eyeglasses/ eyeglassprescription. htm for help understanding your prescription.

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Epi-LASIK An instrument called an epikeratome separates a fine slice of the epithelial (surface) layer of the cornea. The cornea underneath is reshaped with a laser.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) Mainly overtaken by LASIK and LASEK, PRK is now normally only used to correct low prescriptions. A layer of epithelial tissue is removed, and then the cornea is reshaped by laser. Pros: Little corneal tissue is removed, so the remaining cornea is strong.

Cons: Healing and vision improvement take longer than for LASIK and LASEK and some blurring or glare may occur.

LTK (Laser Thermokeratoplasty) A holmium laser is used apply a circle of small heat spots to reshape the cornea by contraction. Pros: No cutting; the procedure is over in seconds.

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 Home & Interiors  

Scandinavian Christmas

By Katherine Sorrell

     

Who doesn’t love Scandinavian style? It combines classic with contemporary, pretty with practical. And it’s the perfect look with which to dress up your home for Christmas

In the Scandinavian countries extremes of landscape, from forests and fjords to boiling geysers and the Aurora Borealis, are all around you. In winter, daylight is fleeting, and keeping warm is a vital part of life. No surprise, then, that typical homes feature thick log walls, small, southfacing doors and windows, and thatched or birch-bark roofs. Inside, vividly coloured 

decorations in bright, rustic folk style provide relief from the long hours of night and the expanses of snow. Carved wooden spoons, bowls, cups and chests, strongly coloured, woven rugs, blankets and cushions, and beautifully painted furniture in ochres, reds and yellows are the timeless tradition. Appealing as it is, there is much more to Scandinavian style than colourful rusticity, however. What we now called ‘Gustavian’ style became popular in the late 18th century, encouraged by the young King Gustav III of Sweden, under whose patronage the grandeur of Versailles and the skilled creations of master furniture-makers like Hepplewhite and Chippendale were interpreted by native craftsmen in a gentler and more restrained way, blending neo-classicism and romantic Rococo into a unique, northern European decorative style. Think symmetry, pale colours (buttermilk and Baltic blue, grey and peppermint), painted floorboards, ribbons and swags, glass chandeliers, gilding, mirrors and

Create a Scandinavian feel this Christmas by combining folk and sophistication, cosy and minimalism. Keep it simple – too much clutter is definitely not a part of this particular look. Your colour palette is, of course, mainly red and white, with green, brown and black for contrast, and the occasional dusting of glitter or artificial snow. Natural accessories such as twigs, branches and fir cones are a great starting point, with generously sized garlands and wreaths made from woven greenery. A sprinkling of metal lanterns with flickering candles creates atmosphere, and a real Christmas tree

is, of course, the centrepiece (clip-on Scandi-style candles optional). In general, materials should be as natural as possible, from bark to hessian, felt to Fair Isle, emphasising all sorts of appealing textures. If you can knit, sew or otherwise make your own decorations, so much the better but, if not, there are plenty of gorgeous accessories in the shops and online created by talented craftspeople. Perfection is not required: simply that appealingly homespun look. A row of knitted stockings, for example, would be just perfect, while linen sacks with

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Images: Far left top -Christmas stockings, hand-embroidered on wool felt, £48, Jan Constantine, Tel 01270 821194; www.janconstantine.com; Far left bottom - Embroidered birds stocking, £30, House of Fraser, Tel 0345 602 1073; www.houseoffraser.co.uk; Left bottom - Linen Scandi reusable Christmas crackers, £12.50 each, Kate Sproston Design. Tel 07765 675624; www.katesprostondesign.com; AboveScandi Merry Christmas decoration (set of four) £16, House of Fraser. Tel 0345 602 1073; www.houseoffraser.co.uk.

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Eastboune & South Coast Explorer 5 DAYS HALF BOARD

Monday 23 March, 2015 - Quote EA3-IA INCLUDED: 4 nights at the Shoreview Hotel on Eastbourne seafront • 4

£229PP School £69PP An ‘OUTSTANDING’ lunch with a glass of wine at the White

dinners and 4 breakfasts • Visits to

Horse Hotel, Hertingfordbury • Return

Arundel and Brighton • Coach travel

coach travel

and excursions

£10pp A family-run school with a caring atmosphere. DEPOSIT Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, £10pp DEPOSIT music, sport and drama.

For further information, or to 83 arrange a33 visit, please telephone 01895 234371 Call 01895 33 GN Holidays & Voyages, Parkway, Hillingdon, Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL

Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays.

ABTA No.

Y0291 Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com

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The Wildlife Zone...FP (Dec14)_Layout 1 25/11/2014 22:46 Page 1

THE WILDLIFE ZONE

 PRETTY KILLERS     

Andy Mydellton FLS (pictured right) is an environmentalist journalist, the founder and leader of the British wildlife charity, the Foundation for Endangered Species. They are members of the United Nations agency UNESCO with Andy Mydellton being Chairman and the Environmental Concern Advisor to the UNESCO Schools Group. Andy is a Fellow of the Linnean Society. He writes for many publications, mounts photographic exhibitions, gives presentations and broadcasts the 'Andy Mydellton Wildlife Zone' radio programme.

MOST children are fond of ladybirds and usually continue loving the colourful creatures for many years into adulthood. But despite their benign and friendly reputation they are mass killers and voracious predators, as hostile to their prey as anything we witness on the world’s biggest stage, the Serengeti. Whilst ladybirds are hardly megafauna such as lions, crocodiles or hyena, they are still deadly carnivores in their own diminutive horizons. Ladybirds are small animals, do not carry diseases nor have a reputation as being the harbingers of doom. But their real secret for being liked is that they are inoffensive and very colourful to the human eye. I fell in love with ladybirds when I was a child and first explored the natural world near in the Cotswolds. All around our village the meadows and hillsides were normally full of wild flowers such as cowslips, buttercups, dandelions and daisies. All sorts of flying insects made our playing fields, unkempt areas of grass and ‘sward’ their home. The horticulturalists’ problem is pesticides; modern day insect killers which are rarely discriminate and kill friend and foe alike by exterminating all insects, including ladybirds. The alternative facing gardeners is not to use pesticides at all. Ladybirds are tortoise shell-like beetles. There are about 5,000 worldwide species. Some of Britain’s 40 species of ladybirds are hard to identify without specialist help. For example the common two spot is widespread and grows up to 4mm in length. Individuals vary greatly but usually have one black spot on each red shell, or elytra, which they open out to fly. Most confusingly however, some two spot ladybirds can have more than two spots with some of them having black shells with four or six red spots. These winter individually or in small groups in either leaf litter or in covered areas close to the ground. Another common type is the larger seven spot ladybird which often hibernates in garden sheds or tree bark. They usually emerge in spring so that they can lay their eggs in good time for them to hatch in the following summer months. This happens when the adult female chooses to lay her eggs on or near a prolific aphid colony, so that when the eggs hatch their prey is guaranteed. The larvae will eat hundreds of aphids in about three weeks before they pupate and change into a beautiful flying beetle. Other species include the 22 spot ladybird, which are only two to three millimetres long. The 14 spot ladybird is only slightly larger. These yellow and black ladybirds are generally not as common, or as striking perhaps as the red ones, although I consider them just as beautiful. One reason why many ladybirds have such vivid and striking colours which announce their presence is that they are a defence mechanism - it is a warning to its predators that whilst they can be seen and caught, they do not taste nice. The rarer species of ladybirds in Britain must be actively protected. The Harlequin ladybird is an invasive creature from Eastern Asia. It is a larger creature than British ones, and can look more like what most people think of as a conventional beetle. But as well as eating aphids, they prey on other, smaller ladybirds. I can enjoy some feral animals (ie creatures not native to Britain) which add to our biodiversity. But like many conservationists, I dislike and do not welcome invasive species, which are feral animals that become dangerous to indigenous wildlife. Many conservationist organisations, including the Wildlife Trusts and the Foundation for Endangered Species amongst others would like to receive information about the Harlequin ladybird’s presence. This is because they then could be monitored in any one locality. Consequently our indigenous ladybirds may be able to remain free from their damaging predation. In this way caring gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts would be acting as a kind of wildlife ‘amateur policeman’. This is a growing tendency in Britain, which has gathered pace with programmes such as Springwatch where viewers gathered information about their local wildlife and sent it to the appropriate conservation groups. When everyone participates in wildlife activities, a much better and clearer picture can be painted, resulting in better outcomes. Another way of directly helping these beautiful creatures is by buying or making a ladybird cum lacewing box. These are practical homes for many species depending on where the box is situated; generally speaking lacewings prefer the box lower to the ground, whilst many ladybirds have a liking for them to be higher up. After I placed my own box on the house wall, I noticed a sharp increase of ladybird numbers in the garden, and in particular on the stinging nettle patch which I allowed to grow. Whilst I cannot recommend growing nettles to all gardeners, especially those with children, I can report that I once counted nearly twenty ladybirds including six different species. When I see a Harlequin ladybird, I will act to stifle the danger it poses. But I am also ‘growing’ as many native species as possible. Why? Because I feel the same as many other people probably do, even if some of them have stifled their feelings over the years. Ladybirds are just as beautiful now as they always have been and have a loving place in the wildlife garden.

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

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What happened in... 

 ...December 1966?  By Patrick D Cousins   

For billions of children worldwide, from the Twenties until…well, for happy ever after, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a special piece of magic from Walt Disney. Born in December 1901, this entrepreneur, business magnate, cartoonist, animator, voice actor (a big thank you from Mickey Mouse), producer, director and screenwriter spent most of his life not just fulfilling his own dreams but creating dreams for countless generations to come. Part-way through producing The Jungle Book, on December 15 1966, Walt Disney died of lung cancer. According to rumour his body was cryogenically

frozen pending a cure for the disease. Well, who wouldn’t want to believe that Walt Disney is in suspended animation?

1st: Following the declaration of independence from Britain, Rhodesia’s Prime Minister, Ian Smith, and Harold Wilson held talks aboard HMS Tiger, in the Mediterranean, with no positive outcome. 8th: The USA and the USSR signed a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons in outer space.

21st: Russia launched Luna 13, which made a soft landing on the moon three days later (Is another atmosphere, eg the moon’s, technically ‘outer space’? I just wondered). 23rd: The final episode of Ready Steady Go! was broadcast. This programme had been a regular feature

Petrol was about 5/- 3d a gallon The average price of a house was about £3,840

Three of the bestselling singles this year were: Green Green Grass Of Home, Tom Jones What Would I Be, Val Doonican Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys

of Friday evenings since August 1963 and the viewing figures peaked on 20 March 1964, when the Beatles were interviewed, before performing their then current hit Can’t Buy Me Love, as well as It Won’t Be Long and You Can’t Do That. The first screening of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, starring Clint Eastwood, took place in Italy. American audiences would have to wait another twelve months to see it and it didn’t premiere in London until ’68. This film was memorable as much for its evocative music as anything else. 24th: I bought my first threepiece suit, off-the-peg from Burton, for £14.10/-. It was a bit short in the arms but as long as I kept my hands in the pockets it didn’t show. 31st: I went swimming in the Thames at midnight. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Fortunately I was rescued by a passing police launch and spent the first few hours of 1967 in A&E. My three-piece-suit was ruined.

A very merry Christmas to both of my readers; and please buy my books from Amazon: Rainbows, Dreams and Angels is a double novella and Short Shorts is a collection of short stories and humorous articles. 

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Beauty 

Facial Massage - For Beautiful Skin by Helen Taylor RSPCA Middlesex North West stepped The salon is the most in to save a litter of effective treatment, three week old kit particularly because you will tens after their poor be very relaxed. But if you mum was struggling  don’t have time to get to the to care for them. salon, or you want to keep  up the good work between Homeless cat Molly wasn’t producing enough       follow our guide to  milk to feed five hungry mouths and desper  visits,     ately needed some help, and eventually her  performing effective  an milk dried up altogether. Toad, Frog, Tad  massage yourself at home.      pole, Newt and Minnow were left to fend for         1. After thoroughly themselves .         cleansing your face, take  a moisturiser, face oil Tracy decided to hand rear the kittens which  or serum and use your might sound cute, but three week old kittens    knuckles  to  - gently but  need to be fed every two hours and are with  firmly - massage the Tracy 24/7. It’s hard work.     all  product over your face,  ensuring that you work For now all five kittens need constant care,  from the centre outwards and are being kept warm on a little heat pad  to your ears. Do the same rather than snuggling up to mum. They will  for your neck. be available for rehoming in around a month  2. Next, de-clog your once they are fully weaned.  pores by moving your  fingertips over the The RSPCA is urging people to adopt a kit    same  area - working from ten rather than buy one because of a surge  the middle of your face in abandoned and neglected cats so far this      outwards upwards, year. you would like to adopt a little kitten,     Image: If Courtesy of Clinique and    towards the lympnodes, or another animal please call us on 020 8966  situated behind under 9688 or email info@rspcamiddlesex.org.uk. Most people appreciate me-up, but it’s a useful tool the earlobes - to promote To benefits view allofthe animals forfight a new the a neck and looking in the against ageing. drainage. home, visit www.rspcamiddlesex.org.uk shoulder massage to ease By relaxing the muscles, 3. Use the flat and heel tension. But life’s everyday will appear If you can, help usinto your care face for Toad, of your thumb and the stresses canplease also build-up softened and stresses will Frog, Tadpole, Newt and Minnow by making side of your bent index the facial muscles, ultimately be released. The massage a donation. bottle and finger in a pinching flick resulting in a Just lined £5 andcould buywilla also help to drain some kitten milk. To donate please call movement along your jaw furrowed brow. fluid build-up from around Aileen on   , visit our website line, starting from your A facial massage is a theoreyes, increase blood send a chin, then moving to each great way to refresh your circulation and make the donation to RSPCA Middlesex North West ear. skin, smooth-out wrinkles you apply afterwards Branch, 114 Field End Road, creams Eastcote, Mid 4. Move your fingertips in and relax. Not only will even more effective because dlesex , HA5 1RL. Thank you. small circular motions the ‘down-time’ during the they’ll be more easily all over your face, again treatment be an instant pick- absorbed into the skin. 

starting at the centre and moving outwards and. Do small sections at a time, working from your chin to ear, lip to ear, nose to temple, centre of forehead to hairline. 5. Using your fingertips tap gently around the eye area, apply an eye cream if you wish. Start at the outer corner and move to the inner, taking care not to be too heavy-handed. Massage around the eye contours to help brighten the eye area, working around the eyes in a circular motion using a light pressure from your fingertips. This will help to reduce puffiness from the eye and drain fluid build-up.

6. Next, tap all over your face using the same action, working again from the centre and moving outwards. 7. Ease tension in your face by stroking upwards from your brow, this will serve to smooth and lift the skin. Do the same for your neck - taking care to move only in an upwards direction. 8. Find the pressure points on your face: Pressure on the third eye - located right between your eyebrows - stimulates the pituitary gland

- this helps to enhance the all over condition of your skin. Press on this  area for 60 seconds. Located 1cm below the eye socket - right below the iris - the next pressure point will help to reduce blemishes. Press on this point under both eyes for 60 seconds. 9. End your facial massage by pinching your earlobes between your thumb and forefinger. Once you’ve finished your skin should have a pinky flush and a healthy radiant glow and you should feel totally relaxed.

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 

The Gambia By Solange Hando

Glancing at the map of Africa, it’s easy to miss the Gambia. Tucked on the bulge of the western coast, it is the smallest country on the mainland, barely 30 miles across at its widest point, stretching along the lower section of the Gambia river. This mere ribbon of land is surrounded by Senegal on three sides but claims a fine coastal strip where the river meets the Atlantic ocean. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of independence for one of Africa’s most stable states, no longer part of the Commonwealth but still using English as its official language, at least for the time being. Add the promise of winter sun, just six hours away and no jetlag, and it’s no wonder the Gambia has proved popular with British tourists. Imagine soft tingling sands, swaying palms, warm waters, a cool sea breeze sweeping the shore, the perfect picture postcard whether one opts for quiet beaches or the popular Senegambia strip with its fruit stalls, thatched restaurants and savvy ‘bumsters’ selling African beads, wood carvings, sea shells and cashew nuts. It’s friendly, colourful and most exciting when a small fleet of 

dug-out canoes appears on the horizon, riding the crest of the waves, and everyone rushes down to the beach to help pull in the fishing nets. There’s much bargaining and sorting out on the sand, red snapper, bonga, cat fish, calamari and more, before the men head for home with whatever is left for the family’s supper. Broad sands cover much of the shore, secluded coves hide here and there, framed by rocks and cliffs, and when the sun sets all red and gold over the ocean, myriad tropical birds twitter in the trees. It’s a magical moment. But there is more to the Gambia than sand and sea. Banjul, the capital, has a lively market brimming with fancy footwear, frilly clothes, batik, knobbly tomatoes and bags of ice cold water. Tailors compete for business, babies bob on their mother’s back and tourists climb up to the balcony for a bird’s eye view of the nearby streets. Meanwhile, others seek out the Gambia’s UNESCO heritage, from Kunta Kinteh island and related sites, highlighting European encounters and the slave trade, to the stone circles of Senegambia, a vast cross-

border area with a sacred landscape dating back 1500 years. As for nature lovers, the Gambia is a dream. You may not find the ‘Big Five’ of eastern or southern Africa but this tiny country manages seven nature reserves and national parks, home to monitors and crocodiles, endangered monkeys, pretty butterflies such as the dark blue pansy or citrus swallowtail, and 576 species of birds, in wetlands, forest and along the shore. Highlights include watching the sun rise over the mangrove when nothing disturbs the peace but the gentle paddle of traditional canoes. A bird calls, a kingfisher dives in a flash of colour and soon the dawn chorus rises all around, parakeets, sunbirds, sanderlings, drongos, black egrets and many more. A golden light spreads across the creek, oyster shells glisten on the mangrove roots and the canoes drift in silence in this quiet country basking on the banks of its namesake river. According to legend, Gambia means ‘place of the king’, a glorious name for the smallest nation on the African mainland.

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Local Dated Events (Dec14)_Layout 1 26/11/2014 10:24 Page 1

Local & Festive Events

December 2014 into January 2015

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DECEMBER EVENTS

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Festive Events at Smith’s Nurseries 95 Oxford Road, New Denham, UB9 4DE Thu 4th December, 5.30pm-8.30pm Christmas Shopping Evening 15% off your shopping - save on your Christmas decorations, lights and gifts. 4th-14th December Visit our Christmas Street A mini street of seasonal delights all displayed in beautiful festive cabins! For more details call 01895 233 844, visit us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

Stardust Big Band Christmas Concert Sat 6th December, 5.30pm-7.30pm The Great Barn, Manor Farm Site, Ruislip HA4 7SU. Guest singer Rebecca Lodge from BBx singers. In aid of the Mayor’s chosen charity Michael Sobell Hospice. Call Manor Farm Library for more details 01895 558234 the great barn is unheated so wrap up warm! Hillingdon Fostering & Adoption events 9th December, 6:30-8:30pm, 18th December, 10am-12noon, 13th January 2015, 6.30-8.30pm. Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. Interested in learning more about fostering and adoption? Attend one of our free events. To book a place contact 0800 783 1298 or email: fost-adopt@hillingdon.gov.uk for more info visit:www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/ 24056/Events Christmas Tree Festival St Peter’s Church, Thorney Lane North, Iver SL0 9JU. Come and see the trees on display throughout the weekend Fri 12th December 10am-6pm Sat 13th December 11am-9pm Sun 14th December 12noon-2.30pm Join in the informal carol singing around the trees on Sat 13th at 7pm Come and worship with us surrounded by the trees on Sun 14th - Holy Communion at 9.15am or Family Praise at 11am Entry is free, refreshments at a small charge. Ickenham Festive Community Night Fri 12th December, 6pm-9pm Around Swakeleys Road, Ickenham Village Hall, Gelbe Avenue and Community Close, Ickenham, UB10 8DG. For a great night out featuring a wide range of music, games festive sales plus special

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attractions with many local shops opening late, hospitality and fun plus Christmas themed lights in and around the village. Further information on how you can get involved is on the Ickenham Festival website at www.IckenhamFestival.org.uk. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IckFest or call or text on 07516 984514. Christmas Fayre Sat 13th December, 12-3pm Denham Village Infant School, Cheapside Lane, UB9 5AE. All welcome! Come and see Father Christmas. Grand Raffle /Auction, Craft Room. Enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake, plus much more.

Hillingdon Choral Society present ‘Christmas is coming...’ Sat 13th December, 7.30pm St. Paul’s Church, Thurlstone Road, Ruilsip Manor, Middlesex HA4 0BP Conductor: Peter J Williams Organist: Rufus Frowde Solists: Celia Gould & Lynne Hirst Carols old and new, audience participation and Vivaldi’s ‘Magnificat’. Tickets on the door or from Pro Music shop, Ickenham. £12 adults/£3 children. For details call 07941 601966 or visit www.hillingdonchoralsociety.org.uk The Uxbridge Choral Society performing Martin How's ‘Advent Cantata’ Sat 13th December, 7.30pm St. Margaret's Church, Windsor Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1AB. Conductor: Jeff Stewart. Tickets: £12 adults, £6 for under 12s, available on the door on the night or by calling 01895 847083 in advance. ‘Light up a Life’ Ceremonies Sun 14th December, 3.30pm and 5.30pm Michael Sobell Hospice Lecture Hall, Gate 3, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, HA6 2RN. A special event when people come together to celebrate, reflect and remember loved ones who are no longer with us – whether

DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE! If you would like us to publicise your event in our January issues contact us no later than Friday 12th December.

they received hospice care or not. There will be two ceremonies with performances from the Lemon Tuesday choir. Refreshments will be served. Free entry and parking. Pre-booking is essential call 01923 844730 to reserve a place. HUBB Business Breakfast Event Thu 8th January, 8am-9am Bay Lodge, 36 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PH. Networking with local professionals and in partnership with the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. ‘The New Pension Landscape’. From April 2015 there will be massive changes to pension legislation, find out how it can improve your retirement. Coffee & pastries. For details email: emma.zovich@wardwilliams.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC EVENTS The Swan at Iver 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG Fri 5th Dec Stealworks return, 9.30pm Other music nights will be available during the festive period, see www.swaniver.co.uk The 3 Steps High Street, Cowley, Uxbridge, UB8 2DX Sat 6th Dec Ska Night with ‘The Skammers’ from 9pm til late Sat 13th Dec ‘The Stiles’ from 9pm til late Sat 20th Dec Live music from the ‘Fantastic Elastic Band’ from 9pm til late Sat 27th Dec Live music from ‘J45S’ from 9pm til late Wed 31st Dec Celebrate NYE with us from 8pm to late. Live music from ‘Two Shades’ with a spectacular Firework Display and Prize Raffle. Entrance by ticket only £5, price includes one free drink per customer The Falcon Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE Fri 19th Dec Live music with John & Leigh an evening of Rock, Pop, Soul & Swing. The WatersEdge Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS Sun 21st Dec Live music from Natalie, Vinnie and friends! A great way to get in the festive spirit! All starts at 8pm. Uxbridge Folk Club Uxbridge RNA, 388a Long Lane, Hillingdon UB10 9PG (2 mins from Hillingdon tube) Thu 11th Dec Folk, Blues and slide guitar with Garry Smith gsgarrymsmith.wix.com/ theslideguy

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Eastcote Spotlight Feature (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 17:13 Page 5

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Christmas has

 in Eastcote arrived

2014  With the Christmas festivities fast approaching the  of Commerce organised their Eastcote Chamber ﬁrst event to switch on the Christmas Lights  throughout the High Street.  

The support from sponsors Lawrence Rand, Ruislip Windows, Back to my Roots and Patisserie Brione together with the Ascott pub who hosted the evening, contributed to a hugely successful evening for families in and around Eastcote.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

EASTCOTE

The lights were switched on by the Mayor of the London Borough of Hillingdon, Cllr Catherine Dann (pictured left) which was greeted enthusiastically by the young children present and heralded the start of the Christmas period. Local Councillors' Cllr N Deny, Cllr B Haggar, Cllr E Lavery and Cllr T Barnes together with Council representatives were there to support the event and congratulate the Chamber team on a well organised evening.

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The highly successful Halloween competition sponsored by the Chamber resulted in a large number of children attending the evening who had entered the competition, in anticipation of winning a prize. The winning prizes were presented on the evening by the Mayor. The entertainment was provided by Cannon Lane Junior School and Churches Together in Eastcote. Santa Claus was on hand to listen to children's expectations for the festive period and were all rewarded with an early Christmas present. The Eastcote Chamber would like to place on record their thanks to the Ascott pub (pictured above) and the generosity of the sponsors who made the evening possible.

Geoff Brown

Vice Chair Geoff Brown

Eastcote Chamber of Commerce

EASTCOTE

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Eastcote Spotlight Feature (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 17:14 Page 7

MMC

Eastcote

past two decades, localism has been the watchword of political parties of every hue. It’s a simple but compelling idea: take power from the central government at Westminster and transfer it to the regions. After all, local governments should be much better at representing the interests of their citizens than a central government that, typically these days, 60% of the electorate didn’t vote

past & present

In the Middle Ages Eastcote was one of three areas that made up the parish of Ruislip, under the name of Ascot.

The extension of the Metropolitan Railway in 1904 (pictured above) brought a number of visitors seeking a day out in the countryside and the 1930’s saw the development plan for the Eastcote Park Estate, this comprised of Abbotsbury Gardens, Devonshire Road, Lowlands Road, Deanecroft Road, Rushdene Road and The Chase. A number of new houses were then built in the 1950’s around Newnham Avenue. SPOTLIGHT ON...

EASTCOTE

In the early part of the 20th century Eastcote was a small community with around 120 cottages.

Eastcote Spotlight Feature (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 17:14 Page 8

past twothe decades, localism has During Second World been the watchword of political War Eastcote housed an parties of every hue. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple outstation foridea: the take nowpower but compelling from the central government at famous Bletchley Park code Westminster and transfer it to the breaking activities. regions. After all, local

governments should be much Eastcote today is semi-rural better at representing the interests and boasts numerous green of their citizens than a central spaces withthat, mostly semigovernment typically these days, 60% ofand the electorate detached detacheddidnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t vote houses. The Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines at Eastcote station have excellent links into London.

The town centre in Field End Road has a diverse range of shops, restaurants and pubs with excellent parking facilities. Come along and see for yourself what the local trades and businesses have to offer.

EASTCOTE

SPOTLIGHT ON...

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Tu 

2 O

The Curtain Gallery 

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MMCG FP (Dec14)_Layout 1 25/11/2014 14:23 Page 1

Maria Mallaband Care Group announce launch of new...

Gerrards Cross Care Home Buckingham House based in Gerrards Cross recently hosted its grand opening, where

founder,

Chairman

and

CEO,

Phil Burgan presented Gerrards Cross Community Association with a cheque for ÂŁ500. Buckingham House is the latest care home launched by Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG) and provides nursing, dementia and residential care for 53 residents. Maria Mallaband Care Group is one of the UK's leading care home providers renowned for offering comfortable, luxurious facilities and outstanding services. Our staff aim to build confidence and promote independence to enable residents to lead a fulfilling life with dignity and respect at all times, ensuring their residents needs come first and foremost. Each bedroom is en-suite and decorated to a hotel standard. The home boasts a number of lounges, 2 dining areas, 2 cafĂŠs, library and hair dressing salon, as well as beautifully landscaped gardens and secluded patio area.

If you would like to book a tour of Buckingham House Care Home, or would simply like more information about the home, please call 01753 468200, email: Buckingham.House@mmcg.co.uk, or visit www.mmcgcarehomes.co.uk.

MMCG FP (Dec14)_Layout 1 25/11/2014 14:23 Page 2

Eastc

RCHS...FP (Dec14)_Layout 1 27/11/2014 03:26 Page 1

CHRISTMAS COLOUR IT is at this time of the year when Christmas is round the corner, shops are full of tinsel and those Christmas tracks of old are being played on the radio. You think you have weeks before you even have to think about sending a card or buying a present, then suddenly, its 2015. You should have now given the grass its last cut of the year, make sure you keep the grass free from rotting leaves etc., it is a good idea to give it an Autumn treatment too, this keeps the moss down and strengthens the grass roots for the winter, try and do this no later than Christmas, it is still mild, so will be fine. Also it keeps weeds down that start growing as soon as mild days arrive! I use Evergreen Autumn grass food. Worth the investment! Also keep the borders free of leaves and dying foliage, this helps reduce places where slugs and snails can over winter! I had some emails this month from a few readers who asked if there are any other highly scented shrubs I can recommend for the winter garden. Well there is! I do love those winter flowing shrubs with high scent that also do well when cut, so you can bring them into the house over Christmas and really enjoy that scent filtering around the home. It saves on those plug ins and seasonal air fresheners! Viburnum x Bodnantense ‘DAWN’ is one plant I won’t do without, it is one of the earliest flowering hardy shrubs and can on mild winters, flower as early as November! It is a little boring in summer but really makes up for it in winter, its origin - a Hybrid developed at Bodnant garden Cornwall in 1934! It all seems a little surreal talking about Christmas only being round the corner when we have just has the hottest Halloween on record with the mercury in southern counties reaching 240c! However it is soon time for Christmas decorations. I don’t think there is anything better than real, rather than false plants around the home, so here are a few ideas of plants and flowers to have around the home this Christmas. POINSETTIA. This is probably the most well known Christmas plant, with its bright red tips and green leaves. I often hear that people complain they can’t keep these long, leaves start falling off and become brown and go crispy. A few tips to consider - these plants seriously do

not like a rapid change in temperature, even when carrying from the shop to the car if there is a drop in temperature you will be in trouble. Keep it in a brightly lit room where temperature changes are minimal, not in direct sun or the leaves will burn. Water from the bottom and only once a week, and you could keep this plant until Easter! CHRISTMAS CACTUS (Schlumbergera bridgessii) The Christmas cactus will adapt to low light conditions, but the plant will produce blooms more readily if exposed to brighter light. Once again, bear in mind that too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keep the Christmas cactus in an appropriate area to avoid this. Moisture is important as well. The plant requires frequent and thorough watering, especially during active growth in spring and summer. Allow Christmas cactus moisture levels to drop and dry out some between watering intervals, but never completely, and never let the plant sit in water, as this will lead to root and stem rot. AMARYLLIS is another popular plant. Tall and graceful, it sure does make a statement if placed in the center of a table or a windowsill, if you purchase a bulb, place the roots in warm water for a few hours before planting. Use a nutritious compost such as John Innes No. 2, with a little grit and multipurpose compost added. Place in a warm bright place, water sparingly until the stems appear. Stake as it gets bigger to keep it straight. Easy to look after. HOLLY. One of my favorite, cut and placed down the center of the Christmas Dinner table wrapped around candles really adds to that fantastic Christmas atmosphere. Use some spray snow to really bring these cut branches alive. When cut, you can place in water, however this plant will last a few days cut without water. The bright red berries only appear on the female plant. Surprisingly, while holly is a traditional Christmas plant, its origins date back to Druids, who thought the plant represented everlasting life. Christians adopted the plant as a symbol of Jesus’ promise of everlasting life. The RCHS would like to wish all its members and readers a very Happy Christmas, thank you to all of you who have contacted the RCHS this year and those who have joined as members. We have a great line up for 2015 which I am sure you will enjoy Please visit our website www.ruisliphorticultural.org.uk for full details about us and our shows, talks and becoming a member. In January, Our chairman Viv Ash will be telling you all about the history of the RCHS and the plans for 2015. In the meantime have a fantastic Christmas and don’t forget the garden!

Warren

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 Hobbies  Fishing: the hobby  that’s just on the tip of your tongue! 

By Kate McLelland

“Hook, line and sinker”, “Cold fish”, “something fishy”, “fishing for compliments”: the British language is peppered with colourful expressions that celebrate our traditional love of fishing. Catching fish with a rod and line may have been a matter of survival for our ancestors, but these days it’s simply regarded as an enjoyable hobby or sport. Angling generates a staggering £3.5 billion a year for the economy, employing 37,000 people across the UK. In a recent report the Angling Trust estimated that over the last two years four million people have gone fishing, and numbers are growing all the time. So if you’ve longed to try your hand at angling, here’s a quick guide to get you started:

What is angling? By definition “angling” is any kind of fishing that uses an “angle” or fish-hook. Over time this activity has evolved into three different types: coarse fishing, game fishing and sea fishing. “Game fishing” is limited to catching trout and salmon, while “Sea fishing” applies to any species of fish that lives in the sea. The term “Coarse fishing” is used for catching any freshwater fish apart 

from salmon or trout.

What’s it like to go fishing? Angling can be a hobby, a competitive sport or the focus of a relaxing holiday (87% of respondents in a recent survey said that their main reason for fishing was for “rest and relaxation”). While some anglers enjoy getting away from it all, others prefer to go fishing with friends, or chat to fellow fishermen. Angling can also be a gateway to learning about, and caring for, the environment. What does it cost? Fishing can be expensive if you allow yourself to get carried away, buying expensive equipment and accessories. However it’s possible to start out on a relatively modest budget and upgrade over time. You can buy a basic coarse fishing kit, with nets, rods and accessories, for about £60. What do I need? You will need a rod and reel, a line, hooks, bobbers, weights, pliers, a landing net, a small tackle box, a scale and tape measure and perhaps a few lures (unless you are going to use live or prepared baits at first).

Do I need permission to go fishing? Over the age of 12 you will need a licence to fish with a rod and line for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eel in England (except the River Tweed), in Wales and the Border Esk region of Scotland. You can buy your rod licence at Post Offices: over the phone (telephone 0844 800 5386) or online. Licences can be arranged for short periods of time or for as long as a year. An annual licence currently costs £27 (or £72 if you want to fish for salmon and sea trout). If you are unsure about taking up fishing in the long term, you should probably choose a one day or an eight day licence. However, don’t be tempted to try fishing without a licence: if you are caught, you may face a fine of up to £2,500. When can I fish? The “close season” for fishing is between 15th March and 15th June each year and during that period you are not allowed to fish. The coarse fishing close season applies to all rivers, streams and drains in England and Wales but not most stillwaters (although there are

ll m l

exceptions). Some clubs and fisheries introduce their own close season rules, so check before you fish.

Where can I fish? There are thousands of rivers, streams, lakes, piers and waterways in urban and rural locations where you can gain some experience. You will find information online at www.rod-and-line. co.uk and www.fish-uk.com or join the Environment Agency’s page on Facebook to discover waterways that have recently been cleared for fishing. If you prefer to wait till the summer you can follow www. nationalfishingmonth.co.uk: a site created to encourage more people to go fishing. Either visit their website or phone (during office hours) on 0333 577 9970.

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What do I do once I’ve caught a fish? The anglers’ website www.fishuk.com states that anglers should always return a fish to the water after it has been caught. It recommends laying the fish on an unhooking mat and gently removing the hook (barbless hooks make removal much easier). Fish should be handled as little as possible or they will lose their protective, slimy coating. Never throw one back into the water: instead you should slowly immerse the net and let the fish swim away. Many anglers like to measure their catches, weigh them

or take photographs before putting them back. Anyone who has listened to anglers’ tales about “The one that got away” will know that patience and skill plays a large part in fishing and it may be helpful to learn from an experienced angler when you are starting out: a list of instructors is available at www.fish-uk.com. As an island nation, it’s hardly surprising that fishing has become embedded in our language and our culture. Angling is growing in popularity, so don’t be a fish out of water: it won’t be long before you are well and truly hooked!

s’

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 The 

Christmas Truce by Alison Runham

German soldiers of the 134th Saxon Regiment and British soldiers of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment meet in no man’s land, December 26

Christmas Eve 1914. The Western Front. Weeks of rain have ended and mud is becoming ice. Despite calls for a Christmas ceasefire, fighting has continued throughout December, although today it seems half-hearted in many places. Staff Sergeant Clement Barker is in his trench with his comrades. Across No Man’s Land, the Germans are decorating tiny trees sent from home with candles as they sing Stille Nacht (Silent Night). “The trenches were a blaze of Christmas trees,” one Tommy recalled, “and our sentries were regaled for hours with traditional Christmas songs.” In some places, English troops decide that they “ought to retaliate in some way.” “So we sang The First Noël... they all began clapping; and then they struck up another favourite of theirs, O Tannenbaum.” At Barker’s trench, a German soldier appears. “He said that if (we) did not fire, they wouldn’t in the morning,” Barker wrote later. Next morning, Barker’s men cautiously venture out to retrieve and bury their dead. No shots are fired. Soon they’re shaking hands with the Germans and exchanging gifts, and then “a football is kicked out of our trenches, and Germans and English play 

football.” Henry Williamson, who later wrote Tarka the Otter, also recalled football matches, but behind German lines; if British and German troops played together, he made no mention of it. However, despite the myths surrounding Truce matches between both sides, some are well-documented in letters. Two soldiers of the 6th Cheshires described a huge, free-for-all match in Wulverghem, Belgium, where No Man’s Land was less damaged by shell fire. Williamson recalled the Germans singing Silent Night, too, before inviting the English closer. His unit suspected a trap. “We crept out... expecting any moment to fall flat with the machine guns opening up. And nothing happened.” Both sides were soon exchanging gifts and greetings, and similar scenes were occurring at many points along the Front. Cigarettes, rations, uniform buttons and even addresses were exchanged. One English trench received a German chocolate cake, together with a ceasefire request and an invitation to an impromptu concert. “Just think,” wrote one soldier to his family, “while you were eating turkey I was talking and shaking hands with the very men I had been trying to

kill a few hours before!” The truce at Williamson’s position held for four days before orders arrived to end fraternisation, while the Germans were warned to expect visits from senior officers; they sent a message across, explaining that they would have to fire their machine guns, but would fire high to avoid hitting anyone. For Barker, peace lasted a little longer too. “Night came and still no shots. Boxing day the same, and has remained so up to now,” he wrote a few days later. But gradually fighting resumed. Captain J.C. Dunn’s account of resuming hostilities is poignant: “I fired three shots in the air and put up a flag with “Merry Christmas” on it, and I climbed on the parapet...[the Germans] put up a sheet with “Thank you” on it, and the German Captain appeared... We both bowed and saluted... he fired two shots in the air, and the War was on again.” Both truces (and football games) had occurred in earlier wars. So what makes the 1914 Christmas Truce especially memorable? Perhaps because in a war that cost over 10 million lives, it was, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said, “one human episode amid all the atrocities.”

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Beauty  

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Facial Massage - For Beautiful Skin

Image: Courtesy of Clinique

Most people appreciate the benefits of a neck and shoulder massage to ease tension. But life’s everyday stresses can also build-up in the facial muscles, ultimately resulting in a lined and furrowed brow. A facial massage is a great way to refresh your skin, smooth-out wrinkles and relax. Not only will the ‘down-time’ during the treatment be an instant pick

me-up, but it’s a useful tool in the fight against ageing. By relaxing the muscles, your face will appear softened and stresses will be released. The massage will also help to drain fluid build-up from around the eyes, increase blood circulation and make the creams you apply afterwards even more effective because they’ll be more easily absorbed into the skin.

by Helen Taylor The salon is the most effective treatment, particularly because you will be very relaxed. But if you don’t have time to get to the salon, or you want to keep up the good work between visits, follow our guide to performing an effective massage yourself at home. 1. After thoroughly cleansing your face, take a moisturiser, face oil or serum and use your knuckles to gently - but firmly - massage the product all over your face, ensuring that you work from the centre outwards to your ears. Do the same for your neck. 2. Next, de-clog your pores by moving your fingertips over the same area - working from the middle of your face outwards and upwards, towards the lympnodes, situated behind under the earlobes - to promote drainage. 3. Use the flat and heel of your thumb and the side of your bent index finger in a pinching flick movement along your jaw line, starting from your chin, then moving to each ear. 4. Move your fingertips in small circular motions all over your face, again

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6. Next, tap all over your face using the same action, working again from the centre and moving outwards.

7. Ease tension in your face by stroking upwards from your brow, this will serve to smooth and lift the skin. Do the same for your neck - taking care to move only in an upwards direction. 8. Find the pressure points on your face: Pressure on the third eye - located right between your eyebrows - stimulates the pituitary gland

- this helps to enhance the all over condition of your skin. Press on this area for 60 seconds. Located 1cm below the eye socket - right below the iris - the next pressure point will help to reduce blemishes. Press on this point under both eyes for 60 seconds. 9. End your facial massage by pinching your earlobes between your thumb and forefinger. Once you’ve finished your skin should have a pinky flush and a healthy radiant glow and you should feel totally relaxed.

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I’m Dreaming Of A Green  Christmas  by Pippa Greenwood   

With Christmas just around the corner, there is always plenty to do. True the garden side of things may be a little less busy than usual, but everything else seems to be going into overdrive.

I love giving presents, but only when I think that the recipient will really enjoy receiving it - whether that gift is a thing of beauty or something totally practical. With gardening as one of the nation’s top pastimes, I’m sure you’ll know more than a few gardeners so here are a few ideas for things which I am sure most green fingered friends would be delighted to receive. If you know a newish gardener or someone who has recently taken on a garden then the basic garden tools are always well received, especially if you choose good quality, sturdy ones. So think fork, spade and rake – yes, they are difficult to wrap but worth the effort. For anyone gripped by the Grow Your Own bug and who’d appreciate a helping hand you could give one of my ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood ‘ gift cards 

– they choose the veg they want to grow and I send them out, at the right time for planting and accompanied by weekly advice and tips emails….it couldn’t be simpler! Find out more at www.pippagreenwood.com

Weeding is always an issue so a hoe is useful or for smaller spaces (such as in between plants, in gravel, between paving, in asparagus beds or to tackle weeds within planters) try the hand held red-handled weeders – I think they’re indispensable. Small but always appreciated gifts could include a few packets of vegetable seeds. Although many garden centres are currently crammed full of tinselly, twinkly items for the festive season, most already have a good number of seeds in stock. Choose some particularly scrumptious varieties of vegetables or for those who are more concerned about looks than taste, how about some flamboyantly colourful flowers to brighten up their garden? If you want to spend a bit more and the person loves growing

things from seed, a heated propagator makes a fantastic gift. With tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and many of the fancier ornamentals needing to be sown soon, it’ll be a gift put to use straight away.

Gardening gloves too are something that any gardener can always have more of. Particularly useful are some of the gauntlet style gloves which are perfect if you have to tackle a pruning job on a thorny plant or one with really rough or sharp leaves. Totally practical, but gauntlets can make even a really unpleasant job so much easier – I even used mine to harvest holly for decorating the house last Christmas. Alternatively, there are many lower-priced types of gloves available with gripping pads on the fingers or with leather toughened strips across the knuckles to make sure that your hands don’t get too much of a beating while you are out in the garden. Classic greens, ravishing reds or funky florals, gloves are definitely not boring. Many gardeners and nongardeners alike love having

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birds  in the garden. They not only  help to keep certain pest  numbers down, but they also add an extra charm to the garden environment. How about a peanut feeder, nest box or perhaps even a bird table; there are many designs available from the modern to the rustic. For the husband, wife or partner who is less inclined to help with the tough jobs in the garden, give them a gentle nudge by gifting a brand new garden fork and spade; but if you feel that they really are beyond help, then admit defeat and give them a garden lounger or perhaps even a hammock? As container gardening continues to rise in popularity, another idea is to give a few gorgeous looking containers - either empty for the friend

or relative to decide what to put in it themselves, or make them into a complete gift by planting them up with a selection of plants and under planting them with bulbs which you know will bring extra delight next year.

it thoroughly on the journey from the garden centre to your car and from your car  into your house as even a tiny exposure to cold drafts and low temperatures can cause a lot of damage…….oh, and happy Christmas from me too!

Finally, don’t forget the plants themselves. Garden centres are currently crammed full of a delightful array of plants, mainly with houseplants being perfect for providing bright colour indoors at this time of year – take a look at the poinsettias, cyclamen, indoor azaleas and jasmines to get an idea of just some of the plants that would be great to give as gifts and remember when you buy any indoor plant from a garden centre during cold weather, it is essential that you protect

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com for a Great Range of Gardeningrelated Gifts including stylish ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ gift cards, Pippa’s favourite weeding tool, signed books and lots of seriously useful garden items for your friends & family…or for yourself!!!

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The Americans have a simple formula for muscle cars – big V8 engines, chunky coupé bodies, rear wheel drive. The Japanese, however, take a different ap proach – smaller highly tuned engines, compact bodies and lots of clever engineering. The result is sports cars that will keep up in a drag race but per form much better in the corners. Here’s my pick of the bunch.

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The penultimate model in Nis san’s acclaimed Z car range, the curvy styling harks back to the original 240Z but the 3.5 litre V6 is bang up to date, delivering 300bhp and a wonderful metallic howl. The 5.8 second 060 time is respectable without being outrageous while the handling is nearly up there with a Porsche Boxter. This smart allrounder is surprisingly affordable; pick up a 2007 model with 60k on the clock for £7500.        

                   The thinking man’s answer to the Subaru Imprezza WRX, the Evo takes a humdrum family saloon car and turns it into a fire breathing monster by turbo charging the 2.0 litre engine

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within an inch of its life and fit ting 4 wheel drive and some reasonably tasteful spoilers. The stock version produces 300bhp, good for 060 in 4.5 seconds, but tuners can easily uprate that to 460bhp. The real appeal of the Evo lies in the intelligent four wheel drive system which allows unbelievable cornering speeds; this car is really a thug in a suit. Buying one can be a minefield – lots of them have been over tuned, raced or stolen and re covered. There’s also ten differ ent versions to choose from. I found a 2006 Mk IX with only 39,000 miles on it for a relatively pricey £11k.            

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Arguably the most complete two seater roadster you can buy, the S2000 combines the simple styling of a Mazda MX5 with an amazing, normally aspirated 2 litre engine that revs all the way up to 9000rpm and produces an astonishing 240bhp, good for 0 60 in 6.2 seconds, not to men tion a totally addictive howl. With all that power, the handling can be a bit of a handful but wan nabe racers can have a lot of fun. Throw in Honda’s legendary reliability and build quality and what’s not to like? The car re ceived a minor facelift in 2004

so it’s worth buying one after that year. Expect to pay £7,500 for a pristine 04 car with less than 50k under its belt.            

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This muscular but curvaceous coupe is possibly the closest Nissan ever got to the American muscle car philosophy – it would stand up well to a Ford Mustang. Power comes from a twin turbo 3.0 litre V6 that kicks out a hefty 300bhp (serious oomph for the time). Despite the cutting edge chassis technology (it had adap tive rear wheel steering) the handling is only average but, with a comfy ride and bags of equipment, it makes an excel lent long distance cruiser. Unloved by Z car enthusiasts, the 300ZX really is as cheap as chips; you can pick one up for under a grand. £4800 gets you a mint 1994 example that has covered a mere 50,000 miles – undoubtedly the cheapest way of getting from 060 in 5 sec onds flat.

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In and Around Reader Travel 

Mamma Mia & Super 70s Carry on New Year Party From £279 3 nights, Friday 9 January, 2015 PP ●

 Isle of Wight  FREE DRINKS *FREE  UPGRADE SAVE 60 Mamma Mia  Warner

Bembridge 6pm to Midnight every night

£ PER COUPLE

Swinging Sixties Fab Feb Party From £259PP ● 3 nights, Friday 6 February, 2015 £10PP DEPOSIT

the Movie

Abba Rock Stewart & Ultimate Elton tributes Over 40s only Warner

Corton

Suffolk Coast FREE DRINKS 6pm to Midnight every night

The Fortunes Union Gap

Quote CW2-2-IA Great Entertainment, Free Drinks, good food and a super location by the sea near Lowestoft in Suffolk make Warner’s Corton Coastal Holiday Village a great party venue.

Call 01895 83 33 33 Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays & Voyages www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL

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Frankie Valli & Friends tribute

Over 40s only

ABTA No. Y0291

Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough  England’s Greatest Snowdrop Garden & Afternoon Tea at Marco Pierre White’s Frogmill Inn GREAT DAY OUT

Monday 16 February, 2015 - Quote CS2-IA INCLUDED: • Entry to Colesbourne

 a £79PP

Park Snowdrops

• Afternoon tea, including a glass of Prosecco, at the Frogmill Inn, Andoversford • Return coach travel

£ pp DEPOSIT

Thriplow Daffodil Festival & Lunch at a country pub GREAT DAY OUT

£69PP

Saturday 21 March, 2015 - Quote TD3-IA INCLUDED: Visit to Thriplow Daﬀodil festival • 2-course hot & cold buﬀet lunch with a glass of wine at the White Horse Hotel, Hertingfordbury • Return coach travel

Spring Back to the 60s Seaside Party at Pontins Pakefield £10pp DEPOSIT Suffolk Coast Friday 13 March, 2015 - Quote US3-IA INCLUDED: 3 free drinks per person per night - house spirits, wine by the glass, house beer, pumped soft drinks & mixers • Entertainment with The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Tremeloes plus Buddy Holly and Beatles tribute acts • 3 dinners & 3 breakfasts • 3 nights standard en-suite chalet – upgrade available • Return coach travel

4 DAYS HALF BOARD +

£179PP The Swinging Blue Jeans The Tremeloes Buddy Holly & Beatles tributes

3 FREE DRINKS per person per night

Over 40s only

Eastboune & South Coast Explorer 5 DAYS HALF BOARD

£229PP

Monday 23 March, 2015 - Quote EA3-IA INCLUDED: 4 nights at the Shoreview Hotel on Eastbourne seafront • 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts • Visits to Arundel and Brighton • Coach travel and excursions

£ pp DEPOSIT

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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Monday 22nd December

Tuesday 23rd December

Wednesday 24th December Thursday 25th December Friday 26th December

Wednesday 24th December Tuesday 30th December Friday 2nd January

Monday 29th December

Tuesday 30th December

Tuesday 6th January

Wednesday 31st December Thursday 1st January Friday 2nd January 

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Wednesday 31st December Thursday 8th January Friday 2nd January

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Christmas Home & Interiors The Best 

 Scandinavian Christmas

Gadgets For Her

By Katherine Sorrell

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Some tech firms haven’t quite got the hang of making products for women: a quick look around the shops shows that for some, making gadgets for girls of any age simply involves taking an existing model and making it pink. Thankfully not everybody thinks that way, and there are lots of decent products around that don’t look like they should belong to Barbie. If the person you’re buying for already has a Kindle, a tablet, Who doesn’t love a laptop or a smartphone, a luxury case makes a good Scandinavian style? It gift - but beware of supposedly combines classic withwith leather cases that come bargain basement price with tags, contemporary, pretty as that leather thethe kind you practical. Andisit’s only find on plastic cows. Think perfect look with which to designers such as Barbour (available from John Lewis), dress up your home for or beautiful Italian leather cases Christmas from Maxwell Scott. They’re not - Maxwell Scott’s iPad Incheap the Scandinavian countries case is £85 - but they’refrom pretty extremes of landscape, and useful, as aretothe £149 forests and fjords boiling luxury iPad available geysers andcases the Aurora from notonthehighstreet.com. Borealis, are all around you. If justdaylight got herself an iPhone Inshe’s winter, is fleeting, 6, Apple’s £35 genuine leather and keeping warm is a vital cases are good value too. part of life. No surprise, then, that homes feature Onetypical good gift for smartphone thick log walls, small, southor tablet owners is a wireless facing doors and speaker, such aswindows, Bose’s and thatched or birch-bark excellent SoundLink Mini roofs. Inside, vividly coloured (£179), Sony’s SRS-BTM8 

decorations in bright, rustic folk style provide relief from the long hours of night and the expanses of snow. Carved wooden spoons, bowls, cups and chests, strongly coloured, (£85) or woven JBL’s Flip (£100). rugs, blankets Cheaperand speakers are and cushions, available, but you do get what beautifully painted you pay furniture for. in ochres, reds and yellows If she doesn’t already haveare timeless tradition. a tablet, the there are stacks of options including the Appealing aslatest it is, iPad Mini (from £229) and the larger, there is much more more expensive iPad Air (£399), to Scandinavian Amazon’s newly updated Kindle style than colourful Fire HD rusticity, (from £79) and a whole however. bunch ofWhat cheapwe tablets such now called as the heavily discounted ‘Gustavian’ style Asus MeMO Pad, which is down became popular in to around £80. Don’t forget the late 18th century, Tesco’s Hudl, too, especially encouraged by the young if you’re a regular shopper: King Gustav III of Sweden, Tesco regularly runs promotions under whose patronage that double your Clubcard the grandeur of Versailles points when you buy a Hudl or and the skilled creations of accessories. master furniture-makers like Kindles makeand great gifts too, Hepplewhite Chippendale and there’s a brand new one were interpreted by native at the top of the range: the craftsmen in a gentler and Kindle Voyage (£169) has a more restrained way, blending better screen and automatic neo-classicism and brightness. The Kindle romantic Rococo Paperwhite is still a great buy at into a unique, £109, and the cheapest Kindle northern European is now just £59. decorative style. Many women’s Think symmetry,letters pale to Santa will include the initials GHD, colours (buttermilk whose hairblue, straighteners have and Baltic grey been tucked under Christmas and peppermint), trees for several years now. painted floorboards, The firm’s latest range is the ribbons and swags, GHD Curve, a collection of glass chandeliers, curling wands and tongs that gilding, mirrors and cost £110.

delicate wooden furniture with tapering legs and subtly carved details. Another major influence, a century or so later, was Swedish artist Carl Larsson and his wife, Karin. In the 1890s the couple decorated their rural cottage, Lilla Hyttnås, in a unique and For sporty way, typescombining there are innovative stacks gadget gifts, such as folk andofGustavian styles the Fitbit Flex activity tracker with contemporary European (£75), the Zepp motion sensor influences: Arts & Crafts, Art for tennis players (£129), Nouveau and Japonisme. Garmin’s Forerunner GPS Light and airy, pretty and watches (£89) and the TomTom functional, look was(£149). all Multi-Sportthe GPS Watch gingham andheadphones, geraniums, Don’t forget bread baskets, either:crocks Philips’and ActionFit Sports rag rugs and sprigged china. (£30), Sennheiser’s PMX When Carl’s(£35), watercolours of 685i Sports Monster’s the house were published, iSport Victory (£130) and the public response, in Sweden Pioneer’s SE-E721 (£40) have and afield,designed was beenfurther specifically for overwhelming; his pop books, runners and won’t out in or the fall early off. 20th century, did a great deal to popularise what If you really to typically delight we now see want as the a gadget fan, this year’s hot Scandinavian style of easytechnology is the smartwatch going Gustavian, folk arts and - of which LG’s G Watch R is an open-plan love of light and one of the nicest. The price space. And what he started, hadn’t been announced as we awent certain Swedish flat-pack to press but the Androidfurniture giant continued. compatible smartwatch is likely Ikea its first Sadly UK store to beopened keenly priced. the in 1987 and thenmany – whoofcan one smartwatch us forget? – in 1994tolaunched were really hoping see in our its Gustavian-style furniture Christmas stockings, the Apple range, accompanied by in Watch, isn’t going to appear an advertising 2014 after all: its campaign launch has thatput urged ustoallsome to ‘chuck been back point in out your chintz’. It sold like 2015. hot glogg, and theMaxwell rest is Images left to right: history – now all crave Scott iPad case;we Amazon theVoyage clean-lined, bright and Kindle (lifestyle press uncluttered look, styled shot); GHD Curve curling with pretty colours and wand; Philips ActionFit Sports dashes of folk art. headphones

folk-style embroidery are ideal for larger presents. A gingham table runner is delightful, as  are wooden or woven willow stars, berry garlands, miniature trees, appliquéd bunting and reindeer baubles. You’ve got the idea? Then raise a cup of schnapps and fill your home with festive Scandinavian cheer. Images: Far left top -Christmas stockings, hand-embroidered on wool felt, £48, Jan Constantine, Tel 01270 821194; www.janconstantine.com; Far left bottom - Embroidered birds stocking, £30, House of Fraser, Tel 0345 602 1073; www.houseoffraser.co.uk; Left bottom - Linen Scandi reusable Christmas crackers, £12.50 each, Kate Sproston Design. Tel 07765 675624; www.katesprostondesign.com; AboveScandi Merry Christmas decoration (set of four) £16, House of Fraser. Tel 0345 602 1073; www.houseoffraser.co.uk.

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RUISLIP What's On... (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 12:23 Page 1

Elliot

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REGULAR & LOCAL EVENTS...

Quiz Night Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Coach & Horses, Ickenham

Oaken Leaves English Folk Dance Club Meet every Thursday 8.15-10pm at Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road, Ruislip. Beginners welcome call Joan 01895 638008. Events at Eastcote Royal British Legion club, Southbourne Gardens Zumba Tue & Wed 7-8pm £5. Contact Hayley 07835 120642 or email: hayleyzumba@gmail.com Karate for all levels, beginners welcome contact Frank on 078335 33569 Sats 10am and Mons 6.30pm Weekly Quiz Night ! Every Thurs. COMEDY... Comedy Bunker Ruislip Golf Centre Ickenham Road Ruislip HA4 7DQ for more details of visit: www.comedybunker.co.uk Comedy Nights The Empire Comedy Club at The White Bear, Ickenham Road HA4 7DF every Thurs night. Pete 01895 675293 HOBBIES... Brushstrokes Art Classes with Sue Friendly weekly classes with tuition. Beginners welcome. Hayes, Ickenham & Ruislip. Ring Sue 01895 639294 or 07949 805246 Chiltern Aviation Society Meets every 4th Wednesday, Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham Road. Call Keith Hayward 01895 637872 Harrow & Hillingdon Geological Society Meet for lectures at 7.30 for 8pm on the second Wed of each month at Cavendish Pavilion, Field End Road, Eastcote, HA4 9PG. All welcome, visitors £3. Refreshments available. For details contact: Jean Sippy, Secretary Tel: 020 8422 1859 www.hhgs.org.uk Hillingdon Arts & Crafts Club Meet every 2nd Friday in The Parlour at the URC Church in Swakeleys Road from 9.45-11.30am. £3pp. Call Sue Williams 07799 054444.

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Hillingdon Decorative & Fine Arts Society Enjoy ten expert lectures a year about art and culture from around Britain and further afield. Join outings to galleries and places of cultural interest. Attend special interest study days. Come along to a lecture, cost £6.00. See www.hillingdondfas.co.uk. Tel:01895 635007 or 07526 179 529 E: technical@hillingdondfas.co.uk Hillingdon Family History Society At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Research room is open (10am-1pm) on the first Saturday of the month and on every Friday (except the Fri before the first Sat). Experienced help available. See www.hfhs.co.uk or contact Mrs Pat Reynolds 01895 444442 e: hillingdonfhs@onetel.com

Inland Waterways Association Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk Ruislip, Northwood & Eastcote Local History Society The Society meets on the third Monday of the month from September to April at St Martin's Church Hall, Ruislip High Street, at 8.15pm. See RNELHS website for details. Susan Toms, 01895 637134 or e: toms.susan@gmail.com Ruislip & District Natural History Society Meet last Monday of the month from Sept to April (except Dec) in Guide Hut near Ruislip Library. Contact: John Matthews 01895 636215. Ruislip Central Horticultural Society Talks and advice for local gardeners , new members welcome. for more info call Warren Reeves on01923 451616 or email rchstalks@gmail.com Ruislip & Northwood Flower Arrangement Society Meet every 1st Tues of the month at the Northwood & Pinner Liberal Synagogue, Oaklands Gate, Northwood HA6 3AA The Language Clubs of Hillingdon From late Sept until mid-July. Visitors welcome. Speak some German,

Spanish, French or Italian? Want to practise speaking and listening in friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers & native speakers? Join a Language Club! Each Club meets on a different Thursday of the month at 7.45pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 723; Italian Club 020 8863 3468; Spanish Club and French Club 01895 253 472. Uxbridge & Ickenham Floral Art Society Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. Call 01895 850943 for details. KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA... Aikido Classes Yeading Community Centre, UB4 9BH. Seniors: Mon & Fri 8-10pm. Juniors (6yrs+) Fri 6.30-8pm. Learn a non competitive martial art. Friendly British Aikido Board registered club, under Sensei Sheppard 6th dan. Full information on www.kuraiaikido.co.uk. Contact Keith Holland 01895 636344 or email kuraiaikido@hotmail.com Argosy Players Theatre Group Meets at Ruislip Conservative Club, Ickenham Road, West Ruislip. Every Thurs, 8pm. Call 07972 394702. Classical Pilates Mat classes for beginners through to advanced levels, based in Ruislip. Contact Tonja Osborn 07766 011036 or email TonjaOsborn@gmail.com Dance, Gymnastics and Free Running Classes By Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles of dance from RAD ballet,to Zumba. Check out our website for full class listings www.futunityuk.com. Contact 01895 251224 or admin@futunityuk.com Eastcote Exercise Classes Metabolic workout class, 45 minute stretch class. Mon, Tues & Sat mornings. Contact Virginia King 01895 232551 or email virginiaking@vking2468.freeserve.co.uk continued overleaf...

   

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RUISLIP What's On... (Dec14)_Layout 1 28/11/2014 12:23 Page 2

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  

KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...

Empowering Yoga Fusion of Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga Wed 9.30-10.45am at Windmill Studio Centre, Ruislip Manor. Thur 9.30-11am at St Thomas More Church, Eastcote + classes in Harrow. Free Trial Class contact Joanne 0845 4561336 e:info@empoweringyoga.co.uk Fusion Pilates+ Classes Mon 10-11am, St Lawrence Church, 2 Bridle Road, Eastcote, HA5 2SJ and Wed 8:30-9:30pm, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, HA5 1JD. Classes run throughout the year. For details contact Lenka 07929 472 194 or email rybickova.lenka@gmail.com Fitness League Tone & Stretch exercises for women of all fitness levels. Tues 7.30-8.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838. www.thefitnessleague.com Fitsteps An exercise class with a difference inspired by dances from Strictly Come Dancing. Every Monday 7-8pm. The Conservative Club, 56-58 Ickenham Road, Ruislip HA4 7DG. For more info Call Becca: 07860 353919 Glow Fitness, Food, Friends Classses: Ruislip 6-7.15pm at Field End Junior School, HA4 9PQ . Pinner 6.458pm at Cannon Lane Methodist Church HA5 1JD. Northwood 6-7.15pm at Hillside Junior School, Northwood Way HA6 1RX. Call Sam 01895 460766 or email: sam.simon@glow-fit.co.uk Images School of Dance Fun and friendly dance & drama classes for all ages including RAD Ballet & Contemporary dance. Based in Ruislip Manor. www.imagesschoolofdance.co.uk e: info@imagesschoolofdance.co.uk Irish Dancing Classes For boys and girls from age 5 upwards. Beginners and advanced classes available. Monday, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wednesday, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic church hall. e: Deirdreosullivan@hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383

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JAM2000 Performing Arts & Agency An explosive and exciting Performing Arts School. Classes available from 2.5 years to adults, male and female at The Windmill Studio Centre. T: 01895 624755 www.thewindmillstudio.com E: thewindmillstudio@gmail.com Jazzercise Dance fitness classes 9.30am and 10.30am every Wed at Ruislip Manor Sports & Social Club, Grosvenor Vale. Call Kelly on 07833 941497 Modern Jive Classes Mon 8-11pm at West Drayton Community Centre. Tues & Thurs 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 Passion Dance Group Based at Queensmead Sports Centre & Highgrove Pool. Classes include: Street Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Minie Me’z (3-6 years Ballet, Tap & Street), Kids Parties. We offer Shows, Workshops, Competitions and Assessments, Age 3+ all abilities welcome. Call 07882 413428 Pilates Certified Body Control Pilates Teacher (Registered Exercise Professional Level 3). Beginners matwork classes on Mondays & Thursdays at 1.30pm 2.30pm at the Stables, Manor Farm Ruislip and Monday 9am-10am at the Northwood Methodist Church. Local Beginners / Improvers evening classes starting January 2015. 07771 918240 Ruislip Dramatic Society Meets at South Ruislip Methodist Church. Mon 8pm & Thurs 8.15pm. Call 07854 284508.

Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.45-9.30pm Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm

The Pilates Club St Giles & The United Reformed Church Halls, Ickenham. Call 07968 920070 www.thepilatesclub.co.uk Yoga South Ruislip Community Association pregnancy yoga classes 9.45-11.15am at Deane Park Hall, Long Drive, South Ruislip. Call Katja on 07951 763851 Yoga with Yolanda At Ickenham Village Hall every Monday from 6.45pm-8.15pm. Mixed group. For details call 07919 243648 MARKETS... Duck Pond Artisan Food & Craft Market and Farmers’ Market Artisan Market - on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 10am-3pm, Farmers’ Market - first Sunday of each month from 10am-2pm. Both at the Great Barn, Ruislip. Free parking. See www.duckpondmarket.co.uk Mad Cat Crafts Hand painted and decorated objects. Wed to Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm at the Great Barn, Ruislip HA4 7SU. www.madcatcrafts.co.uk Northwood Craft Market First Saturday of each month 10am-2pm, Methodist Church Hall, Oaklands Gate, Northwood. www.northwoodcraftmarket.co.uk Ruislip Country Market Every Fri 10-11.30am - car park at St Martins Approach, Ruislip. Fruit, veg, eggs, honey, hand made cards and jewellery, cakes, pies and more... MUSIC... Accord, Ruislip Community Choir Meet every Thursday evening in term time at 7.30pm at Ruislip Baptist Church, Manor Way, Ruislip. We have over 65 choir members, but will especially welcome new male choir members. No auditions! A great fun choir, if you try us you will want to stay! Call Chris on 07714 226216. Capital Connection Ladies Harmony Singing Every Wed evening at South Ruislip Community Centre, Deane Park, Long Drive, HA4 OHS. Call Jean on 01895 474877 www.capitalconnection.org.uk continued overleaf...

Karen Munro Careers (Dec14)_Layout 1 25/11/2014 19:53 Page 1

Karen Munro - Career Coach www.munrocareers.co.uk #@munrocareers www.facebook.com/munrocareers 

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Karen is a professional Career Coach providing individual support in all aspects of employment including effective CV writing, interview skills training, networking and successful job searching. A member of the Career Development Institute and registered with the Careers Professional Alliance, a qualified Careers Practitioner and Trainer, she works with both private and business clients around Hillingdon, South Bucks and Middlesex. Karen is currently facilitating workshops and offering individual coaching to Military Personnel leaving the Armed Forces at RAF Northolt, helping them through their transition in to civilian employment. Karen writes for a number of careers focused and military resettlement magazines and regularly contributes to ‘In and Around’ sharing her practical experience with her local community. WELL, I know many of you will be like me and will not be ready for Christmas yet. Nevertheless I would like to wish all my readers and followers a very Merry Christmas! Personally, I can’t believe it’s that time of year again and I seem to say it every year. Where did the year go?

“December, is your time to prepare”! It’s time to update your C.V. How can you improve it and make it stand out? Do you need to get some help to make your C.V to make it better? It’s time to start gathering lots of examples regarding your skills and experience so you can write strong ‘achievement statements’ to include in your C.V as well as to discuss at interview. It’s time to start:

For many of us this is a very expensive and stressful time of year. Everywhere you look there is the constant message to spend money and lavish loved ones and friends with gifts they may not use or want. If you are out of work, or worried about your job security, then looking for a new job during the lead up to and over the Christmas period is almost impossible! Most organisations do very little recruiting at this time of year. It’s a time for winding down, Christmas staff parties and finishing off all those things around the office that no one ever gets time to do. But don’t worry. Because January is just around the corner and it’s notoriously a much busier time of year for recruiting. People tend to make a start on their New Year’s resolutions – “give up smoking, lose weight, get fit, book a holiday and get a better job”! So everything starts moving again in January.

• thinking about your career direction • recognising what do you really want to do • planning how you can go about it • putting together a robust Action Plan to map out your New Year and your new job. • researching organisations. Where do you think you’d like to work? • talking to your contacts – and what better time to do that than at Christmas; over some mulled wine and mince pies! • Don’t forget up to 85% of the job market is ‘hidden’. It’s not advertised but filled through word of mouth, friends of friends, networking meetings and speculative enquiries.

“Start networking”! By the time January comes around, you will have done all the ground work and you will be ready to put you plans in to action. Be ahead of the game! Once again, I hope you all have a stress free, healthy and happy Christmas. See you again in the New Year.

Karen

“unlocking your career potential” 

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 

MUSIC CONTINUED...

SOCIAL GROUPS...

SPORT...

Eastcote Choral Society Rehearses every Tuesday from 8-10pm at Ruislip Methodist Church, Ickenham Road. New singers welcome. Call 01895 904556.

Crosier Investment Club Learn about the Stock Market and improve personal investment skills. Meets 7.30pm, 3rd Thurs in month at Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Pinner HA5 1AA. 0208427 3559 e:secretary@crosierinvestment.org.uk w: www.crosierinvestment.org.uk

Back to Netball Thurs 7-8pm at Queensmead Sports Centre £3 per session for more info email sportsdev@hillingdon.gov.uk

Ruislip Operatic Society This local theatre group meets every Monday & Thursday at St Martin's Church Hall, 7.30pm. To get involved email: info@ruislipos.org The Harrow Apollo Male Choir Rehearse every Tues 7.30pm-10pm in the Belmont Room at the Harrow Arts Centre Hatch End. New members welcome. Tel: 020 8959 1244 or www.harrow-apollo-male.choir.org Top Jazz at The Fairway Ruislip Golf Centre, Ickenham Rd, West Ruislip. Normally 3rd Monday of the month. For details: 01895 632394 or www.jazzwestlondon.com PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Sing & Sign Britain’s favourite Baby Signing Classes from 6 months Wed at Uxbridge Leisure Centre, Fri at The White Bear, Ruislip. FREE TASTERS BOOK NOW contact Cathy 07712 047621 or email: cathyseddigh@singandsign.co.uk SELF DEFENCE... 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 e: kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. SELF HELP & SUPPORT... EAR4U Help, support and advice. Meets every Monday at the Orange Couch Café (formerly the D spot), Ruislip Manor from 10am-2pm. Call Ann on 07890 315156 or 01895 672706

We’re sure to have a club or event listed to suit you and your family! 

Friends of Shenley Park Improving the wellbeing and maintenance of flower beds, shrubs and the new flower garden and seating area created last year, the group won a people’s choice grant. We are actively seeking volunteers to help with regular action days in the park. Anyone interested please contact Geoff 07931 561020 or Louise 07966 220995 Friendly Rubber Bridge Tuesdays & Fridays, 12noon-4pm at Pinner Bridge Club, 103 Marsh Road, Pinner. For info call Keith 01895 622033 Ruislip Afternoon Group for Women Meets 1st Thursday of every month. Talks, Lunches & outings. Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road 2-4pm. Call Mrs R Hall pm 01895 633782 Ruislip Common WI All ladies welcome. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 2pm in Room 1, Methodist Church, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7BZ. Visit: ruislipcommonwi.weebly.com Ruislip Social Club Tropic at Ruislip at Ruislip Social Club Grosvenor Vale Ruislip HA4 6JQ for Fridays and occasional other nights, live bands & tribute bands for more details visit www.tropicatruislip.co.uk contact and ticketline 0208 707 2256 Ruislip WI Fancy something different but not too taxing, yet fun? We meet every 1st Thursday of the month at Upper Room, GAA Sports & Social Club, West End Road, South Ruislip from 7.20pm10pm. Kim Murphy 07989 558925 email ruislipeveningwi@gmail.com Women’s Social Group Social group for women in West London. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and organised trips and welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seemaa@seemaa.co.uk

Badminton Club At St Pauls Church Hall, Tiverton Road, Ruislip Manor. Every Wednesday at 8pm and 10pm. Call Tony or Ann 01895 472578 Badminton Club Requires additional players of average standard! Every Tuesday evening 7.45 to 9.45 at Vyners School, Ickenham. Interested? Then email John on turksclub@hotmail.co.uk Badminton The Badminton Hall, Kings College Road, Ruislip HA4 7JZ. Tuesday from 10am. Call John 01895 630199 Bessingby Park Bowls Club Every Tues & Thurs, 2-4pm. Call Jack on 0208 845 1469.

Bikewise Bike rides setting off from 61 Swakeleys Road. 2nd and 4th Sun of every month to various destinations. Email@bikewisegb.com or call 01895 675376. Bowls Deane Park Bowls Club, Bessingby Park, Ruislip. Call Mrs Lathwell on 01895 639489 Dads Army Golf Society Tuesdays & Thursdays at Ruislip Golf Club Come & Join Us!! for more info call Sid on 01895 631489 Ladies Badminton Club Thursday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm at Eastcote Hockey and Badminton Club, Kings College Road, Ruislip, HA4 7JZ. Call Diane on 01895 634352 Swakeleys Tennis Club Adult Social Tennis Club in Ickenham. Would suit people returning to tennis after a break, Four days a week all year. Contact Pam 01895 677149 or Ed 01895 635568 www.swakeleystennis.co.uk

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6 0 2 4 6 8 0 1 2 4 6 8 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 0 2 4 4 0 9 1 2

se is pt by s. In art

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 Roast Turkey  

with Leek, Apricot and Chestnut Stuffing

 Roasting the  turkey in a ’tent’ of buttered foil will  keep it moist and

Serves 8-10

Ready in approx 4½ hours, plus resting time

succulent. Always allow time for the cooked bird to rest in a warm place before carving. Heat half the butter and the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the leek and shallots for 6-7 minutes until softened. Remove from the heat and stir in the apricots, breadcrumbs, chestnuts and half the thyme leaves. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and leave to cool.

Ingredients: • 100g butter • 1 tbsp olive oil

Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5. Line a large roasting tin with buttered foil. Use about one third of the stuffing mix to stuff the neck end of the turkey (press the rest of the stuffing in a shallow ovenproof dish to cook separately). Weigh the stuffed turkey and calculate the cooking time - allow 20 minutes per 450g plus 20 minutes. Place the turkey in the lined roasting tin and smear all over the skin with the remaining butter. Sprinkle over the rest of the thyme leaves and season.

• 1 leek, trimmed and chopped • 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped • 75g ready to eat dried apricots, finely chopped

Cover the turkey with a tent of buttered foil and roast in the preheated oven for the calculated cooking time, basting occasionally. Uncover the turkey for the last 45 minutes until the skin is golden and the juices run clear when a skewer is inserted into the thickest part of one thigh. If the juices still run slightly pink return the turkey to the oven for a further 1520 minutes then check again.

• 150g fresh white breadcrumbs • 100g cooked chestnuts, finely chopped

Leave the turkey, loosely covered with foil, in a warm place to rest for at least 20 minutes. Stretch the bacon rashers with the back of a knife and cut each rasher in half. Wrap the short rashers around the cocktail sausages, securing with a cocktail stick. Place in baking tray and cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drizzle a couple of spoonfuls of juices from the turkey over the stuffing in the dish and cook in the oven at the same time as the bacon-wrapped sausages for 20 minutes.

• 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • 5.4kg oven-ready turkey, giblets removed • 16 cocktail sausages

Serve the turkey on a large warmed platter with the bacon-wrapped sausages and garnished with fresh herbs. Serve the extra stuffing separately along with all the usual festive vegetables.

• 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon • Fresh herbs, to garnish 

TIP

For a quick gravy, simmer the roast turkey juices with a splash of red wine and a couple of spoonfuls of redcurrant jelly.

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k k

2014 11:27

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  

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If you are thinking of renting, buying or selling a property please call us and experience our award winning difference. Ruislip Sales Uxbridge Sales 01895 622220 01895 272742 Ruislip Lettings Ickenham Sales 01895 622884 01895 635555 

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