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I can’t believe another whole month has flown by and just as I’m sending this month’s magazines off to the printer and pondering over which part of the house to tackle first, I realise that the kids are now breaking up from school again. Not much chance of getting any further ahead there then. Indeed, I suspect that by the end of the week, the place will be totally trashed, whilst the laundry basket grows at an even more alarming rate than usual. I guess it’s good practice for the looming school summer holidays. Is it my imagination, or have the kids only just been off from school, and after this holiday won’t be back there for more than five minutes before they’re off again? No doubt this is just my inconvenienced adult perspective and youngsters everywhere will be telling me that they spend far too long at school and could really do with a whole lot more time off. My daughter’s firm belief is that weekends should be three days long and the work/school week the remaining four. Me personally, I could do with the week being at least eight days long. Well, I’m off to empty the laundry basket. In the meantime, do continue to keep in touch, either by telephone, email or facebook and let us know what’s going on where you are. We always do our very best to print your events and local information, and also to share it with other readers via our facebook page. Why not give us a visit and a Like!
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Health: Osteoarthritis
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Parks & Local Events
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Wildlife Zone
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Interiors: Furnishing Finesse
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History: What happened in June 1994
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Used Cars: Affordable Emerging Classics
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Finance: Credit where Credit is Due
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Reader Travel Offers
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Coffee Break Puzzles
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Kids Puzzle Page
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Computer Helpdesk
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Pets Corner
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Beach Ready Beauty
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DDay 1944 Clubs, Groups & Classes
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Useful Telephone Numbers
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RSPCA Re Homing Appeal
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Tel: 01895 835907 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 01895 835907 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Health Osteoarthritis
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
an arthroscope, which incorporates a light source and camera, through a small incision to inspect the joint space. A blood test, MRI scan or joint aspiration (removal of a little joint fluid for analysis) can rule out other types of arthritis. Am I at risk of osteoarthritis? Sometimes osteoarthritis has no obvious cause, but chances of developing it increase if you: • Are a woman • Are over 45 • Are overweight (due to pressure on joints, and inflammatory chemicals from fat tissue) • Have a physically demanding job • Make many repetitive movements (not only at work - studies show that repetitive movements while texting or playing videogames could contribute too) • Have a family history of osteoarthritis • Have had an infection or disease that causes joint damage, e.g. gout, or joint injury • Have had a major operation on a joint • Have muscle weakness • Were born with a joint abnormality or developed one in childhood How can I avoid or treat osteoarthritis? Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding prolonged repetitive movement lessens the chance of developing osteoarthritis, while regular exercise to strengthen muscles and ligaments will reduce joint strain. These steps will also lessen symptoms. Swimming is ideal as it exercises joints gently, while aerobic exercise will
stimulate endorphins, hormones which act as pain relievers. There are several types of medication that can reduce symptoms: • Simple painkillers (analgesics) e.g. paracetamol • Stronger painkillers that contain opioids e.g. co-dydamol • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, which relieve pain and reduce inflammation (often available as creams too) • Capsaicin cream, which reduces pain by blocking nerve endings • Steroids injected directly into the joint • Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, which may repair cartilage Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage, heat or ice packs and complementary treatments, such as acupuncture and aromatherapy, can be useful. There are also special aids and appliances which can make everyday tasks easier and less painful. Repairing Damage In severe osteoarthritis surgery may be necessary, from simple arthroscopy – where small instruments are used via the arthroscope to remove or repair damaged cartilage – through osteotomy and joint fusion, to total joint replacements. What about diet? Alliums such as garlic and onions may prevent or slow osteoarthritis, as they contain a chemical that limits cartilagedamaging enzymes. Many ‘osteoarthritis diets’ have little scientific back-up but experts agree that a more plant-based diet with less saturated fat is beneficial, as saturated fats can cause inflammation and aggravate your arthritis.
The term ‘arthritis’ covers over 200 joint conditions, but osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 8.75 million people in the UK. Usually most severe in joints that are heavily used, such as the knees and hips, it’s also often found in the neck, back, hands, wrists and big toes. Sometimes called degenerative or mechanical arthritis, it occurs when joint cartilage becomes thin or damaged. Cartilage is a shock absorber, cushioning bone ends during joint movement. When it deteriorates bones rub together, causing bone ends and surrounding tissues to thicken, while synovial fluid in the joint (another shock-absorber) can decrease or become less effective. These changes can cause inflammation and sometimes distortion. Symptoms Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced joint movement, particularly after resting, and grinding or crunching sensations when moving a joint. Diagnosis An x-ray is usually required and sometimes an arthroscopy will be performed, usually under general anaesthetic. This involves the insertion of
Local Parks & Events (Jun14)_Layout 1 24/05/2014 06:29 Page 1
june park events Open Farm Sunday Sun 8th June, 10.30am-5pm Rowley Farm Free event see the animals on rowley Farm and learn where your food and milk comes from. there will be guided tours, tractor rides and games too. park in Black park Car park and follow the signs.
Local Park & Events june into july
the world around you. You’ll enjoy a day of practical skills, exploring your potential and enhancing your ability to deal with the unexpected. Film Walk Sun 29th June, 2pm-3.45pm Black Park Visitor Centre £5 adult; £3 child; £4 cons; £14 family Black park has played host to a great number of major film, television and music productions over the years, including Harry potter and james Bond. join us for a walk around Black park to look at some of the popular locations and see screen shots from the productions.
Ickenham Festival Week Sat 7th - Sat 14th June, Village Hall, Ickenham, UB10 8DG there’s bound to be something of interest - pop along and see! ‘A Girls' Night Out’ author event Mon 9th June, 7.30pm-10pm Compass Theatre, Ickenham Featuring best selling female authors: Lisa jewell, jenny Colgan, rowan Coleman and alex Marwood. tickets: £7 includes free paperback book. available from Ickenham Library. My Writing Life Thurs 12th June, 7pm-8pm Ickenham Library. Free event. an evening with local author jason rohan. ticket required please collect from Ickenham Library.
5k Cross Country Wed 11th June, 7pm start Langley Park £5.50 (members); £7.50 (non-club) On day entry +£2 second in the three-part race series. the course is one lap of scenic parkland. parking included. visit www.fabian4.co.uk for full details and registration. Lea Barn Equestrian Sun 22nd June, 10am-4pm Langley Park, Free event Walk down through Langley park to George Green Field and watch the horses in action. For more information, visit www.leabarnequestrian.co.uk
Summer Fayre Fri 13th June, 3pm-6pm IIver Village Infant School, Grange Way, Iver, Bucks SL0 9NT In aid of Friends of Iver school association. Lots of stalls including BBQ, tombolas, raffle, Cakes, Dog show. to hire a stall please contact pippa vinall on 07771 932108 or pippavinall@aol.com
Film Walk
june events Live Music with The Flyers Fri 6th June, from 9pm The WatersEdge Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB9 2JS Big Band bringing you covers from through the years. For details call 01895 440550. School Summer Fete Sat 7th June, 1pm-4pm Iver Heath Junior, St Margarets Close, Iver Heath SL0 0DA Come and have some fun!
Family Fun Day Sat 21st June, 12-5pm St Marks Hall, Greentiles Lane, Denham Green, UB9 5HT Come join us for stalls, games, music, bbq etc. all proceed to go to Cancer research. For more info or if you would be interested in having a stall, call nicky on 07944 458147. Steve Singh sings Elvis! Sat 21st June, from 8pm North Star, Thorney Mill Road, Iver a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on! For more details call 01895 442128. Summer Bingo Evening Sat 21st June, 6.45pm for 7pm. Iver Village Hall, St Margarets Close, Iver Heath, SL0 0DA £6 entry includes Fish/Chicken & Chips supper. Come on your own or with friends, bring your own drinks, glasses etc. please book with pat 01753 64767
Bushcraft Survival Day Bushcraft & Survival Day Sun 22nd June, 10am-4pm Black Pine’s Camp, £65 join ranger andy to learn bushcraft and survival skills in the inspiring surroundings of Black park. With a relaxed and friendly approach, resident bushcraft and survival expert andy, will share his knowledge and skills. You will leave with a fresh outlook and new understanding of
Butterflies Coffee Morning Sat 14th June, 10am-1pm Ickenham Village Hall all proceeds from our various events go to help the teenage Cancer trust.
1940's Afternoon Tea Party Sat 7th June, 2pm-4pm Ickenham Village Hall With music from that period tickets. £5 from flowline Hairdressers. Butterflies supporting local childrens charities.
Psychic & Mediumship Demos Thurs 26th June, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Tower Arms Hotel, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9AE Carole Bromley, professional psychic Medium with guest medium sarah May. tel: 07572 108609
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Summer Fayre Sat 28th June, 12-3pm. Denham Village Infant School Bouncy Castle, Grand Raffle, Giant Tombola. Arts & Crafts stalls, refreshments with home made cakes. and lots more entrance by Donation.
and novelty classes, as well as lots of stalls to browse. All in aid of the Thames valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance.
Dog Show
Summer Show Sat 28th June, 1pm-4pm. The Great Barn, Ruislip Organised by Ruislip Central Horticultural Society. Come along!
Local Park & Events june into july continued
trips, face painting, crafts, games, model air planes a funfair and much more. Contact: 01895 833375 Den Building Mon 28th & Tues 29th July, 10am-12pm Langley Park Café £16 per family, £3 per extra Have a go at building your own den in langley park with the Country park Rangers. Bring a picnic along to eat in your newly built den! Fun in the Park Wed 30th July, 12pm-4pm Langley Park Most activities are free The hugely popular family event is back in langley park and is going to be bigger than ever. The afternoon will be fun-packed with activities including falconry displays, sword swallowing and story telling, as well as fun games, face painting and an inflatable slide. There will be plenty of food on offer including a hog roast. The event will be complimented by the Friends of langley park’s landscape in a seed tray competition.
july pARk EvEnTS History Walk Sat 5th July, 2pm-3.30pm Langley Park Café £4.50 adult; £2.50 child; £3.50 cons; £12 family join writer of the popular book ‘History of langley park’, john Watson, on a walk around langley park to learn about its fascinating history.
Bushcraft Walk Wed 23rd July, 2pm-5.30pm Black Pine’s Camp, £22 adult, £17 child join Andy on an interactive walk to learn the secrets of the forest and uses for natural materials. Finish at Black pine’s Camp to put your new knowledge into practice. Max ratio of 1 adult to 2 children. Over 12s only. School’s Out for Summer! Thurs 24th July to Thurs 28th August, 11am-4pm Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham Country Park Free Fun and games on the terrace. Every Thursday during the holidays. Contact: 01895 833375.
5k Cross Country Wed 9th July, 7pm start Langley Park £5.50 (members); £7.50 (non-club) On day entry +£2 last in the three-part race series. The course is one lap of scenic parkland. parking included. visit www.fabian4.co.uk for full details and registration. Basicaly Saxes Sun 13th July, 2pm - 4pm Black Park Café Free entry (donations welcome) live music by the lakeside for your entertainment and to raise money for the Cancer Research uk. Refreshments available to purchase from the cafe. Dog Show Sat 19th July, 10.30am - 4pm Langley Park £2 per class, 3 classes for £5 The popular annual show returns to langley park. There will be pedigree
Nature Safari Fri 25th July, 1pm-2pm Langley Park Café £4 per guide Follow the self-led trail set up by our Rangers, finding the clues and learning about the animals that live here. The trail takes around an hour to complete. Start any time between 1pm and 2pm.
Colne Valley Festival
Colne Valley Festival Sun 27th July, 11am-4pm Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham Country Park Some activities are free Fun for all the family with canal boat
july EvEnTS Butterflies Vintage Tea Party Thurs 3rd July, from 1.30pm 110 Copthall Road West, UB10 8HT £4 on the gate Entry price includes Tea, Coffee and cakes, various stalls and a Raffle. All Welcome. supporting SpARkS, Research into safer childbirth Hillingdon & Uxbridge Business Breakfast (HUBB) Thurs 10th July, 8am-9am Bay Lodge, 36 Harefield Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1PH. Free event In partnership with the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce. Continental breakfast included. please RSvp emma.zovich@wardwilliams.co.uks School Summer Fayre Sat 12th July, 1am-2pm Harefield Infants School & Nursery School Parade, High Street, Harefield, UB9 6BT. lots of fun for all of the family, refreshments, homemade cakes and lots more. Treasure Island Outdoor Theatre Sat 12th July, 6.30pm Picnics from 5pm The Courtyard, Manor Farm, Ruislip. Adults from £14.50, Child from £8, Family ticket from £40 performed by Rain or Shine Theatre Company. Tickets: 07806 766993.
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The Wildlife Zone...FP (Jun14)_Layout 1 24/05/2014 03:57 Page 1
the wildlife zone
the sly fox 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.
foxes live surprisingly close to people in Britain’s major cities especially in London where houses lie adjacent to parks, railway banks, gardens and waste land. These members of the wild dog family make their dens, hunt for food and raise their cubs in the undisturbed peace and quiet of these sites. It has taken only 250 years since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution for some foxes to have successfully adapted from the verdant hills and fields to an urban lifestyle. This may seem like a long time, but in the evolutionary world of wildlife it is a blink of an eye. Under present legislation hunting foxes with horses and hounds is banned despite continuing support in some rural areas. But in cities, migrant foxes have procured warm friends who oppose the cold hearted views of the traditionalist foxhunting fraternity. one possible reason why foxes benefit from this burgeoning relationship is because they are attractive, red furry mammals. As a result some people would dearly love to give these wild animals hugs and cuddles. Moreover these animals clearly do not pose a threat in the way that was once believed. However a couple of years ago a media campaign was choreographed which claimed that urban foxes attacked people, including children. There was always doubt about these stories amongst journalists, writers and politicians, and that the truth was that domestic dogs may have been involved in such incidents. foxhunting and blood sport organisations have been seen as the people behind these stories. The aim of this hostile ‘news’ was to regenerate this bad reputation with the general public and so gain support to renew foxhunting. The foxes’ problem (as well as other wildlife) is that once an animal has a bad reputation, it is easy to promulgate and difficult to change. However, many (but not all) people are too wise to be manipulated by such stories. somehow foxes have also perceived a burgeoning friendliness and changing attitudes by regularly returning to their chosen gardens with their cubs. Moreover they now live by, under and even in outhouses as well as other buildings. There is a fox den adjacent to Millstream Fork. so when fox cubs were old enough to leave their den, they were seen brazenly walking around in broad daylight. some urbanites may think that such experiences are somehow ‘unnatural’ whilst others disagree and accept the fox as just another animal gradually adapting to the municipal and industrial world. so whilst the fox can now be classified as a garden animal it is one of an increasing number of animals which are learning how to live with and put up with humans. other major animals include species of deer, especially the skittish muntjac. one positive benefit comes from the carnivorous fox being at the top of the food chain. As a result they hunt and control the numbers of rodents and unpleasant prey; becoming the cities’ ‘hoovers’ by cleaning up these parts of the town which would otherwise be out of natural balance. Throughout the centuries society has often imposed bad reputations onto animals. The mind sets of descending generations have been diluted or refined according to the enveloping contemporary attitudes. In the last 150 years increased schooling and modern higher education has led to greater intelligence and modern attitudes. Today many psychologists and sociologists believe that much of the old public naivety is reducing and that people question old folklores, wives tales and the values they once held. However, some old labels could continue such as the ‘Sly Fox’, which has been embedded in our literary traditions and culture. some people have reckoned this as being an evil characteristic; however the fox’s calculating mind, opportunism and cunning are necessary features for its survival strategy in outwitting its prey. some conservationists and members of the public now admire the foxes’ intelligence especially when they can draw similarities with their own pet dogs. However, the ways and means of natural history are sometimes difficult to grasp as I found out some years ago. I had left the windows open and was lying in bed in the early hours of the morning in half slumber when I heard a piercing cry of what I feared to be a baby being murdered. It seemed to be real, although being half asleep I accepted that it may have been part of a dream. Within minutes I heard it again, and this time I was certain that it was a real sound which came from the garden. over the following days I asked my neighbours what this horrifying shriek could have been. They told me that there was nothing sinister to worry about, and that it was the mating cry of a vixen. I was startled by this as well as being freed from all of my darkest fears that I may have heard an awful crime. Perhaps this was one of the contributing causes of how the fox’s horrible identity had begun and then spiralled out of all proportion centuries ago.
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.
The ‘sly, urban fox’
the charities’ contact details are www.ffes.org.uk email: info@ffes.org.uk
..
Slimm
Furnishing Finesse
Is your living room looking more drab than fab? Then it’s time for an image overhaul. One or two new items of furniture, some revamps or repairs, or simply a different layout, can make all the difference, says Katherine Sorrell.
Where to start
When you are re-thinking your living room furniture, take a long, hard look at what you already have. Most of us own a collection of family heirlooms and hand-medowns, high-street buys, cheap and cheerful chainstore pieces and perhaps the odd junk-shop find or vintage treasure. Step one is to work out what you want to keep and what should be dispensed with, what needs repair and what could be revamped or ought to be replaced. Then, if you haven’t got one already, try to form an idea of your overall style –do most of your pieces look old or new, shabby chic or pristine, rustic or sophisticated, plain and slender or heavy and ornate? The key to mixing old and new is to ensure the overall look has coherence. Materials, scale and decorative style are all important, as are colour and texture. If things aren’t quite working, perhaps you can shift something that stands out badly to another room,
or sell it and use the money to buy a piece that fits in better. There’s always the option of repainting or recovering, bearing in mind that simple, understated colours and patterns tend to be the easiest to mix and match. If in doubt, think ‘less is more’.
What’s your style?
• Antique Key styles are Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian. The former is generally fine and slender, in rich woods and often with decorative marquetry, lacquer or gilding. Genuine Georgian pieces are expensive but beautiful, and mix surprisingly well with modern furniture. Victorian furniture tends to be heavier and on a largerscale, while Edwardian pieces are a little plainer and lighter; it may be possible to find bargains at auction or in specialist shops, but beware: their heavy look can be overwhelming unless employed with care. • Retro Furnishings from the Fifties, Sixties and
Seventies are all the rage. In bright colours and unusual materials such as plastic or wire, they’re tricky to mix with other furnishings but make an eye-catching focal point. • Design classics Covetable chairs and other pieces by mid-20th century names such as Eames, Breuer, Le Corbusier, Aalto, Wegner, Day and Race. Originals are pricey; some reproductions are available. Again, they make a dramatic focal point. • Country Anonymous, functional wooden pieces, generally from the UK or France (the latter is more decorative). New or old, these pieces are useful, pretty and tend to work well with most other furnishings.
Designing a living room layout
Draw a plan (overhead view) of the room using graph paper or research free tools available online, marking the positions of windows, door, fireplace, radiators, sockets and any fitted furniture. If
using paper, cut out paper shapes, at the correct scale, to represent the proposed furnishings. Do they work as a whole, or can they be moved to create more floor space? Are there any ‘dead’ or crowded areas? If you’ve already moved in, you could even place full-sized cardboard cut-outs around the room in order to get a good idea of how the furnishings will work in the space.
they need to be the same sizes, if not exactly the same design. Modular seating units that run in an L-shape (or even a U-shape) are a great alternative. A single sofa can be supplemented with an armchair or two or, if you have children, perhaps a beanbag or floor cushion. In a small room, stools can double as mini-tables and be pushed out of the way when not in use. A coffee table is often seen as a living-room essential, but they take up a lot of floor space. Side tables are another option, as is a long, thin console table pushed against the back of the sofa, or even a small, slender chest of drawers, which can double as useful extra storage. Talking about storage, any living room needs the
right furniture in which to keep things such as DVDs, books, cables and the like out of sight, as well as display areas for attractive possessions. Choose plain, inexpensive bookcases that can be painted the same colour as your walls, or go for a designer option such as a sleek sideboard or modular units. Oriental and Indian-style pieces, in beautiful woods and with lovely detailing, can be found in mail-order catalogues and specialist outlets. Finally, add good-looking boxes and baskets to disguise awkward items that simply won’t fit anywhere else.
Choosing and arranging living room furniture
It was once traditional for living rooms to be arranged with the fire as a focal point. These days it’s more likely to be the TV, but you can also have subsidiary focal points, such as a work of art or a view. Placing two sofas so they face each other is both comfortable and practical;
Sometimes you just want to stretch your legs out and lounge. A side table is at hand for a drink or a book. Crumpet Chaise with solid beech frame and feather-filled back cushions, £1895; Little Loafian side table in reclaimed fir, £195; both Loaf, 0845 468 0698; www.loaf.com.
What happened in... ...June 1994?
thick fog at Mull of Kintyre. All 29 people on board were killed, among whom were Intelligence experts from the British Army, MI5 and the RUC and two Special Forces crew members.
five of them fatally, who were walking home from a discotheque. He also killed two male passersby. He was arrested after a shoot-out with police, during which he was shot and injured. 23rd: South Africa reclaimed its seat in the UN.
1st: Following the end of apartheid, South Africa was re-admitted to the Commonwealth.
3rd: An earthquake and the subsequent tsunami off the south-eastern coast of Java caused the loss of over 200 lives. Three days later another quake, in Columbia, took over a thousand more and on the 9th a quake in – or beneath – Bolivia was so powerful that tremors were felt from Argentina to Canada. However, because it was so deep (395 miles below sea level) it caused little damage.
2nd: An RAF Chinook helicopter, en route from Northern Ireland to Inverness, crashed into a hillside in
11th: In Stockholm a drunken army officer shot six young women,
About twenty police cars followed actor and ex-professional footballer OJ Simpson as his friend drove him through Los Angeles on 17th June. As the news media learned of this low-speed pursuit the unwelcome escort was joined by over twenty helicopters. Simpson was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. On 3 October 1995, after a controversial trial, Simpson was finally acquitted.
Petrol was about £2.55 per gallon Average house price was about £68,000
Three of the bestselling singles this year were: Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet No Good (Start The Dance) - The Prodigy Everybody’s Talkin’ - The Beautiful South
25th: The last Russian troops pulled out of what was then East Germany.
29th: The US reopened their base at Guantanamo Bay to process Cuban refugees fleeing the communist regime. This territory had been under American control since the 1903 Cuban-American Treaty, although Cuba insists the Treaty was obtained under the threat of force and is illegal. 30th: An Airbus crashed in Toulouse, France, killing the seven crew members. They had been taking part in a test flight simulating engine failure at low speed with a maximum angle of climb.
Patrick D Cousins is the author of Rainbows, Dreams and Angels, a double novella set in east London, mostly during the Sixties. Patrick Cousins’ Short Shorts is a collection of short stories and humorous articles. Both books are available from Amazon.
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Alternative images available from TIPSS downloads
CHILD BENEFIT TAX CHARGE
Do you need to complete a tax return? The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) was introduced as from 7 January 2013 for parents on higher incomes who continue to receive child benefit (CB) payments. Whether you are in agreement or not, HMRC has been asked to administer the collection of the HICBC and in doing so, has put thousands more people into self assessment (SA). Parents on higher incomes who have continued to receive CB will need to ensure that they register for SA by no later than 5 October 2014 (in regard to CB payments received during the year ended 5 April 2014 – if there are unresolved issues for 2012/13, immediate action is necessary) to avoid any penalties for ‘failure to notify chargeability to tax’. Therein lies the problem – have people been adequately informed of their responsibilities to approach HMRC and register for SA? Will penalties be imposed on those individuals with no interest in the tax system or will people just ‘get away with it’? More interestingly, are HMRC easily able to identify the individuals concerned? Another fundamental issue which has caused debate is HMRC’s approach to prompt individuals with “income over £50,000” to register for SA, yet it is an individual’s “adjusted net income” which is taken into account when determining whether the HICBC applies (for example, where personal pension contributions reduce adjusted net income below the £50,000 income threshold). For new claimants, if you are affected by the HICBC you can opt not to get CB payments, but you should ensure that you complete the CB claim form, as this will provide you with national insurance credits which count towards your state pension. For those already receiving CB, you can either ‘opt out’ or ‘pay the HICBC tax charge’. In summary, the HICBC applies to CB payments received from 7 January 2013. Those who have applied to stop receiving CB before 7 January 2013 are not required to take any action. As per HMRC guidance, a person is liable to pay the CB tax charge if all of the following conditions apply: their income is over £50,000 a year, and either they or their partner received child benefit payments after 7 January 2013, and their income for the tax year is higher than their partners. The partner with the higher income is liable to pay the charge if both partners have income over £50,000
If you wish to discuss the issues raised in this article, please feel free to contact Simon at simon.boxall@wardwilliams.co.uk
Finance Credit Where Credit Is Due Ann Haldon www.cornerstonewebcontent.com If you’ve ever been refused credit, you’ll already know how demoralising it is to be held back in life. Being unable to buy your first house or a new car is bad enough but poor scores don’t just hurt your ability to borrow money. You’ll need a credit card to hire a car and your score will be checked before you can take out a mobile phone agreement. A poor rating can even make insurance premiums more expensive. However, there are steps you can take to improve the situation, and they all start with checking your credit file. Credit reports contain details such as past and current borrowing, late or missed payments, County Court Judgements and bankruptcy information.
How to access your credit file
Three main credit reference agencies exist in the UK – Equifax, Experian and CallCredit. Equifax and Experian offer a 30-day free trial (but be aware you will be charged if you don’t cancel within 30 days) or just £2 for a statutory report. CallCredit provide free access for life. It’s advisable to obtain credit reports from all three agencies
to get a complete picture of your situation.
Why you should make the effort to check your credit report
It pays to check your credit file at least once a year for a number of reasons: • Lenders can make mistakes which you may be able to rectify • An overall view of historic and current borrowing is provided • The chances of identity theft are reduced • Control of finances is significantly improved For those looking to buy their own property, a good credit rating can quite literally hold the key to the door.
Are repairs to your credit file necessary – or even possible?
Lots of options exist to boost your credit rating, and taking several small actions adds up to a big improvement over time. It’s important to remember that having no credit file at all can also hold you back. Young people just starting work are often penalised because they can’t demonstrate their ability to make regular repayments on time, and find themselves
in a ‘Catch-22’ situation. Below are some easily implemented short-term fixes, whether you have a credit history or are brand new borrowers: • Cancel all unused credit cards by writing to the provider and cutting up the card. • Make sure you are on the electoral register – this action alone has a significant effect on your ability to obtain credit, as lenders can identify you and reduce the chances of fraud. • Stop applying for credit for a while, or space out your applications. • Ensure that a landline phone number is included in your file, rather than just a mobile number. • Check that all information is indeed correct, including any late repayments and outstanding loan amounts mentioned. • ‘Unlink’ yourself from a former partner – if they have a poor credit rating it also affects yours.
Long-term plans for a good credit rating
Long-term plans largely depend on whether or not you have borrowed before.
For those with no existing credit rating, the only way to demonstrate financial responsibility may be to apply for a high interest credit card with a low limit. High interest, low limit credit cards Cards such as these are known as ‘credit-builder’ cards, and as long as you make payments on time for a minimum of six months, they allow you to build a good credit file. Don’t forget to stay within your credit limit or this will automatically trigger alerts with the card provider, damaging your credit rating. The interest rates on these cards can be eye-watering though, with APRs of up to 39.9% not unusual, but if it’s only used for small purchases and then paid off in full, you won’t be affected. ‘Credit-builder’ prepaid
cards This type of card involves signing an agreement for a small loan – typically around £60 – which is then repaid at £5 per month. Twelve loan repayments successfully made on time are then recorded on your file. Similarly, if you have a mobile phone contract, no payment defaults will lead to a good credit score over time. Being aware of how your actions influence future decisions by lenders is the first step towards developing a positive credit rating. An existing credit score can be improved by understanding which criteria are important to lending institutions. Lending criteria A long employment history, living in one place for a long time as a homeowner, and a significant period with the
same bank, all contribute towards a positive credit report. Payment defaults of more than three consecutive months can be a problem. If you can pay off some or all of the arrears, however, the lender may agree to remove the default notice, although this isn’t guaranteed. The cost of not keeping an eye on your credit file is high. At best it is a temporary inconvenience. At worst it affects your ability to invest in property, which has a knockon effect for the rest of your life.
Your credit score is set on how you use credit. If you don’t use credit at all, you may have a poor score even if you are in a well-paid job and have savings.
In and Around Reader Travel Free Drinks
Free Drinks
£50
S I B t e W
PER PERSON
DEPOSIT
WHEN YOU BOOK BY 27 JUNE WITH TRAVEL BY RAIL
Rhine in Flames River Cruise
Escorted Holiday by Rail or Air 5 DAYS SEMI-ALL-INCLUSIVE
FROM
£649PP
Bruges & Valkenburg Christmas Markets River Cruise
Escorted Holiday by Rail
5 DAYS SEMI-ALL-INCLUSIVE
FROM
£479PP
2 October, 2014 - Quote RH10-IA
24 November, 2014 - Quote PC11-4-IA
This fun-packed cruise visits historic riverside towns including Andernach, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Boppard, where you’ll see the Rhine in Flames festival. Originally held to celebrate the grape harvest, this spectacular pyrotechnics show features an illuminated flotilla of riverboats and curtains of fire, bathing the scene in a magical glow. We have chartered the lovely ms Princess again, exclusively for our guests. She is a firm favourite with our regular river cruise customers.
Join us for a relaxing river cruise taking-in: Valkenburg with its unique Christmas Market Caves; Maastricht, capital of the Dutch province of Limburg and home of world famous musician Andre Rieu; Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city; Ypres, home to the Flanders in Fields Museum and the Menin Gate, both synonymous with WW1 history; and beautiful Bruges with its wonderful festive atmosphere and markets. We have chartered the lovely ms Princess again because she is a firm favourite with our regular river cruise customers.
INCLUDED: Escorted throughout • Rail travel from London St Pancras to Cologne or flights with luggage from Heathrow or Gatwick - supp’t may apply • 4 nights fullboard cruise on the mps Princess sharing a twin bed outside cabin - upgrades available • Beer, wine by the glass and a choice of 2 Dutch spirits served at lunch & dinner and from 6pm to midnight at the bar • Entertainment • Transfers abroad
INCLUDED: Escorted throughout abroad • Return rail travel from London St Pancras (from Ebbsfleet on request) to Brussels • 4 nights full-board cruise on the mps Princess sharing a twin bed outside cabin - upgrades available • Beer, wine by the glass and a choice of 2 Dutch spirits served at lunch & dinner and from 6pm to midnight at the bar • Entertainment • Transfers abroad
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Voyages Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays & Voyages www. gnvoyages.co.uk • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
ABTA No. Y0291 ATOL 9362
W I T T c
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Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough Steaming Back to the 40s
2D £129 H B
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Brighton Bluebell Steam & Cream
£59PP
GREAT DAY OUT
Saturday 5 July, 2014 - Quote SF7-IA INCLUDED: 1 night at the Hilton Hotel, Bromsgrove with dinner & breakfast • ‘Hopper’ train ticket for Severn Valley Railway visiting nostalgia events and activities at the stations • Visit to Worcester • Coach travel and excursions
Thursday 17 July, 2014 - Quote BR7-IA
Oxford, Thames Cruise & Afternoon Tea
Buckingham Palace & Tea on the Thames
GREAT DAY OUT
£69PP
Brighton • Return coach travel
£89PP
GREAT DAY OUT
Wednesday 23 July, 2014 - Quote TC7-IA INCLUDED: Free time in Oxford • 40-minute Thames cruise from Oxford to Sandford • Afternoon Tea at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel • Return coach travel
Bourton on the Water & Stratford-upon-Avon Afternoon Tea Cruise GREAT DAY OUT
INCLUDED: 1.5 hour steam train ride on the historic Bluebell Line with a cream tea • Free time in
Wednesday 30 July, 2014 - Quote BP7-IA INCLUDED: Admission to Buckingham Palace Gardens & State Rooms • Afternoon Tea on the Yacht London, moored on the Thames near Waterloo Bridge • Return coach travel
10
Tenby & Bath
£49PP
3 DAYS HALF BOARD
£ pp DEPOSIT
£159PP
Thursday 7 August, 2014 - Quote BW8-IA
Friday 22 August, 2014 - Quote GW8-IA
INCLUDED: Free time in Bourton on the Water • 90minute Avon cruise on The Countess of Evesham • Afternoon Tea on board - fresh scones, jam, cream, strawberries, tea or coffee • Return coach travel
INCLUDED: 2 nights stay at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff • 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts • Visits to Bath and Tenby • Coach travel and excursions
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Holidays & Voyages, Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com
ABTA No. Y0291
...with Hillingdon Narrrowboats Association
We operate five 72 foot long craft which can be hired for four hours or longer, including residential trips, to allow you to enjoy cruising along the Grand Union Canal from our base in Harefield.
We offer affordable narrowboating and training for Youth and Community groups of all ages and abilities.
Teambuilding for all...
At HNA, we like to combine the enjoyment of cruising with practical learning about our boats and how to operate them. You'll learn about some of the history of the canal, as well as seeing the local wildlife in abundance. Narrowboating is great to help develop new skills, team building, and improves social awareness and confidence around others. We can even introduce a competitive element to challenge teams if two boats are taken together!
Canals have over 200 years of history...
We offer various training courses, and qualifications for all, from Competent Crew right up to a Certificate in Community Boat Management and the Under 18s Community Boat Leadership Project. Take a look at our website www.hna.org.uk and find our more about your local charity, and see what we do. If you're part of a youth group, school, care home, or are working with Scouts, Guides, Cadets - to name just a few - we'd love to talk to you to show what we can offer.
Hillingdon Narrowboats Association Email: bookings@mail.hna.org.uk Call: 01895 823 582 or 07860 857 877 Web: www.hna.org.uk Registered with the Charities Commission No 1029007. Registered Company 2615065
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Black Park Country Park, nr Uxbridge
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Top Adventure & Forest y-Friday. Offer valid at Black Park Tree *Offer valid until 30th November 2014, Sunda te. websi the see e pleas apply ratios Segways. Participation and supervision
A family-run school with a
Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX Independent School for boys and girls aged 3 - 11
caring atmosphere. Pupils achieve excellent results in academic subjects, music, sport and drama. Please telephone 01895 234371 to make an appointment
An ‘OUTSTANDING’ School Parkway, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 9JX - www.sthelenscollege.com
In and Around Reader Travel
Free Drinks
Free Drinks
that up to 5% of households cannot get broadband Ten years ago, 48% of British households had at all, either because they don’t have a phone line access to the internet and six years before that, a or their existing line is not broadband enabled. mere 9% had the ability to get on line. Last year some 83% of households were connected and 72% The situation is much worse where mobile access PER PERSON of adults accessed the internet every day; clearly is concerned because it is dependent on mobile the digital age is proceeding full steam ahead. DEPOSIT phone coverage. All the main networks have near WHEN YOU BOOK universal coverage in urban areas, but in rural The way that we get online has also changed BY 27 JUNE areas the level of coverage is very much markedly over the last decade or so. In 2013, 61% WITH TRAVEL dependent on the network provider; there are large of the population accessed the internet on the goBY RAIL areas of the country that have no coverage at all. via a mobile device, compared to 24% in 2010 and virtually none in 2005. At the turn of the century, So, how far away are we from the majority of the 20% of the dream of universal households that could access? For starters, we get online did so via a should discount the 10% of dialup connection; now households that are not online over 99% of them use because they don’t want to be – broadband. Broadband you can’t force people to surf itself is evolving rapidly; the net. Many of the 3.5% of 42% of connections people who lack theby IT Rail skills to Escorted Holiday Escorted Holiday were made using super by Rail or Air get online are contained within fast fibre optic in 2013, up the 10% who DAYSyear. ThisFROM 5 Dsee AYS no need to do so and most of 12% in just5 one reflects the massive FROM them SEMI are-ALL over the age of 60; time PPand SEMI-ALL -INCLUSIVE -INCLUSIVE investment now being made by the likes of BT PP and demographics will chisel away at their numbers. Virgin Media in fibre optic infrastructure. The The cost of broadband subscriptions and 2 October, - Quote RH10-IA 24 November, 2014 - Quote PC11-4-IA development in 2014 both capability and availability of computers continues to fall steadily; eventually, mobile connections has been equally rapid. The Join us for a relaxing river cruise taking-in: Valkenburg This fun-packed cruise visits historic riverside towns virtually everyone will be able to afford internet original 2G connections painfullyKoblenz slow where with its unique Christmas Market Caves; Maastricht, including Andernach, were Rudesheim, and access. they could where be made all.the 3G wasinaFlames step change capital of the Dutch province of Limburg and home of Boppard, you’llatsee Rhine festival.
£50
Rhine in Flames River Cruise
Bruges & Valkenburg Christmas Markets River
£649
Originally held to celebrate grape improvement, even allowing the users to harvest, stream this live spectacular features4G an illuminated video as theypyrotechnics walked upshow the street. is another flotillaleap of riverboats curtains of fire,faster bathingthan the great forward,andsignificantly scene in a magical glow. We have chartered the lovely conventional broadband. ms Princess again, exclusively for our guests. She is a
Cruise
world famous musician Antwerp, Belgium’s A story that has got a Andre lot of Rieu; coverage in the press second largest city; Ypres, home to the Flanders in of late concerns plans by both Google and Fields Museum and the Menin Gate, both synonymous Facebook to use pilotless drones to beam the with WW1 history; and beautiful Bruges with its internet into inaccessible areas where wonderful festive atmosphere and markets. We havea conventional infrastructure simply chartered thebroadband lovely ms Princess again because shedoes is a notfirm exist. These unmanned aerial vehicles favourite withhuge our regular river cruise customers. willINCLUDED: circle 60,000 feet above the earth. Powered by Escorted throughout abroad • Return rail solar theySt will be(from ableEbbsfleet to stay aloft for travelenergy, from London Pancras on request) months at a time and on cruise boardonwill be Princess what is, to Brussels • 4 nights full-board the mps outsideofcabin upgrades routers. available • The sharing a twin effectively, thebed mother all -wireless Beer, wine by the glassexists and a choice of 2 main; Dutch spirits technology already in the a bigger served atwill lunch from 6pm to midnight at the problem be& dinner gettingandthe approval of whatever bar • Entertainment • Transfers abroad aviation authority runs the airspace of the country being broadcast to. To answer the question posed in the title, there will GN soonVoyages be internet access for everyone who wants it.
Butfirm what aboutwith theour 17% of households that have favourite regular river cruise customers. no INCLUDED: form of internet The government has a Escortedaccess? throughout • Rail travel from London vision of universal access within a from fairly short St Pancras to Cologne or flights with luggage timeframe the Office ofmay National Heathrow so or Gatwick - supp’t apply • 4Statistics nights full- has been doing into these households. board cruisesome on theresearch mps Princess sharing a twin bed They found that 59% neither wanted outside cabin - upgrades available •needed Beer, winenor by the glass internet access; they spirits are effectively opting out of and a choice of 2 Dutch served at lunch & dinner theand digital age.to However, thebar remaining 41% are from 6pm midnight at the • Entertainment • Transfers abroad they would like to have internet more of a concern; access but there are obstacles preventing them from doing so. Twenty percent simply don’t have the computer skills necessary to get online and around 13% are put& off by the costs of either a Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. GN Holidays Voyages computer orDenham, broadband rental. suggest • Email: info@gnvoyages.co.uk www. gnvoyages.co.uk Higher Uxbridge UB9 The 5EL figures
Call 01895 83 33 33
£479
ABTA No. Y0291 ATOL 9362
S I B t e W
W I T T c
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Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough Steaming Back to the 40s
2D £129 H B ALF
AYS OARD
PP
Brighton Bluebell Steam & Cream
£59PP
GREAT DAY OUT
Saturday 5 July, 2014 - Quote SF7-IA INCLUDED: 1 night at the Hilton Hotel, Bromsgrove with dinner & breakfast • ‘Hopper’ train ticket for Severn Valley Railway visiting nostalgia events and activities at the stations • Visit to Worcester • Coach travel and excursions
Thursday 17 July, 2014 - Quote BR7-IA
Oxford, Thames Cruise & Afternoon Tea
Buckingham Palace & Tea on the Thames
GREAT DAY OUT
£69PP
Brighton • Return coach travel
£89PP
GREAT DAY OUT
Wednesday 23 July, 2014 - Quote TC7-IA INCLUDED: Free time in Oxford • 40-minute Thames cruise from Oxford to Sandford • Afternoon Tea at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel • Return coach travel
Bourton on the Water & Stratford-upon-Avon Afternoon Tea Cruise GREAT DAY OUT
INCLUDED: 1.5 hour steam train ride on the historic Bluebell Line with a cream tea • Free time in
Wednesday 30 July, 2014 - Quote BP7-IA INCLUDED: Admission to Buckingham Palace Gardens & State Rooms • Afternoon Tea on the Yacht London, moored on the Thames near Waterloo Bridge • Return coach travel
10
Tenby & Bath
£49PP
3 DAYS HALF BOARD
£ pp DEPOSIT
£159PP
Thursday 7 August, 2014 - Quote BW8-IA
Friday 22 August, 2014 - Quote GW8-IA
INCLUDED: Free time in Bourton on the Water • 90minute Avon cruise on The Countess of Evesham • Afternoon Tea on board - fresh scones, jam, cream, strawberries, tea or coffee • Return coach travel
INCLUDED: 2 nights stay at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff • 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts • Visits to Bath and Tenby • Coach travel and excursions
Call 01895 83 33 33 GN Holidays & Voyages, Higher Denham, Uxbridge UB9 5EL
Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays. www. gnholidays.com • Email: info@gnholidays.com
ABTA No. Y0291
Goddards Pet's Corner...FP (Jun14)_Layout 1 23/05/2014 22:48 Page 1
Pet’s corner
did you know? Pets can donate blood too... clients are sometimes surprised to discover that a dog blood bank exists in the U.K. transfusions are performed less commonly in pets than humans, but are life saving when needed. certain extensive surgeries require transfusions as part of the procedure (e.g. some cancer related surgeries), some trauma patients need blood products and several diseases are treated using transfused blood or plasma. cats require transfusions less frequently, and they need to receive fresh blood when needed as there is no bank service for cats at present. Plasma can be stored frozen within practices, but fresh blood is usually couriered from the blood bank when needed.
There are many different blood groups in dogs, and they are named numerically. The major groups are DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The DEA 1.1 group is the most important of these, as dogs with this blood type can suffer severe reactions when given the wrong blood. Unlike humans and cats, dogs can usually receive their first transfusion without severe risk of reaction though. However, most surgeries perform blood typing before transfusions as patients may have been rehomed and a clinical history may not always be accurate. Blood from the patient and donor are also ‘cross-matched’ before transfusion to make sure that they will not cause a serious reaction once mixed.
There are three major blood groups in cats - A, B and AB. Group A is the most common, Group B is seen more often in certain pedigree cats and AB is rare. There is a second important blood group system that has been more recently identified, with cats being MIK positive or negative. Cats are always blood typed and cross matched before receiving a transfusion, as non-compatible blood can cause fatal transfusion reactions.
Dogs between one and eight years old can become donors. They must be over 25kg and be in good health. They cannot have travelled to Europe, where blood borne diseases are prevalent. They must be up-to-date with their vaccinations and not ever have received a transfusion themselves. Blood is collected without sedation, and the process is very similar to human blood donation. They even get a biscuit afterwards! Most veterinary practices have a list of possible donors that they can ring in an emergency. Speak to your vet if you would like to join their list. the Pet Blood Bank travels nationwide holding blood donation sessions. Have a look at www.petbloodbank.org if you think your dog may be a suitable donor and see when they are next in your area.
Lee-Ann Higgins BVSc MRCVS www.uxbridge.goddardvetgroup.co.uk
64 The Greenway Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 2PL 01895 233095
Dale Lyddon is launching his own Oven Cleaning Business as part of the Oven Wizards Franchise. Dale has lived in the local area all his life, and, as he knows the area really well, he believes there will be a strong demand for his services. Dale says “I was looking for a business idea that would be something I would enjoy doing and that would provide a great service to local people. I came across the idea of an oven cleaning business and then started to research the market. I soon realised that becoming an Oven Wizard offered me a great opportunity, particularly with the support of a successful Franchise Brand. Mark Abbott, owner of the Oven Wizards business said “From the first time we met Dale, we knew he would make a great success of running an Oven Wizards Franchise, particularly because of his great passion for customer service.” Mark went on to explain “There is a growing demand from people who want to have their oven’s professionally cleaned because it is probably the hardest and most hated job in most households ”. Oven Wizards have provided Dale with comprehensive training which will enable him to professionally clean all sorts of makes and models of ovens. As well as Uxbridge and Ruislip, Dale also covers Ickenham, Gerrards Cross, Chalfont, Pinner, Eastcote and Hatch End.
A recent Survey carried out in 2013 indicates that oven cleaning is one of the most hated chores in the home. Taking into account the fact that there are over 26 million households in the UK and that nearly each one has at least one oven and a hob, the growing domestic cleaning market therefore provides unlimited opportunities to delight our customers.
You can also contact Dale on 01895 310207 and 07834 696611 or go onto his web site www.ovenwizards.com
Beauty
By Helen Taylor
Beach Ready Beauty
moisturiser and make sure that it’s fragrance and colour free. Put plenty on your knees, elbows and feet. If you are going for the DIY option, don a pair of latex gloves, squeeze a dollop of fake tan on to your hand and then work quickly and methodically, covering every inch of your skin evenly. Don’t forget to include your armpits, toes and the backs of your ankles, although you are likely to need help to do your back.
You’ve been toning up and getting into shape for months, ready to flaunt your bikini body on the beach. So, now your holiday is just around the corner, it’s time plan your holiday beauty routine. As wonderful as the long hot days are, they can really take their toll on your hair and skin, so it’s important to maintain good beauty habits while you’re away to ensure that you return from your trip looking great and not worse than before you left! Here’s our guide to looking gorgeous both on and off the beach.
Fake it First
Whatever the ‘natural is best’ advocates say, winter pale skin does not look great in a bikini. So before you reach your sun-soaked holiday destination, you’ll need to fake the golden glow. Head to the beauty salon (for best
results) or to the shops (if on a budget) and follow our preparation guide to get a perfect, even and naturallooking result: Thorough exfoliation is key to creating the right base, and it’s best done the night before. Take your time and concentrate on those areas prone to dryness like knees, ankles and elbows. Allow at least 24 hours between waxing and tanning. If you tan too soon after waxing your pores and hair follicles will still be open and you may find that the product builds up leaving you with dark dots. Be really generous with your
Heavenly Hair
If your hair is a bit dry, or has split-ends, a couple of weeks in the sun and in sea-water or chlorinated pools will make the matter far worse. So a trim before you hit the beach will ensure your hair remains looking healthy. When you’re relaxing by the pool, slather a leave-in conditioner onto your hair. This will help to protect against damage from the sun and will leave your locks looking thoroughly shiny, as the heat makes the product even more effective. Always rinse your tresses with fresh water after swimming in the sea or pool. Both salt and chlorine will really dry your hair out. If your hair is long enough keep it pinned up during the day and preferably covered up too. Not only will this protect your hair, put it will also protect your head which
can easily burn along a parting line, leaving you with a flaky scalp. Finally add a few drops of a leave-in conditioning hair oil before bed.
beach. Not only will you look chic, you’ll also be protecting the delicate skin on your face too. Always apply after-sun lotion. A long day on the beach calls for plenty of after-sun when you get back to the hotel.
flattering look. Peach tones look fabulous with bronzed skin and are a much better alternative to pink hues which only serve to add more redness to already flushed cheeks.
Sumptuous Skin Unhealthy hangover Minimal Make-Up The three important steps which you should follow at home are cleanse, tone and moisturise, and it’s even more important on holiday. Keeping up with those beauty rituals will keep your skin looking hydrated and flawless. Regularly apply and re-apply sunscreen. Ensuring that your entire body is protected against damaging UV rays is a must. Use a high factor, and remember to re-apply after swimming. Don’t forget to protect your lips too; use a nourishing balm that contains a sun-block. Wear a large hat on the
Keep make-up light in the day by swapping a fullcoverage foundation with a tinted moisturiser. Cover imperfections with a little concealer. Wear one coat of quality water-proof mascara on your top lashes for definition. Better still, arrange a trip to your beauty salon for an eyelash and eyebrow tint before you jet off. Sweep a peachy coloured blush over your cheeks for a
Keep thoroughly hydrated by drinking at plenty of water each day, more if you’re out in the hot sun for long periods of time. Of course you are on holiday so if you do indulge in cocktails and beers, try to alternate each alcoholic drink with water.
D-Day 1944: Democracy 1 Tyranny 0
By Ted Bruning On 6 June we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory of democracy over tyranny. And while most of the coverage of this great day will rightly focus on the unflinching selflessness of the 50,000 Allied soldiers, it’s worth sparing a moment to contemplate why democracy won. The young men confronting the Third Reich on D-Day may not have known it, but the soldiers opposing them had already been fatally undermined. A leadership that was corrupt, incompetent, divided, toadying and alternately swollen with pride and prostrated by fear, had made so many idiotic decisions over the past two years that no heroism on the part of its troops could redeem it. And at the heart of all the double-dealing, betrayal, and rottenness stood Adolf Hitler. After the invasion of Russia, Hitler more or less retreated to his Eastern HQ, surrounded by a small cadre of placemen, yes-men, courtiers and cronies who told him only what they thought he wanted to hear. He governed via a maze of overlapping bureaucracies fighting for his favour. And despite his remoteness he insisted on making even the smallest tactical decisions himself. This chaos effectively crippled the Germans defending Normandy. They had almost
no armoured support. Rommel, the commander on the ground, knew that tanks couldn’t move from rear to front because of Allied air-power, and wanted the armour right at the water’s edge. To the commander of Panzer Group West, Geyr von Shweppenburg, this was heresy. Hitler’s compromise was that the armour should be divided between them, but that von Schweppenburg couldn’t move without Hitler’s express orders – which, of course, came too late. Then there were the mythical divisions in Kent and Sussex that appeared to threaten the Pas de Calais. Their existence was conjured up by Allied deception specialists, and 15 German divisions remained north of the Seine to meet them. But these divisions had been fabricated by German army intelligence as part of a plot to discredit Himmler’s rival intelligence agency.
chimed with his preconceptions and fantasies and ignored sound advice that didn’t, are too numerous to relate; but they cost the Germans dear on D-Day, and they probably cost Germany the war. And here’s the contrast between tyranny and democracy. Churchill wasn’t short of bad ideas himself, trying to stop Nazi bombers by dropping parachute mines on them being one. And the Allied leaders argued bitterly. But Churchill and Roosevelt surrounded themselves with strong, capable advisers who weren’t afraid to argue their corners. Dowding, in charge of Fighter Command, threatened to resign in May 1940 when Churchill proposed to send more fighter squadrons to prop up the French. And Churchill bowed to his superior judgement!
There should have been a fleet of war-winning jet fighters overhead, for the Germans had been ahead of the Allies in the technology. But Hitler cancelled work on a feasible jet because a crony, Willi Messerschmidt, persuaded him to favour the Komet rocket-plane instead. As a result the Me262 didn’t appear until far too late.
The Allies made mistakes. But the reason that the 159,000 troops who landed in Normandy broke through with fewer than 5,000 killed was that their leaders weren’t driven by fear of a despot; laid rational plans based on professional expertise and sound intelligence; and represented a society that could bury its differences and make sacrifices in defence of shared values.
The occasions on which Hitler accepted bad advice that
On D-Day, democracy proved to be strong and tyranny weak.
UX8 What's On... (Apr14)_Layout 1 21/03/2014 17:48 Page 1
regular events...
Quiz night Every Tues & Sunday from 8.30pm at the Coach & Horses, Ickenham
events at Harefield Community Centre, Priory avenue, uB9 6aP Ladies Singing For Fun, 1st Wednesday in the month 1-2.30pm Zumba every Tuesday evening from 6.15-7.15pm. Mixed abilities. A fun & lively class. No need to book in advance, contact Jean: 01895 823496 or Gwen: 01895 822320 rock ‘n’ roll Monday's in Harefield! Learn to Dance 1950's Rock n Roll Jive! Every Monday. Absolute Beginners Jive class 7.30-8.30pm Slow practise session 8.30-9pm Social Rock n Roll 9-11pm No partner required - no experience necessary! Harefield Cricket Club, Breakspear Road North, Harefield, UB9 6NE. 7.30-11pm £5 entry. Contact therockingrebels@gmail. com or call 07951 652083 www.facebook.com/therockingrebels 1950s rock n roll with DJs the rocking rebels 1st Friday of every month 7.3011.30pm. Retro stalls, BYO drinks. St Marys Church Hall, High St, Harefield UB9 6BX. Contact 07951 652083 therockingrebel@gmail.com www.facebook.com/therockingrebels HoBBies... Chinese Brush Painting group Come and join our friendly group meeting on Saturday mornings. The class is guided by an experienced tutor so no experience required! You will learn how to compose and develop your own style as well as practicing the finer points of Chinese calligraphy often seen on paintings. Find us at Harefield Library, Park Lane Village Centre, Harefield or contact Phyllis Nash on 01895 476 644 / phyllnash@gmail.com Hillingdon arts & Crafts Club Meet every 2nd & 4th Friday, 9.30-
11.30am in Ickenham and at The Fabric Warehouse, Cowley. For info call Sue Williams on 07799 054444
Hillingdon natural History society Meets 1st wed of the month at the Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@hillingdonnaturalhistorysociety.org.uk
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 iver Flower Club The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call Barbara Rhodes 01895 236531 for more details. Club’s Programme can at www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver.htm uxbridge & ickenham Floral art society Meets in the village hall, Swakeleys Road. Sales table & raffle. Call 01895 850943 for details keeP-Fit, DanCe & DraMa... Bagot stack (Fitness league) Term Time Only. Vyners School, UB10 8AB on Tuesdays 7.30 8.30pm. Also in Windsor Monday & Thursday. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 www.thefitnessleague.com Modern Jive Classes Mondays, 8-11pm, West Drayton Community Centre Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. Beginners welcome, first night entry and free lifetime membership with this advert. Contact: Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 or email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com Dance, gymnastics and Free running Classes By Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults - all styles of dance from RAD ballet to Zumba. Check www.futunityuk.com for full class listings. Call 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com
Fitness league Tone & stretch exercises for the whole body, with fun dance routines to music for women of all fitness levels. Tuesday 7.30-8.30pm at Vyners School, Warren Road, Ickenham, UB10 8AB. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 before attending. www.thefitnessleague.com
Funky rhythms Dance & Fitness Zumba with Brian (07957 343528) Monday 6.30pm- Swakeley's School for girls, Clifton Gardens, Hillingdon Zumba with elli £5 (07833 690153) Tuesday 8pm- Active4less, 233 High Street, Uxbridge Zumba with Brian Thu 6pm & 7.30pm Watts Hall, Christchurch, Belmont Road, Uxbridge Zumba with sylvia J £5 (07793 769584) 8pm - Minet Jnr Sch, Avondale Dr, Hayes irish Dancing Classes For boys and girls from age 5. Beginners and advanced classes available. Monday, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd. Wednesday, 6pm at Greenford Visitation Catholic Church Hall Contact Deidre email: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk telephone: 07956 346383 Jazzercise Classes New Denham Community Centre Monday 9.30am-10.30am & Tuesday 6.45pm-7.45pm. Wednesday & Friday 10-11am Denham Village Memorial Hall Village Road, Denham, Bucks. Thursday 6.30-7.30pm. Contact: Wendy Whitefoord Tel: 07803 602142 e: wendy.whitefoord@btinternet.com www.jazzercise.com ladies only kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk continued overleaf...
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keep-fit, dance & drama continued...
Line dancing Wednesdays at Uxbridge Community Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge. New class for absolute beginners is 10.30am-12.30pm, with free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Beginners/easy level 1.45pm-3.45pm - free tea and biscuits - £3.50 Thursdays at Charville Community Centre, Bury Road, Hayes End 8pm10pm for beginners/improvers £4.25, no tea and biscuits, but there is a bar. Call Susan 01895 832837 passion dance Group Passion Dance Group (Ruislip) Queensmead Sports Centre and 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. 07882 413428 passiondancegroup@hotmail.co.uk pink academy of dance Classes held daily @ New Denham Community Centre. Exciting range of classes for boys and girls from 2 years to Adults. Monday - RAD ballet and IDTA Tap Wednesday - Jazz and Festival work Friday - Festival work Saturday - Little feet ballet (2yrs), Ballet, Tap, Disco, Festival work and Adult Ballet and Tap. Contact: Admin@pinkacademy.co.uk www.pinkacademy.co.uk 01895 257553 rockin' 8s Square dancing Modern American style - every Thurs 8.15pm. New Denham & Willowbank Community Centre, Oxford Road, New Denham. UB9 4DW. Call Jean 01895 622859 or email paul@stingproductions.com Salsa! Every Tuesday @ Slug and Lettuce Uxbridge UB8 1LB. No Partner
required. From 8.30pm classes for beginners to more advance dancers with ViVaLaSalsa! For more details call 07961 699424 or visit: www.vivalasalsakizomba.com
Yoga Monday nights 6.45 till 8.00pm at Uxbridge & District Conservative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653
Salsa classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.459.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm
Zumba fitness Mon 7pm, Wed 10am. Denham Village Memorial Hall. Ian or Suzanne 07545 910058 / 07834 187745.
SaLSa (all styles) Every Monday at Uxbridge Community Centre, 32b The Greenway, Uxbridge UB8 2PJ from 7.45pm to 10pm. Come and join Mina Queen Salsa for some amazing fun. Call 07958 578962 or email mina@queensalsa.com Suzanne’s School of dance & drama 69 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham UB10 8DQ. Classes from aged 2 yrs to adult. All types of dance; ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, street and musical theatre, drama, singing. See website 'suzannes-dance.co.uk' tai chi classes Every Saturday 10-11am at Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan 07880 601429 the pilates club St Giles & The United Reformed Church Halls, Ickenham. For further info visit www.thepilatesclub.co.uk or call 07968 920070 uxbridge musical theatre Ruislip Conservative Club, 56-58, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7DQ. Tuesday 8-10pm. Call Phil Harrison 01895 636367 Email: mail@umtheatre.co.uk or see www.umtheatre.co.uk
Zumba fitness class Mon 6pm, Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane Hillingdon UB8 3QU. Tues 7.30pm, St Marys Church Hall, Hemmen Lane (off Church Rd, Hayes) UB3 2JQ. No experience necessary. £5. For details call Ann-Marie Samuels 07701 012927 muSic... drumbeatz Drum tuition for beginners in a rehearsal studio in Denham by Melanie Kleyn, qualified HND, now on degree at ACM. Children over 8yrs, anyone keen to learn. Guitar lessons on site. Approx. 3.15-5.30pm or during the day. Text 07757 635880 Email: drumsmel@gmail.com faraday country music club in Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for the best live Country Music every Thursday for listeners, western partners, freestyle or line dancers. From 8 - 11pm. Contact Deb 07986 050742. www.faradaycountry.co.uk Guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Contact Sam for a FREE lesson 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk Yiewsley & West drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com continued overleaf...
Slimming World UX8 FP (Jun14)_Layout 1 22/05/2014 09:30 Page 1
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May to 14th June 2014.
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pre-school & kids groups...
Yiewsley & West drayton Training Band This is open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wednesday during term time 6.457.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com sing and 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
slough sea cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thurs 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12 yrs) & Cadets (age 12-18 yrs). £2 per week, courses from £5. E: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Tiny Talk Baby signing classes Friday classes at The Uxbridge Centre, The Greenway, Uxbridge, UB8 2PJ 10.30 am, price £5.00 Pre-paid per family. Call Bev Meier 01895 824935 or 07818 025993 1st uxbridge scouts, Beavers & cubs www.1stuxbridge.com Tel: 01895 255479 self defence... shorinji kempo self defence Practical self defence techniques from this traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. (opp. Brunel Uni). Contact Dan on 07776 421957 or for details visit www.sk.harrow.ac.uk karate club of uxbridge For ages 5yrs and up. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call Dominic on 07988 743725
kung fu club West drayton Great Kung Fu workout for everybody. Training for children & adults Tues 5.30-6.30pm, Fri 7.30-8.30pm, Sun 5.30-6.30pm. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella on 07702 479435 e: sportsclubuk@gmail.com self help & supporT...
hillingdon Brain Tumour group Support group held every 2nd Thurs of the month 12.30-2.30pm, Hillingdon Baptist Church, Hercies Rd Hillingdon, UB10 9LS. Call Cyril or Becky 01895 637444. parkinsons uk society – uxbridge Support group for sufferers and carers, meet at Christ Church, Redford Way, Uxbridge from 2-4pm on the last Tue of the month. Guest speakers and social outings. Call Mr Neasby on 0208 848 3920 slimming World New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. New joiners turn up at 10am to register Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 slimming World The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 slimming World Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Rd, Yiewsley. Wed 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 Weight Watchers Christchurch Bailey Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. Thursday 6.30pm. Call 07920 409111. social groups... crosier investment club Objectives to learn more about the Stock Market and to improve personal investment skills. Meets 7.30pm, 3rd Thursday in month Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AA. Further details 020 8427 3559.
Annual Subs £24 (inc. tea/coffees). secretary@crosierinvestment.org.uk visit www.crosierinvestment.org.uk hillingdon family history society The Society exists for anyone with an interest in family history. Based at Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Our research room is open (10am-1pm) on the first Saturday of the month and on every Friday (except the Friday before the first Saturday). We have a wide variety of records, and experienced help is always available. Once a month, usually on the 3rd Thursday evening, there are general meetings with a speaker. For openings and events see www.hfhs.co.uk. Contact Mrs Pat Reynolds 01895 444442 or email hillingdonfhs@onetel.com rotary club of elthorne hillingdon We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Call 01923 829657 for details rotary club of uxbridge We meet on Fridays at 12.40 for 13.00 (5th Friday evening, call Sec on 07910 197201) at The Middlesex Suite, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge. See website www.rotaryclubofuxbridge.org.uk Whist Tuesdays 2-4pm at Uxbridge & District Conservative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, Middx, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 Women’s social group Social group for women in West London. Looking to expand your social group and make new friends? We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and organised trips and welcome women of all ages. Please call Seema on 07730 898635 or email seema@seema. co.uk to find out more
continued overleaf...
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Sport...
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 play bowls, rugby, squash & tennis at Uxbridge Cricket Club. Bar food available daily. Non-members welcome. Tel: Anne 01895 237571. E: admin@uxbridgecricketclub.co.uk Hillingdon Golf Club All players and new members welcome. 18 Dorset Way, Hillingdon, Middx, UB10 0JR. Call 01895 460035/252718. www.hillingdongolfclub.co.uk
Indoor Short Bowls Thursday nights 8-10pm at Uxbridge & District Conser-vative Club, Fairfield, 46 Harefield Rd, Uxbridge, UB8 1PJ. Tel: 01895 233653 New Ladies Netball team Training Wed 7.30-8.30pm (TT) Ryefield Primary School, Ryefield Avenue, Hillingdon E: glebenetballclub@yahoo.com
old Abbotstonians rugby Club Youth Section Coaching non-contact (Tag) and full contact rugby for children aged 4-13 years. Training or matches Sundays 10am-12noon at Old Abbotstonians Rugby Club, Pole Hill Open Space, Raeburn Road, Hayes. For details call Colin Lowen on 07798 743041.
pink Ladies Netball Club All levels and abilities welcome. Training takes place at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tuesday evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - please Rhiannon on 01895 448878 for details email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk
'the Uxbridge Loiterers' Cycle Club Ring Don on 01895 232752 or Carole on 01895 833249 Uxbridge Squash Club All squash players welcome Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Road, Uxbridge. Tel: 01895 237571 Visit: uxbridgesquash.org.uk
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Plotting a Vegetable Garden
by Pippa Greenwood
Even the smallest garden can find space to grow vegetables. Start now and you can enjoy delicious home-grown salads all summer long. Producing useful quantities of your own vegetables doesn’t take up as much space as you might imagine. There’s a lot you can plant out or grow from seed right now that will give you some super-tasty, succulent, and top-quality salads in just a few weeks’ time. And salad leaves grown in ornamental pots can be as decorative as they are nutritious.
Before you get sowing or planting, choose the right containers. Big ones are easier to maintain than small ones; and of course bigger pots mean more produce. Go for something of at least 30cm (12in) in diameter, larger if possible. As salad crops tend to be pretty short-term there’s no need to spend a fortune on compost. Ideally choose a good-quality multi-purpose compost, but you can get perfectly acceptable results with the contents of a growingbag. I find the quality of the compost in these isn’t all that brilliant, but for the time you need it – and provided you keep it well-fertilised – it’ll be
adequate.
If you grow your own salad leaves you can get precisely the mix you like best. There are plenty of eye-catching lettuces such as the frilly Lollo, either a gorgeous bright-green standard Lollo a burgundytinged Lollo Rosso or a mixture of both. Treat them as cut-andcome-again crops, snipping off the leaves as you want them but not cutting into to the base, then they’ll put out new shoots and keep cropping for longer.
Baby beet leaves are a popular salad ingredient, too. Choose a variety like Bull’s Blood for the prettiest leaves or grow any of the standard varieties, and you’ll also get a great-tasting root crop later on. I generally harvest the young leaves a few at a time but let the plant produce a root too. There are still plenty of tomato plants in the shops now, but hunt carefully to find the ones that are still in top condition. If you choose an outdoor variety it can be grown in a pot on its own, and if you have a big enough container you can grow some other salad ingredients around the edge of the container. If you’re after some fire in your cooking, a chilli pepper thrives in a pot in a warm and very
sheltered spot as do sweet peppers.
Fresh herbs can make a salad more interesting too. Choose your favourites and either grow them in a dedicated herb pot with extra grit in the compost for good drainage, or even consider popping a few in with your main crops. Vegetables, like most plants, do best in a relatively warm spot with plenty of sun, so site your containers carefully. You want them to be easily accessible from the kitchen, but it’s more important to ensure they’re sheltered from the wind yet still get enough sun. You may prefer to raise some of your crops in pots and grow them on a bit before planting them out. The garden containers will always be full and looking their best, even while you’re harvesting them. The new plantings will very quickly blend in with the old, and all summer long you’ll have a garden that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tastebuds.
Visit Pippa’s website, www. pippagreenwood.com, for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’, the AskPippa Q&A service, Nemaslug, natural pest controls, and lots more.
George
Charlie
These adorable boys are very loving and playful, despite having had a pretty appalling start to their short lives. Their previous owners grew tired of them, and they were fed only on scraps. Since coming to our centre, they have had unsettled tummies, but with lots of TLC and feeding of the correct food, they are now in a suitable routine and are much healthier and happier. Not only this, but poor Charlie also came to us with a swelling on his neck, and because it was in such a sensitive area we had to sedate him to investigate, only to find that he had been shot with an air pellet. This traumatic ordeal for both of them hasn’t stopped this gorgeous and trusting pair from loving humans! They are such affectionate boys, and are yearning for new owners who can give them plenty of time for cuddles. Can you provide the loving home that Charlie and George are searching for? If you think you can offer any of our animals a loving home then please ring the RSPCA Hillingdon Branch on 01895 833417 or visit our website www.rspcahillingdonclinic.org.uk to download an application form.
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New guidance on teen and elderly abuse
by Vicky Preece Senior solicitor, childcare and domestic violence team IBB Solicitors vicky.preece@ibblaw.co.uk The Crown Prosecution Service is to introduce new guidelines for handling cases of domestic abuse among the elderly and teenagers. The draft guidance claims that growing older can lead to exclusion or isolation, making a victim more vulnerable to abuse. It goes on to state that, as well as mental or physical frailty, other factors such as stress brought on by caring for ill partners, or events later in life such as retirement, can lead to increased domestic abuse against elderly victims.
Experience of domestic abuse changes with age The guidance, which is not yet law but has just opened for public consultation, notes that people’s experiences of domestic abuse change as they get older. It says the intensity of abuse may be greater among pensioners because they may feel less able to escape or to get help as they are dependent on their abuser. The guidance notes that research has shown that abusive relationships often intensify during retirement, as partners spend more time at home together. “We know from research conducted by others that there is very little evidence that partner violence decreases with age. And it is important we also recognise the factors that may contribute to and impact upon domestic abuse between older people,” Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, comments. Social media to be considered For younger victims, prosecutors are advised to consider abusive relationships which form part of the
membership of a gang, such as coercion into sexual activity in return for protection or status. It advises prosecutors to ask police about a victim’s family life to determine whether telling their parents about any potential prosecution might affect their safety. It also suggests consideration be given to bail restrictions and restraining orders and adds that prosecutors should take into account the locations visited by victims, like school or social clubs, and methods of contact, such as social media. The CPS notes that some teenagers may not consider themselves victims if they are not being physically abused, but are being targeted on social media like Facebook and Twitter. “Abuse often takes place online in cases involving teenagers and young people. It is vital that this type of evidence is considered as part of any case and that both prosecutors and investigators adopt the full definition of domestic violence that includes nonphysical abuse such as this,” the guidance states. IBB’s specialist childcare and domestic violence team is experienced in defending the rights and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. We are members of the Association of Lawyers for Children and several of our team serve on the Law Society’s Children Panel and hold Resolution specialist accreditation. The childcare team can be contacted on 01895 207857 or emailed at childcare@ibblaw.co.uk. Our personal injury team can help you seek redress to support your recovery from physical or psychological harm. Call us on 01895 207835 or email us at PI@ ibblaw.co.uk.
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Don’t suffer in silence Domestic abuse and online bullying can happen to anyone at any age, and victims often feel they have nowhere to turn. Talk to our experienced lawyers about how we can help you to stop it happening to you or your loved ones.
08456 381381 ibblaw.co.uk
014 11:27
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