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Well, as I’m writing this, we’re still in June and not only is it a beautiful sunny day, it’s also a rather significant and exciting day in my house. Having spent the last ten years sharing snippets of my life with you the read ers and often giving mention to my daughter Sami, I can’t believe that I’ve gone from working in a room with her whilst Dora the Explorer played on the tv in the background to now saying tonight is the much awaited prom night!!! Those years have gone far too quickly and I can’t help feeling just a little sad that those annoying kids programmes along with my small child, are both things of the past. How ever, that sadness is truly overshadowed by the pride I feel today when I look at the beau tiful young woman she’s become and see how excited she is about tonight’s big prom. Yes, like all parents, it’s cost us a small for tune, but then again, I should recoup that in petrol. Today was also the last ever school run! For those of you with young children, cherish every day, good or bad, because before you know it, it will be their prom day too. .
Tel: 0800 038 5001 Mob: 07759 536494 In and Around Magazines cover: West Drayton . Iver . Denham . Uxbridge Ickenham . Ruislip Angela Fisher 0800 038 5001 / 07759 536494 info@inandaroundpublishing.co.uk
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Golden Years: Memories of 50 years ago Local Events
6 8
Apple Day
10
Motoring: Ford Mustang
12
Breakthrough for Sciatica Sufferers
14
Right Side of the Road
14
Health: Brace Yourself
16
Southlands LIVE
18
Property Matters
18
RSPCA Rehoming Appeal
20
Reader Travel Offers
22
Coffee Break Puzzles
26
A hobby that’s written in the stars
28
Beauty: Festival Frenzy
30
Interiors: Gorgeous Georgian
32
How to cut the cost of your summer holiday
34
Pets Corner
36
Garden Feature Clubs, Groups & Classes
38 40, 42 & 44
Wordsearch
43
Situations Vacant
46
Puzzle Solutions
46
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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Golden Years
Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning
after all, only 25 and had been used to nothing but praise since his debut).
On 25th July 1965 the crowd at the 7th Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island had their flabbers utterly ghasted when their current idol, Bob Dylan, took to the stage wearing... an electric guitar! What happened next is so thoroughly disputed that the truth is impossible to determine; but it seems that some of the acoustic-loving folkies were so outraged that they actually booed. Well, there was some booing. But what it was all about was, and remains, hotly disputed. Pete Seeger, who was backstage, maintained that it was the atrocious sound quality that upset the audience. Al Kooper, Dylan’s electric organist at the time, believed it was because Dylan walked off stage after three numbers and had to be persuaded to go back on to do two more. But Dylan himself was convinced that the heckling was directed at his rebirth as an electrified rocker and was very upset. (He was,
But the audience can’t have been all that surprised: Dylan had used an electric band on one side of his third album, Bringin’ It All Back Home, in March that year; and in April the Byrds had scored a US number one with their debut single, an electrified version of Dylan’s own Mr Tambourine Man. This song had featured in Dylan’s live set since it was written in early 1964, but he had never managed a recording he thought really satisfactory; so the success of the Byrds’ electric version must have made some impression on him. Perhaps a folk festival run by a fanatical purist like Pete Seeger was the wrong occasion to “come out” electrically, and the story goes is that it was a spontaneous decision made only the day before. But Dylan had released Like A Rolling Stone only a few days earlier as a single featuring Al Kooper and noted electric blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield, both of whom turned up with him at Newport; so perhaps not quite as eleventh-hour as has been popularly supposed. Perhaps he had planned all along to plug the new record at Newport? Watching footage from that epoch-making set, there was certainly some booing, although from a minority of a largely enthusiastic audience; and in truth nobody
had anything to boo about. The opener was a storming rendition of Maggie’s Farm, with Bloomfield in blistering form and the rhythm section, supposedly borrowed from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band only the night before, in suspiciously familiar control of the material. And the sound quality was nothing like as dreadful as Seeger later claimed! The real trouble came not at Newport but on his 1966 world tour, when non-American audiences – and the British music press – proved not nearly so receptive to Dylan’s electric renaissance as his US fans. The long and gruelling tour climaxed with the famous “Judas!” heckle at the Manchester Free Trade Hall, and during the last few dates Dylan seemed increasingly weary and dispirited. Back home, with his new wife and new baby to absorb his interest and nurse his psychic wounds, he suffered his mysterious motorbike crash with its unspecified injuries, and abandoned live performing almost completely until the triumphant 1974 comeback tour.
Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Jeremy Guscott & Jeremy Kyle (7th), David Miliband (15th), Evelyn Glennie (19th), & Slash (23rd). Cake and botox to you all!
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Dated Events (Jul15)_Layout 1 29/06/2015 06:44 Page 1
JULY EVENTS
Local Events July into August 2015
Hillingdon Business Minds 10th July, 12.30-2pm Pump Lane Unlock your potential, develop self belief and confidence. Admission to this event is FREE. For more details email Keeley on info@key4change or call 07923 074 304. Ruislip Stamp & Postcard Fair 11th July The Ruislip Methodist Church Hall, Ickenham Road, HA4 7DQ. For details call 01895 637283.
Iver Heath Junior School Summer Fayre 11th July, 12-3pm Iver Heath Junior School. Grand Prize and Cash Raffles plus Pony Rides, Bouncy Castle, Fairground attractions, Tombola, Games, Crafts and Refreshments. Summer Fayre 11th July, 11am-2pm Harefield Infant School, High Street, Harefield, UB9 6BT. Games Stalls & fun in the sun. Hayes Carnival 11th July, starts at 12.30pm Pump Lane Come along and be dazzled by the parade. Visit www.hillingdon.gov. uk/hayescarnival. FREE Meditation Event 11th July, 2.30pm-4.30pm Ickenham Village Hall, 33 Swakeleys Road, UB10 8DG. FREE event but booking is required. Call 07970 147967 / 0208 574 3699 or visit www.brahmakumaris.org/uk
Gala Concert - Hillingdon 50 18th July Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. This concert, presented in partnership with Brunel University London, will celebrate 50 years of The London Borough of Hillingdon. The programme will include Beethoven's Symphony N° 9 with choirs from across the Borough and beyond uniting with the Orchestra to perform the choral finale. Local opera star Ross Ramgobin, a graduate of Brunel, will sing a selection of famous arias and the university barbershop group will sing a cappella songs. There will additionally be a scripted entertainment featuring local people, celebrating the borough today as a great place to both live and work. This unique occasion will be hosted by Brunel University London in the stunning surroundings of their world-class Indoor Athletics Centre. This is a major concert that requires a very large chorus of singers for the famous last movement. More singers are needed to join in this event. Rehearsals have started at Ickenham United Reformed Church. Please visit the website for more details at www.hillingdonphil.btck.co.uk Concert tickets: £12.00 adults / £6.00 under 18 on the door and
£10 adults / £5 under 18 tickets in advance. Tickets available from Pro Music International, Ickenham or call our box office on 01895 674223.
LIVE MUSIC EVENTS The Swan at Iver 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. 25th July Summer Party from 12noon till 2am (Family time from 12noon to 6pm and adult entertainment from 6.30pm). Live music from returning performers; TwoTone, Solace and The Flyers. FREE to enter! Don’t miss it! The WatersEdge Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. 25th July Charity Day from 1pm onwards, raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Live music, face painting, raffle and stalls with a DJ from 8pm til late! The Falcon Village Road, Denham, UB9 5BE. 1st August Local musicians ‘The Styles’ perform.
DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE! If you would like us to publicise your event in our August issues contact us no later than Monday 13th July.
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The popular Apple Day event will, once more, be at Home Cottage Farm, Bangors Road South, Iver Heath on Saturday 17th October 2015 11am to 4pm. Last year more than 3,000 people attended, which is, again, being held in aid of St Marga ret’s Church, Iver Heath and other local chari ties. This is a great family fun day out with numer ous stalls for local charities, producers and traders – from toffee apples and pumpkins to bricabrac and crafts. Lots of children’s activi ties and events for all ages to watch & take part – face painting, Punch & Judy Show, fer ret racing, ponyrides and craftmaking plus refreshment tents & a BBQ. Entry will be £1 per adult & £3 parking. Chil dren go free. We really hope you can join us and be a part of this local community event, so be sure to make a note in your diary.
Motoring
Ford Mustang By James Baggott
coupes such as the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 would also be on the shopping lists for Mustang buyers. Stack the equivalent V8-engined offerings up against the Ford, though, and there’s an eye-watering difference in price.
What’s it like to drive?
What is it?
A large American hamburger, served up in a European baguette with double side of Across The Pond Cheese. There’s little doubt the Mustang has a cult following - that comes with a 50-year history and more movie appearances than Clint Eastwood (probably), but is that enough for it to win the battle against something like an Audi A5? The Blue Oval thinks it is and 2015’s allocation of 1,200 cars has already been sold.
What’s under the bonnet?
Well, you can see the European influence here, because it’s not all about a V8 - there’s a 312bhp 2.3-litre four cylinder Ecoboost option too. We know that feels like sacrilege - and to be honest, it really is - but if you actually care about CO2 in a Mustang it produces 179g/km and if mpg keeps you up at night it’ll return 35.3mpg. That said, choosing the Ecoboost would be like opting for a salad in McDonald’s so instead the 415bhp V8 is the only choice.
It’s thirsty at 20.9mpg and kills many, many trees with emissions of 299g/km, but this is a Mustang. It’ll hit 60mph in a shade under five seconds and go on to 155mph (limited). Oh, and it sounds good... the Ecoboost, not so much.
What’s the spec like?
It’s not bad, but we can’t help feeling it lacks the glitz of rivals. But then this car is priced extremely competitively - the V8 is a fiver under £33k, which for a V8 is a relative bargain. Ford tells us 80 per cent of its customers ticked all the other options on the specification sheet which include comfy Recaro seats and upgraded Shaker audio system.
Any rivals?
Ford insists the Mustang ‘has no rivals’. The first allocation has mostly been snapped up by enthusiasts who bought a Mustang because they’ve always wanted one. So what happens when those first adopters run out? Well, when pressed, Ford admitted German
It’s big and feels it, with a long nose that we found hard to place comfortably on the road. The Ecoboost engine particularly failed to impress, and we’d go as far to say that buying an Ecoboost should go down as a very bad life choice indeed. The V8 on the other hand sounds like a Mustang should and has the pace to match. The steering is a little light and the manual gearbox notchy, but they’re foibles you’ll probably put up with. The fastback is better looking and better to drive than the convertible too, so go for that.
The verdict
We can see why it appeals to Mustang fans but beyond them we just can’t see who’ll buy it. How many buyers want an American muscle car? We’d hedge our bets and say not very many. The Mustang might work on the streets of San Francisco, but will it have the same effect on a wet Scarborough seafront? We’re unsure. The ace up its sleeve might just be the price - at £32,995 the V8 is a lot of car for the money. But that still wouldn’t make us buy one.
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Home & Interiors Brace Yourself
Glorious Georgian
The media is full of people with perfectly aligned teeth, usually thanks to orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment can improve your appearance and also your bite, speech and oral hygiene. With more discreet braces and easier payment options now available, it’s become more appealing than ever. Let’s look at the options. Fixed AppliAnces You don’t have to live in a Fixed orthodontic appliances 250-year-old house to enjoy remain permanently attached to the timeless elegance of the teeth, so compliance is good. Georgian style. Refined and However, they may break or uncluttered, its symmetry, cause mouth ulcers and irritation. proportion classicism They consistand of brackets looks good in all kinds attached to the tooth andof wires that are gradually adjustedSorrell to homes, says Katherine move teeth into the correct position. You may have to wear tiny elastic bands between the brackets for a time to encourage correct movement, and patient compliance often falters here.
Stringy foods can catch on the wires, and crunchy or chewy foods must be avoided as they can bend or displace wires or dislodge brackets. Good oral hygiene can be difficult with fixed appliances, so it’s important to follow the orthodontist’s cleaning tips and use special tools or toothbrushes as instructed. Traditional Braces Traditional braces (‘train tracks’) consist of steel wires running through steel brackets attached to your teeth’s outer surfaces. Treatment period: 12-36 months; average 18-24 months.
It’s Time For Revival styles. But according to V&A curator Julius Bryant: Straight Teeth ‘The prevailing mood of the
By Katherine Sorrell
Average cost: £2000-£2800. pros: Suitable for the majority of orthodontic cases. cons: Highly visible.
ceramic Braces Ceramic braces consist of thin steel wires running through clear brackets attached to your teeth’s outer surfaces. Treatment period: 12-36 months; average 18-24 months. Average cost: £2400-£3200. pros: Much more discreet than Did you know that it was the steel braces. Suitable for the Georgians who made us majority of orthodontic cases. modern? During the century cons: Visible, but often go or so following the ascent of unnoticed. George I in 1714, our towns Fastbraces and cities, homes and gardens, Fastbraces have a patented and even our leisure time were triangular design heattransformed, andand the ainexorable activated wire. Traditional braces rise of popular culture began. tend to move the tooth’s crown Perhaps it is part of a trend first and thepared-down roots later, but away from Fastbraces minimalism immediately in favour of start bolder moving whole tooth into its colours,the decorative surfaces desired position, shortening and more intricate shapes, the or treatment perhaps itduration. is simply the appeal Treatment period: 3–months-1 of classic elegance either year; 5-8 months. way, itaverage is not surprising that we Average cost:life £2200-£2800. find Georgian and times, pros: Reportedly less and especially its cause architecture sensitivity andutterly pain than and interiors, fascinating. traditional braces. The treatment But what was Georgian period is shorter, as are style? In anvisits, era that lasted orthodontic as Fastbraces more than a century, are easier to adjust. there were inevitably a variety of cons: Not suitable for severe fashions, with the jaw joint orstarting bite problems, drama and lavishness of the or extensive overcrowding/ Baroque, then the symmetry misalignment. and order of Palladianism, lingual then intoBraces the delicate, scrolling With braces, lines lingual of Rococo, andmetal finally brackets and wiresand are Greek attached the neo-Classical to the inner surface of the teeth.
period is one of classical Alison Runham revival, ofBy symmetry, order, balance, space and calm – in www.alison.runham.co.uk contrast to Victorian clutter. The centrepiece of a room would Treatment period: be a fireplace with a12-30 prominent months; average months. mantelpiece, and18 then lovely Average cost: £3300-£4300. floorboards, Turkish rugs, and pros: Basically invisible unless furniture made from walnut and someone gets upcarved close. edges, mahogany, with cons: Lingual braces can be stable and strong.’ harder to adjust than traditional This was, course, braces andofcan irritatethe the age of the tongue andmaster changecabinetits position, maker: famous names(although such affecting your speech as Thomas Chippendale and usually patients adapt). Only George for Hepplewhite. Although suitable mild to moderate styles varied according to cases. the prevailing fashion, the general preference was for RemovABle AppliAnces fine, small, light pieces made Clear Aligners (‘Invisible Braces’) from rich woods, often featuring The two best known brands are decorative gilding, marquetry Invisalign and Smilelign. A series or lacquer. If you can’t afford of transparent aligners (similar Georgian antiques, look to retainers) are created, each for Victorian or Edwardian shaped differently to replicas,slightly and use loose covers gradually your teeth into to concealmove unsuitable modern their correct position. You’ll need pieces, as was the fashion at to your thechange time. As foraligners fabrics, every cottons two four weeks and wear them and to linens became extremely 20-22 hours day.of beautiful popular and per a host Treatment months. printed andperiod: woven 3-12 patterns Average Smilelign appeared,cost: many of which£1600 to Invisalignincluding £2900are£1900; still available, £3300. chintzes featuring large, bright pros: you can florals,Removable, bold stripes,sospray of brush your teeth normally. flowers, Chinese scenes and Virtually invisible. images of the monochrome cons: removed before toile deMust Jouy.beOn walls, either eating and drinking, as chewing wood panelling or block-printed and hot drinks canbedistort wallpaper would perfect, or them. Mayfor cause minor speech else look appropriate paint distortion. Only for mild colours from thesuitable many historic to moderate cases. ranges on offer today. Georgian ‘common’ colours included All braces can cause discomfort, off-white, stone, grey, cream, a and some mild temporary pain wide range of earthy tones and after your brace is tightened or chocolate. Generally speaking, your aligner changed. But the the stronger the colour, the final result is well worth it.
more expensive it was to produce, so some people added touches of pea green, olive, lemon or pale blue, while the very well off employed brighter shades such as pink, orange, straw, deep green, ultramarine and Prussian blue. At the start of the Georgian era homes were very poorly lit, but by the turn of the century there had been great advances in technology. Gas and oil lighting – despite being prone to the occasional explosion – was the latest thing for those who could afford it, though candles were still the norm for most. This meant that decorative light fittings became fashionable, which reflected light prettily in ornamental mirrors. Period lighting can be tricky to get right; either seek out good reproductions or stick to simple, timeless modern fittings that won’t clash with other pieces. In many older homes, panelled-
wood shutters look just right at the windows – you may even be lucky enough to have them in place already. If not, simple curtains made from a suitable fabric work well, reflecting the fact that the later part of the Georgian period saw the introduction of French rod curtains that drew horizontally – the forerunners of our modern curtains. Last of all, to really get things right, add one or two typical finishing touches such as classical busts or statues, romantic porcelain figures, lacquerwork screens, rococo silver and Wedgwood ceramics. And ensure that your rooms are arranged with a nod to the Georgian taste, with an emphasis on order and symmetry. You will no doubt appreciate how this gracious and tasteful style, once the very cutting edge of fashion, has become an essential element in our interior vocabulary.
IMAGES - Above: Georgian mirror, £249, The Pure Bathroom Collection from Smiths Briten, 0845 634 4321; www.purebathroomcollection. co.uk. Left top: French Green no.187, an historic colour that was hugely popular at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, Mylands Paints, 020 8670 9161; www. mylands.co.uk. Left bottom:Georgian-style wing chair, £1,112, Delcor, 0191 237 1303; www.delcor.co.uk.
Southlands
Beauty
Now in it’s third year, Southlands Arts Centre’s annual music festival take place on Over 400 festival goers of all ages attended last years fantastic event and Southlands LIVE 2015 promises to be even better.
Festival Frenzy
A strong line up of bands and performers includes: We’ve got a strong line up of 9 bands (many of whom have a connection to the area) and a DJ this Lips, Macchina Del Tempo, Sweet Panic, the in year on the main stage. Music styles vary and volved, Kick, Periscope View, Tyrants, An Ceol, by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk we’ve had everything from folk to rock – this years The Harlings line up also offers great variety and you can listen purchased from event brite toAh samples from some of the festival. artists via the links Tickets boost.can It’sbe wonderfully we do love a good https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southlandslive below. refreshing and also ideal Whether you’re off to Leeds to 2015tickets16232417598 for long-haul flights and Southlands LIVE is a family friendly event, and this watch Mumford & Sons, heading to children taking£7.50, the burn out £5, Children under 5 go free. year we’ve created a family ticket package so eve Adults family ticket Acosts £20. Sundown spotthe ofday. glamping, shaving. bottle ryone can comefor andaenjoy Children under Aof 5 or cantaking attend forthe free.whole family to Camp Tocosts £13.95 from keep up to date with our events and Southlands
www.greenpeople. The event caters all tastes, obviously LIVE you can follow us on Bestival, youforcan’t beatalthough a festival @southlands_arts or visit our appealing for music lovers, we’ll also have great co.uk and should last for creating some long-lasting you for most of the food, refreshments (including a bar), craft stalls and www.southlandsarts.co.uk memoriesforof you summer. entertainment thesummer. kids on the While day.
Twitter website
don’t need to pack your A good suntan lotion, full make-up bag, there that offers both UVA are still a few beauty and UVB protection, is vital, but even if you essentials you’ll want are religious about to squash into your avoiding sunburn, rucksack. it’s still worth having
Property
I have always felt that the idea that if there aren’t Trying keep will your cool enough houses to go round,toprices rise to be a myth. There’s a simple for this: if it were on a reason sweltering summer’s true then the opposite also bebytrue; if the day,would surrounded a few supply increased, prices would fall. That thousand people, is notwould mean that nobody would ever build a new house an easy task. A re-usable because, by the time it was finished, the price water bottle would have fallen.
Strangely, groupstoof people who oppose any a decent the after-sun significant in their neighbourhoods hand. Wedevelopment like Hawaiian (the media has Sun christened them NIMBYs) do not Tropic After Cooling Aloe Gel, which buy argument. While they will normally (asthis you’ve probably guessed) contains aloecite factors such as “spoiling the character of the town” vera, along with a vitamin A & E complex. As as justification for their opposition, the true reason soothing sunburn, it helps iswell oftenas that they believe that the valuetoofprevent their own peeling, the itchsome of insect property will fall. Thereeases are actually sets of and hydrates your Where skin. It you circumstancesbites where this can be true. canarea feelwhich a bit sticky, but it has gets high have a popular traditionally prices and a lot new homes areitbeing theofjob done. Pick up forbuilt, just resi £5 dents who livefrom in homes perceived to be less desir www.FragranceDirect.co.uk able may well see the value of their properties fall. Given the choice, buyers will opt for a itnew If you’re planning to slum in build rather than anwith ex council house, for example. the other campers, you might
and pocket fan are my pretty much The statistics bear out theory. Look at private essential, but you house building since the 1960s and, whenever may also want of new homes prices have risen sharply, the supply has also risen sharply. TheGreen two correlate remarka to add bly well. This is People understandable Toning because new homes are notMist just bought first time Hydrating to yourby arsenal. A buyers, they are by people whoformulated are already on the prop want to take a packet of baby lotbought of toning mists are the latest survey by RICS reveals erty ladder and, increasingly these days, by buy to Oddly enough, wipes to freshen up between with alcohol, so can actually dry let investors. The buyers who are on the property that in many areas prices are being driven up by a showers. Baby wipes can be a bit your skin out even more, but this ladder normally have to sell their existing homes lack of new builds. So what do I know! too harsh for your face though, one is alcohol-free and contains and they are unlikely to do that if prices are falling. so if you have space, pack some orange blossom,build rosea lot of private Inaloe othervera, words, if developers Pacifica Coconut Cleansing water and houses, risingmarshmallow prices becomeextracts a selffulfilling proph esy. Wipes. One of my own personal to give your skin a real hydration
beauty essentials, these remove make-up gently, but effectively, and leave your skin feeling really plumped and hydrated. Order yours from www.lovelula.co.uk for £4.99, with free delivery.
that have been clinically proven to help support your immune system. It’s available from Holland & Barrett and other health stores for £9.99.
Festivals can be a breeding ground for colds, flu and other viruses, and partying to the early hours doesn’t exactly help your body to fight them off. As well as stocking up on antibacterial hand gel, give your immune system a boost ahead of time with a decent nutritional supplement. Unbeelievable Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support is a good choice. 100% natural, it contains bee propolis, black elderberry and other extracts
If you’re planning to rock-chick-it-up this summer, check out label. m Texturising Volume Spray, which gives you the texturising benefits of a dry shampoo, with the hold of a hairspray. It was one of London Fashion Week’s ‘official haircare products’ and is great for adding long-lasting volume and height, so perfect for back-combed styles. The original version has been criticised as being too light for darker hair colours, so label.m have now introduced a version just for brunettes.
Dream
Brian is another of our exbreeders from Wales and is still a little nervous of new things, but loves get ting a fuss and is a real little character. He’s good The kitten crisis is upon us again the kitten epi with other dogs but would like a relatively quiet demic that shames our nation every year is under home, without young children, where he can get way please don’t be part of the problem get your used to all the good things in life at his own pace. cats neutered contact us if you need help or advise on neutering. Our branch currently has 10 nursing Could you give Brian all the love and the new start mums with kittens looking for responsible forever in life he badly needs? homes. As usual, we are also dealing with stray Thank you for your support . We can’t do it with and abandoned litters as well as kittens born to out you cats whose owners couldn’t be bothered to neuter them. But expect rescues to take in the un If you think you can offer one of our animals a lov wanted offspring and foot the bill for food, care and ing home then please ring RSPCA Hillingdon rehoming. They all deserve a future to look forward Branch on or visit our website to. If you can offer a loving forever home to one of to download our kittens please contact us with so many hungry an application form. mouths to feed donations of kitten food and bed RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston & ding is a godsend to us if you can help however District Branch small it can make such a big difference.
When Brian first arrived with us, it wasn’t immedi ately obvious even which way was up!! But good ness, after clipping and a good bath what a hand some young chap we found had been hiding under that dirty matted coat.
holidays
In and Around
Call 01895 83 33 33 for bookings and information Holidays offered by GN Holidays & Voyages Higher Denham ABTA NoY0291 •ATOL 9362
Escorted & River Cruise: www.gnvoyages.co.uk Coach Breaks: www.gnholidays.com Open 9am to 5.30pm weekdays 9.30am to 12.30pm Saturdays Closed Bank Holiday weekends.
Free Drinks 6pm to midnight
Car Ferry included
Just £10pp deposit
Exclusively for the over 40s generation
3 nights from
£229pp
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Back to the 60s Carry on New Year Party Warner Bembridge Coast Hotel, Isle of Wight Friday 8 January, 2016 • Quote: BP1-1-IA Too busy to do the New Year in December? Join us for a private party at Warner Bembridge Coast Hotel on the Isle of Wight as we extend the New Year festivities into January and take you on a trip down memory lane back to the 1960s. Our exclusive weekend, designed specially for the over 40s generation, includes a gala New Year’s Eve party, complete with Big Ben countdown to midnight and a Best of British sing- a-long with all the old favourites including Land of Hope and Glory and Auld Lang Syne. PLUS there are Free Drinks every night from 6pm-midnight to help the party go with a swing. The entertainment line-up features authentic 60s Bands The Fourmost and Union Gap, plus a tribute to Dusty Springfield with Maxine Mazumder. INCLUDED: Free drinks from 6pm to midnight every night - beers - house lager, bitter and cider; branded spirits including Smirnoff, Bacardi, Bells, Gordon’s Gin, Courvoisier Brandy, Lambs Navy Rum, Martini & Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry; wine by the glass; draught soft drinks and cordials • 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts • 1960s themed live nightly entertainment • 3 nights en-suite chalet - upgrades to main hotel available • Return car ferry crossing Portsmouth-Fishbourne or Lymington-Yarmouth
Optional Come Dancing Party Package
Just £50pp extra • Quote: BP1-3-IA
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing and dance enthusiasts can add dance tuition, dance cabaret, social dancing, a Gala Ball and much more to this special weekend at Bembridge. Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill, 6 Times UK Ten Dance Champions, will demonstrate for us on the Friday and Saturday evenings and provide a mini Latin workshop on Saturday afternoon. With a huge 8,860 sq ft dance floor and reserved tables and seating exclusively for a maximum of 200 dance guests, comfort and space are guaranteed. Tuition - up to 8 hours - is courtesy of Philip Wylie of Ballroom & Latin Dance specialists Holiday & Dance.
Add Coach Travel from Uxbridge, Ruislip or Slough
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Just £40pp extra • Quote: BP1-2-IA
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Coach Breaks departing from Uxbridge, Ruislip & Slough
Brighton & Bluebell Line Steam & Cream
A Very High Tea!! Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays & Harbour Cruise
Wednesday 9 Sept, 2015 - Quote BB9-IA
Thursday 10 September 2015 - Quote SP9-IA
GREAT DAY OUT
GREAT DAY OUT
£59
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Enjoy a super day out including a visit to Brighton and a steam train ride with a cream tea. INCLUDED: 90-minute steam train ride on the Bluebell Line with a Cream Tea • Free time in Brighton • Return coach travel
Newquay & the Cornish Riviera PLUS the Eden Project Saturday 19 September, 2015 - Quote NQ9-IA
Enjoy a Great Day Out in Portsmouth including a harbour cruise and High Tea with a great view. INCLUDED: 45-minute Portsmouth Harbour Cruise • High Tea with a glass of Prosecco at the Café in the Clouds - 105 metres up the Spinnaker Tower • Free time in Gunwharf Quays • Return coach travel
Isle of Wight Explorer Monday 29 September, 2015 - Quote SB9-IA
5 DAYS HALF BOARD
5 DAYS HALF BOARD
£329PP
£269PP
Join us in Cornwall for a relaxing holiday with daily excursions and nightly entertainment. INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the Barrowfield Hotel, Newquay • Live nightly entertainment • 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts • Visits to St Ives, Looe, Polperro, Mevagissey and The Eden Project • Coach travel and excursions
Enjoy a relaxed break at a seafront hotel on the Isle of Wight with daily excursions & nightly entertainment. INCLUDED: 4 night’s accommodation sharing an en-suite twin/double room at the Shanklin Beach Hotel • 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners • Coach travel and excursions
Bath Traditional Christmas Market & Lunch
Little Venice Christmas Tea Cruise & London Lights
Fridays: 4 & 11 December, 2015 - Quote FB12-IA
Tuesdays: 8 & 15 December, 2015 - Quote XL12-IA
GREAT DAY OUT
GREAT DAY OUT
£69PP
£59PP
Come with us to Bath and enjoy the city’s super Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of the Cathedral, and lunch in a stylish hotel. INCLUDED: Free time in Bath • Visit to the Christmas Market • 3-course festive lunch at the Regency-style Francis Hotel in Bath • Return coach travel
Enjoy a Christmas Tea Cruise on the Regents Canal from Camden Lock to Little Venice before driving through London’s Christmas Lights. INCLUDED: Little Venice cruise on the My Fair Lady (2 hour GN private charter) with mulled wine, sandwiches, hot mince pie, tea or coffee, Christmas cracker & decorations
holidays
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Call 01895 83 33 33 for bookings and information Holidays offered by GN Holidays & Voyages Higher Denham ABTA NoY0291 •ATOL 9362
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Back to the 60s Carry on New Year Party Warner Bembridge Coast Hotel, Isle of Wight Friday 8 January, 2016 • Quote: BP1-1-IA Too busy to do the New Year in December? Join us for a private party at Warner Bembridge Coast Hotel on the Isle of Wight as we extend the New Year festivities into January and take you on a trip down memory lane back to the 1960s. Our exclusive weekend, designed specially for the over 40s generation, includes a gala New Year’s Eve party, complete with Big Ben countdown to midnight and a Best of British sing- a-long with all the old favourites including Land of Hope and Glory and Auld Lang Syne. PLUS there are Free Drinks every night from 6pm-midnight to help the party go with a swing. The entertainment line-up features authentic 60s Bands The Fourmost and Union Gap, plus a tribute to Dusty Springfield with Maxine Mazumder. INCLUDED: Free drinks from 6pm to midnight every night - beers - house lager, bitter and cider; branded spirits including Smirnoff, Bacardi, Bells, Gordon’s Gin, Courvoisier Brandy, Lambs Navy Rum, Martini & Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry; wine by the glass; draught soft drinks and cordials • 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts • 1960s themed live nightly entertainment • 3 nights en-suite chalet - upgrades to main hotel available • Return car ferry crossing Portsmouth-Fishbourne or Lymington-Yarmouth
Optional Come Dancing Party Package
Just £50pp extra • Quote: BP1-3-IA
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing and dance enthusiasts can add dance tuition, dance cabaret, social dancing, a Gala Ball and much more to this special weekend at Bembridge. Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill, 6 Times UK Ten Dance Champions, will demonstrate for us on the Friday and Saturday evenings and provide a mini Latin workshop on Saturday afternoon. With a huge 8,860 sq ft dance floor and reserved tables and seating exclusively for a maximum of 200 dance guests, comfort and space are guaranteed. Tuition - up to 8 hours - is courtesy of Philip Wylie of Ballroom & Latin Dance specialists Holiday & Dance.
Add Coach Travel from Uxbridge, Ruislip or Slough
B S
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A Very High Tea!! Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays & Harbour Cruise
Wednesday 9 Sept, 2015 - Quote BB9-IA
Thursday 10 September 2015 - Quote SP9-IA
GREAT DAY OUT
GREAT DAY OUT
£59
£69PP
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Enjoy a super day out including a visit to Brighton and a steam train ride with a cream tea. INCLUDED: 90-minute steam train ride on the Bluebell Line with a Cream Tea • Free time in Brighton • Return coach travel
Enjoy a Great Day Out in Portsmouth including a harbour cruise and High Tea with a great view. INCLUDED: 45-minute Portsmouth Harbour Cruise • High Tea with a glass of Prosecco at the Café in the Clouds - 105 metres up the Spinnaker Tower • Free time in Gunwharf Quays • Return coach travel
Newquay & the Cornish Riviera PLUS the Eden Project Saturday 19 September, 2015 - Quote NQ9-IA
Isle of Wight Explorer Monday 29 September, 2015 - Quote SB9-IA
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Little Venice Christmas Tea Cruise Bath Traditional Christmas & London Lights Market & Lunch
Join us in Cornwall for a relaxing holiday with daily excursions and nightly entertainment.
INCLUDED: 4 nights stay at the Barrowfield Hotel, Newquay • Live nightly entertainment • 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts • Visits to St Looe, Polperro, Mevagissey Why replace, when youIves, can repair! and The Eden Project • Coach travel and excursions • Window, door & conservatories
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• 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners • Coach travel and excursions
• Measure the height and the width from the inside
• Leaking or drafty windows repairs • Replacing faulty hinges, locks & handles
• Call us on 01895 622 207 or drop in for your quote
• Replacement of misted2015 sealed- units Fridays: 4 & 11 December, Quote FB12-IA
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Enjoy a Christmas Tea Cruise on the Regents Canal Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of the from Camden Lock to Little Venice before driving Cathedral, and lunch in a stylish hotel. through London’s Christmas Lights. We supply fit only the finest quality: INCLUDED: Free time in Bath • Visit to and the INCLUDED: Little Venice cruise on the My Fair Lady (2 • Doors •at Conservatories • Porches • hour Composite Bi-folding Doors Windowslunch Christmas Market • 3-course festive the GN& private charter) with mulled wine, sandwiches, We welcome you to come and visit our showroom: Regency-style Francis Hotel in Bath • Return coach hot mince pie, tea or coffee, Christmas cracker & 39 Victoria Road, Ruislip Manor HA4 9AB. Open Mon to Sat 9am-5pm travel decorations Call now on 01895 622 207 • Email: info@woodfieldwindows.com • Website: www.woodfieldwindows.com
Hobbies A Hobby That’s Written In The Stars By Kate McLelland
We’ve all done it: taken a sneaky peek at the weekly horoscope column in our local newspaper or favourite magazine to see what lies in store for us. But the forecast is usually so general it could almost apply to anyone, in any situation. Even if it did apply to everyone born under your star sign, that means one-twelfth of the human race is sharing broadly the same experience as you. However when you look at astrology’s history – going back over thousands of years - you’ve got to wonder whether we should dismiss it quite so lightly? In the west, astrology as we know it today began in the second century AD although this system was a continuation of ancient Greek and Babylonian traditions. The problem with popular astrology is that it isn’t true astrology at all. The horoscope column that appears in your newspaper is based on the position of the sun at the date of your birth. It may be fun to read, but this narrow focus is like watching your television through a rolled up tube of cardboard. True astrology is based on not one, but three personal facts: the date when you were born, the place where you were Answers born and the precise time of Page 18Using this data, an your birth.
astrologer will create a unique personal chart that takes into account the position of the planets in our solar system and the relationship between them (calculated through mathematical angles). The astrologer will also look at planetary positions across the twelve ‘Houses’ (wedge-shaped sections of your chart created by the ‘Rising sign’ on the horizon at the time of your birth) and the way important planets behave in each particular star sign. The result is a personal horoscope (or ‘natal chart’), from which an astrologer can interpret information about your personality. The chart also forms the basis for ‘predictive astrology’: the art of predicting future influences and events based on the data in your birth chart (however it’s worth pointing out here that nothing is absolutely certain when it comes to astrological predictions: this method can only show the likely direction of travel, not the actual destination). If you are eager to learn more about astrology, then a short course will help you familiarise yourself with the basic principles. The Faculty of Astrological Studies (www. astrology.org.uk) runs distance learning courses as well
courses in London and a summer school in Oxford (a Foundation course costs £800 in total). Alternatively the Mayo School of Astrology (www.mayoastrology. com), established in 1973, offers a Basic Certificate Course costing around £600. If this sounds expensive, you’ll find plenty of information online. Start with Astro Dienst (www. astro.com) or Café Astrology (www.cafeastrology.com) where you can calculate and print off your own natal chart, free of charge. Given astrology’s popularity, it’s not surprising to find there are literally hundreds of books on the subject and the Café Astrology website has published a ‘Guide to Astrology Books’ together with useful notes and links to Amazon. Alternatively you could ask your local library if they have any books for beginners. Astrology is a fascinating subject, but be warned: once your friends and acquaintances learn about your new skill, you won’t need an astrologer to predict how your future spare time will be spent!
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Beauty Festival Frenzy by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk Ah we do love a good festival. Whether you’re off to Leeds to watch Mumford & Sons, heading to Sundown for a spot of glamping,
or taking the whole family to Camp Bestival, you can’t beat a festival for creating some long-lasting memories of summer. While you don’t need to pack your full make-up bag, there are still a few beauty essentials you’ll want to squash into your rucksack. Trying to keep your cool on a sweltering summer’s day, surrounded by a few thousand people, is not an easy task. A re-usable water bottle and pocket fan are pretty much essential, but you may also want to add Green People Toning Hydrating Mist to your arsenal. A lot of toning mists are formulated with alcohol, so can actually dry your skin out even more, but this one is alcohol-free and contains aloe vera, orange blossom, rose water and marshmallow extracts to give your skin a real hydration
boost. It’s wonderfully refreshing and also ideal for long-haul flights and taking the burn out of shaving. A bottle costs £13.95 from www.greenpeople. co.uk and should last you for most of the summer. A good suntan lotion, that offers both UVA and UVB protection, is vital, but even if you are religious about avoiding sunburn, it’s still worth having a decent after-sun to hand. We like Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Cooling Aloe Gel, which (as you’ve probably guessed) contains aloe vera, along with a vitamin A & E complex. As well as soothing sunburn, it helps to prevent peeling, eases the itch of insect bites and hydrates your skin. It can feel a bit sticky, but it gets the job done. Pick it up for just £5 from www.FragranceDirect.co.uk If you’re planning to slum it in with the other campers, you might want to take a packet of baby wipes to freshen up between showers. Baby wipes can be a bit too harsh for your face though, so if you have space, pack some Pacifica Coconut Cleansing Wipes. One of my own personal
,
s r e
beauty essentials, these remove make-up gently, but effectively, and leave your skin feeling really plumped and hydrated. Order yours from www.lovelula.co.uk for £4.99, with free delivery.
that have been clinically proven to help support your immune system. It’s available from Holland & Barrett and other health stores for £9.99.
Festivals can be a breeding ground for colds, flu and other viruses, and partying to the early hours doesn’t exactly help your body to fight them off. As well as stocking up on antibacterial hand gel, give your immune system a boost ahead of time with a decent nutritional supplement. Unbeelievable Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support is a good choice. 100% natural, it contains bee propolis, black elderberry and other extracts
If you’re planning to rock-chick-it-up this summer, check out label. m Texturising Volume Spray, which gives you the texturising benefits of a dry shampoo, with the hold of a hairspray. It was one of London Fashion Week’s ‘official haircare products’ and is great for adding long-lasting volume and height, so perfect for back-combed styles. The original version has been criticised as being too light for darker hair colours, so label.m have now introduced a version just for brunettes.
Home & Interiors
Glorious Georgian
You don’t have to live in a 250-year-old house to enjoy the timeless elegance of Georgian style. Refined and uncluttered, its symmetry, proportion and classicism looks good in all kinds of homes, says Katherine Sorrell
By Katherine Sorrell
Did you know that it was the Georgians who made us modern? During the century or so following the ascent of George I in 1714, our towns and cities, homes and gardens, and even our leisure time were transformed, and the inexorable rise of popular culture began. Perhaps it is part of a trend away from pared-down minimalism in favour of bolder colours, decorative surfaces and more intricate shapes, or perhaps it is simply the appeal of classic elegance – either way, it is not surprising that we find Georgian life and times, and especially its architecture and interiors, utterly fascinating. But what was Georgian style? In an era that lasted more than a century, there were inevitably a variety of fashions, starting with the drama and lavishness of the Baroque, then the symmetry and order of Palladianism, then into the delicate, scrolling lines of Rococo, and finally the neo-Classical and Greek
Revival styles. But according to V&A curator Julius Bryant: ‘The prevailing mood of the period is one of classical revival, of symmetry, order, balance, space and calm – in contrast to Victorian clutter. The centrepiece of a room would be a fireplace with a prominent mantelpiece, and then lovely floorboards, Turkish rugs, and furniture made from walnut and mahogany, with carved edges, stable and strong.’ This was, of course, the age of the master cabinetmaker: famous names such as Thomas Chippendale and George Hepplewhite. Although styles varied according to the prevailing fashion, the general preference was for fine, small, light pieces made from rich woods, often featuring decorative gilding, marquetry or lacquer. If you can’t afford Georgian antiques, look for Victorian or Edwardian replicas, and use loose covers to conceal unsuitable modern pieces, as was the fashion at the time. As for fabrics, cottons and linens became extremely popular and a host of beautiful printed and woven patterns appeared, many of which are still available, including chintzes featuring large, bright florals, bold stripes, spray of flowers, Chinese scenes and the monochrome images of toile de Jouy. On walls, either wood panelling or block-printed wallpaper would be perfect, or else look for appropriate paint colours from the many historic ranges on offer today. Georgian ‘common’ colours included off-white, stone, grey, cream, a wide range of earthy tones and chocolate. Generally speaking, the stronger the colour, the
more expensive it was to produce, so some people added touches of pea green, olive, lemon or pale blue, while the very well off employed brighter shades such as pink, orange, straw, deep green, ultramarine and Prussian blue.
wood shutters look just right at the windows – you may even be lucky enough to have them in place already. If not, simple curtains made from a suitable fabric work well, reflecting the fact that the later part of the Georgian period saw the introduction of French rod curtains that drew horizontally – the forerunners of our modern curtains. Last of all, to really get things right, add one or two typical finishing touches such as classical busts or statues, romantic porcelain figures, lacquerwork screens, rococo silver and Wedgwood ceramics. And ensure that your rooms are arranged with a nod to the Georgian taste, with an emphasis on order and symmetry. You will no doubt appreciate how this gracious and tasteful style, once the very cutting edge of fashion, has become an essential element in our interior vocabulary.
At the start of the Georgian era homes were very poorly lit, but by the turn of the century there had been great advances in technology. Gas and oil lighting – despite being prone to the occasional explosion – was the latest thing for those who could afford it, though candles were still the norm for most. This meant that decorative light fittings became fashionable, which reflected light prettily in ornamental mirrors. Period lighting can be tricky to get right; either seek out good reproductions or stick to simple, timeless modern fittings that won’t clash with other pieces. In many older homes, panelled-
IMAGES - Above: Georgian mirror, £249, The Pure Bathroom Collection from Smiths Briten, 0845 634 4321; www.purebathroomcollection. co.uk. Left top: French Green no.187, an historic colour that was hugely popular at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, Mylands Paints, 020 8670 9161; www. mylands.co.uk. Left bottom:Georgian-style wing chair, £1,112, Delcor, 0191 237 1303; www.delcor.co.uk.
Finance How to Cut the Cost of Your Summer Holiday
By Ann Haldon
From currency exchange to travel insurance and car hire, it’s possible to significantly cut the cost of holidaying abroad. Here are a few tips to shave a little off your holiday spend.
Credit Cards
The fees typically charged by credit card companies are: • Foreign exchange fee: generally 3% of the amount converted from sterling into a foreign currency. • Cash withdrawal fee: between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn The availability of ‘specialist’ credit cards with no, or low fees, allows you to avoid these charges when you go on holiday. The Halifax Clarity credit card is a good example. At the time of writing there’s no charge for spending abroad with this card, and no cash withdrawal fee. It’s accepted anywhere that displays the MasterCard symbol. Interest will still be charged on cash withdrawals from the date you take the money out, however, until the day it’s repaid in full. Even this fee can be reduced if you’re prepared to pay off the balance via internet banking while you’re away, or if this isn’t an option, as soon as you get home.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are pre-loaded
with money before you go. The balance gradually decreases as you spend, but can be topped up again as and when you need it. With these cards the exchange rate is always set by the card provider, and applied when the card is loaded rather than each time you use it. This could work for or against you, depending on fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. If you’re thinking of purchasing one of these cards and the rate suddenly improves, you’ll be taking advantage of a strengthened Pound. Equally, you could lose out if the rate improves again later.
Holiday Insurance
Buying well in advance of your holiday is the best way to save money on holiday insurance. Consider: • Whether you are planning to take more than one trip abroad during the year. If so, a multi-trip insurance policy would be the most costeffective. • Where you are travelling you’ll have to choose between worldwide or European insurance. • If you’re likely to be participating in any risky sports such as scuba diving, the policy may be loaded with an extra charge. Booking your travel insurance independently via the internet
will generally work out cheaper than buying as an add on to flights or a package tour. Alternatively, ‘packaged’ bank accounts sometimes include annual travel insurance in their monthly fee.
Hire Car Charges
There are several ways to save money on hiring a car: • Book early to get the best deals • Include car hire in your package deal • Organise your own Collision Damage Waiver add-on Many hire car operators adopt a ‘hard sell’ approach in relation to CDW when you pick the car up, as this is the way they make their profit - by selling add-ons to ‘basic’ insurance.
Airport Parking
As with car hire, booking early is the best way to save on airport parking. Even prebooking on the day of the flight could save you a little money. Turning up at the car park is guaranteed to be the most expensive. The Money Saving Expert website is a good source of tips on where to find travel-related discounts and offers, including airport car parking. If you’re staying at an airport hotel the night before your flight, you may be able to book a package that includes the room plus parking for the duration of your holiday.
Pets Corner... (Jul15)_Layout 1 29/06/2015 04:47 Page 1
Coping with Summer... IT seemed as though summer was never going to arrive this year and even at the time of writing with a week to go until summer solstice the weather is looking distinctly un-summer like! However, even if we don’t get a barbeque summer, there are still some precautions pet owners need to take during the summer months. Take dogs out for walks in the evening and early morning on hot days, and don’t let them over-exercise. Particular care may need to be taken with some breeds with compromised breathing like Bull Breeds and breeds with very thick coats like Huskies. Always provide access to cool fresh water and, take some in a flask with a collapsible bowl on walks. A paddling pool at home is a good way to allow dogs to cool down. If you suspect your pet has overheated, wet its coat and play a fan over it to try and reduce the temperature more rapidly. If symptoms persist it is best to seek the advice of your vet. And of course – DON’T leave dogs in cars in the sun. Dogs are often tempted to jump into water to play and cool-off but blue green algae can form on standing water during periods of warm dry weather and swallowing the algae can be fatal. Also water getting into ears can be a common cause of ear infection, an ear cleaner from the vet can displace this if put in the ears after playing in water. Like us, animals, dogs especially, can suffer from hayfever (atopic dermatitis) this doesn’t make them sneeze and snuffle but causes sore itchy skin. You can reduce the problem by avoiding long uncut grass and by bathing your dog’s body and feet when you return home from walks. Cats and some dogs like to sun-bathe and those with white ears and noses can suffer from sun burn which can lead to skin cancer so it is advisable to keep them indoors or put sun-block on their ears and noses. But don’t use human sun-block, zinc in these can be toxic if licked off, products safe for animals are available from vets. Grass awns in summer and autumn are a nuisance and can cause painful problems especially in the ears and feet in dogs with long coats. Check your dog’s coat after every walk and again, avoid long grass. These can also occasionally get into cat’s eyes and cause painful corneal ulcers. Flies pose a particular problem to rabbits in the summer. Fly eggs laid on rabbits’ soiled bottoms hatch into maggots
which literally eat the rabbit alive. Make sure you clean your rabbit’s hutch and check their bottoms at least once a day cleaning and drying them thoroughly if they are dirty. Keep your rabbit indoors if it is prone to this problem and go to the vets for advice and to obtain the special products that deter the flies. Bee and wasp stings are another seasonal problem. Stings can cause a painful, swollen paw or urticaria (an itchy raised rash on the skin) but while these may be dramatic they are rarely serious. In rare cases, especially if the sting is in the mouth, it can cause difficulty breathing and you should seek immediate veterinary care. It may be tempting to let pets join in the barbeque but meat and fatty scraps can cause upset tummies or pancreatitis which can in extreme cases be fatal. Also be aware of corn cobs that can get stuck in the intestines.
M C Atkinson BVSc MRCVs www.stmartinsvetclinic.com
Keeping Healthy in the Sun by Pippa Greenwood
This part of the summer is lovely. The veg plot will be in overdrive and there are some delicious fruits cropping too. But sometimes your beloved flower beds and borders, pots and planters can have a distinct mid-summer-flop. How can you keep them looking on top form for as long as possible?
Regular feeding is essential, particularly for anything growing in a container. Often crammed into a fairly small space and with compost whose fertiliser content is pretty well used up after a few weeks, by July plants in pots can be close to starving if you’ve not fed them regularly. I would still feed herbaceous perennials and annuals growing in open ground too, but don’t feed shrubs as these could be encouraged to put on new growth which will not be toughened up enough by the time winter comes. A tomato feed with a high potash level works well for anything that you grow primarily for the flowers. Deadhead regularly, both the faded flowers and if
necessary remove the flower stem too. A pair of sharp scissors makes for the quickest and neatest job. Do this as soon as the flower starts to deteriorate so that no energy whatsoever is used to form seed heads. Give perennials a trim using scissors or shears as soon as their flowering period is over. Follow it with a good feed and you can often encourage a second, later flush of flowers.
If plants have become a little too tall or there has been a lot of rainfall they can flop over, clogging up the lawn on borders next to the grass, and generally looking a real mess. Check that stakes and other supports are still doing their job and reposition them if necessary. You may even find that you need to add a bit of extra support or tie in a few of the taller or more wayward stems – the foamcovered wire works really well for this. At this time of year many flowers succumb to common diseases. This is how to deal with them: Powdery mildew: keep the plant well watered at the base but avoid wetting the leaves and spray with a fungicide Aphids: remove with a strong jet of water, introduce ladybirds or spray with an insecticide
Leaf spots: just pick off the worst affected leaves
Rusts: pick off the worst affected leaves, try to keep the foliage dry and spray with a suitable insecticide Caterpillars: pick off by hand or spray with a biological or chemical control
Weeds compete for water, food and even light. Pulling them out or hoeing them off when they are still fairly small is a much easier and more efficient way to deal with them than trying to pull out a massive, long-rooted triffid that has already done a lot of damage. If the weather is dry, regular watering is essential. To minimise water wastage and the risk of those delicate petals becoming scorched, only water in the evening or, if this is not possible, very early in the morning. A less frequent but thorough drenching is a lot more beneficial than very frequent but light waterings. So, with a little extra TLC everything in the garden can still look gorgeous for a long while yet! Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com ladybirds & other biocontrols, Nemaslug, SoftTie, weeders, pop-up crop covers, , copper tape and lots more besides.
WD What's On... Jul15_Layout 1 29/06/2015 08:14 Page 1
HOBBIES...
Afternoon Leisure Painting Monday 2pm to 4pm and Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The advanced and fundamental concepts of art in any media. Enthusiastic people welcome. Southlands Arts Centre 01895 632171
Crafty Cards Have fun creating your own cards. 2nd and 4th Friday, 10am to 12noon. Contact 01753 652 459 Craft Evening Group Tuesday 7.30pm. Members own projects and workshops to share experience and further skills at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442980 Handicraft - Morning Group Tuesday 10am to 12 noon, needlecraft and any handicraft with material. Paper 3D decoupage, patchwork, cross stitch, soft toys etc., at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 442910
Knit & Knatterers Hand and Machine Knitting, Crochet 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 7.309.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 421777 Les Artists - Evening Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm. A mixed ability class for still life, portraiture etc. All welcome at Southlands Arts Centre. 0208 797 4635
KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA...
Bagot Stack (Fitness League) Term Time Only. Vyners School, UB10 8AB on Tue 7.30 - 8.30pm. Outline Theatre Group At St. Matthews Church, Yiewsley. Every Also in Windsor Monday & Thursday. Call Rosemary 01628 776838 Tue 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome from 8yrs+. See www.outlinetheatre. co.uk or www.thefitnessleague.com call Robert Jones on 01895 446352 Bokwa Dance Fitness Over-50's group Energetic workout that anyone can pick Painting Group - Morning up, dancer or not. Saturdays 10.30Tues 10am-1pm. Experienced water11.30am, Yiewsley and West Drayton colorists very welcome at Southlands Community Centre. Contact Penny, Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 421328 07771 872592/01895 420409; Spinning & Weavers Group learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk Tues 7.30-9.30pm at Southlands Arts Centre. Tel: 01895 443481
The Language Clubs of Hillingdon Harlington Locomotive Society From late Sept until mid-July. Visitors Every Thursday, 8pm at the club in High welcome, Speak some German, Street, Harlington, Hayes, Middlesex Spanish, French or Italian? Want to UB3 5ET. For details call Peter Tarrant practise speaking and listening in on 01895 851168 friendly groups, with recent learners, improvers & native speakers? Join a Hillingdon Family History Society Language Club! Each Club meets on a At Hillingdon Park Baptist Church, different Thursday of the month at 7.45 Hercies Road, Hillingdon. Research pm in St Giles' Church Hall, Swakeleys room open (10am-1pm) every Fri (except the Fri before the first Sat of the Road, Ickenham UB10 8BG. For details: German Club 01895 254 723; Italian month). On the first Sat of the month Club 020 8863 3468; Spanish Club and open 10am-1pm at Uxbridge Library. French Club 01895 253 472 Experienced help available. See www.hfhs.co.uk . Contact Mrs P. Uxbridge Craft Market Reynolds 01895 444442 or email Every Wednesday (9am-5pm) at The hillingdonfhs@onetel.com Pavilions Shopping Centre Arts, Crafts, Gifts and Collectables Hillingdon Railway Modellers Club www.uxbridge-craft-market.co.uk Meet every Thursday, 7.30pm at Yiewsley Baptist Church. Contact Wednesday Stitch Club tonymoth@Hotmail.co.uk 10-12noon at Hillingdon Tennis Club . All abilities, Tutorial, White work, gold Hillingdon Natural History Society work, crewel work etc. Your choice! Call Meets 1st wed of the month at the sue 0208 868 8052. Scout HQ, Gatting Way, Uxbridge. enquiries@hillingdonWest Drayton & District naturalhistorysociety.org.uk History Society Inland Waterways Association The society meets on the last Meet 2nd Tues of every month at Tuesday of each month Sep-May Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, (excluding Dec) at St Martins Uxbridge, UB8 2QX, 7.30pm. Church Hall, Church Road at 7.30pm. middlesex.social@waterways.org.uk Each month there is a talk of either local or national interest. During Iver Flower Club the summer months a programme The Coppins Room, Iver Village Hall, of visits and walks are arranged. Grange Way, Iver, SL0 9HW. Meets Membership £6 per year. 4th Thursday of month, 7.30pm. Call either Paul 07980 483182 or Cyril Call Jayne on 07730 249876. 07704 837042 for details. www.bbando.org.uk/clubs/iver
Yiewsley Angling & West Drayton Fishing Clubs Thurs 8-10.30pm, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. For more details call 01895 443423
Dance, Gymnastics and Free Running Classes Presented by Futunity Uk in Uxbridge Town Centre & Hillingdon Sports & Leisure centre. Ages 2-adults catered for and all styles of dance from RAD ballet, Contemporary & ISTD Tap to Break Dancing , Street Dance, Hip Hop & Zumba. Check out our website for full class listings, www.futunityuk.com. Contact Futunity Uk Head Office 01895 251224 or email admin@futunityuk.com Fitness Club St Catherine School, Money Lane, West Drayton, UB7 7NX. Thursday 6-7pm. Circuits, Fitness and Boxercise. £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, www.tauruspt.co.uk Tel: 07906 087749 Irish Dancing classes For boys and girls from age 5 upwards. Beginners and advanced classes available. Monday, 6pm at Hayes Conservative Club, Church Rd Wednesday, 6pm at Greenford Visitati on Catholic church hall Contact Deidre e: Deirdreosullivan@ hotmail.co.uk t: 07956 346383 Ladies Only Kickboxing Club Wednesdays, 6.30-8.00pm at Watts Hall, Redford Way, Uxbridge, UB8 1SZ. First Class FREE! Just turn up or call Instructor Leanne Phillips on 07518 848285 e: leanne @kickboxing-longdon.co.uk www.kickboxing-london.co.uk continued over...
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KEEP-FIT, DANCE & DRAMA CONTINUED...
Linedance for Improvers Tuesdays 12-2pm Royal British Legion, Station Road, West Drayton. Call Instructor Ann 0791 435 8050
Line Dancing Thurs 12-2pm. St Martins Church Hall, Church Road, West Drayton. Call Susan 01895 832837 susanwynne376@gmail.com
Linedancing Tuesday evenings 7.30-10.30pm. Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call Ann on 0791 435 8050 Modern Jive Classes Mondays, 8-11pm, West Drayton Community Centre Thursdays, 8-11pm, Uxbridge Civic Centre. Beginners welcome, first night entry and free lifetime membership with this advert. Contact: Alan 0208 933 4350 or 07860 250961 or email: alanandsue@clubceroc.com.
Nordic Walking & Wellbeing Explore our borough’s green spaces . with all round exercise in the open air 4 wk courses various days and locations pre-booking essential contact 07771 872 592 / learningmoves@hotmailco.uk Pilates and Tai Chi Fit courses Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk Pinewood Fitness The Fitness Room, Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Sl0 0NH Mon 20.00-21.00, Wed 19.30-20.30 Booking only. Various Fitness Circuits, Boxercise, Gym Work £5 a class. Shaun Thompson, www.tauruspt.co.uk 07906 087749 Salsa Classes Every Monday: The Middlesex Arms, Long Drive, South Ruislip, HA4 0HG. Beginners class starts 8pm. Improvers/Intermediates: 8.459.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm. Every Wednesday: The WatersEdge, Canal Cottages, Packetboat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JS. Beginners class starts 7:30pm.
Improvers/Intermediates: 8.309.30pm. Freestyle dancing/practice time til 11pm
Tai Chi Classes Sat 10-11am, Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road, UB7 8EY. Call Dan on 07880 601429 to book. Tai Chi Fit Designed for modern life. Wed 09.3010.30am. Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre UB7 9JL. Contact Penny 07771 872592/01895 420409; learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk Tap Dance Mondays 7.30-8.30pm at Meadows Community Centre, West Drayton. Adult Beginner/Intermediate tap. No exams. Contact 01895 420409 / learningmoves@hotmail.co.uk. Yoga for All Wednesday 7.30-9.00pm Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Priya 01895 440712
Zumba Mon 6pm, Walter Pomeroy Hall, Royal Lane Hillingdon UB8 3QU. Tues 7.30pm, St Marys Church Hall, Hemmen Lane (off Church Rd, Hayes) UB3 2JQ. All welcome. £5. Ann-Marie Samuels 07701 012927 Zumba Fitness Class Weds 8-9pm at Langley Grammar School Sport Centre Reddington Drive Langley, SL3 8LL. Thurs 7-8pm at Yiewsley / West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Rd, West Drayton. UB7 9JL. Call Gabriel 07735090325 or email gabrielzumba@instructor.net www.gabriel84.zumba.com PRE-SCHOOL & KIDS GROUPS... Mobile Disco for Children A mobile disco available for hire, for children of all ages call Zoe on 07747 063149 for details. Slough Sea Cadets Parade nights on Mon and Thu 19.30-21.30 at Langley Pavillion, Langley Road, Slough, SL3 8BS. Male & Female Junior Cadets (age 10-12yrs) & Cadets (age 1218yrs). Fees £2pw, courses from £5. Email: sloughseacadets@yahoo.co.uk Stars at Knight After school Drama Club for children
7-18 yrs at Southlands Art Centre, 76 The Green, West Drayton. Tel: 0208 841 8940 / 07956 123626 e: starsatknightdrama@gmail.com www.starsatknight-schoolofdrama.co.uk MUSIC... Faraday Country Music Club In Slough SL2 1RN. Join us for the best live Country Music. From 811pm. Call Deb 07986 050742 www.faradaycountry.co.uk Guitar lessons Complete beginners welcome. Contact Sam for a FREE lesson 07798 588496 sam@uxbridgeguitarlessons.co.uk Yiewsley & West Drayton Band Rehearse every Wednesday and Friday 8-10pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. To join or book the band for an engagement contact Lynne on 07976 824152 or email Lynne@ywdband.com Yiewsley & West Drayton Training Band This is open to all ages wanting to learn to play a brass instrument or those of you wanting to 'brush up' your skills. Rehearse every Wednesday during term time 6.457.45pm at St. Matthew's School, Yiewsley. Contact Abi on 07985 302 856 or emailtraining@ywdband.com PETS... Iver Dog Training Club Every Tue and Fri 6.30pm-9.00pm at St Andrews Church, Richings Park. Call Diana 01753 732907 Iver Heath Fields Dog Club 'Outdoor Training' every Sat at 10.15am, Wed at 11am. Call Mike on 01753 817852 or 07795 031335 SELF DEFENCE... Close Quarter Combat Based in Richings Park. Specialising in speed, strength and conditioning training. Pad work combinations. Suitable for men & women of all ages. 1-2-1 sessions. Call Mark 07525 366126 e: mj.wilding@hotmail.com continued over...
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SELF DEFENCE CONTINUED... Karate Club of Denham For ages 5 years and upwards. Sundays 9.15-11am at New Denham Community Centre, Oxford Road. Call 07988 743725 Karate Club of Uxbridge For ages 5 years and upwards. Wed 5-7pm at The Greenway, Uxbridge. Call 07988 743725
Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9DD. For more call Howard 07816 315688
West Drayton Community Centre. Transport available. 01895 443423
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.
Senior Citizens Welfare Association Chair Exercise Classes Mondays 11am-11.45am. Call 01895 443423 for details or pop along to the West Drayton Community Centre.
Kung Fu Club (Ladies only) A work out for all ladies, at all levels of fitness on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9.30 to 10.30am. West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, UB7 9JL. Contact Ella: 07702 479 435 or sportsclubuk@gmail.com Heathrow Boxing Club Men & women, boys & girls Junior Boxing Club: Tue & Thu, 5pm. Senior Boxing Club Mon, Tue & Thu, 8pm. 422 Bath Road, Longford, Middlesex, UB7 0EB. Tel: 0208 123 1271.
Martial Arts Bujinkan Kuri Dojo Ninjutsu and Bujutsu, Unit 21 Bridgeworks, UB8 2JG. Tel: 07878 471124. Training: Sunday 10.30am-12.30pm, Tuesday 8-10pm, Thursday 8.3010pm www.bujinkankuridojo.co.uk Shorinji Kempo self defence Learn the practical self defence techniques of this traditional Japanese martial art. Tue 6-7pm children (£2), 7-9pm adults (£5). The Barn, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge. Call Dan 07776 421957. www.sk.harrow.ac.uk Silat Kuntao Indonesian Self-Defence Traditional self-defence, includes empty hand, weapons, meditation and healing massage. Adult classes only. Mon and Wed 8pm-10pm at Denham Village Memorial Hall, Denham, UB9 5BN. Call Philip Davies 07790 496 346 or kuntao.matjan.uk@gmail.com. SELF HELP & SUPPORT... Alcoholics Anonymous Meet every Sunday, 7.30pm at St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk,
Rosemary Conley Every Thursday 10-11.30am, Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call Sarah on 0208 569 0181 Slimming World The Salvation Army, Cowley Road, Uxbridge. Tuesday 7pm Tel: Nicki 07826 698360 New Denham Community Centre Tuesday, 10-11.30am. Tel: Mandy 07879 897578 Yiewsley Methodist Church, Farfield Road, Yiewsley. Wednesdays 5pm or 6.45pm. Tel: Nicki 07826 698360
Weight Watchers Every Tuesday, 5.30pm and Friday at 10.00am Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre. Call 01784 256974 or 07879 455882 SOCIAL GROUPS... Harlington Women’s Institute Every 1st Wed of month, 7.309.30pm at Landsdown House, St Peter's Way Hayes UB3 5AB. Call Sarah Wilson 0208 759 0019 Over 60s Social Group Male, Female and couples. Meet fortnightly at various agreed venues. Judith 07980 073170 Mel 07785 582323 jlholl2014@gmail.com Over 65s Wellbeing Sessions Well Seasoned - every Friday afternoon from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Creative art & craft activities & chair & standing exercise for over 65s at Yiewsley Cornerstone Centre, 74 Colham Ave. Yiewsley UB7 8HF. Sessions free. Call 01895 458310 www.yiewsleycornerstone.co.uk. Southlands Ladies Group Talks, outings, own evenings. Mon fortnightly. Call 01895 445766 Senior Citizens Welfare Association W/D & Yiewsley Bingo played every 4th Wednesday of month 1- 3.30pm. Yiewsley and
Tea Dancing 2-4pm every Tuesday at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre Women’s Social Group Looking to make new friends? Social group for women. We meet regularly for coffee, a chat and have organised trips. Call Seema 07730 898635 or seemaa@seemaa.co.uk SPORT... Hayes & Harlington Road Runners Every Wed, 8pm at Hayes and Harlington Community Association, Albert Road, Hayes. Email: michsampson76@aol.com (ladies) jack.nisbet@talk21.com (men) www.hhroadrunners.com. Ladies Golf Meets 10am every Monday and Wednesday at Rickmansworth Golf Club new members welcome. Email ladies-captain@rickmansworthgolf club.co.uk for further details. Pink Ladies Netball Club All levels and abilities welcome. Training at Stockley Academy, West Drayton every Tues evening. Senior training 16+yrs 7.30-9pm. Back to Netball 16+yrs 7.30- 8.30pm Under 16s - call Rhiannon 01895 448878 email: plnetball@hotmail.co.uk visit www.pinkladiesnetball.co.uk Uxbridge Squash Club All welcome. Uxbridge Cricket Club, Park Rd, Uxbridge. E: squash@ uxbridgesquash.org.uk or visit: www.uxbridgesquash.org.uk. Yiewsley & West Drayton Bowls Club Interested? Come along, just bring your flat shoes! Tuesdays 2pm. Call Kenny Smith 07957 140627.
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