INSIDE FLINTSHIRE FLINTSHIRE 2 JANUARY 2021 ISSUE by Inside Magazines

FIintshire 2 Inside Inside

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021

Welcome to our January 2021 issue. First of all I would like to wish all our readers and advertiser’s a very happy and prosperous New Year! We all know how difficult 2020 was so let’s keep our fingers crossed 2021 brings good news, health and happiness to us all.

offer a chance to win a pair of tickets to see McFly! Over the next three months we will be offering a chance to win a pair of tickets for each of the three days at the Trantham Live weekender. Next month we will be offering a chance to win tickets to see The Vamps! See page 18 for full details.

So what do we have for you to look forward to in this issue? It’s been a while since we last ran a holiday review but with things looking to improve this year now a vaccine is available we thought we would have a look at the top holiday destinations for 2021. See pages 10-11

So much more going on so please take the time to have a look through and if you do use one of the businesses within please let them know where you saw them.

Its also been a while since we have been able to offer any ticket giveaways for festivals or gigs but what a way to start the New Year than to be able to

£25 Cash Winner -Robert McNally- Noddy Holder Book - Phillip J Lyon - One Family Until next month.

Reg, Editor Inside Flintshire Magazines

CONTENTS........ 6

10-11

House To Home

Holiday Destinations 2021

14-15 Adopting & Rehoming a Dog 18 26

Top holiday destinations

2021

hat are the most popular holiday destinations and where will people be travelling in 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic? Here we pick the countries that will bounce back first and be most popular for British travellers.

ITALY Ancient culture, great beaches, fantastic food and charming people - it’s no surprise that so many of us decide to holiday in Italy. Head to the wonderful cities of Rome, Florence and Venice; beach lovers will be blown away by the 500 miles of

SPAIN

GREECE

Spain is still the UK’s number one holiday destination, particularly the Balearic islands of Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. As well as the Canary Islands such as Tenerife (main pic, above), great beach destinations on the mainland include the Costa de la Luz and Catalonia. Northern Spain is overlooked by many tourists, even though it combines magnificent empty beaches with rolling countryside, mountains, medieval towns and buzzing cities such as Bilbao, Santander and Santiago. It’s authentic, great value and the food is superb!

It is the islands that attract most of Greece’s visitors. Corfu’s villas never lose their appeal, but if you’re looking for the quintessential small Greek island, we recommend Paxos, which has no airport and is a great place for lazy days, boat trips and lovely villas.

PORTUGAL Portugal boasts historic cities, great food, glorious countryside, excellent beaches and friendly people. It’s also good value. The Algarve (above) is still a firm favourite, although Portugal’s islands

are well worth exploring. Madeira has some beautifully-restored quintas (historic houses) as well as luxury fivestar hotels. The Azores rank among the world’s best destinations for whale and dolphin spotting and offer great cycling routes.

t’s fair to say that most people think about expanding their family from time to time, and the companionship a dog can offer is priceless. Whether it’s buying a dog from a local breeder or opting to provide a home for a rescue dog, there are always things to consider before offering a forever home for a dog. Here are some things to remember before adopting or rehoming a dog.

Whats on Netflix 2021

Take your time making a decision There’s no rush to get a dog, and there will always be dogs in need of homes. So, take your time and speak to your family. It’s a big decision to make and everyone deserves to have their say and raise any concerns if they have any.

From the very start of your rehoming journey, all the way to welcoming a new dog into your home and starting a new routine, there might be a few bumps along the way. We all imagine what our lives would be like with a new dog in it, from walks on the beach to cuddles on the sofa - but if a dog has had negative experiences

34-35 Your Stars For 2021 52

In This Month

Copyright No part of this publication may be reproduced, resold or stored in a retrieval system without the express permission of “Inside Flintshire Magazine” Adverts When providing advertising copy, artwork or photographs from existing sources, it is our customers’ responsibility to ensure that all the appropriate permissions regarding copyright have been obtained from the originator :Inside Flintshire Magazine accepts no liability for copyright issues regarding adverts published in good faith. For full terms and conditions see our web site www.insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk

countryside roll by on board a luxury barge with gourmet meals, fine wines and excursions included. Why not enjoy the French countryside in your own villa in the Dordogne, Provence and the Côte d’Azur, or ski in the French Alps?

TURKEY With its endless Aegean coastline, Turkey has some of Europe’s finest beaches, many of which remain relatively unspoilt. And you’re rarely far from a magnificent Roman ruin or majestic mosque.

coastline encasing Puglia in the south.

Sunset over Istanbul

Tuscany is deservedly popular (but you can still escape the crowds by renting a villa) and the Italian Lakes continue to be popular for their beautiful setting and mountain views. If you fancy being more active, try the new Paleros Beach Resort with water sports included. Crete is the largest of the islands, but steer away from the tacky resorts and rent a stylish house or villa. If you want to escape the package hordes, the best small resorts include Kalkan, Kas, Akyaka and Dalyan. You can also explore the coastline on a gulet cruise, but for an exotic short break, you can’t beat Istanbul!

For more details visit:

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To advertise text ADVERT to: 01352 870 760

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Win Tickets To See McFly

This Months Recipe

From the Channel ports to the islands of the Mediterranean, Francophiles are never short of new destinations to discover. Favourites include the beaches of Corsica, backroads cycling holidays (right) or watching the

Splashing about at Lake Maggiore, Italy

It might not be what you expect

FRANCE

earlier in its life, it may take longer to start trusting you, or before it starts to relax and shows its true self. Don’t give up!

The process puts the dog first The adopting process will vary from centre to centre, but they all have one thing in common: the dog comes first. While you might have your eye on a specific dog, they might not be a good match as they need to be the only animal in the home or require

a large, enclosed garden. Your new dog needs to feel at home.

It will take a lot of work From getting your new dog settled to keeping on top of their training, rescuing a dog is hard work. It will take a lot of patience and teamwork, with a period of adjustment as you both learn about each other. Don’t give up, though owning a dog is one of the most rewarding things.

You might not know the breed When adopting a dog, you might come across a crossbreed. While rescue centres work hard in caring for the dog, assessing its individual needs, and creating a training plan they might not be able to tell you the dog’s breed. Rescue dogs come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and ages and some are pedigree while others are crossbreeds. This isn’t a big deal, but it’s important to remember a dog’s breed can affect your insurance policy as there will be a list of dog breeds that are excluded from being able to be insured. With the introduction of dog DNA testing kits, some less reputable than others, it’s no surprise that owners are excited about the prospect of finding out their dog’s family tree. Do your research, as the cheapest option might not necessarily be sufficient and if you have any doubts then why not speak to your vet?

For more information, visit:

www.animalfriends.co.uk

Adopting and rehoming a dog

Pet Insurance Experts

If you’ve adopted a dog or you’re thinking about expanding your family, why not share your stories on our Facebook or Twitter page?

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How to keep your house warm this winter

Pa rt 1

taying warm at home can be expensive, which is why we felt the need to come up with some tips for how to keep your house warm in winter. Whether you’re taking small steps to make your home a bit warmer or are looking at completely refurbishing it to make it as energy efficient as possible, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent unwanted draughts.

Fit a floating shelf above the radiators

Control the flow of heat around a room using a floating shelf. This will help deflect heat around the room and stop is rising up the ceiling where it will be wasted. You can pick up floating shelves from £7.50 at home shops such as B&Q and IKEA.

Install a chimney balloon

It’s no good spending thousands on triple glazing and loft insulation if you then let cold air in through the chimney. Households lose around 4 per cent of total heat up the chimney, so a high-quality block that prevents draughts could save you over £200 a year.

Keep curtains open until 3pm

While keeping your curtains closed will keep the heat in at night, keep them open during the day.

The sun usually sets at around 4 pm in winter, so to make the most of the natural warmth keep your curtains open until around 3 pm.

Rearrange the furniture

Be strategic about your furniture placement. Make sure the sofa or a bed isn’t blocking the radiator, as this can stop it heating up the whole room. Instead position well used pieces of furniture such as your desk, bed or sofa around any heat sources, without blocking them, to make the most of the warmth.

Draught-proof your windows

Draught-proofing windows is simple - all you need to do is apply self-adhesive foam tape to a window frame. A 10m roll of foam draught excluder, enough for four average windows, costs as little as £2.50, but can save around £25 a year. It’s also worth considering using sealant or putty to block cracks between window frames and surrounding walls.

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Opening February 2021 Find us by the Airbus main entrance in Broughton. Wings Club, Broughton, CH4 0DR

We are excited to announce the all new Wings Club Café, Bar and Gym. The brand new Wings Club is open to all of the local community and we look forward to welcoming you.

• New café with freshly brewed Green Parrot coffee, delicious cakes, healthy snacks and Wings Club loyalty scheme • Fully licenced bar, perfect for pre and post match drinks • Airbus FC match day refreshments, meals and hospitality

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Top holiday destinations

1 2 0 2

SPAIN Spain is still the UK’s number one holiday destination, particularly the Balearic islands of Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. As well as the Canary Islands such as Tenerife (main pic, above), great beach destinations on the mainland include the Costa de la Luz and Catalonia. Northern Spain is overlooked by many tourists, even though it combines magnificent empty beaches with rolling countryside, mountains, medieval towns and buzzing cities such as Bilbao, Santander and Santiago. It’s authentic, great value and the food is superb!

Please mention Inside Flintshire Magazine when responding to advertisements

FRANCE From the Channel ports to the islands of the Mediterranean, Francophiles are never short of new destinations to discover. Favourites include the beaches of Corsica, backroads cycling holidays (right) or watching the

Splashing about at Lake Maggiore, Italy

GREECE It is the islands that attract most of Greece’s visitors. Corfu’s villas never lose their appeal, but if you’re looking for the quintessential small Greek island, we recommend Paxos, which has no airport and is a great place for lazy days, boat trips and lovely villas.

coastline encasing Puglia in the south.

Sunset over Istanbul

For more details visit: 31 101holidays.co.uk

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It might not be what you expect From the very start of your rehoming journey, all the way to welcoming a new dog into your home and starting a new routine, there might be a few bumps along the way. We all imagine what our lives would be like with a new dog in it, from walks on the beach to cuddles on the sofa - but if a dog has had negative experiences

Adopting and rehoming a dog Things to remember 14

Please mention Inside Flintshire Magazine when responding to advertisements

Pet Insurance Experts

earlier in its life, it may take longer to start trusting you, or before it starts to relax and shows its true self. Don’t give up!

a large, enclosed garden. Your new dog needs to feel at home.

For more information, visit:

www.animalfriends.co.uk If you’ve adopted a dog or you’re thinking about expanding your family, why not share your stories on our Facebook or Twitter page?

To advertise text ADVERT to: 01352 870 760

Trentham Live arrives this summer!

From Friday September 3 - Sunday September 5 2021, Staffordshire’s Trentham Estate will welcome some of the world’s biggest music stars to their new music event - Trentham Live!

Headliners for next year’s September weekend include pop legends McFLY, who will launch the first of the weekend’s events on the Friday night. McFly said: “We can’t wait to see our fans there and perform live for them again after such a strange year”. Joining McFly will be special guests, including TikTok star and singer Chloe Rose. Saturday sees THE VAMPS joining the line-up. The Vamps said: “Trentham Live - we’re coming for you and it’s gonna be a party!”

FRIDAY SEPT 3

SATURDAY SEPT 4

Playing alongside The Vamps are X Factor winners Rak Su and Amy Jo (Hollyoaks).

Completing the 3-day event on Sunday is classical legend ALFIE BOE, who commented “I can’t wait to be performing outdoors in a beautiful setting at The Trentham Estate, seeing and singing along with my fans”. Supporting Alfie Boe on the final evening will be the fabulous musical theatre act Collabro, plus Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall.

SUNDAY SEPT 5

It will be an unmissable weekend of incredible live music and entertainment for all ages!

Trentham Estate - September 3 - 5, 2021 Gates open: 16:00 Tickets: From £39.20 Tickets available from: https://www.ticketmaster.com/trentham-live-tickets/artist/2768484 Over the next three months we’ll be giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets for each night of Trentham Live. This month two tickets are up for grabs to see McFly headline the opening night on Friday September 3.

Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd formed McFly in 2003. Their debut album, Room On The Third Floor, was released in 2004 and went straight to No.1, making McFly the youngest band ever to achieve a No.1 album.

Also on the bill is Chloe Rose, a 19-year-old singer/songwriter from the North West ready to take the music industry by storm. Hotly tipped as the next big British female solo act, Chloe had a busy 2019 performing to thousands at events across the country.

To win two tickets for Friday night, answer the following question: “Name one of the band members of McFly”

IN a for the pair of tickets open Trentha ing night of Friday, m Live on Septem ber 3 Send your answer, with your contact details, to: reg@insideflintshire magazine.co.uk. Closing date: Saturday January 16, 2021.

McFly are one of the most successful chart acts of their era, racking up 19 top ten hits, including seven number ones in just under a decade.

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What’s new on

2021

Here are three of the best Netflix-produced films landing early in the new year

BRUISED

Starring: Halle Berry, Adan Canto, Stephen McKinley Henderson Director: Halle Berry Jackie “Justice” (Halle Berry) is a disgraced MMA fighter who has failed at the one thing she’s ever been good at - fighting. When six-year-old Manny, the son she walked out on years ago, turns up on her doorstep, Jackie has to conquer her own demons, face one of the fiercest rising stars of the MMA world and ultimately fight to become the mother her son deserves.

CHICKEN RUN 2

Created by: Aardman Animations Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream - a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat.

CONCRETE COWBOY

Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome Director: Ricky Staub In this drama inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, 15-year-old Cole is taken to live with his estranged father Harp in North Philadelphia. There he discovers the city’s vibrant urban cowboy subculture, which has existed for more than 100 years, providing a safe haven for the neighbourhood despite the surrounding poverty, violence and encroachment of gentrification.

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PART OF THE WALL-LAG GROUP OF COMPANIES

Your stars for 2021 Aries (March 21 - April 19) This year you’ll have a chance to revitalize your love life. Spoiler alert!! A friendship could turn into something deeper! You’ll aim to surround yourself with confident people who dream of making progress, and who accept you for who you are because you always speak your mind. Fortunately, your sincere attitude will see you making lots of new friends along the way.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) This year, you can expect to move forward on your journey and continue to implement the changes you made previously. 2021 will be momentous for you and will see you consider other career paths if you feel unsatisfied at work. With such a well-tempered personality, you demonstrate authority when necessary and impose your ideas.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) On the whole it will be a great year, with luck accompanying you along the way. You’ll be very aware of the opportunities out there and will work tirelessly to reach your goals. You will have chances to make your ambitions a reality. providing that you define your objectives. With regards to relationships, you will meet people from all walks of life; both the best kinds of people and those that are not so nice.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) In 2021, you will set yourself new benchmarks and will no longer be afraid of forging ahead even if, at times, you have to force yourself into action. That said, luck will be on your side and will give you a nudge in the right direction. It’s a lovely year; your generosity will extend to others and in return, you will be surrounded by good people and will receive useful advice.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) This year you will adopt different points of view and consider making a radical change, whether that’s in your relationships or your career. But, certain circumstances will slow you down and fears will hold you back. The pressure will build inside you and be released when you are angry and on edge. Romantically, you can expect to have some very intimate relationships.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) You’ll be pleased to know that in 2021 you will continue to transform. On the whole, you will not be at all overcautious or shy when it comes to new life experiences and will push on when you face challenges - although that doesn’t mean you’ll rush ahead haphazardly. You will have precise and well-thought-out plans and your ideas will be completely relevant and appropriate. 34

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What do your stars have in store for you in the coming year?

Libra (September 23 - October 22) Here’s a heads up!!... This year will be more rewarding than the previous one: you’ll live 2021 by doing what you want to do! Saturn and Jupiter will greatly support you by helping you achieve business success and by boosting your morale and potential. You will surprise those around you with your ability to sweep aside sad emotions in order to enjoy your individual freedom.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) In the coming year you’ll expect others to constantly surprise you. You will be reluctant when it comes to definitive commitments in love and might be tempted to leave your current job for a new position. Your fickle behaviour will see you enter a new relationship: however, your fear of making mistakes will permanently hinder you.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) In 2021 you can expect to monitor your finances and feel protected by the stars. Success will be everywhere and you’ll work hard to achieve amazing results quickly. But sometimes you’ll get carried away and forget to breathe. In your private life, you’ll experience love to the fullest, so much so that you may be considering marriage.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) You’ll have a lot of work to do in 2021 but won’t be lacking in courage or ambition. Your ability to take action will be impressive and everything you put in place last year will take a more tangible and rewarding turn. Capricorn’s horoscope predicts that on a personal level, you will continue to evolve and embrace change even if you sometimes struggle to see beyond certain beliefs that are ingrained in you.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Thanks to Jupiter’s presence in your sign you’ll feel upbeat, optimistic and ambitious in 2021. Saturn in turn will nourish your willfulness and will structure your thoughts, meaning you’ll find opportunities to make progress in your professional life. However in your Aquarius horoscope 2021, unforeseen consequences will disorientate you and conflicts of interest might arise.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) You are in for lots of personal progress and success in 2021. You will forge ahead and carry on what was started the year before; combining inspiration, creation, technique and order to get you there. You will be protected and supported, which will make you progress right at the moment you feel stuck.

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QUIZ of the YEAR How much can you remember about some of the most talked about news events of 2020? January - March 1 Which city in China was the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak? 2 What happened in Stockton-on-Tees, on Teesside, just before 6am on January 23? 3 Sadly Kirk Douglas died on February 5, but he lived to a ripe old age. How old was he when he died? 4 The 92nd Academy Awards took place in January. Which South Korean film became the first film in a language other than English to win Best Picture? 5 A flight from which European country crashed in Tehran, Iran, killing all 176 passengers on board?

April - June 6 Which footballer wrote an open letter to the government calling on them to end child poverty in the UK? 7 Which small market town received national attention when Dominic Cummings (bottom right) was discovered to have driven there during lockdown 'to test his eyesight'? 8 Thousands of people protested against the death of a man arrested by police in the USA. What was his name, and in which city did it happen? 9 Actress Honor Blackman (centre right), sadly passed away aged 94 on April 5. What was the name of the Bond girl character she played in the film 'Goldfinger'? 10 Liverpool F.C. were confirmed as 2019â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20 Premier League Champions on June 25. When did they last win the league title: (a) 1986 (b) 1988 or (c) 1990?

July - September 11 Which country built a massive dam on the river Nile, which outraged Egypt and threatened its water supply? 12 It's been around since 1973, but after July 30 it will not be printed anymore what is it? 13 Who is suing Coleen Rooney for defamation? 14 In the closest miss on record, an asteroid the size of a London bus missed the Earth by how many miles on September 24: (a) 240 miles (b) 2,400 miles or (c) 24,000 miles? 15 Why was history teacher Donald Fear from Telford in the news?

October - December 16 Good Morning Britain had many Ofcom complaints after which actor said he 'jumped for joy' over Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coronavirus diagnosis? 17 The 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez for their work on what? 18 Britain's oldest person Joan Hocquard sadly died. How old was she? 19 On November 9, which company claimed their Coronavirus vaccine to be over 90% effective? 20 On October 17, a new 50p coin release made the headlines. What was the three word slogan stamped on it? Answers on p56

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Chicken, sweetcorn & noodle soup This superhealthy bowl can be made ahead and frozen, ready to be defrosted and eaten later.

Ingredients l l l l l

2 large carrots, chopped 2 large leeks , trimmed and finely sliced 2 corn on the cobs, corn kernels cut off 200g vermicelli noodles Small bunch parsley, finely chopped

For the stock

2 onions, quartered 1 leek, cut into chunks 2 carrots, thickly sliced 2 bay leaves 6 black peppercorns Parsley stalks 4 celery sticks, roughly chopped 2 tbsp low-sodium vegetable bouillon or 1 vegetable stock cube l 1.3kg chicken l l l l l l l l

Step-by-step

Recipe tip By freezing the soup in small portions in freezer bags or tubs, they will defrost quicker. Allow to defrost overnight in the fridge, or for a few hours at room temperature. You can freeze the chopped parsley in a small bag: just sprinkle into the soup with the noodles.

1 Put all the stock ingredients and the chicken in a very large saucepan, then cover everything with about 3 litres cold water. Bring to the boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 1 hr-1Â˝ hrs, until the chicken is cooked through. Skim off any froth every 20 mins or so. Remove the chicken to a plate to cool. Strain the stock through a sieve, skimming off as much fat as you can. 2 Rinse out the pan and put the stock back in, then simmer on a high heat until reduced a little - you need about 2 litres in total. Add the carrots and leeks, then simmer for 10 mins. 3 Meanwhile, shred the meat from the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Add to the pan with the sweetcorn. Add the vermicelli noodles, unless you want to freeze the soup, and simmer for about 7 mins more, until the corn and pasta is cooked. Ladle into bowls, sprinkled with the parsley. To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely before freezing (see tip), and when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to eat, allow the soup to defrost before bringing it back to a gentle simmer in a pan. Add the noodles and simmer until cooked.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 1hr 30 min

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Serves: 8

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2021’s best hether you’re a fan of electric cars or can’t wait to see the next supercar, there should be something for everyone coming in the new year. Here are eight of 2021’s best new cars...

AUDI Q4 e-tron

Audi’s electrification efforts heading into the next decade will be spearheaded by the Q4 e-tron, with this electric SU shaping up as a competitor for the Tesla Model Y. As the first car on the VW Group’s MEB platform (the multi-billion-pound modular architecture designed specifically for EVs) it will also act as an all-electric alternative to the hugely popular Q3.

Jaguar XJ

The Jaguar XJ will be properly reinvented for its next generation, transforming into a bespoke, fully electric saloon designed to rival the Tesla Model S. The XJ has long been Jaguar’s lowest-selling model, so bosses hope this radical upgrade will bring in a new wave of customers, being the first model from JLR to be based on the firm’s new MLA platform.

HYUNDAI i20

Hyundai has given its Fiesta rival a thorough makeover. This latest model is based on a heavily revised version of its predecessor’s platform, but it ushers in mild- hybrid power, new in-car tech and advanced safety systems.

The interior of the i20 is all new; two 10.25-inch displays stretch across the dash, giving drivers access to all of th major functions. The boot has also grown by 25 litres, to 351 litres.

RANGE ROVER CROSSOVER

This will arguably be the most radical Range Rover yet when it reaches showrooms in 2021. A bona-fide luxury car, the focus is on design and comfort in a way the brand has never seen before. Featuring a twin electric motor set-up, it has a smaller battery than the the Range Rover, but the range still exceeds 300 miles.

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new cars BMW iX3

The next model to join BMW’s ever-expanding electric family will also be its first SUV. The iX3 will take on the Mercedes EQC and Tesla Model Y when sales begin in the middle of next year, showcasing the brand’s very latest fifth-generation EV technology. With a282bhp electric motor and an 80kWh battery, it’s 20 per cent more energy dense than any unit BMW has used before. The result? A range of 285 miles between charges.

TESLA MODEL Y

The Tesla Model Y looks like a tall Model 3 with good reason: it shares around 75 per cent of its parts with the brand’s saloon. But what it lacks in sleek lines it makes up for with versatility, seating up to seven people. Tesla claims a rang of up to 314 miles, while using the public Supercharger network will see the car add 168 miles of range in just 15 minutes.

PEUGEOT 500 SPORT ENGINEERED The Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered packs 355bhp thanks to the combination of a 197bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, one powering each axle for four-wheel drive operation. The set-up marks a significant boost in performance over the current flagship, the 508 GT Hybrid, with the 0-62mph sprint coming in just 5.2 seconds.

NISSAN ARIYA

Nissan will attempt to recapture its electric mojo with the Ariya, an all-new SUV that’s similar in size to the X-Trail. With a choice of front or fourwheel drive, a number of battery options and motor outputs offering up to 310 miles on one charge, it sports a radical interior, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens that can operate separately or as one.

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SUBARU IMPREZA 1.6i SE fuel economy and CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 35.9mpg, CO2 emissions 177g/km. Mpg figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes & may not reflect real driving results. Fuel consumption achieved in real life conditions & CO2 produced depends on a number of factors including accessories fitted (postregistration), variations in weather, driving styles & vehicle load. All Subaru used vehicles, excluding WRX STI, come with the remaining balance of 5 Year/100,000 mile (whichever comes sooner) Limited Warranty which comprises of a standard 3 Year/60,000 mile (whichever is sooner) Manufacturer’s Warranty (bumper to bumper, excluding clutch driven plate) and an Extended Warranty (applies to powertrain only) provided by the importer. OTR price incl. VAT, delivery, number plates, 12 months road fund licence and first registration fee.

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It happened this month

... in1983:

Launch of breakfast TV

... in1986: Space shuttle disaster

On Jan. 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after blasting off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, killing all seven astronauts on board.

On January 17, BBC 1 launched ‘Breakfast Time’, British television’s first national breakfast television programme. It was broadcast for the first time just over two weeks before ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

Breakfast Time mixed hard news with accessible features, creating a cosy feel with sofas and bright colours. The presenters typically wore casual clothes instead of formal suits, in contrast to the regular news presenters. Frank Bough, Selina Scott and Nick Ross anchored the show, with regulars such as Russell Grant (astrology) and Diana Moran, also known as the “Green Goddess”.

The decision to launch the Challenger was flawed. Since 1981, the space shuttle programme had completed 24 missions in a row, and NASA’s obsession with launching the shuttles on time meant that corners were cut during launch preparation. Challenger was thought to have been lost because a rubber “O-ring” seal on the shuttle’s solid rocket booster failed, allowing hot gas to escape and damage the orbiter’s external fuel tank.

...2007: Apple

introduces first iPhone

On January 9, Apple supremo Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone to the world in a keynote address at the 2007 Macworld Conference. It proved to be a revelation. Before the iPhone, smartphones were clunky devices -

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half keyboard and half screen, but the iPhone eliminated the buttons and abandoned the stylus for its screen-based interface, featuring only a few physical buttons and a touch screen. Jobs introduced the iPhone as a combination of a “widescreen iPod with touch controls”; a “revolutionary mobile phone”; and a “breakthrough Internet communicator”. Thousands of people were reported to have waited outside Apple and AT&T retail stores days before the device’s launch on June 29.

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Garden tasks for January fter the festivities, many of us feel the need to get outside and burn off a few dozen mince pies. So it’s just as well that there are plenty of January jobs to tackle in the garden!

Prep soil for success

get the growing season started.

Try basil, radish or even broccoli, sunflower, beetroot or pea shoots - it’s such an easy process. Use damp seed compost or cotton wool in a small plastic tray. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface, cover with a plastic bag and keep out of direct sunlight until they germinate. Once you can see shoots, move the tray to the windowsill, remove the bag and spray frequently with water to make sure they stay moist. Once they’re about 4-5cm tall, they’re ready to eat, so chop them off at the base and enjoy!

You’ll need a dry day, when the ground isn’t too soggy, Ideally just before a sharp frost is forecast and use the action of the frost to break up the ground you want to cultivate in spring.

Technique

Rhubarb is another winter growing favourite you can plant now if you choose a dry day with no frosts.

You only need to turn the soil over, creating large clods of earth. The action of freezing and thawing within the soil breaks these large lumps into smaller ones. Digging over vegetable plots and flowerbeds exposes weed roots so you can pull them out. It also lets birds eat the grubs of garden pests hiding below the surface. This makes creates better drainage and allows plants to spread out their root systems. So a few hours well spent in winter, will reap dividends all year long - and mean a better harvest.

Grow winter crops Despite the inclement weather, there’s nothing to stop you growing your own. Start by sowing seeds on a windowsill, using the heat from your home to get them off to a flying start. Mustard and cress is a great favourite for kids to help with, but there are so many more options - they’re a great way to

Rhubarb - what you need to do

Feed the birds

With very little naturally occurring food about, it’s important to kep our feathered friends healthy through this chilly season. Putting food and water out frequently means that they can have a good meal when they pop by every day. Hang large bird feeders that can be filled up once a week. This keeps the birds well supplied with nuts and seeds.

Make sure you add plenty of organic material and dig this into the soil around your chosen planting spot. This should be freedraining and in a sunny area. Spread the rhubarb roots out well, and cover with soil. The top of the crown should just be visible - then water in well. If you harvest too soon, you’ll limit the growth of the plant. If you’ve already got rhubarb growing in your garden, it can be forced – to get really sweet, early harvested stems. Get an old dustbin and cut the bottom out of it. Then pop the lid or a piece of board over the top, to keep it warm and dark. This encourages the plant grow rapidly upwards, in search of daylight. These fastgrown, or forced stems will be ready to harvest in about 8 weeks.

040519DFL_148x210_FINAL.pdf

19/03/2019

10:44

CMY

THE EASTERN FLEET & INDIAN OCEAN 1942-1944 AUTHOR: Charles Stephenson The story of the British Eastern Fleet, which operated in the Indian Ocean against Japan, has rarely been told. Although it was the largest Xeet deployed by the Royal Navy prior to 1945 and played a vital part in the theatre it was sent to protect, it has no place in the popular consciousness of the naval history of the Second World War. So Charles Stephenson’s deeply researched and absorbing narrative gives this forgotten Xeet the recognition it deserves. British pre-war naval planning for the Far East is part of the story, as is the disastrous loss of the battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse in 1941, but the body of the book focuses on the new Xeet, commanded by Admiral Sir James Somerville, and its operations against the Japanese navy and aircraft as well as Japanese and German submarines. Later in the war, once the Xeet had been reinforced with an American aircraft carrier, it was strong enough to take more aggressive actions against the Japanese, and these are described in vivid detail.

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Highlights Detailed history of the operations of the Royal Navy’s Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean during the Second World War Describes in graphic detail the Feet’s actions against the Japanese navy and German submarines.

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