Ipswich24 Magazine - May 2021

MAY 2021

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INSIDE THIS MONTH MAY Giraffe Manor:

Looking good:

Discover which celebs help shape our look, plus information on improving your nails and feeling good.

If you’ve still got lockdown hair do not dispair plus advice on your skin.

Local

We discover a holiday paradise where the giraffes join you for breakfast as well as finding out about this amazine Kenyan safari.

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Summer Events: 6 Lovers of the arts B2B:

Our business2business feature asks what you would have told your younger business self and how you could have learnt from mistakes you made.

have been starved of entertainment for far too long, do not worry Ipswich has lots to offer this summer.

There’s live theatre in the park plus big screen movies too.

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Motors24:

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The round-up for petrol heads includes news on why British drivers are wary of getting back behind the wheel. There’s advice for Spring motoring and we find out what angers drivers.

Services

If you are looking for a local tradesman this is where you will find help, from decorators to gardeners and carpenters to dog groomers.

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Council confirms first of summer events in it’s parks Ipswich Borough Council’s summer events programme is due to make a long-awaited return this August, with a series of small events suitable for the whole family.

The programme will start with a Pantaloons Open Air Theatre performance of Pride and Prejudice on Wednesday 4th August at Christchurch Park. Gates will open at 6pm, with the performance running from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Tickets are available to book from the Ipswich Theatres website.

The popular free Family Fun Days in Ipswich’s parks will return during August – starting with Bourne Park on Friday 6th August, Holywells Park on Wednesday 11th August, and Chantry Park on Wednesday 25th August. These events will include numerous attractions, market stalls and activities to keep the children entertained all day long.

Big screen blockbusters will be coming to a big screen in Christchurch Park during a three-day outdoor cinema extravaganza starting on Friday 13th August. Films are yet to be confirmed but genres will include kids, romantic comedy, cinema classics and a horror spectacular.

Councillor Sarah Barber, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre, says, “Ipswich residents and their families have missed out on so much over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic and we are delighted to be able to give them something to

look forward to this summer. We continue to work on bringing events to our parks this summer to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy, while continuing to follow the guidelines in accordance with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.”

For more information about these events, visit the Ipswich Entertains website – www.ipswichentertains.co.uk Further announcements about other summer events will be made at a later date.

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Doris Zinkeisen painting is latest addition to Museum collection n Ipswich Museums has, for the first time, acquired a painting by remarkable artist Doris Zinkeisen through the generous support of the Friends of the Ipswich Museums, Art Fund and Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

commercial success as portrait painters and were commissioned to produce murals for RMS Queen Mary (1935) and RMS Queen Elizabeth (1940).

The sisters also produced posters for several railway companies.

The portrait of Doris’ daughters Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone and her niece, Julia Heseltine, reveals the story of four established female artists who all came to call Suffolk their home. Painted in the 1950s, it shows twin sisters Janet and Anne, who were to become prolific children’s book illustrators. Julia Heseltine, the daughter of Doris’s sister and fellow artist Anna Zinkeisen, is a recognised portrait artist and still paints in Suffolk today.

At the time of this painting, the three young women were all embarking on careers in the arts. Janet and Anne were about to illustrate The Hundred and One Dalmatians for Dodie Smith (1956) and Julia was at the Royal Academy Schools. Ipswich already holds a significant collection of books and illustrations by the Johnstone twins but had nothing in the collection to represent their mother.

Doris and Anna Zinkeisen both trained at the Royal Academy Schools and became part of the artistic set of the 1920s in London. They gained

It was Doris’ work in the world of theatre and film that showed her talents for design. She worked with Noël Coward, Irving Berlin, Herbert Wilcox and designed costumes that were worn by Laurence Olivier and Anna Neagle.

In 1966, Doris and her daughters moved to Suffolk, where her sister Anna was already living.

The painting, which tells part of the story of Doris Zinkeisen’s incredible artistic career, has now found a permanent home here in Ipswich.

Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council Museums Service Portfolio Holder, says, “It’s wonderful to see another woman artist with connections to Suffolk added to the Ipswich collection. Doris Zinkeisen and her family have a fascinating story, and this painting will help tell their stories.”

Richard Wilson, Chairman of The Friends of the Ipswich Museums, says, “This is not just a wonderful portrait but also a historical document that portrays a family of important Suffolk painters.

The Friends are delighted to have helped purchase and then conserve this notable artwork for future generations to admire and enjoy.”

To see works by Janet and Anne Johnstone, visit the museum’s online collection at https://cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/ Details/collect/102259

Prepare for a day Sailing Barge of sail with barge VICTOR Sailing Barge Victor provides many local people and visitors to Ipswich and Suffolk from other parts of the UK with an opportunity to sail on a fully rigged sailing vessel on the beautiful River Orwell, Harwich Harbour and River Stour.

Launched in 1895, Ipswich-built Victor is a major attraction on Ipswich Waterfront and is amongst the last of more 5000 barges that played a crucial role in the trade to and from London in East Anglia and once filled Ipswich and other docks in 19th and 20th centuries.

Victor is on the National Historic Ship’s Register and her future, like other surviving fully rigged Thames Sailing Barges, is made possible by the work of volunteers and dedicated private owners.

All income is ploughed back into her continued maintenance and improvement. Booking a cruise is not only a fabulous way to spend time on the river but is helping secure Victor’s future and the preservation of fastdisappearing skills.

A sailing trip on Sailing Barge Victor offers a truly memorable and affordable opportunity to experience living history and a unique view of the spectacular River Orwell.

Departing from the Old Custom’s House in Ipswich Dock, passing through the lock gates and sailing down the beautiful and historic River Orwell and under the Orwell Bridge is a truly memorable way to spend time with friends and family.

Experience the natural beauty of the River Orwell on Thames Sailing Barge VICTOR with either a private party with up to 40 of your friends, family or colleagues or join a scheduled cruise with a complimentary cream tea or supper most Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from June.

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SUMMER CRUISES

Alternatively, Winter Bird Watching trips with the RSPB on the River Stour offer an outstanding and unique opportunity to observe a wide range of visiting, migrating and resident birds.

Built in 1895 in Ipswich and restored in 2006, Sailing Barge Victor is a perfect marriage of a majestic and traditionally rigged 19th Century sailing vessel, with comfortable and modern amenities.

There are a number of public scheduled cruises available throughout the season on board Victor including Suffolk cream teas cruises, supper cruises and bird watching and wildlife cruises.

For further information and all bookings, please visit www.sbvictor.co.uk For private charters please telephone 07926 396782 The Sailing Barge Victor will be operating within current Coronavirus guidelines to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

For further information and all bookings, please visit www.sbvictor.co.uk to view the sailing cruise schedules or to book.

For private charters call 07926 396782 5

with Deben Travel

As we gradually move out of lockdown now is the time to plan a trip of a lifetime or celebrate that special occasion.

At Deben Travel they have many suggestions but life affirming Animal adventures are certainly at the top of the list.

You may have seen on TV or featured in the press the exclusive boutique hotel Giraffe Manor in Kenya.

The manor house dates back to the 1930’s, set in 12 acres of private land within the indigenous forest area of Nairobi and home to a herd of Rothschild’s Giraffes which have been resident since the 1970’s when the conservation of these graceful animals and surrounding area begun.

A stay here offers a unique

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experience up close to the elegant Giraffe, breakfast is certainly one for the bucket list as the Giraffes literally pop their heads in through the windows looking for treats they can also often be seen in the evening on their way back to the Forest dwelling which is their natural habitat.

Giraffe Manor only has 12 rooms and they cater for all your needs with fine dining and drinks included, it is a perfect place to begin your Kenyan adventure as it is within driving distance (or light aircraft flight) to many Safari lodges in the Masai Mara where you will encounter the Big 5 on

amazing Game drives every day.

If after all of the adventures you wish to relax on a beach then it is easy to end your holiday in Mombasa where there are boutique beach hotels or luxury all inclusive resorts.

A good time to visit Kenya is during our winter months with direct flights from London you can be there in under nine hours, all trips can be tailor made to suit you and are now bookable for 2022.

For further information please email team@debentravel.co.uk, call 01394 615620 or pop in to see them on the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge.

It’s the One and Only - Rick Astley n Since the release of the UK Government roadmap, The Jockey Club Live have been working hard behind the scenes regarding the return of live music at Newmarket Racecourses this summer.

With the planned reopening of large-scale events scheduled for the 21st June, as a precautionary measure, Rick Astley’s Newmarket Nights show will be moving from 25th June to Friday 13th August 2021.

Tickets will be automatically transferred to the new August date, however ticket holders will also be contacted directly and given the option of requesting a full refund or e-voucher to attend another music night or racing fixture of their choice.

Sophie Able, General Manager, Newmarket said, “Don’t worry Newmarket, we were never going to give up on bringing Rick Astley to the July Course this summer! Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty surrounding the roadmap and easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we are moving his show to a little later in the summer, but fans can be sure that this will be a fantastic, uplifting night of racing and music!”

Tickets are on sale now for 13th August via thejockeyclublive.co.uk. Tickets are priced starting at £30.24 (inclusive of transaction fees). All T&C’s are available on newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk. There will be hospitality packages available to suit all budgets. Book with confidence! The Jockey Club Live offer a money back guarantee if cancelled.

Rick Astley is enjoying a major career resurgence. He had already sold more than 40 million albums fuelled by hits like the chart-topping Never Gonna Give You Up, Whenever You Need Somebody, Together Forever, When I Fall in Love, She Wants To Dance With Me and Cry For Help. For more info go to rickastley.co.uk.

What is opening on May 17th at Stonham Barns Park?

The next phase of coming out of lockdown is here with more attractions and activities now opening up at this busy holiday and leisure park in Suffolk.

relaxing day of fishing, the golf park for golf, footgolf and Smugglers Bay Adventure golf, the Teapot Pottery and The Owl Sanctuary with over 90 different birds of prey, Meerkats, red squirrels on prebooked ticket basis only.

Stonham Barns is a ‘dog friendly’ site and is open seven days a week so whether you visit for the day or you stay in the holiday park for a holiday, you will find lots to keep you busy.

You are now able to enjoy camping holidays, bring the family and stay in your own tent, caravan or motorhome or hire a fully furnished bell tent, the onsite facilities are open and include toilets, showers, laundry and washing up area, convenience store and plenty of open spaces to explore. To book your stay ring 01449 711 901.

Tumbledown Soft Play Barn is now open, which is a great place for the kids to have some fun. They can run, jump, climb and explore to their hearts content. Pre-book only by calling 01449 797306. Bloomfield Amusements with their seasonal fair rides has also opened with new rides for 2021.

• For more information visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk or their social media pages.

G OPENINTH MAY 17 FROM IONS | EVENTS

Showground and theatre events are starting again this month. On Sunday 9th the Stonham Motorcycle Show makes for a fabulous day out for motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere. £10 per person. Under 12’s FREE. On Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd there is the Steam and Vintage Show a gathering of historic traction engines, steam rollers and other historic exhibits such as tractors, stationary engines, agricultural and construction vehicles, vintage motorcycles and bicycles, working horses, and much more. £10.00 per person. Under 12’s FREE. On Sunday 30th there is the Stonham Truck Show a commercial vehicle show for truck lovers, raising funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance charity. Adults £5. Under 16 FREE. Truck entry £20.

There are correct safety procedures in place for Covid-19 and Stonham Barns are members of the Visit England Good to Go Scheme ensuring they are doing their best to make you safe when you visit. Face coverings must be worn in the shops and attractions, strict social distancing and there are hand sanitising stations widely available.

You can also visit the many other activities and attractions at Stonham Barns Park during May these include the shopping village with its many unique shops, Bistro with fabulous home-cooked food, the fishing lakes for a great

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A walk through history with Les Mitchinson Alde Valley Family History Group have announced an online talk with Les Mitchinson a professional genealogist and the Director of Education at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, Canterbury.

Before establishing a successful Family History research and education business from his home in Petersfield, Hampshire, Les spent a full career in the Royal Navy.

Now living within easy reach of the Portsmouth History Centre, Hampshire Archives and The National Archives, Kew, he finds all aspects of

Family History engaging, but singles out military records as his favourite area of research. A knowledgeable and highly entertaining speaker, who has appeared on the U.S. version of Who Do You Think You Are? Les will deliver a talk titled ‘Parish Registers – A Walk Through History’ to the group’s meeting on Monday, 17th May 2021, starting at 7.30pm.

As experienced family historians will know, parish registers have the potential to take your research back to Tudor England. This fascinating talk walks the audience through the plague, the

English Civil War and much, much more.

This Zoom based event is free to members, but is also available to non-members at a cost of £3. If you wish to ‘attend’ please register via the website https://avsfhg.org.uk/events/book/ and you will be sent joining instructions. Don’t leave it too late – places are filling up fast!

However, at a cost of £6 for a full year’s membership to the Alde Valley Group, why not consider signing up with this growing band of family history enthusiasts now?

Spring on the farm Home-Start at the It has been a beautiful spring. At Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm the spring flowers are blooming, the May is out, and the lambs are in the field, leaping and running around in gangs.

During May the Golden Guernsey and Pygmy goats will start to kid and then the trouble really starts. Every year the kids refuse to stay in their pens and think nothing of climbing on to visitors’ laps, or even trying to cadge a ride in a pushchair.

Sheep can easily get heat stressed if the weather turns warm and they are still carrying their winter fleece. So shearing is very much part of the annual cycle for sheep maintenance. And, because there is so much you can do with wool, Baylham celebrates shearing with the Festival of the Naked Sheep. If Covid regulations allow on the 31st May, not only will the sheep be sheared but there will be spinners, weavers and felters demonstrating their skills and anyone who wants to try their hand can have a go. Visitors will be able to get up close and watch the shearing process or perhaps help to roll a fleece. The fabulous Baylham BBQ will be up and running cooking our own produce, with wine and local beer.

For a day out in the lovely Suffolk countryside, getting up close and personal with some friendly animals, visit Baylham House Farm. Open all week, 10am until 5pm.

Visit the website for more details at www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk or phone 01473 830264.

Woodbridge Society

The third of the Woodbridge Society’s online meetings this year will be held on Wednesday 5th May. The topic is Home-Start in Suffolk - a charity that has supported 560 families in the county during all the ups and downs of the past year.

Offering practical and emotional support, the charity’s volunteers help families with a range of needs including long-term illness, disability, mental health needs, isolation and much more. They help with cooking, budgeting and day-to-day tasks as well as helping family members to access appointments and community groups. Volunteers provide non-judgmental support and are people for parents to talk to and be on hand for offering suggestions if asked.

One of the Ambassadors, Jean Rogers who is also their Volunteer Recruitment and Training Coordinator, will talk about how the charity supports families at difficult times in their lives, helping to make them more resilient, to develop coping strategies and enabling them to grow in confidence to manage the challenges they face.

Please email info@woodbridgesociety.org.uk and ask for your email address to be added to the attendance list. A few days before the meeting you will be sent an online link. The meeting will begin at 7pm.

Time to get crafty Welcome back to the town centre. At Craftability they are so glad to be back and although they have modified opening times of 9.30am until 4.00pm you can rest assured that they will still be offering their usual excellent customer service, with their new layout proving a hit and items are easier to find.

In the newly defined haberdashery area there are over one thousand types of buttons, zips of all different lengths and colours, threads, cords, bias binding, lace, ribbon and fasteners and much, much more.

Craftability have all sorts of paint and glue, wood and metal, varnish and thinners to please the model makers. The dolls house area has been given a new look with the furniture and accessories displayed in a much more pleasing way.

Craftability will update you as soon as they can when their popular workshops will recommence but in the meantime, they have a selection of kits so that you can continue new projects at home.

All in all – if you haven’t yet taken a look at Craftability yet - come on in you will be surprised and delighted!

for all your crafting needs Crafts, Gifts, Dolls Houses and Accessories 4 St. Lawrence Street, Ipswich IP1 1DN Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm

Tel: 01473 257550

www.craftability-ipswich.co.uk Email: sales@craftability-ipswich.co.uk 8

Personal Injury Claims: Is there a time limit?

Claims for compensation for personal injury and loss can arise out of road traffic incidents, accidents at work, accidents on holiday, in a public place or on private property, following a slip, trip or fall, and as a result of defective products or services to name but a few examples.

But if you wish to bring a claim for personal injury against either a person, company or other potential compensator, you have to ensure that you have commenced any court action within strict time limits, failing which you may lose the opportunity to claim for your losses completely.

So what are those time limits?

The Limitation Act 1980 states that the time limit for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury, or if later, three years from the date of your knowledge of the following; - That the injury sustained was significant / serious enough to justify bringing legal proceedings.

- That the injury was either completely or partly attributable to an act or failing on the part of someone / some body else.

- The identity of that person / body at fault.

Wicker family return to seafront

With many of us having missed seeing loved ones over the past year, a local artist has brought a favourite family back to Felixstowe.

The ‘Wickers’ have now returned to their home on the seafront, this time with a new addition to the family.

But whilst family life has moved on, they still firmly reflect the late Victorian period in keeping with their surroundings in the Seafront Gardens. On being told that the ‘old’ family would not survive another season, Felixstowe Town Council agreed to support a new family, which had originally been funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Seafront Gardens project over five years ago.

Creator of the Wickers, artist Tracy Barritt-Brown, said, “I have been very fortunate to borrow space at 142 gallery in the centre of Felixstowe to weave as I needed a larger space than usual to build the family and my lockdown lounge isn’t nearly big enough! I was thrilled to have been asked to recreate the

Generally, the rule is that if you have not commenced your claim for personal injuries and issued that claim in the Courts by the three year cut off period, then you will no longer be able to pursue your claim.

There are however variations on the above time limits depending upon different types of personal injury claim. For example: - Accidents abroad and injuries sustained whilst travelling in an aeroplane, boat or international train may have a lesser time limit (often less than or two years).

- Claims brought through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority where you have been the victim of and sustained injury as a result of a violent criminal act or offence, which also have a two year limitation period.

- In Fatal Accident claims, the time period for a dependant to bring a claim is three years from the date of death, or if later, from the dependants’ knowledge as referred to above.

- If you are under the age of 18 and have suffered an injury and loss then you have three years from the date of your 18th birthday.

- If a person is of unsound mind / is disabled at the time of the accident / incident that caused the injury and loss, then time will not start to run until their recovery.

There is some scope for the Courts to extend the time limits imposed upon claims for personal injury in exceptional circumstances, but it is a balancing act taking into account the degree to which each party will be prejudiced if any extension is granted.

The message therefore has to be that if you have been injured and sustained loss, take active steps to bring your claim against the person / body at fault as soon as possible to prevent being time-barred at a later date and losing the opportunity to claim completely.

If you have had an accident and suffered injury in the last three years, but weren’t sure whether you could make a claim, please contact the team at Prettys on 01473 232121 or e mail Louise Plant at lplant@prettys.co.uk

family and hope that five years on the new sculptures will be as loved and iconic as the first. Working with willow is very satisfying making sculptures from a natural sustainable eco-friendly material that has been used for centuries.

I have used commercially grown willow but also foraged material from the local area.”

The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Mark Jepson, said, “The Town Council was delighted to support the return of the Wicker family, who had become a familiar and popular attraction in the Seafront Gardens.

The Wickers, and their new addition, compliment their surroundings and the high standards that Norse and the Friends of the Seafront Gardens have in maintaining the gardens. It is lovely to see them back home in time for Easter. I hope people enjoy seeing them and would encourage anybody who has yet to visit to come and say hello! Thank you to Tracy and everyone involved in the new creation.”

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Part of the problem is a slow broadband connection. Modern day living has maxed out the broadband speeds that most homes can receive. It is a problem now and is not likely to get better as everyones’ use of the internet increases. The total data consumed in the UK is doubling every year and during the first lockdown period, the amount of data consumed immediately jumped by 30%.

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What would you tell your younger business self?

BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS

Small business owners have revealed the things they wish they knew before starting out, including the importance of being patient – and being prepared to sacrifice things in their personal life.

Research of 500 UK SME owners and senior figures also revealed they would have liked to have appreciated how important sales and marketing is, as well as how much paperwork there will be.

More than one in five (22 per cent) wished they knew how difficult it would TOP 20 THINGS BUSINESS OWNERS WISH THEY HAD KNOWN be while others would have warned WHEN STARTING THEIR BUSINESS themselves not to beat yourself up about 1. You shouldn’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes mistakes, and to pay attention to the 2. You need to be patient small things.

3. Pay attention to the small things To those considering starting their own 4. It can be a stressful process business, advice included not being too 5. Don’t be too downhearted if success isn’t immediate downhearted if success isn’t immediate 6. How important sales and marketing is – and don’t try to do everything yourself.

7. You need to trust your judgement more Other tips included trusting your own 8. Be prepared for sacrifice in your personal and professional life judgement more and to be prepared to 9. How much paperwork was involved in the running of a business see things through.

10. Don’t try to do everything yourself A spokesman from accounting software 11. You need to be ready to adapt your business offering Dext, which commissioned the research, 12. It can be lonely being the founder of a business said, “The hard things about running a 13. You’re not expected to know everything Providing efficient bookkeeping business are not the things you probably 14. How difficult it is services remotely, for sole imagined when starting out. Which is 15. You need to be prepared to see things through in the long term traders, partnerships & limited why having a team and support you can 16. Asking questions and taking opinions is a good thing companies in Suffolk. rely on is so valuable.

17. To think more about cash flow “The learnings of those running SME 18. It’s OK to make a loss www.lkbookkeepingsolutions.co.uk businesses has been interesting to 19. Building relationships with suppliers is critical laura@lkbookkeepingsolutions.co.uk explore in the research, and what is 20. Hiring an accountant or bookkeeper will make your life 01449 673795/07766 813949 evident is the emergence of the need a lot easier for confidence, and to surround yourself with the right kind of expertise such as bookkeepers or financial management advisors.

“There can often be things like paperwork that get in the way of owners doing what they love – but it doesn’t always need to be that way.”

It also emerged 51 per cent thought the leap to start their own business was an easy one – however a quarter initially found it difficult to take the plunge.

And 31 per cent think it would be more difficult to start a business now, than when they did. Despite this, 74 per cent would recommend becoming their own boss.

The study also revealed 44 per cent felt a lot of business admin got in the way of what they wanted to do when they first launched. And 35 per cent admitted they waited longer than they should have to hire experts such as accountants – particularly as they weren’t confident in such areas.

It also emerged respondents felt it took an average of two-and-a-half years to grow their business into a success. However, in the last 12 months, 37 per cent said their lack of financial organisation has proved problematic, due to the unexpected change in the business landscape.

The study, carried out via OnePoll found that following the eventual end of the pandemic, 65 per cent will actively be looking to grow their business within the following year.

General business planning, financial management support from accountants and advice on diversifying the business were seen as the main routes of help that would Covering: Ipswich, Felixstowe, support business growth – with these Woodbridge, Stowmarket, areas also being those business owners are most likely to pay for.

Needham Market, Debenham Yet more than four in 10 (41 per and surrounding area. cent) do not use an accountant.

A spokesman from accounting software Dext, added, “In such unusual times, it’s clear to see there is a desire to improve knowledge and expertise within SME businesses around finances and planning. tel/fax. 01473 - 719166 “The difference having the or call Richard on mobile. 07974 709487 experience of an expert accountant email. hello@suzannelock.com and the right business systems in www.suzannelock.com place cannot be underestimated.”

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Suffolk Owl Sanctuary News from the Barn Like other visitor attractions, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has been closed for most of the past 12 months, but April saw them opening their gates once more and welcoming visitors back to enjoy seeing their beautiful owls and magnificent birds of prey.

While S.O.S. has been closed, changes and improvements were being made to many of the facilities at the Sanctuary, and regular visitors might find that their favourite birds have been relocated to new aviaries, which acts as a valuable form of enrichment for the birds in giving them a chang.e of scenery.

Meanwhile, fulfilling their remit as a Charity promoting the conservation of avian wildlife and

thanks to the many donations received during lockdown the Raptor Hospital at S.O.S. was able to remain open throughout the pandemic.

Recent patients include a male barn owl picked up from the side of a road near Long Melford. The owl had a metal ring on his leg when he arrived, a form of identification used to help monitor the history and journeying of wild birds. This owl was actually ringed as a chick in a nest box back in 2012, some 11km away from where he was picked up. At almost nine years old and as the average age of barn owls in the wild is four years, this chap had done really well to reach such an age, and also accounted for him acquiring the soubriquet ‘Grandad’ for his time at the Sanctuary. After being given time and space to recuperate prior to his release back to the wild fit and flying free, he will hopefully to find a partner as the breeding season approaches.

plenty of open-air space for people to enjoy social distancing in a way that doesn’t inhibit the ability to visit all the enclosures and see the absorbing flying displays given by a diversity of raptors including buzzards, falcons, hawks, vultures, eagles - and yes, owls – on the flying ground! As General Manager Maz Robinson, says: “All of us – both the birds and the bods – are really looking forward to the return of all our friends again this Summer!”.

As lockdown came to an end, the whole of Suffolk Owl Sanctuary underwent a major ‘spring clean’ in preparation for welcoming back its many friends and supporters, paying close attention to making the centre safe and ‘covidsecure’. Located in the country, they have

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athome LIFESTYLE INTERIORS EXTERIORS GARDENS

D.I.Y. Britain’s top priorities DIY-mad Brits prioritised the garden more than any room in the house during lockdown, followed by the living room, kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 homeowners found 86 per cent have conducted some form of DIY after a year of coronavirus restrictions increased the time spent at home. And of those, more than half did so in order to adapt to the pandemic – including 14 per cent adding a home office.

While 46 per cent completed some form of DIY in their garden area, 36 per cent updated the living room. The kitchen was refreshed by 31 per cent, while homeowners were more likely to spruce up their main bathroom than their own bedrooms.

Reasons for DIY projects included homeowners ticking jobs off their to-do list, to improve wellbeing and to take their minds off the pandemic. A further 13 per cent simply wanted to feel ‘in control’ while in the middle of a pandemic and 23 per cent felt a sense of achievement by completing DIY jobs.

Other tasks over the last year included people growing their own vegetables and building more storage in order to keep multiuse spaces tidy and clutter free.

The study was commissioned by B&Q, and the need for order and organisation in the home during lockdown was reflected in the brand’s annual sales figures as sales of storage rocketed by 24 per cent in the last year.

Home working and homeschooling put huge pressure on space and privacy, leaving people carving up existing spaces using low cost, no mess fixes which resulted in unit sales of room dividers soar by 51 per cent.

And with the garden being the highest priority renovation, sales of outdoor rugs were up 11 per cent, statement outdoor tiles up 462 per cent and fairy lights up 56 per cent, as people tried to create indoor living outside.

It also emerged that renovations can be a source of positivity, as homeowners felt happy, content, proud and calm when thinking about the DIY jobs they had completed.

Paul White, commercial director at B&Q, said, “Being stuck indoors in lockdown was a challenge for us all but many reaped the benefits of home improvement projects – from small tasks like adding storage to transforming rooms to meet new lockdown living needs.”

The survey also found the average homeowner took on nine DIY jobs in total over the last year - roughly one new project every six weeks. Overall, 15 hours a week, totaling 31 days in the past 12 months – the equivalent to around a whole month – were spent on DIY. More than a quarter prioritised fixing up their garden so they can spend time in it with friends and family when the ‘outdoor rule of six’ is re-applied. As a result, 12 per cent of those polled

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via OnePoll believe their skills in planting and general gardening have improved over the last 12 months.

One couple who renovated their home to adapt to their new way of living and to improve their wellbeing were Sarah and Dave Alderton, from Sprowston, Norwich. They said, “When lockdown hit our priorities for our house renovation completely changed.

All of a sudden our home needed to work as a practical space for a family of four to work and home-school from Lockdown also made us realise just how much we wanted a space where we could entertain and socialise when restrictions finally lift. We completely scrapped our original plans for the kitchen and decided to open things right up and have an open plan family area and kitchen which could double as a space to entertain our friends – something which we have missed hugely. We also turned what was originally meant to be Dave’s ‘mancave’ into a multi-use space for both a gym and an office that’s been really great and the kids even did their PE lessons in this room.”

Areas of renovation in order of priority in 2020 were:

1. Garden 2. Living Room

3. Kitchen 4. Bedroom

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AT HOME

More bacteria on your kettle than your toilet “That may sound startling, but perhaps if you think about how regularly you A swab test on everyday items including bathroom taps, door handles clean those different environments it may be less surprising. I think it shines and even keys found traces of Staphylococcus and even possible E. a light on the particular areas that maybe we don’t think of cleaning quite so coli – bacteria usually found in human intestines or on our skin. The TV remote and bin lid were also among the items tested. But it was the regularly. Hopefully people will think a little bit more about where and how they are cleaning and not just keeping those same surfaces continuously kitchen tap which was one of the most contaminated items sampled, clean every day.” with high levels of bacteria found on it.

The experiment saw the swabs plated out in While the toilet seat contained less bacteria than nutrient agar and incubated at body temperature the handle of the kettle, the TV remote and a set SWAB RESULTS of house keys. The bin lid revealed high levels of (37 degrees) - the optimum temperature for ● Sink splash back - Pse udomonas sp. bacteria growth – for 24 hours. bacteria, possibly E.coli, which is found in the human ● Sink plug hole – pos The TV remote was home to possible E. coli, gut. And the handle of the kettle had large amounts sible E. coli while the sink splash back was found to have of Staphylococcus Aureus – something often found ● Kitchen tap handles - Pseudomonas sp. on skin, as well as the nose, armpits, groin or under Pseudomonas, which is often found in soil and ● Bin lid – possible E. coli plants. skin folds. ● Kettle handle - Staphy It comes after the survey found that during the The experiment follows a study of 2,000 adults, lococcus sp. average week, adults spend 90 minutes cleaning commissioned by 24 hour disinfectant brand ● TV remote – possible E. coli their home. But 47 per cent admitted this has Microban 24, which found Brits don’t regularly clean ● Washing machine surfaces and items that are touched multiple times increased by an average of 43 minutes since the Pseudomonas sp. start of the pandemic. a day. More than one in 10 don’t wipe down the ● Bathroom tap - Pseudo monas sp.

Despite this, more than one in 10 have never toilet and the flush as part of their cleaning routine, cleaned their front door handle, and another seven while 29 per cent don’t regularly clean their door per cent haven’t ever wiped down their internal handles. door handles.

Dr Jonathan Cox, Microbiologist from Aston Others have never cleaned remote controls (13 per cent), stair handrails University, who carried out the swab test on behalf of Microban 24, said, (five per cent) and mobile phones (11 per cent). Surprisingly, three per cent “While it might seem shocking, it’s not that surprising that we found bacteria have NEVER cleaned the flush on their toilet – despite 20 per cent believing on these high contact surfaces. We actually found more bacteria on the this to be one of the most contaminated items in the home. handle of the kettle than we did on the toilet seat.

But 76 per cent expect their cleaning products Household items and objects not to offer some level cleaned regularly as part of daily of lasting protection cleaning routines against bacteria, when kitchens, bathrooms & bedrooms ltd 1. House keys (60 per this usually isn’t the cent) case. In fact, every www.connellsipswich.co.uk 2. Car keys (56 per cen t) time you touch a info@connellsipswich.com 3. Remote controls (47 per surface, bacteria can cent) local family run business with 4. Computer keyboards redeposit. over 40 years’ experience (43 per cent) It also emerged more 5. Computer mouse (41 free home surveys and 3d plans per cent) than a quarter of 6. Mobile phones (41 per come and visit us at: adults don’t always cent) 45 woodbridge road east, ipswich wash their hands 7. Light switches (36 per cen t) suffolk, ip4 5qn when they go to 8. Front door handles (35 per cent) the toilet, and just 9. Telephones / landlin 54 per cent of e handsets those with children (35 per cent) are confident the 10. Gaming controllers (33 per cent) youngsters do. And 11. Internal door handle only 55 per cent of s (29 per cent) people wash their 12. Cupboard doors / han dles (26 per cent) hands after coming 13. Stair railings / bannis home from a public ter (26 per cent) place such as the 14. Bin lids (23 per cen t) supermarket.

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out via OnePoll, also revealed six in 10 have become more concerned about bacteria and viruses in their home since the outbreak of the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Microban 24 said, “Bacteria are all around us and while this is absolutely normal, the research shows there’s a lot of confusion between where we expect to find bacteria, and where bacteria are actually present.

“Half of adults admit that, although we’re very conscious of bacteria outside of our homes, we don’t often worry inside our own home. Yet we are exposed to bacteria we’ve brought in from outside, contaminating objects we touch, such as our door handles and taps. Now, Microban 24 provides a way for us to keep surfaces protected from bacteria for up to 24 hours, touch after touch.”

AT HOME

Make your own wall decor Inspired by lively spring flowers, this DIY floral hoop is a beautiful multitasker, both as wall decor, and a table centrepiece!

Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice explains this simple, high-impact DIY project.

1.Keep it modern Floral hoops have been trending on Pinterest recently, with a 2021 update and twist. While traditional styles have focused on symmetry, this modern floral hoop takes a cue from natural textures and colours for a show-stopping centrepiece that will add a spring glow to the home.

“It’s really about being able to capture a sense of the wildness and beauty of the outdoors,” advises Rebecca. “So when designing the floral hoop, don’t aim for perfection. Instead, think about highlighting organic shapes and creating points of focus and drama - that’s what gets conversations going!”

In this DIY, a spray of orange blooms adds visual texture and colour, and creates an exciting base to build the rest of the flowers around.

2.Use dried flowers While fresh blooms have traditionally been preferred, dried flowers are an increasingly popular interior trend for 2021, with their low-key, chic appeal. They also last much longer, ideal for a DIY project and have plenty of colours to choose from as well.

“This season’s palette is a mix of bright, feisty pastels such as marigold, orange and mint, softened with creamy neutrals,” Rebecca explains. “In this project, we’ve opted for bright orange and dark red sprigs, contrasted with soft pink and white flowers, for a floral hoop that evokes gentleness but with a punch of personality.”

3. Multipurpose styling The beauty of a modern floral hoop is that it doesn’t have to be confined to the front door. Instead, it’s a versatile accessory that offers a seasonal spring update to the home, and can be styled in a variety of ways.

“This DIY floral hoop would be a great dining room centrepiece, for example, during Easter lunch,” says Rebecca. “It’s a conversation-starter, and adds colour and life to the table. But it would also look gorgeous up on the door, on a wall, even on your Easter tree… anything goes. Pop it anywhere in the home that could use a touch of brightness!”

For more information on this DIY, visit www.furniturechoice.co.uk/ inspiration/diy-a-fresh-floral-spring-hoop_a10000211for a step by step guide.

Full fibre broadband INTERIORS BY JINNIE launched in Ipswich Locally based Air Broadband offers some of the fastest home broadband speeds available in the UK via CityFibre’s full fibre network Residents in Ipswich have been given the opportunity to access full fibre services from Air Broadband. Capable of downloading the highest quality movies, faultless latency for gamers, and helping to support those working from home, full fibre services from Air Broadband will transform the way we connect our homes.

People living in the area will be able to take advantage of an entry level service competitively priced at just £28 per month for a 200/200 Mbps service, and for 2021, there is an offer of free standard installation, to bring the fibre into your home.

Based near Cambridge - Air Broadband has been serving communities for seven years and is ideally positioned to provide a localised and personal services to customers in East Anglia. To meet the demand for services. Air Broadband has more than tripled its staffing levels to ensure the highest possible customer services for new and existing customer.

Air Broadband is committed to treating customers fairly. Their agreements are designed to be readable and friendly - with reasonable agreement lengths, no ‘in contract’ price rises, and existing customers receive the same deals as new customers.

Gordon Sadler, Air Broadband Sales and Marketing Manager, says, “Full fibre services are the future or internet connections to the home and bring huge benefits in how households cope in this digital age. We are honoured to be able to provide our services to homes in Ipswich and we hope customers will find interacting with a small, responsive, approachable, and friendly company will set new standards in dealing with your broadband provider.”

Charles Kitchen, CityFibre’s City Manager, said, “We are delighted more people in the area are going to be able to take advantage of all the benefits full fibre has to bring. At a time when most of us are staying at home, having a strong connection to the outside world through our home broadband has never been more important. We are working hard to expand our network and hope more and more people make the switch to full fibre as the year progresses.”

People in Ipswich who want to learn more about the service and to check if they can get a connection, they can visit: www.airbroadband.co.uk/ips

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AT HOME

Gardeners urged to help beetles Beetles are the unsung heroes of the garden and need our support urge the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts, as they launch 2021’s Wild About Gardens campaign.

The two charities are calling on gardeners to create habitats for these important but often overlooked insects which are a vital part of every healthy garden.

Providing a patch for beetles, including ladybirds, ground beetles and rose chafers, is a great way to encourage balance in the garden and boost biodiversity, with many species under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.

The UK has more than 4,000 beetle species and, although a handful may eat plants, many are predators, pollinators and decomposers, feeding both the soil and larger garden visitors such as birds and hedgehogs.

Ladybirds help gardeners by eating aphids while some ground beetles feed on vine weevil grubs and water beetles keep mosquito larvae under control in ponds.

Even the much-maligned lily beetle provides food for three parasitoid wasps.

A new campaign guide recently published, ‘Bring back our beetles’, includes ideas for making your garden more beetle-friendly this year: - Build a beetle bank – Adding a mound of soil, particularly in flat gardens, adds both shady and sunny habitat and provides shelter for lots of invertebrates - Make a dead hedge – Structured piles of branches and twigs can be used to divide up an area of the garden and provide a residence for beetles as they rot away

16

- Create a beetle bucket – perfect for small gardens, filling a bucket with rotting wood and leaves makes a home for all sorts of beetles and other insects - Log and rock piles, plenty of pollen-rich flowers and not cutting back dead plant stems until late winter are other good ways to attract beetles and other wildlife.

Helen Bostock, Senior Horticultural Advisor at the RHS says, “Beetles are really cool. They come in so many shapes, sizes and colours and play lots of different roles in garden life – nibblers, pest controllers, pollinators, recyclers, and even undertakers. Like so much of our wildlife, they are under threat so we hope by shining a spotlight on them people will really start to appreciate and encourage beetles in their gardens.”

Ellie Brodie, Head of Land Management at The Wildlife Trusts says, “Beetles play an absolutely crucial role in maintaining a natural balance in your garden. At a time when insect populations are on the ropes, it is so important that we create and restore wild areas to give them a fighting chance to recover. Beetles are such fascinating creatures – take the Maybug – look closely at its antennae, you’ll never see anything quite so exquisite!

“The Wildlife Trusts want to see nature recovery happening across 30% of all land and sea by 2030. Absolutely everybody can play their part by rewilding part of their garden – collectively we can do so much to give nature a boost and now’s the time to get started!”

The downloadable ‘Bring back our beetles’ guide and more information about the campaign can be found on the Wild About Gardens website at: www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk

AT HOME

Do you understand your energy usage? n Millions of Brits are baffled by their home’s energy usage – with just one in 10 aware the electric shower is the most expensive appliance to run.

The study of 2,000 adults found 47 per cent have absolutely no idea how much it costs to operate individual household items.

And a quarter of adults were convinced their KETTLE is the most expensive item to run in their home, while 14 per cent think it is the oven and 13 per cent think it is the dishwasher. More than a third of adults reckon the tumble dryer costs the most across a period of one hour – when in reality it is cheaper than the central heating system.

One in 10 thought a fridge freezer uses more juice than a hairdryer – in fact it uses more than 10 times less! The research commissioned

by Utilita, the energy company built on giving consumers greater energy awareness.

Their spokesperson said, “The costper-hour of most electronics is fairly minimal, so it’s easy to ignore them.

But when added up – or used over a substantial period of time – we can really see the difference in our energy spend, if we’re paying attention.

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“When it comes to energy, knowledge is power – the more data you see about your home’s energy usage, the more money you save – it’s really as simple as that.”

Six in 10 Brits believe their bills have gone up ‘noticeably’ in the last 12 months, as most of the nation has been confined to their homes. And just under half of them were surprised to see such a hike, even after a cold winter and TVs seemingly running Netflix constantly.

A tenth of the population have weekly arguments with someone in their household over running electrical items too often.

The top electricity-burners Brits will argue about include the heating, along with tumble dryers, electric heaters and even the TV. More than half (56 per cent) of Brits say that if they knew exactly how much it cost to run electrical appliances in their homes, they’d be more conscious about using them.

But more than four in 10 adults polled via OnePoll don’t make the

effort to switch appliances or other items off at the wall, preferring to leave them on standby.

Utilita’s spokesperson added, “Switching things off at the wall overnight, like your TV, will only make a small difference to your energy use and bills. But across the millions of TVs across the country, that could add up to a huge amount of savings and help extend the life of our planet.

“So while it might be a little bit more of an effort to remember to turn things off at the plug and not leave them on standby, if everyone did it, we would see a real difference.”

Top 5 most expensive items to run 1. Electric shower £1.66p 2. Heating (average house being 729 sq ft - 7 watts per sq ft) 92p 3. Electric heater 65p 4. Fan assisted oven 46p 5. Kettle 43p

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In place of pushy salesmen, Garolla allows you to work directly with your local installer. Not only does this reduce overheads to keep prices low, but it also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Your friendly local fitter will be on hand from the initial survey right up until the installation.

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AT HOME

Secure your sheds and outbuildings New research from Churchill Home Insurance reveals that in the last three years, £30 million worth of items have been stolen from garden sheds and outbuildings across England and Wales. Since the beginning of 2018, more than 70,000 cases of theft from outbuildings have been reported to police forces, the equivalent of 64 a day.

Findings show that last year alone, a fifth of all burglary claims were for theft of contents from outbuildings. This means that around £26,500 worth of claims for thefts from sheds, garages and outbuildings were made every day throughout 2020.

The average value of items stored in an outbuilding is £1,414, although one in twelve people store goods worth more than £5,0003. Yet two thirds of people admit these buildings are easily accessible from outside their property and one in six do not do anything to secure them. Even those who don’t lock up their outbuildings store an average of £991 worth of items in them, meaning that a potential £5.8 billion is being left unsecured outside the home.

The most broken into outbuildings are garages, followed by sheds and bike sheds. Properties with easy access to gardens such as semi-detached, detached and end-of-terraces account for the majority of outbuilding thefts.

Pedal bikes were the most commonly cited item stolen from outbuildings and accounted for over half of all items reported stolen to police forces. Tools and hardware accounted for 22 per cent of thefts, followed by gardening equipment and plants, electronics and appliances and raw materials.

Pritpal Powar, Head of Churchill Home Insurance, said, “This research shows just how easy it can be for burglars to steal goods from outbuildings.

Many of us don’t give the same attention to the security of outbuildings as we do our main home, yet often store valuable goods there. These are great storage facilities, but we need to make sure they are not an easy target for burglars.

“Taking some simple steps will help deter burglars and these don’t need to be expensive security systems. Installing locks, removing valuables from sight and making sure the outbuilding is easily viewed or well-lit from your main residence will all contribute to making your home less of a target.”

To keep your outbuildings and sheds safe, here are some further tips from Churchill Home Insurance: - Make sure your outbuilding is locked at all times, even while you are at home - If possible, install movement detection lights - If you have a window, remove high value items from view or black out the window - Chain and padlock expensive items such as bikes to the ground or wall - Consider storing smaller, high value items in a safe - Deter burglars by planting holly bushes, hawthorn or other prickly plants around the boundaries of your garden - this can be off-putting for thieves who want to get in and out as quickly as possible - Putting gravel or stones on your garden paths or by your shed will make it harder for burglars to be quiet

International deal for Suffolk filmakers n Local filmmaking organisation FILM Suffolk is thrilled to announce the international release of their crowd-funded regional feature film, The Haunted Hotel. The film will debuted on Amazon UK on April 2nd, followed by rollouts in dozens of territories around the world in the months to follow.

Filmed in the summer of 2017 on location within the labyrinthine Great White Horse Hotel in the centre of Ipswich, The Haunted Hotel is comprised of eight different ghost stories, set in different decades, all written by, starring and produced by regional talent. Celebrated local actors including Hugh Fraser and Reece Ritchie gave their support to the project, and the result is a charming mix of horror, humour and suspense with a genuinely universal appeal.

The film was sent out a range of international film festivals during

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2020 and scored some significant successes, including including Best Feature and Actor wins at festivals in the UK, USA and Canada, and even an Art Design win from the Anatolia Film Festival in Turkey.

Distribution is being shared between Los Angeles company Indie Rights and Singapore-based Wave Films.

Between them, the companies hope to secure sales on TV and streaming platforms, with the possibility of physical release via DVD and BluRay, and even the hope of theatrical screenings in some territories as the global lockdown eases.

Producers Julien Mery, Nick Woolgar and Matthew McGuchan hope that the success of The Haunted Hotel will generate sufficient funds for FILM Suffolk to launch once more into production.

Says Matthew, “We’re a non-profit company, our mission has always been to try to provide a platform and a showcase for all the amazing

filmmaking talent in the region, and we think The Haunted Hotel does just that. We can’t wait to share the film with audiences around the world – and we’re already thinking about what the next project could be, this region has got so much talent and so many great stories, we know there’s another amazing collaborative feature project out there waiting to happen!”

Julien adds, “Social media will play a huge part in the marketing and success of the Haunted Hotel, so we’re encouraging the region’s film fans and creative souls to like and follow FILM Suffolk and the Haunted Hotel on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The more likes and shares we can generate, the bigger our audience will be, and the greater the chances become that we can raise enough money to do it all again – so please do check us out online, watch the film, enjoy the film, and show your support.”

AT HOME

Wood you believe it?

DIY fanatics can now log onto this hilarious entertainment site to watch how-to videos like Dirty Decking, The Groutfather and There’s Something about Masonry.

But of those who wouldn’t watch them, 23 per cent said they are boring and 19 per cent find the

Ronseal launched ‘Knotflicks’ after conducting research which found 43 per cent of Brits admitted to making a drama out of DIY tasks – with painting skirting boards, filling holes and painting fences likely to cause the biggest scenes.

Now home improvers can take a break and enjoy drama-free tutorials such as The Staining, Goodfillers and Avengers: Endgrain at www. ronseal.com/knotflicks.

Other reimagined titles include, It’s a Wonderful Fence Life and Back to The Furniture.

It comes as research of 2,000 adults found that of those who make a drama out of DIY, 21 per cent do it to get others to notice the work that has been done, while 19 per cent are looking for praise.

It also emerged people typically feel daunted (28 per cent) and stressed (18 per cent) before even starting a

job. And if things don’t go to plan 44 per cent get annoyed and a further 27 per cent discouraged.

As a result, more than two thirds turn to ‘how-to’ videos before contemplating a task to try and ensure they know what they are doing.

Making a difference to local communities

content too long, according to the OnePoll figures.

Jonathan Greeno, from Ronseal, said, “Knotflicks combines our two lockdown loves: DIY & films.

“The research shows getting started on your DIY jobs can be a bit daunting, so Ronseal is literally taking the drama out of the job and putting it into our ‘how-tos’.

“I promise you there has never been a more entertaining way to find out how to paint your fence.”

The study also found almost half of adults admitted they take a long time to do seemingly simple DIY tasks – with changing a lightbulb typically taking 33 minutes and the job of putting up shelves lasting 82 minutes.

And 38 per cent make more of a drama out of DIY when doing it with someone else, although 36 per cent feel their other half is more likely to make a fuss than themselves.

Brits were found to typically put off DIY tasks for an average of eight weeks before tackling it and more than a quarter are currently living with unfinished renovations which they started during lockdown.

Jonathan added, “Ronseal takes the drama out of DIY as our products do exactly what they say on the tin, but sometimes people just need a few more tips before they get started.

“Our new range of videos delivered by our Ronseal experts will help everyone get the job done with no fuss.”

• To binge watch the latest series of drama free DIY, visit www.ronseal.com/knotflicks

An East Suffolk Community Partnership is making a real difference to local communities after granting over £29,000 to local projects in its first year.

The eight East Suffolk Community Partnerships were established as an innovative way for East Suffolk Council, partners and communities to work together to focus on specific issues in their neighbourhoods and ‘bring ideas to life’.

Since its creation, the Felixstowe Peninsula Community Partnership has allocated a total of £29,560 in funding to local projects which make a difference to the people who live there by addressing local priorities, including isolation and loneliness, mental health and emotional wellbeing, physical health, financial hardship and educational attainment.

The Friends of Felixstowe Library were able to refurbish its Children’s Area after receiving £5,000 from the Community Partnership alongside funding from East Suffolk Council’s Enabling Communities Budget, Felixstowe Town Council, Suffolk County Council Locality Budget, Suffolk Libraries and through its own fundraising.

This included adding new flooring, shelving and storage, a hideaway reading den and specialist display tables which can be enjoyed by babies, toddlers, children and students, and will provide a location for many events, such as the Summer Reading Challenge.

Other projects receiving funding through the scheme so far include: - The Bucklesham Bumps, Babies and Toddler Group received £1,650 to set up a social group for pre-school children and their parents to help address social isolation and loneliness, as well as mental and physical health and wellbeing in expectant and new parents.

- £1,500 allocated to improve digital inclusion, such as ‘Christmas in a box’ and ‘Gifts of Joy’ run by the Felixstowe Salvation Army, ‘Mental Health Packs’

by Emmaus, and more recently, ‘EAST bags’ by East Suffolk Council, which all have a digital element to them such as DVD’s and CD’s.

- Langer Primary School received £2,530 to provide half-term activities aimed at the school’s most vulnerable students, who will be able to invite a friend to join them. The project provides parents and carers with respite during the holidays and provide a safe environment for vulnerable children, ensuring that the children will receive support from safeguarding trained staff if necessary.

For more information about the East Suffolk Community Partnerships, go to www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-partnerships/ 19

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October 2017

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Crafty solution for beating loneliness A Suffolk charity has launched a series of free online craft videos designed to keep people motivated though the last few weeks of lockdown and beyond.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors to Emmaus Suffolk’s Hubs in Ipswich and Felixstowe could get involved with a number of projects including hands-on craft activities. Access to some of these activities has been limited over the past 12 months so the charity has decided to take them online.

Emmaus Suffolk is a charity which works with vulnerable, socially isolated people and those at risk of homelessness. The issues faced by those they support have worsened since the arrival of COVID-19 and, due to health conditions, many will need to continue isolating at home once restrictions begin to lift.

The charity has now launched ten videos so that people can join in with its popular craft activities from home, with more planned for release over the next few weeks. These videos have been put together to take viewers through the simple steps needed to produce their own craft creations. The project was funded by the Realising Ambition Fund managed by Suffolk Foundation.

The videos can be viewed online via www.emmaus.org.uk/suffolk/ craft-videos.

Emmaus Suffolk has chosen craft activities to suit a range of abilities which use ordinary domestic items that many people have at home. For those without access to the materials, the charity is offering free craft packs available for collection by prior arrangement, from the Emmaus Suffolk Hubs

in Ipswich and Felixstowe. Please call 01473 225627 to arrange collection.

Tackling social isolation has been a priority for Emmaus Suffolk throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020 the charity has distributed more than 1400 “mental health packs” to individuals throughout the county. These packs have been filled with items designed to stave off boredom and keep people motivated and entertained during what has been an incredibly hard and lonely 12 months for many.

To find out more about Emmaus Suffolk visit emmaus.org.uk/suffolk.

I’ll see The Hollies next year - Yes I Will One of the most iconic bands in British music, The Hollies, have moved their UK tour, originally scheduled for Autumn 2021, to next year in order to celebrate their 60th anniversary. “‘We felt like this is something no other band gets to do, celebrate six decades together, 60 years of this band and these songs means so much to us and so many others,” says Tony Hicks, the band’s original guitar player.

“We’re incredibly excited performing for everyone on what will be some of the most special shows in the history of The Hollies,” adds the Hollies’ drummer of six decades, Bobby Elliott.

All previously purchased tickets are still valid for the new dates.

Famed for their soaring, distinctive melodies and brilliantly crafted songs, the 60th anniversary tour will see The Hollies performing their best known

Always room for more friendship with Ipswich Oddfellows Since the Government’s roadmap announcement, Ipswich Oddfellows is putting plans in place to re-start their face-to-face social events.

Many of the group’s members can’t wait to get out again and reconnect, but there are some who feel that their confidence and mental health have been knocked for six this past year.

Oddfellows have been in regular touch with their members throughout the pandemic. Sadly, some have lost someone close, and the majority have felt the daily struggle. Staying at home to keep everyone safe has taken it’s toll.

As social restrictions ease and we’ve got routes back to a more normal way of life, we know that many people’s normal will be very different to the one they knew before. So much time has passed and we appreciate that it might feel incredibly daunting to step out and socialise again.

Ipswich Oddfellows is going to be there for all their members to help them readjust at their own pace. But if anyone else feels that they too are in need of some gentle, friendly support or encouragement, then there’s always room for more within the friendship group.

Ipswich Oddfellows are planning to safely restart their outdoor events from mid-May and indoor ones from July. There are lots of online events that are free and open to the public to enjoy right now. They’ve been told that they’ve been a lifeline during the pandemic. There are also monthly online open days where you can find out more about The Oddfellows. The next two are on April 28th at 2pm or May 27th at 7pm. Details to register available at: https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/news/our-virtual-doors-are-open/

hits including ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’, ‘Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)’, ‘Bus Stop’, ‘Carrie-Anne’ and ‘Sorry Suzanne’.

The line-up includes powerhouse drummer Bobby Elliott, and singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist Tony Hicks, both of whom are original members of the band. They are joined by lead singer Peter Howarth, as well as bass player Ray Stiles, Keyboardist Ian Parker, and Steve Lauri on Rhythm Guitar.

Celebrated as one of the most influential bands from the 1960s British Invasion era alongside the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the Hollies have had over 20 world-wide hits, including number one singles in both the US and UK. They have spent an astonishing 263 weeks in the UK top 40 official singles chart, and have been performing continuously since their formation in 1962.

The Hollies will be performing at the Ipswich Regent Theatre on 30th May 2022. Tickets available from ticketmaster.com

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“We all need to do our part to bring the country and life back to normal” — Rustie Lee Rustie Lee talks about having her vaccination even though she is a ‘big baby’ when it comes to injections TV personality, chef, actress and singer Rustie Lee has teamed up with Age UK to highlight the importance of the covid-19 vaccination for older people, especially those in Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

The NHS has done an incredible job so far in giving the first dose of the vaccination to over 32 million people. Worryingly though, the official figures show that only 7 in 10 eligible Black older people and around 8 in 10 eligible Asian older people have been vaccinated so far, compared to more than 9 in 10 eligible white older people.

These differences are a worry because we know that Black and Asian older people are more likely to test positive for Covid-19 and to become seriously ill and die from the virus.

Rustie, star of morning and reality TV, is working with Age UK to encourage older people and those from Black and other Minority Ethnic groups to have the vaccination. She said, “We all need to do our part to bring the country and life back to normal. That is why I was happy to have my first jab at the start of the month. Trust me, I am a baby when it comes to having injections. I wind myself up for days for the annual flu jab. But this time it was different. I had to do this not only to protect myself but my family and everyone I might get in contact with.

“So, when I arrived at the vaccination centre I was glad to see how professional all the staff were. And not just professional, but genuinely nice. The nurses took their time to answer my questions and when it came to the injection I felt absolutely nothing. I was surprised how quickly it was over.

“Since my jab and I can honestly say that I’ve had no complications or side effects.

“I would ask anyone, especially my Caribbean people to go and get vaccinated as soon as you can. We lost a lot of lives during this pandemic and we now have the chance to end this. So please do your part to help.‘’ There are a number of reasons why people may not have taken up the offer of a vaccination.

Research shows these range from worries about safety and side-effects to doubts about how effective the vaccines really are.

Some have been put off by myths and misinformation spreading on social media, but scientific evidence shows the vaccines are both safe and highly effective in reducing the chances of everyone, including older age groups, becoming seriously unwell with coronavirus. It’s important for people to get reliable information from trustworthy sources so they can make an informed choice.

This is especially important for anyone whose work brings them into contact with others or who lives with someone in this

situation, for example, transport, security, nursing or care.

Some people have also experienced practical challenges in getting to centres.

However, there are now a variety of ways to access a vaccine and, at the moment, anyone over the age of 50 can book directly though the website or by calling 119, as well as by responding to an invitation from their local GP. Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s Charity Director, said, “Getting vaccinated really is the best way to protect ourselves, our lovedones and the wider community from this horrible virus. We are getting more information all the time about just how effective these vaccines are in keeping people safe and well, and in stopping the spread, and it is all really encouraging.

“Many older people and families have had to live with the fear of contracting this virus or taking it home to their friends and relatives. After such a hard year, vaccination can start to lift that burden – but only if we take up the offer when it’s made to us. We now know that anyone having a vaccination will have a good level of protection from three weeks after the first dose, and then the second booster dose further increases the level of protection and helps to sustain it for longer.

“Everyone involved in the vaccination programme, plus your local GP and practice nurse, is there to answer any questions or talk about any worries you might have. When you receive your invitation from the NHS though I do urge you to make an appointment and go along. I really don’t think you will regret it.“

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wellbeing

Celebs inspiring body positivity Legs, bums, and hands are the parts of their bodies Brits love the most – with a quarter stating they wouldn’t change a thing about how they look.

A study of 2,000 adults found on a scale of one to 10, 65 per cent rated themselves in the top half when it comes to body confidence.

It also emerged that to improve their wellbeing, half intend to exercise regularly while 30 per cent plan to eat better. But many are avoiding the temptation of quick fix diets as 47 per cent admitted they have never worked for them. A quarter also hope to look after their gut health, with 50 per cent believing it can influence their emotions, leaving 28 per cent feeling stressed and 38 per cent tired.

Sarah Dossett from Activia, which commissioned the survey, said, “We believe that this year people shouldn’t focus on losing their gut but learning to love it instead. We are passionate about happy guts and know the impact it can have on our overall wellbeing and in turn body positivity.

We’re thrilled that the research has come back so strong at a time when many re-evaluate their goals and we

hope that we can continue to support our customers this way.”

The study also found celebrities play a part in inspiring body positivity, with Beyonce and Zac Efron the most likely to do so. Serena Williams, Giovanna Fletcher, Harry Styles, James Corden and Joe Wicks also feature.

Tess Daly, who also made the top 10 most inspiring women and has teamed up with Activia, said, “We’ve given up enough over the last year so we need to be kinder to ourselves and look at all of the ways that we can improve our overall wellbeing.

“I know that when I look after my gut, I feel better for it so I am hoping to use my own experience to encourage people not to overlook it and look at the small changes you can make that will improve your gut health.”

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Top 10 celebrities to inspire body positivity for women: 1. Beyonce 2. Giovanna Fletcher 3. Serena Williams 4. Adele 5. Rebel Wilson 6. Tess Daly 7. Lizzo 8. Jameela Jamil 9. Chrissy Teigen 10. Nadia Sawalha Top 10 celebrities to inspire body positivity for men: 1. Zac Efron 2. Joe Wicks 3. Chris Pratt 4. Olly Murs 5. James Corden 6. Robbie Williams 7. Sam Smith 8. Craig David 9. Jonathan Van Ness 10. Harry Styles

How your nails can make you feel good Hayley Bradford, owner of Last Night’s Nails prides herself on offering a safe and welcoming environment, and with 14 years experience as an acute mental health nurse she can offer you a friendly listening ear too.

Having your nails done should be a therapeutic treatment and you should leave feeling happy and relaxed, not uncomfortable and sore! When you look down at your nails they should always make you smile and feel special.

Hayley studied to gain knowledge from leading nail experts and wants to share this with you and have you feeling satisfied with your treatment.

“I want to offer education on nail health and inform you about what products I am using and why.”

Explains Hayley “We will then come up with the correct treatment plan for you, be you male or female.”

At Last Night’s Nails Hayley only uses top quality products that do not contain MMA (methyl methacrylate) and all of her products are cruelty free.

“I particularly value the use of cuticle oil after treatments and the use of this will help promote healthy growth and keep dry skin at bay.” Says Hayley, “Rubbing oil in also stimulates growth by increasing circulation. Regular use can aid against the adverse effects of day - day activities such as hand washing/using cleaning products and will keep nails hydrated. This in turn will prevent nails from shrinking and pulling away from the enhancement and thus you can go longer between appointments saving you time and money.”

• For more information about Last Night’s Nails or to book an appointment you can contact Hayley on 07973 923042 or email her at lastnightsnails@gmail.com

Body and Skin Care

WELLBEING Women will spend half an hour a week on skin care for their face, but less than five minutes on the rest of their body.

Research of 2,000 women revealed 76 per cent place the most importance on looking after their face. Almost a fifth spend more than 30 minutes a week on facial skin care, but just under five minutes on their legs and arms.

More than a quarter also spend at least £20 a month on beauty products for their face, compared with just seven per cent spending the same amount on skin care for their legs.

Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe, cosmetic and medical doctor and ambassador for Venus, which commissioned the research, said, “I see first-hand just how often people disregard the skin on their bodies and routinely forget to nourish their skin from the chin downwards.

“While most of us will think nothing of spending most of our time and money on our facial skin; our bodily skincare routine rarely extends beyond some hastily applied body cream and a cursory shave in the shower.

“A startling amount of us aren’t changing our blades as regularly as we should be, and this can create the perfect storm for irritated skin and patchy hair removal.”

The study found 71 per cent understand the link between dry and irritated skin and shaving, but just 16 per cent regularly replace their razor blades. And 43 per cent don’t understand the benefits of using pre-and-post-shaving products for their skin. It also emerged 29 per cent went as far as to say they don’t know how to look after their skin from the chin down. More than half would also buy fresh facial moisturiser rather than a fresh razor.

Nearly a quarter will only change their razor blade, or disposable razor every few months – despite 62 per cent agreeing you should replace your blades regularly.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 29 per cent of women don’t believe shaving cream is always necessary, considering soap and water to work just as well despite frequent irritation. And despite 61 per cent of women experiencing dry or irritate skin after they shave, a third don’t choose a razor based on their skin care needs.

Aura Hair Salon is under new ownership!

Clare Baker took over Aura Hair Salon in January 2020, and along with her experienced team of hair stylists, is excited to welcome clients both new and existing to her modern unisex hair salon with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Having your hair done should be a relaxed and enjoyable experience and being situated in Ipswich Sports Club on Henley Road means clients have access to easy parking.

The fully qualified and experienced stylists at Aura Hair offer a range of hairdressing services, including, Goldwell Colour Services, Cutting, Restyling, specialist hair masks, Wedding / Occasion Hair Up “dos” and much more.

So, if you would like the comfort of salon professional hair care from beginning to end with experienced stylists then a visit to Aura Hair Salon is a must.

Olivia Hughes from Venus said, “It’s clear there are still lots of myths when it comes to the relationship between our skin and our hair removal routines, many of which can be addressed simply by choosing a razor that’s right for your skin’s individual needs.”

BIGGEST SHAVING MISCONCEPTIONS

1. Not regularly replacing razor blades: More than a third of women don’t know that you should replace your razor blades on a regular basis to ensure a close and smooth shave for your skin.

2. Not understanding the exfoliation benefits of a razor: 86 per cent of women don’t realise that shaving can actually act as an exfoliator for the skin.

3. Myths around hair growing back thicker and faster: Almost a third of women falsely believe that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker, faster and darker.

4. Not realising the skin care benefits of shaving cream: 71 per cent of us believe soap and water work just as well as shaving cream.

5. Misconception around shaving and skin care: Almost a third wrongly believe that shaving every day is bad for your skin.

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Aura Hair Salon is based at Ipswich Sports Club, Henley Road and is located on the first floor in the Indoor Tennis Centre with free parking; everyone is welcome members and non-members alike. For more information and to book your appointment call 01473 232244 or 07952 968344.

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Suffolk Quiet Lanes initiative Suffolk County Council is encouraging residents to explore more of the beautiful countryside on their doorstep through its Quiet Lanes initiative.

As we move into spring, we are all keen to get outside and make the most of the weather. Quiet Lanes is a nationally recognised designation for narrow, rural roads which can be shared with walkers, horse riders, cyclists and other road users. It encourages drivers to take their time when they see the Quiet Lanes sign, so we can all enjoy rural lanes with greater safety.

Quiet Lanes at Snape and Glemsford have just achieved planning consent and the initiative has another 50 proposed lanes going through planning.

A new website allowing residents to find the Quiet Lanes near them will be available in May. Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, says, “This is a fantastic sustainable initiative aimed at opening up more of our countryside for leisure and recreation activities and active travel. Quiet Lanes are a precious resource on many of our doorsteps. Now with this recognition, we will encourage residents to make more use of the countryside around them rather than always getting in the car, and reap the associated health and environmental benefits.”

Councillor James Mallinder, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for the Environment, and Councillor Norman Brooks, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Transport, says, “We’re really pleased to be launching the county initiative in East Suffolk as Quiet Lanes help to preserve the character of country lanes, reduce traffic and speed, and encourage drivers to be more mindful of non-motorist road users, thereby encouraging more journeys on foot or bike.

Not only does this support an active and healthy way of travelling, it also helps the environment and delivers a better quality of life for the local area.”

Since the initiative began in Suffolk, the Quiet Lanes volunteers have engaged 192 parishes and agreed 323 routes through some of our most treasured countryside. Parish Councils are working together to link up through the lane network in context with public consultation and local neighbourhood plans.

In 2019, Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council declared a Climate Emergency. The council set up a Policy Development Panel to investigate how to cut Suffolk County Council’s carbon and harmful emissions on a spend-to-save basis, with the aim of making Suffolk carbon neutral by 2030. Now in its second phase, work is being done to explore six focus areas, including Transport and Air Quality, to which the Quiet Lanes initiative contributes through improvement to natural environmental quality.

Ipswich street lights left on Ipswich Borough Council has responded to public concerns about safety in the light of Sarah Everard’s death and has instructed Suffolk County Council to leave on all night all of the street lights within Ipswich that the Borough Council owns.

It is estimated that the Borough owns about 5% of the town’s street lights with most of the remaining 95% owned by Suffolk County Council.

As an example, the Borough owns the lights on Allenby Rd, Brooks Hall Rd, Mildmay Rd and Stonelodge Lane West. These lights should now be on throughout the hours of darkness rather than being turned off before midnight.

An additional Ipswich Community Safety Partnership (CSP) meeting has also been called at the request of Ipswich’s Community Safety Portfolio Holder to discuss current safety concerns. This meeting will be asked to endorse a bid led by the Borough Council to the Government’s Safer Streets Fund which will seek additional support to provide additional lighting, CCTV and more secure public spaces.

Councillor Alasdair Ross, Chair of the Ipswich CSP and Portfolio Holder for Community Protection at Ipswich Borough Council, says, “The terrible death of Sarah Everard has raised real public safety concerns, particularly for many women and children. We hope that our decision to leave our lights on throughout the night will provide some reassurance for people out and about at night.

“I would urge Suffolk County Council to consider leaving their lights on throughout the night too. I really hope that our partners will endorse our Safer Street Fund bid and that the Government allocate much needed funding to Ipswich to enable us to deliver on our plans.”

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Rage behind the wheel The top 10 list of triggers for in-car arguments have been revealed – with using the phone while driving, tailgating and dangerous overtaking topping the list.

Families across the UK are expected to hit the road again when restrictions are eased to allow travel outside of the local areas. With traffic set to rise, a cross-European survey of 2,000 drivers examined what bad behaviour behind the wheel was most likely to cause a war of words.

Using the phone while driving, which is an offence worth six penalty points, took joint top spot alongside tailgating with Brits, where the motorist can get three points.

Making up the top five triggers for British passengers were last minute braking and unnecessarily harsh or sudden braking.

The research, carried out by Nissan, found speeding, failing to indicate and hogging the outside lane were the other big bugbears for passengers who just want a peaceful and enjoyable journey. Middle lane driving and being behind the wheel while tired also cause rows.

The research revealed UK motorists have the same bugbears as their European counterparts – although across the Channel they have a greater problem with people applying makeup while driving compared to middlelane hogging.

Arnaud Charpentier, from Nissan AMIEO, said, “As we all look to reconnect with the enjoyment of driving again, it’s crucial to understand that the secret to a harmonious car journey can often be found in the car itself.

“This new research confirms Nissan’s belief that the strategy of equipping their vehicle with intuitive technology helps to reduce the stress and maximise the convenience on every journey.”

Safe driving and good music were identified by passengers as the most important ingredients for an enjoyable journey, followed by good navigation and frequent breaks.

But while the respondents highlighted the actions they hate from their driver while sitting in the passenger seat, they are not exactly the best behaved themselves when in charge of a car.

One in five admit to speeding, 19 per cent have driven while tired and the same figure have eaten while behind the wheel.

ORIVERS D THINGS D G IN T A IT OST IRR SENGERS TOP 10 M G TO PAS ACCORDIN hile driving e phone w 1. Using th g 2. Tailgatin ing us overtak 3. Dangero ute braking braking 4. Last min or sudden h rs a h ly ri ssa 5. Unnece g 6. Speedin indicate 7. Failing to lane the outside 8. Hogging g ane hoggin 9. Middle-l while tired 10. Driving

Incredibly, one in 25 respondents surveyed by OnePoll for Nissan said they’ve been guilty of applying makeup when driving - while seven per cent have used the phone while on the road.

To coincide with the findings, Nissan has launched the Stress-Free Driving Guide, inspired by the Juke crossover model, which draws on the car’s intuitive technology and confidence-inspiring assistance features.

Its Juke model is fitted with the ProPILOT advanced driving assistance system for maintaining a set distance on the highway by accelerating and slowing to match the car in front, and Blind Spot Intervention which gives drivers a heads-up if it detects a vehicle in an adjacent lane on the highway.

Arnaud Charpentier added, “Nissan is committed to helping drivers and passengers alike feel safe, comfortable and happy on the road.

“Offering advanced driving assistance features, seamless connectivity and a premiumfeel interior, the Nissan JUKE makes the driving experience both entertaining and relaxing for everyone on-board.”

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Spring driving tips With the arrival of spring and as England and other parts of the UK prepare for the easing of lockdown restrictions, breakdown cover provider Green Flag has released new driving tips to ensure drivers stay safe on the road.

Driving in the spring can bring along its own set of complications. Aftershocks from the cold, wet winter still pose risks to drivers, with potential underinflated tyres and an increase in potholes both common occurrences following the winter weather and the change in temperature.

What’s more, the increase in pollen in the atmosphere can also impact people’s driving, especially those who suffer with hayfever. With pollen particles entering the car through open windows or air conditioning systems, drivers who significantly suffer from red or itchy eyes, sneezing, blocked nose or any other ailment stemming from hayfever allergies should take the daily pollen forecast into considersation before getting behind the wheel.

With the return of the sunny weather, sun glare can also be a serious cause of collisions on the road – especially during sunrise and sunset when the sun is in the direct eyeline of drivers. Drivers need to ensure their windshield

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is clean as dirt and smears can scatter light, making it more difficult to see the road.

At the same time, the milder weather is also set to bring out more cyclists, motorcycles, playing children, pedestrians and animals, which provides extra challenges when navigating roads, especially in built up areas.

Mark Newberry, Commercial Director at Green Flag, commented, “With the welcome arrival of Spring and the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, we want to ensure all drivers feel prepared as they plan to set out on the road again. While the effects of winter driving are well known, there are some challenges that can “Spring” up at this time of year.

“The change in weather does unfortunately mean an increase in potholes, so it is important to check your tyres are inflated to avoid the risk of a blowout should you encounter any.

“If you suffer from hayfever keep a check on the pollen count before you set off, as severe symptoms can have an effect on your visibility and ability to drive safely. As well as this, and lets hope we get some weather to use them, do carry a pair of sunglasses in the car to protect you from the sun’s glare and protect your ability to see the road clearly.

“As the weather gets milder, the days get longer and lock down continues to ease, there will be more people out and about on the roads so please take care as you navigate the extra road users. Travel safe, look out for each other and enjoy what spring has to offer” In order to help motorists reach their destinations safely, Green Flag has released the following common sense tips to stay safe as a result of the expected change in weather.

1. Ensure tyres are properly inflated 2. Carry a spare tyre 3. Check the pollen forecast

4. Have sunglasses with you 5. Watch your speed

Brits reveal they’re nervous to hit the roads once more As the nation looks forward to lockdown restrictions easing further on, research conducted by breakdown provider Green Flag has revealed that many drivers now feel less confident getting behind the wheel after not driving as frequently as they used to.

to carry out some simple safety checks on their cars, such as checking tyre pressure and vehicle fluids, to avoid breakdowns and ease driver nervousness. Also, if it’s been a while, to get in their car and go for a shorter drive ahead of that big trip. Enjoy making those longed for trips and stay safe everyone.”

It’s no surprise that lockdown will have changed the behaviour of some drivers and Green Flag’s research looked closer at the reasoning behind why some drivers have been put off getting back in the car.

An increase in cars being out on the road was one of the biggest concerns for UK drivers (20 per cent), who have become accustomed to roads being quieter and less congested over the course of the last year. Other drivers who haven’t been driving regularly are also a worry to many - a fifth (20 per cent) stated finding other driver behaviour a source of hesitation for getting behind the wheel, with other reasons cited including having to spend money on petrol (18 per cent), feeling out of practice (14 per cent) and even the fear of accidentally violating lockdown restrictions (12 per cent).

Despite the nervousness though, average drives per week are expected to increase in line with the outdoor attractions, shops and restaurants being able to open their doors once more. Drivers stated they anticipate driving six times a week from the 12th April – up a staggering 50 per cent from the four drives they were making during lockdown.

There are countless reasons for Brits to be travelling and driving long distances as lockdown lifts. When it comes to the journeys’ drivers are looking forward to making again, almost a third (32 per cent) are most excited at the prospect of being able to drive to see much missed friends and family. Interestingly though, for over a quarter (26 per cent) it seems that being stuck inside with our families for the past year has been almost too much! One in four drivers (26 per cent) admitted they were looking forward to driving more simply as an excuse to get a break from their immediate household.

But is this change in driving behaviour here to stay? The survey revealed that recent restrictions have urged well over half (61 per cent) of British drivers to take up walking or cycling instead and is now their favoured method of transport. However, with restrictions set to relax every month until June, this might differ as the allure of a long drive becomes too tempting.

Mark Newberry, Commercial Director at Green Flag said, “After a year dominated by varying lockdown restrictions, it will come as no surprise that people are looking forward to seeing loved ones again and making trips to spend time with friends and family, after an extended period of time apart.

“It is understandable however, that a percentage of drivers will feel nervous about getting back out on the roads again, especially if they have driven less during lockdown. We urge everyone before setting off on their journeys

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n FORD'S FOCUS

with Daniel Ford

In memory of Mr F1 Murray Walker’s life was an utterly extraordinary one. Having been born in Birmingham in 1923 Walker’s life was thrown into turmoil when the Second World War broke out in 1945, despite being only in his late teens he joined the army and obtained the rank of captain having been the commander of a Sherman tank. This though was not a career he wanted to pursue, Walker had inherited his father’s passion for motorbikes and after a failed attempt at taking up motorcycle racing he turned to the art of commentating.

(Pic: Matthew Spencer - Flickr)

“Go, go go!” These are the iconic words associated with one of the most loved broadcasters of the 20th century, a man who become known as the ‘voice of Formula One’ and who provided the commentary for some of the most dramatic moments in racing history.

That man was the late great Murray Walker!

Between 1949 and 1962 Walker commentated alongside his father on some of the world’s most famous motorcycling races including the Isle of Man TT, simultaneously, he was a highly successful advertiser creating slogans such as “Opal Fruits made to make your mouth water”.

It wasn’t until 1978 that Walker was offered the role he would become famous for, that of the BBC’s main F1 commentator, here he stroke up a successful partnership with ex-driver James Hunt that proved extremely popular.

Such was Walker’s popularity that when the rights for Formula One were sold to ITV in 1997, the channel had no choice but to employ Walker or risk mass dissent from the sport’s loyal supporters.

When Walker retired in 2001, thousands of spectators made banners to honour a man who had become quite simply synonymous with the sport.

So, what was it that made Murray Walker so popular? Firstly, his enthusiasm for the sport was just utterly infectious, this was reflected in the fact that he became a trendsetter in becoming the first motorsport commentator to stand up for the entire race, this allowed him to project with greater volume when he commentated.

Such was Walker’s excitement that it was said of him that even in his quieter moments he sounded like his trousers were on fire”. Walker was also notorious for his commentary gaffes or ‘Murrayisms’ as they were affectionately known, quotes such as “there’s nothing wrong with the car except it is on fire” and “the lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical” endeared him to his fans.

Most importantly though, he was able to capture the emotion of the sport quite beautifully, in perhaps his most famous commentary moment he had to put the microphone down when he was overcome with emotion as his friend Damon Hill one the title, “And I’ve got to stop because I’ve got a lump in my throat!” The passing of this great man left a lump in the throat of motor racing fans around the world, may he rest in peace.

You can write to Daniel Ford – daniel@ipswich24.co.uk 30

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