Local Buzz – Award Winning Lifestyle Magazine ISS59

local Connecting Local Businesses with Local People

This month's charity

APRIL 2019 localbuzzmagazine.com

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Welcome Welcome to your April issue of Local Buzz. In this issue we celebrate National Dark-Sky Week (NDSW), which is held during the week of the new moon in April. During this week, people around the world will turn out their lights in order to observe the beauty of the night sky without light pollution.

Turn to page 40 When we bring you 6 stunning dark sky places in the UK and Ireland. If you are planning a family holiday break, then turn to page 20 for a getaway over Easter.

April is the perfect time of year for a spring break. We bring you four lovely and diverse destinations to enjoy.

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National Pet Month Editor-in-Chief Jackie Osborne jackie@localbuzzmagazine.com

Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for making Local Buzz their number one community magazine.

Designer Vanessa Davis studio@localbuzzmagazine.com Daniela Fre' daniela@localbuzzmagazine.com

Business Development Manager David Chilton david@localbuzzmagazine.com Sales William Francis william@localbuzzmagazine.com

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Easter Treats

Accounts Amanda Eves accounts@localbuzzmagazine.com Contributor Dr Michael Greger Advertise in Local Buzz sales@localbuzzmagazine.com Call us on 01635 200 006 www.localbuzzmagazine.com To promote your event: events@localbuzzmagazine.com Address: 11 Queen Eleanor House, Kingsclere Park, Kingsclere RG20 4SW Your complimentary copy or where sold £2. Thank you for the continued encouragement from our advertisers, supporters and the local community.

for a daily dose of LOCAL buzz

Look forward to bringing you more fantastic articles in the next issue coming out on 1st May.

Jackie Osborne - Editor-in-Chief

Website Editor Charleigh Cox editor@localbuzzmagazine.com Social Media Jamie Blowes jamie@localbuzzmagazine.com

Finally, celebrating its 28th year, National Pet Month takes place between 1st April – 6th May. To take part and join thousands of people up and down the country celebrating life with their pets visit - www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk.

41 The Sky at Night

7 Competitions 8 Local Buzz 12 What’s On? 15 Restaurant Review - Don Giovanni 17 Fine Food 19 Doctor Michael Greger 23 Easter Breaks 25 The London Marathon 28 6 Reasons to Love Your pet 43 Gardening Open gardens 47 St. George's Day 51 BuzzConnect 54 Services www.localbuzzmagazine.com

Proud winners Best community magazine Best magazine design Best website

Although every effort has been taken in compiling the contents, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions or information supplied by the advertisers.

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Do you have any news that you would like to share?

We’d love to hear from you editor@localbuzzmagazine.com

Your Local Buzz New Life Babies Neonatal units give preterm babies extra help while their bodies catch up on the growth and development they missed in ‘Mummy’s tummy’.

According to a 2014 report, it costs the NHS £1,118 a day to look after a baby in intensive care where one in four of the 78,000 neonatal-care babies a year end up, £791 for those in a high-dependency unit and £505 for those requiring special care.

Trevor Goodall (above) set up New Life Babies following the tragic loss of his twin sons a week after their premature birth and has since raised over £725,000 for local neonatal units in Reading, Swindon, Hampshire and Oxford.

The 2018 inaugural 24 Hour Tennis Marathon raised over £17,000 and helped to purchase a state-of-the-art baby incubator for the Swindon Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Every penny raised goes directly to providing much needed equipment with the only loss being the calories lost during the event which is never a bad thing.

New Life 24 Hour Tennis Marathon 2019!

Anyone for tennis? In fact, 24 hours of tennis activities!

Our New Life 24 hour tennis marathon is to be held at David Lloyd, Newbury on Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th MAY 2019.

Starting at 10am with a cake sale through to Sunday where we will have a TEAM BBQ at 12:30pm with live music, raffle draw and an auction.

For information on the 24 Hour Tennis Marathon email: tennis24@newlifebabies.org.uk Or donate at https://mydonate.bt.com/ events/newlife24tennis/485323

Don't Miss the next Issue in the stands 1st May

Local elections set for 2 May, 2019 Elections are set to take place to elect councillors to the district council as well as town and parish councils.

West Berkshire Council has published its Notice of Election confirming the elections to be held on Thursday 2 May, 2019.

The nomination process is now open and anyone wanting to stand for election either to West Berkshire Council or their local council has until 4pm on Wednesday 3 April to submit their nomination to the Returning Officer.

This can be viewed online: www. westberks.gov.uk/elections2019. A list of candidates standing for election in each ward will be published online on Thursday 4 April.

Preparations for the district council elections are well underway with West Berkshire Council's Electoral Services team busy booking polling stations, arranging staff for polling stations and the count, as well as making sure everyone who wants to vote can do so.

Roman Thatcham After the Bronze and Iron Ages came the Romans. The Roman road of Ermin Way is believed to cross the Kennet to the east of Colthrop and cutting across Henwick Field to the West but the exact route remains a mystery.

There have been numerous findings in Thatcham, mostly around the Henwick to St Johns Road area. Those finds include numerous wells, coins, pewter plates, tiles, leather shoes and pottery indicating a possible settlement. A hearth was also discovered and along with other finds leave no doubt that Romans were in the 8

area, the exact size and nature of the settlement remain uncertain.

Roman column discovered during building work.

Other areas also show Roman activity.

Perhaps on of the most interesting finds was that of the skeletons of a man and a horse close at Colthrop Mill. In the area of Chamberhouse Farm evidence from an excavation provides evidence of Iron Age and Roman field systems.

There is a wealth of finds to show Roman activity in Thatcham from the whole of their occupation, but there is also a lack of a cemetery and the exact course of Ermin Way.

Thatcham Historical Society www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk local buzz

Richard Benyon MP

Kit Malthouse MP

Kids against Plastic

Don't overpay for slow and old broadband

Last month in Westminster, I had the privilege of meeting Amy and Ella Meek, the inspirational teenagers who have set up a venture called ‘Kids against Plastic’, promoting awareness of single-use plastic and ways to tackle plastic pollution.

They are ambassadors for the 2019 Year of Green Action and one of their aims is to get schools signed up to their campaign.

I am writing to all head boys and head girls of the schools in West Berkshire to encourage them to take the lead on environmental action this year and think of ways to help their students to get involved. A great new local initiative, supported by businesses and our local Conservative Councillors, is the Refill scheme. Shops, pubs and cafes in Newbury are signing up to allow people to refill their bottles with tap water for free.

A big thank you to all the businesses taking part. Look out for the blue stickers in the windows or download the Refill app on your phone to find locations near you.

Rt Hon Richard Benyon MP for Newbury

Did you know 90 per cent of homes and offices across North West Hampshire may be eligible for superfast broadband for less than they currently pay? Despite this, only two in five people have taken it up across the entire South East, and many are forking out more than they need for services. That’s according to the independent UK communications regulator Ofcom who are letting people know through their excellent “Boost Your Broadband” campaign.

We all know speedy and reliable connectivity is vital nowadays whether you’re a family listening to my new podcast (The Maltcast – you can download it on iTunes and Spotify), or a thriving local business responding to global clients. Here in North West Hampshire over the last few years, I’ve held summits and worked with providers, local authorities and government colleagues, and we’ve come a long way in improving broadband especially for our rural communities.

However, you may still be paying far too much for slow and old broadband.

We’re fortunate to have a highly competitive market with speedy packages that are available from around £20 a month – so make sure you get the right independent advice and save yourself some cash! Just visit Ofcom’s BoostYourBroadband.com to find out if you’re eligible.

Kit Malthouse MP Minister for Housing and Planning in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

West Berkshire Let's Get Active Fund launched £40,000 grant available to help improve physical activity opportunities?

The West Berkshire's Let's Get Active Fund was launched by West Berkshire Council's Public Health & Wellbeing Service, in partnership with Greenham Trust.

The £40,000 fund aims to support initiatives which provide opportunities to be more physically active. Groups that wish to improve facilities, buy new sports equipment, provide a new instructor or start a completely new activity can send in an application.

Matthew Pearce, West Berkshire Council's Head of Health and Wellbeing, said: "The fund aims to help reduce the health inequalities found in some of the more deprived communities of West Berkshire.

The money will be used to improve or protect existing physical activity opportunities and sports facilities, or invest in new ones, that support the needs of local people and the community."

Chris Boulton from Greenham Trust said: "We are very keen to help people in the community become more active and to take part in sporting activities of all kinds and delighted to be partnering with West Berkshire Council on this initiative."

The badge design and fund name were created by, Aurora Niblock, a pupil from Calcot Junior School. The school received a prize fund for physical activity equipment and hosted the Lets Get Active Fund launch event.

Applications can be made from the following wards: Victoria, Greenham, Downlands, Northcroft, Calcot, Clay Hill, St John's, Lambourn Valley, Sulhamstead and Thatcham North.

Community groups and schools in several wards in West Berkshire are being invited to apply for a grant to help improve local physical activity opportunities.

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SATURDAY 18 MAY • NEWBURY RACECOURSE The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes has been run at Newbury Racecourse since its inauguration in 1958. Named after a parish north of the racecourse, the first winner of the race Pall Mall, was owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Run over a straight mile, the race is worth a cool £350,000 in prizemoney and in recent years has been won by the likes of the legendary Frankel, Canford Cliffs and more recently by Ribchester.

This year, Ladies Day will form part of the celebrations as we welcome the summer season in spectacular style. Following on from the success of Rhododendron’s win in 2018 and the first filly to succeed in the Group 1 showpiece, since Red Evie in 2007, Saturday 18 May seems a fitting new home for the occasion. Introducing the new Rhododendron Garden, Most Stylish Racegoer returns with a holiday to Qatar on offer, courtesy of sponsors Al Shaqab, plus much more.

You can purchase tickets from £26, with discounts for groups of 10 or more. If you’re looking for an extra special day out, we also have hospitality and dining options available in our newly refurbished private boxes and our Racegoers and Hennessy Restaurants. Each option gives you the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy world class racing and award-winning catering from the best view in the house.

To book, visit newburyracecourse.co.uk or call 01635 40015

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Easter Egg Hunt Happy Faces Playgroup Fri 19th 10:00am - 12:00pm After the hunt join us back at Liddell Hall for more fun with face painting, refreshments, the big Easter egg tombola, a prize packed raffle and our win an Easter hamper and Easter bonnet competitions!

A family activity suitable for all ages.

What's on in April

All About Dogs Show Newbury Sat 13th - Sun 14th 9:30am - 5:00pm Newbury Showground in Berkshire

Dog Shows where you and your dog can win rosettes, K9 Aqua Sports, talent competitions and more.

Tickets are available online at www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk

Bring your dog for two days full of exciting arena displays, expert advice, shopping and lots of fun have-a-go activities including the popular Fun

Laugh! Play! Learn! Grow!

That’s the ethos at Impstone Preschool in Pamber Heath

Rated as ‘GOOD’ with ‘OUTSTANDING’ qualities we deliver a wide and varied curriculum based on topic themes and individual interests for all children aged 2 – 5 years. We also offer a total communication approach, where appropriate, through the use of speech, symbols and signing.

Activities include: Messy play, Debutots, Role play, Crafts, Gardening, ‘Wake up Shake up’ and just as you’ve seen on the television, weekly visits to the local care home to interact with the residents.

We are based in a large hall where children are able to flow freely round, with an outdoor classroom and play area too.

Why not come along and see us in action, have a chat with our staff or look on our website? www.impstonepreschool.co.uk For more details please phone: 07733 898914 or email: impstonepreschool@gmail.com

what's on Some details may be subject to change so please check before you book

Walk for Parkinson's Welford Park Sun 28th 9:30am 4:00pm (last entry 10:00am) Help us to improve the lives of everyone affected by Parkinson's by joining us with your friends, family and four legged companions buy joining our Walk for Parkinson's. We have two

routes available, a 2.5 mile route and a more challenging 6.5 mile route both of which are circular.

Please email: fundraising@ parkinsons.org.uk St Swithun's Walk or Run Sun 28th 9:00am - 4:00pm (last entry 11:00am) Treloar School and College in Alton Join us for a family-friendly walk or run in the countryside and help raise vital funds for Treloar’s. You can choose either the 5 mile or 10 mile routes finishing at either Bentley or Farnham Park. Well behaved dogs also welcome. www.treloar.org.uk/events

FREE ONLINE! upload your events

localbuzzmagazine.com

OPEN EVENING

25th April 5:30-8:30pm

Beyond expectations, close to you Come and talk to students, staff and teachers. Explore the campus and find out about the fantastic range of courses, top facilities and teaching on offer at Queen Mary’s College. qmc.ac.uk/open-evening

Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke RG21 3HF

Jubilee Cadets Woodland Holiday Club gives 5 to 11 year olds the freedom to play in the natural world.

Open Monday 8th - Tuesday 23rd April, 8.00am-6.00pm with a range of sessions to suit your needs.

For more information and to book for the Easter holidays, please visit:

www.jubileecadets.co.uk Padworth, Reading, RG7 | 0118 970 1300 info@jubileecadets.co.uk Operated by Jubilee Gems 13

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Opening

First week of April

Don Giovanni

coming to Goring!

The new opening of The Leatherne Bottel under new management is about to happen! Don Giovanni is coming to town!

The historic building, The Leatherne Bottel, is under renovation and will open its doors to the public on the first week of April.

The picturesque building and amazing scenery that sorround The Leatherne Bottel represent the wondrous British countryside. We plan to combine fine Italian traditional food with an outside bar area serving drinks and Italian tapas all day.

The Leatherne Bottel will reopen as a riverside restaurant and lounge bar serving champagne, wine, cocktails and food all day long.

It will be a 60 seat restaurant serving revisited and traditional Italian dishes with normal restaurant hours and a 30 seat lounge bar serving drinks and Italian tapas on the patio, which will be open all day.

Our recipes will be authentic, traditional and cooked to order using the freshest ingredients (locally sourced where possible). We will create a relaxed and

chilled ambiance and encourage walkers and people wanting a light informal lunch to pop down and try our bar menu.

To dine with us a' la carte, booking is recommended.

Live music and events are a must on the bank of the Thames and we plan to do just that! Sitting on the bank of the Thames in the summer and sipping a cocktail whilst the sun sets is priceless but doing that with a soft background of Jazz, live opera or piano bar is heaven!

Antonio and son, Erasmo, are experts in hospitality and would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and patience. We will be providing affordable, high quality cuisine inspired by authentic family recipes and an unforgettable dining experience.

We look very forward to opening our doors and greeting everyone soon!

Arrivederci – See you soon!

01491 872 667

info@leathernebottel.co.uk www.leathernebottel.co.uk Bridleway Goring-on-Thames South Oxfordshire RG8 0HS

We will be providing affordable, high quality cuisine inspired by authentic family recipes and an unforgettable dining experience.

Don Giovanni's will be a buzzing and vibrant venue where everyone will feel welcome!

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Asparagus St. George’s Day has become synonymous with the start of British Asparagus Season, which only lasts for about six weeks from 23rd April into early June.

There are many interesting facts about asparagus. . .

It is a member of the lily family.

Asparagus is related to onions, leeks and garlic.

This popular vegetable comes in a variety of colours, including green, white and purple.

White asparagus comes from the same plant as green asparagus, but it is grown underground to block sunlight and prevent photosynthesis, thus inhibiting production of chlorophyll.

The ancient Romans believed that asparagus relieved toothache and prevented bee stings.

It takes asparagus three years from seed to harvest.

89 per cent of the world’s asparagus is grown in China.

Recipe Ideas

Looking for a light bite or something different, why not try these delicious recipe ideas?

Chilled asparagus and almond soup Gorgonzola, asparagus and hazelnut risotto Asparagus with fettuccine and smoked bacon Pancakes with parma ham and asparagus Asparagus and eggs

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Accustomed to eating roast lamb on Passover, Jews who converted to Christianity continued the tradition at Easter.

Cupcakes Choose a plain or flavoured sponge cake and then let the kids use their imagination on the decoration!

Rack of Lamb Christians refer to Jesus as the “Lamb of God,� so it makes sense that the food shows up at the Easter table.

On a less symbolic note, lamb would have been one of the first fresh meats available after a long winter with no livestock.

ine

FOOD Easter

Easter is a time of year that is deeply connected with food traditions. . .

Simnel Cake Simnel cakes have been known since at least medieval times. Bread regulations of the time suggest they were boiled and then baked.

Conventionally eleven, or occasionally twelve, marzipan balls are used to decorate the cake, with a story that the balls represent the twelve apostles, minus Judas.

Looking for a few ideas for your leftover Easter eggs? Deviled eggs, sandwiches, and egg salads are excellent choices, but hardcooked eggs also make a tasty and nutritious ingredient or topping for most vegetables and many casseroles and salads.

Carrots have been used in sweet cakes since the medieval period.

Carrot Cake Bake a simple and stunning carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for an afternoon tea or mid-morning treat. It tastes even better a day or two later.

Hot Cross Buns Folklore includes many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. A piece of it given to someone ill is said to help them recover and if taken on a sea voyage, hot cross buns are said to protect against shipwreck.

There are many variations now available from toffee, orangecranberry, apple-cinnamon and chocolate, but nothing smells sweeter that a traditional toasted bun!

Marzipan - one of mankind’s oldest sources of sweet pleasure. Marzipan needs to contain only ground almonds and sugar or honey, plus a binding of egg white or whole eggs.

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Easter Sunday at

21st April 2019

Enjoy a relaxing Easter Sunday lunch in our elegant Watermark Restaurant Adults 1 Course £14.95 | 2 Courses £18.95 | 3 Courses £23.95 Children under 12yrs 1 course £10.95 | £4 each to add starter or dessert Children’s menu includes Easter Egg for each child!

Easter Afternoon Tea £14.95 per Adult | £7.50 per Child (under 12yrs) Get in touch with our Events Team now to book on

01635 588 706 or events@regencyparkhotel.co.uk *Subject to Availability. All bookings require £10 deposit per person to confirm* Regency Park Hotel

Bowling Green Road - Thatcham - Berkshire - RG18 3RP

Healthy eating, made simple.

An easy-to-understand tool to help you make the switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Cromwell Indian Cuisine Finest Indian Restaurant and Takeaway in Basingstoke

10% Discount on all Online Collection Orders over £18.00 Free delivery included within 3 Mile radius

Opening Hours Open 7 Days a week Lunch Every Day - 12 pm - 2.30 pm Evening Monday & Thursday - 5.30 pm - 11.30 pm Friday & Saturday - 5.30 pm - Midnight Sunday - 5.30 pm - 11.00 pm

Cromwell Indian Cuisine Great Binfields Road Lychpit, Basingstoke Hants, RG24 8TF

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Tel : 01256 476828/364213 Email : info@cromwellindiancuisine.com

Get your free copy here: NutritionFacts.org/HealthKit

Instead of salt, flavour your meals with lots of herbs and spices.

Dr. Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

The two most prominent dietary risks for death and disability in the world are not eating enough fruit and eating too much salt, as I discuss in my video Shaking the Salt Habit. Eating too little fruit kills nearly five million people every year, and eating too much salt kills four million.

There are three things we can do to lower our salt intake. First, don’t add salt at the table. Many of us add salt to our food before even tasting it! Second, stop adding salt while you’re cooking.

At first, the food may taste bland, but within two to four weeks (believe it or not) you may actually prefer the taste of food with less salt. Instead of salt, flavour your meals with lots of herbs and spices. But even if you add salt while cooking, it’s probably better than eating out; most restaurants tend to pile it on. And, finally, avoid processed foods with salt added.

If you do buy processed foods, there are two tricks you can use.

First, try to only buy foods with fewer milligrams of sodium listed on the label than there are grams in the

Healthier Salt Substitutes serving size. So, if it’s a 100-gram serving size, it should have less than 100 mg of sodium. Or, second, shoot for fewer milligrams of sodium than there are calories. For example, if the sodium is listed as 720 and calories are 260, since 720 is greater than 260, the product has too much sodium.

Local Buzz is delighted to welcome Dr. Michael Greger, a physician, author and professional speaker on public health issues to share his blogs in every issue.

He focuses on the best available balance of evidence from the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

That’s a trick I learned from Jeff Novick, one of my favorite dieticians of all time. The reason it works is that most people get about 2,200 calories a day. So, if everything you ate had more calories than sodium, you’d at least get under 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the upper limit for healthy people under age 50. Of course, the healthiest foods have no labels at all. You should try to buy as much fresh food as possible because it is almost impossible to come up with a diet consisting of unprocessed natural foodstuffs that exceeds the strict American Heart Association guidelines for sodium reduction.

For more information

Both his latest books, How Not to Die and the How Not to Die Cookbook, became 47ever received from his instant New York Times Best Sellers. 100% of all proceeds he has books, DVDs and speaking engagements have always and will always be donated to charity.

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Wedding Open Day

SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2019 | 10

AM

-3

PM

If you’re tying the knot, or know someone who is, pay a visit Oakley Hall Hotel for our next Wedding Open Day. Our civil ceremony & wedding breakfast rooms will be dressed and available to view along with the grounds, our stunning bedrooms, and the brand new Garden Pavilion.

R e c t o r y R o a d , +44 (0)1256 783 350 |

B a s i n g s t o k e , H a m p s h i r e , R G 2 3 7 E L enquiries@oakleyhall-park.com | www.oakleyhall-park.com

Local Buzz Magazine - April 2019.indd 1

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21

Cyprus

The average temperature in Cyprus in April makes it a great time to visit the island, with the weather reaching highs of 23 degrees. It is also a beach-holiday favourite, with 64 Blue Flag sandy spots to choose from, the buzzing bars of Ayia Napa to enjoy activities for all ages.

Majorca

Cypriot legend claims Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was born and rose from the foam near a rock off what is now Aphrodite's Beach.

Waves breaking over the rock create pillars of foam that islanders say look just like the goddess herself.

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Majorca’s temperatures reach the mid-teens in April, so shake off the winter chill without breaking a sweat. The largest of the Balearics, Majorca is full to the brim with beautiful beaches, tonnes of buzzing bars and clubs, plus you can stretch your legs exploring its pine forests and mountains paths.

Easter

Fancy a getaway over Easter? April is the perfect time of the year for a spring break. If you are taking the kids with you, head to Europe during the school holidays to enjoy rising temperatures on the continent.

Lanzarote has one of the best surfing spots in Europe.

Breaks Florida

Whether you’re off on a long-haul family holiday with lots of sun, or heading for the theme parks with your gang, stick with the Easter theme on an Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired trip to Florida.

There are also many stretches of sand like Daytona, Clearwater and St Pete’s to visit. Or, head to the Everglades National Park to spot alligators and turtles in the wild.

Lanzarote

The Canary Islands are well known for being warm throughout the year and by the Easter break it will really have started to heat up in Lanzarote, reaching the mid-20s. Visit Timanfaya National Park to ride camels and learn about the volcanic eruption that created the island’s barren landscape 300-years ago or relax on the beaches.

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Circus Workshop 18th Apr Arts & Crafts Workshop 20th Apr Will the Ostriches lay an egg for you?

22nd Apr Easy Lay Eggs 11th Apr

plus singing from One Church Choir, 11.00 & 12.00 27th Apr

BATS sing songs from Oliver

www.themalls.co.uk facebook.com/TheMallsShoppingCentre 28

The

London Marathon The London Marathon was first run on 29 March 1981 and has been held in the spring of every year since. The race was founded by the former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and athlete John Disley.

Whether you are running or spectating this year, enjoy the spectacular London Marathon on Sunday 28th April.

The Course The London Marathon course is flat and fast. It starts in Blackheath, heads east through Charlton and Woolwich for three miles, turns west and passes the Cutty Sark in Greenwich after six to seven miles. It crosses the River Thames at Tower Bridge and then loops around the east end of London, past Canary Wharf in Docklands, before heading west again along the Highway and the Embankment to Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk and the final corner in front of Buckingham Palace.

Fundraising As a fundraising event, there is no race in the world that comes close to the London Marathon.

An iconic image of the event is the thousands of runners traipsing the streets to raise money for charity, many in fancy dress, hoping to stand out as a rhino, football mascot, giant tree or escaped convict.

Motivation Tips Everyone has days when they just don’t feel like getting out to run, but if you are preparing for a marathon or another race then you need to find ways to stay motivated to ensure your training stays on track.

Set a goal

Having a target in mind for each run, even if it is just to complete the whole thing without walking, will deliver a sense of accomplishment.

Run with friends

More than three quarters of competitors now run for a good cause and a third of all entry places are offered by charitable organisations.

The role of charities in the London Marathon hasn’t always been as prominent as it is today. In the early years, it was the runners who took it upon themselves to raise sponsorship money for their causes. In 1984, the London Marathon named its first ‘official charity’ and granted the Sports Aid Foundation some entry places to help their fundraising.

Finding a local running club or gathering some friends or colleagues to run with you can make every session both easier and more enjoyable.

Remember the health benefits

Running is a great stress buster thanks to the feel-good endorphins produced during exercise.

Have something to look forward to

A treat of some kind at the end of your run is a great way to keep yourself focused and ensure you give your best until the end.

The 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon raised a record-breaking £63.7 million for charity.

25

Easter Facts

1 2 3 4 5

Every year more than 80 million boxed eggs are sold.

In a typical year, ÂŁ150million is spent on shell eggs. ÂŁ70 million is spent on creme filled eggs in a year.

Enough Cadbury's Creme eggs are made in Birmingham every year to make a pile ten times higher than Mount Everest if you put them on top of each other.

One in every three shell eggs sold in the UK at Easter is made in the Cadbury's chocolate factory in Bournville, Birmingham.

6 7 8 9

Sales at Easter time make up 10 per cent of UK chocolate spending for the whole year.

When it comes to eating a chocolate bunny, 76% of people go for the first, 5% bite off the feet first and 4% eat the tail first.

There was a motion passed through parliament in the 1920s to get Easter Sunday to fall on the second sunday of April every year, but this has yet to be implemented.

In 2007, an Easte egg covered in diamonds sold for almost ÂŁ9 million.

Our love of chocolate Cadbury Creme Egg is the most popular and over 500 million are made every year. About two thirds are enjoyed in the UK, which means 3.5 Cadbury Creme Eggs for every person!

Chocolate eggs The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th century with France and Germany taking the lead. A type of eating chocolate had been invented a few years earlier but it could not be successfully moulded. Some early eggs were solid while the production of the first hollow chocolate eggs must have been rather painstaking as the moulds were lined with paste chocolate one at a time!

John Cadbury made his first 'French eating Chocolate' in 1842 but it was not until 1875 that the first Cadbury Easter Eggs were made.

Daffodils

announce beginning of the spring and waking of nature. They are one of the rare species of plants that are able to successfully grow through the snow.

Ancient Romans cultivated daffodils and believed that sap extracted from the flowers possesses healing properties.

26

Progress in the chocolate Easter egg market was very slow until a method was found of making the chocolate flow into the moulds.

The modern chocolate Easter egg with its smoothness, shape and flavour owes its progression to the two greatest developments in the history of chocolate - the invention of a press for separating cocoa butter from the cocoa bean by the Dutch inventor Van Houten in 1828 and the introduction of a pure cocoa by Cadbury Brothers in 1866. The Cadbury process made large quantities of cocoa butter available and this was the secret of making moulded chocolate or indeed, any fine eating chocolate.

The earliest Cadbury chocolate eggs were made of 'dark' chocolate with a plain smooth surface and were filled with dragees.

The earliest 'decorated eggs' were plain shells enhanced by chocolate piping and marzipan flowers.

Tulips

There are over 150 species of which over 3,000 different varieties. Their flower buds are known for being almost perfectly symmetrical. Most tulips sprout a single flower bud, but a few varieties have up to four on a single stem.

Easter Sunday, also called Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian observance celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

Unusual

The Price of a Flower

At one point in history, tulips were the most expensive flower. In fact, in the 1600s the flowers were more valuable than most people's homes, and cost almost 10 times what an average working-class man earned in a year.

One of the most interesting colours of a tulip variety is the deep purple of the Queen of the Night tulip. The flower is so dark it appears black in some lights and is quickly gaining popularity for its unique hue.

Easter Easter is a time to invite family and friends for Sunday lunch and the most traditional dish is a lamb roast. Common decorations are dyed or painted eggs, little yellow chicks, bunnies and spring flowers, such as daffodils, lilies and tulips. The colors yellow or gold are usually associated with Easter, as these are the colours the Church of England uses for the Easter Sunday celebrations.

Why is it called Easter?

No one knows for sure where the English name Easter comes from. The most common explanation is that it is derived from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. She was associated with spring and fertility and was celebrated around the vernal equinox. This theory was first introduced in the late-seventh-century

by Bede ("The Venerable"), a historian from Anglo-Saxon England. In most other languages, the name is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, the Jewish holiday Passover.

Easter Worldwide Many Christians worldwide celebrate Easter with special church services, music, candlelight, flowers and the ringing of church bells. Easter processions are held in some countries such as the Philippines and Spain. Many Christians view Easter as the greatest feast of the Church year. It is a day of

joy and celebration to commemorate that Jesus Christ is risen, according to Christian belief.

Many towns and villages in Italy have sacred dramas about the episodes of the Easter story – these are held in the piazzas on Easter Day. Pastries called corona di nove are baked in the form of a crown. Other traditional foods include capretto (lamb) and agnello (kid/ goat). Easter in Poland is celebrated with family meals that include ham, sausages, salads, babka (a Polish cake) and mazurka, or sweet cakes filled with nuts, fruit and honey.

The Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the 'Easter Hare' originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behaviour at the start of the season of Eastertide.

Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life.

It doesn't do all the work alone though. In Switzerland, Easter eggs are delivered by a cuckoo, and by a fox in parts of Germany.

27

SIX

Reasons why we love our pets. . .

1

Stress relief If you are feeling anxious or stressed and you need to relax,

then pets are the perfect way to unwind.

2

The perfect exercise pal A quick stroll around the block or a long run in the park is the

A pet will offer you a wide range of health and life benefits as they affect our physical, social, emotional and cognitive state and well-being.

your pet and ensure they get the

From the day you bring your pet home for the first time, to their later years in adult life, they really are great companions and a big part of

exercise they need.

our lives too.

perfect way to spend time with

3

Great for socialising

Owning a pet increases the amount of opportunities you have in life to socialise with other owners and pet lovers alike.

28

4

Great companions

5

Mood changers

There are many positive mental and emotional benefits to owning an animal, and it’s because of this that they are certainly mood changers When we feel down, animals can perk us up again and even make as

happier than how we would feel without them there in the first place.

Their amazing ability to do this makes the relationship and bond between owner and animal that extra bit special.

6

Can be left alone Your cat isn’t going to resent you or be upset when you have to work all day. They can occupy themselves and don’t need to be let out to use the bathroom. No more worrying about rushing home at lunch or right after work to check on your cats. Chances are, they’re fine.

Woof!Woof!

Celebrating National Pet Month 1st April - 6th May Celebrating its 28th year, National Pet Month takes place 1st April – 6th May. To take part and join thousands of people up and down the country celebrating life with their pets visit - www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk

Humans have kept pets for thousands of years and research suggests that dogs arrived on the scene around 27,000 years ago. Our ancestors likely began keeping wolves for their hunting skills, which gradually led to the domestication and integration into civilization over time.

About half of the households in Britain alone include some kind of pet; roughly 10m of those are dogs while cats make up another 10m. Pets cost time and money, and nowadays bring little in the way of material benefits. But during the 2008 financial crisis, spending on pets remained almost unaffected, which

suggests that for most owners pets are not a luxury but an integral and deeply loved part of the family.

Dogs Humans love their dogs in the same way as they love their children and the feeling is mutual, scientists have discovered.

Researchers found that the same hormone, oxytocin, spikes in both human and canine brains when a dog is gazing at its owner. Oxytocin is known to play a strong role in triggering feelings of unconditional love and protection when parents and children look into each other’s eyes or embrace.

Cats Cats are believed to be from around 7,500 BC. The Egyptians, who held cats in the highest esteem, with severe penalties for injuring or killing one. They took their love of cats very seriously and even worshiped a feline goddess called Bastet

Rabbits The domesticated rabbit first reached Britain in the 12th century after years of selective breeding across Europe.

They originate from Spain where they were accidentally discovered in 1,200 BC. When the Romans occupied Spain in around 200 BC, they held the rabbit in high regard for its meat and fur.

Upon invading Britain in AD 43, their love for the humble rabbit followed.

29

cats

There are over 11 millions cats in the country. We take a look at their amazing and also fun facts to understand why they are such a popular animal.

1 2

There are over 500 million domestic cats in the world.

5

9

A group of cats is called a clowder, a male cat is called a tom, a female cat is called a molly or queen.

Scientists believe that a mutation in a key taste receptor has prevented cats from being able to taste sugar.

6

The furry tufts on the inside of cats’ ears are called “ear furnishings”.

They insulate the ear and help filter out direct sounds and debris.

10

3

The heaviest domestic cat on record is 21.297 kilograms (46 lb 15.2 oz).

4

Cats can drink sea water. Unlike humans, cats have kidneys that can filter out salt and use the water content to hydrate their bodies.

30

7 8

The ridged pattern on cat’s nose is as unique as a human fingerprint.

Cats cannot see directly below their noses. That’s why they miss food that’s right in front of them.

11 12

Isaac Newton invented the cat flap after his own cat, Spithead, kept opening the door and spoiling his light experiments.

Kittens sleep a lot because their bodies release a growth hormone only when they’re asleep.

Cats sleep so much that, by the time a cat is 9 years old, it will only have been awake for three years of its life.

Most female cats are right-pawed, and most male cats favour their left paws.

Newbury Cats Protection

Helping cats for over Some cats come into their care because they can no longer be looked after by their owners.

Others are strays, while sometimes an owner may need to move and a new landlord won’t allow them to keep pets.

Whatever the reason, Cats Protection is there to help.

The Newbury Cats Protection was founded by Mrs Irene Earnshaw in 1965.

She was well-known in the local area for taking in all sorts of animals, from cats to dogs, goats to a cows! But most of all, she was known as a cat lover. So people brought their unwanted cats to try and home them.

When Irene passed away in 1987, she left her property to Cats Protection so her good work could be continued.

In 1994, a new shelter was built and in 2016, this was demolished to make way for much-needed new homing and admission pens.

Charlie (centre) does not produce tears so needs daily medication to keep his eyes working and Gaspar (top left) who has three legs have been reh omed to wonderful people.

50

running the centre, including expensive veterinary treatment, food, litter, heating, lighting etc.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest feline welfare charity.

It’s dedicated to rescuing and rehoming cats, as well as educating people about cats and cat welfare.

The next Open Day is Sunday 12th May from 1 – 4.30pm and takes place at The Adoption Centre, Curridge Road, Curridge. There will be new and second hand goods for sale, as well as books, bric-a-brac, a tombola, raffle, refreshments and much more.

years

The Adoption Centre has 30 cat pens and rehomes approximately 500 cats every year.

The Newbury Adoption Centre is entirely self-funded and every year over £125,000 is required through fund-raising to help with the costs of

Regular jumble sales and Open Days are held to raise funds. Saturday jumble sales are taking place on 1st June, 27th July, 28th September and 30th November 2019 at the Catholic Hall, Bath Road, Thatcham, from 11.30am.

Support Other ways of supporting Newbury Cats Protection include sponsoring a cat pen or resident cat, becoming a branch member, playing the weekly lottery or simply making a donation.

To find out more, please visit www.cats.org.uk/newbury/support-us.

Support with organising and helping out at fund raising events is always welcome. There are also volunteering roles available at the Adoption Centre. If you have some time to give and would like to help, please email newbury.volunteering@cats.org.uk 31

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A breakthrough treatment for the 40% of women in the UK suffering from a weak pelvic floor

By Theresa Fleetwood, Founder of Andresa Aesthetics

Are you one of the 40% of women in the UK living with the embarrassing, often debilitating, consequences of a weak pelvic floor? Do you: Q. Have embarrassing “Oops” moments when you laugh, cough or sneeze?

Q. Leak urine when exercising (especially exercises involving impact)?

Q. Get up in the night to urinate?

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Q. Avoid intimacy for fear of a leak?

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The Emsella could improve your quality of life in three weeks The EMSELLA is a breakthrough, life-changing treatment for complete pelvic floor rehabilitation in women, with a success rate of over 95%. It is medical-grade, comfortable and noninvasive (you even remain fully clothed throughout), designed to substantially improve the quality of life for women of any age suffering from any degree of urinary incontinence.

Six 28-minute sessions over three weeks are usually all that is required to regain self-confidence and an improved quality of life, with urinary leakage often being completely resolved. An improvement is often noted after just one session, which is then consolidated throughout the course.

The Emsella is FDA-approved and endorsed by highly regarded gynaecologists worldwide During each 28-minute session, the muscles of the pelvic floor contract

If you would like to find out more about this unique treatment or would like to book a consultation, call Andresa Aesthetics Exclusive Skin Health & Laser Clinic 01635 800183 or email info@andresa.co.uk . www.andresa.co.uk

over 11,000 times. Not only that, but the entire pelvic floor musculature is involved, not just the subset that can be exercised with voluntary contractions.

This results in a powerful improvement in muscle tone with every session. And it works – the results really are quite staggering. Here is what some of our ladies have said: This treatment is life changing!

After just one week of two treatments I could feel the difference in terms of support in my pelvic area, and after the full six sessions in three weeks I am able to trampoline with my kids without having a small accident. It is so liberating! Carol The real test was having my sister come to stay. We laugh together so much that I usually have many embarrassing oops moments, but not anymore. Since having the three-week course of Emsella treatments I feel I have control again - I cannot recommend this treatment enough. Ann

33

A tanning experience A dose of sunshine and Vitamin D Finally, the daylight hours are getting a little longer, daffodils are in full bloom and the hint of Spring is in the air. Still, the long, bright, sunny summer days seem an eternity away and many of us are still feeling the effects of a long, dark and cold winter. Getting your recommended dose of sunshine and Vitamin D could not be easier, thanks to Consol at the Parkway Shopping Centre in Newbury.

Consol Newbury is open 7 days a week from 7am until 10pm with parking available on site.

Becoming a member is free, quick and easy and can be done in store on the sign-up station or by registering on www.consol.eu and then showing photo ID in store on your first visit.

Of course

I[

ce like ok other lono

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Originating from Denmark and now with over 40 studios in the South and Midlands, Consol offers the highest quality facilities, revolutionary technology and world class tanning equipment for an experience like no other.

I TAN AT

Consol]

Boasting 8 private cabins with brand new, top of the range stand-up and lay down sunbeds from the world’s leading supplier Ergoline, customers can enjoy a safe and unrivalled experience with climate control and exceptional tanning results with every session. Using only the highest quality tubes operating to the safe limit of 0.3, a session at Consol has been measured as the same as the Mediterranean sun at midday. Unlike the outdoor sun, with the session tailored to your exact skin type, the risk of burning is eliminated, and a natural and deep tan will develop.

Your ultimate safety and comfort is guaranteed and the beds feature a plethora of settings to create your unique tanning experience.

At Consol, we also carry a range of high-quality products to enhance your tanning experience and these always available Centre,are Newbury RG1 1AYfrom the vending machine instore. Products include a range from JWOWW to include an Ink-Drink complex that offers ultimate nsol.eu tattoo protection whilst exposed to UV light, HOT by Australian Gold

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. . .customers can enjoy a safe and unrivalled experience with climate control and exceptional tanning results with every session. with pharmaceutical grade skin care ingredients and the highest quality oils for fabulously conditioned skin and a range of high-performance bronzers to give a little instant colour whilst your natural tan develops.

For customers looking for a little added value, we have top up offers available from both the kiosk and online at www. consol.eu whereby the more you top up in one go, the more credits we will add to your account for free. Credits never expire and will stay on your account until you are ready to use them. Credits can also be used to purchase tanning sessions or products and can be accessed in any Consol studio, via the kiosk by signing in as usual.

There’s no denying sunshine or UV light in general makes us feel good. That’s

because when the skin is exposed to UV, the feel-good hormones are released into the body, elevating our mood. UV light in moderation is also essential for our health and remains the best source of Vitamin D on the planet. Between the months of October and March in the UK, we are unable to make any of the sunshine vitamin due to the absence and weakness of the outdoor rays. Vitamin D itself has been attributed to the prevention of depression, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, PMS, arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes, osteoporosis, Seasonal affective Disorder (SAD), colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin D can also improve energy, promote clear and even skin tone, minimise and eliminate the effects of many skin complaints and elevate mood.

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Puppy & Dog Training

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6 Stunning Dark Sky Places in the UK and Ireland Ireland and the United Kingdom are home to 12 IDA International Dark Sky Places. That is a lot of protected night skies! Learn more about six of these inspiring places working to fight light pollution and educate the public about the importance of dark skies.

1

Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales Brecon Beacons is situated in a part of south Wales where sheep outnumber people 30 to 1.

A secluded utopia for stargazing and appreciating the natural nighttime environment, the Dark Sky Reserve is home to some 33,000 residents and is within easy access of over a million people.

2

Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park, Wales The Elan Valley of central Wales situated along the mountainous “spine” of Wales places it roughly midway between the IDA International Dark Sky Reserve at Brecon Beacons National Park in the south and Snowdonia National Park, an IDA International Dark Sky Reserve, in the north.

3

Exmoor National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve Located in the southwest of England in Somerset and Devon Counties, Exmoor National Park enjoys some of the darkest skies in the country yet offers relatively easy access from urban hubs. The mostly moorlike

40

land core area includes Bronze Age burial mounds, a site of Special Scientific Interest at Dunkery Horner Wood National Nature Reserve, the deserted medieval settlement of Hoccombe Combe, and a recreational building used for astronomy events.

4

Galloway Forest Park, an International Dark Sky Park Galloway Forest Park is located in southern Scotland in the Dumfries and Galloway council area and is the UK’s largest forest park at 78,000 hectares. The remoteness and sparse population of the area combined with its lighting management plan ensure that Galloway Forest Park’s skies will remain pristine for generations to come.

5

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve Kerry sits on the Iveragh Peninsula, home to nearly 4,000 residents, and incorporates approximately 700 square km of territory along the Wild Atlantic Way tourism trail. The night sky has captivated the people of Ireland for millennia. Nearly 6,000 years ago, the Neolithic inhabitants of the Iveragh Peninsula built stone monuments incorporating alignments to track

cycles of the Sun, Moon, and stars.

According to some experts, ancient Ogham-language inscriptions found in the region may depict celestial observations.

6

South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve The entirety of the park lies within about 100 km of the edge of the greater London metropolitan area, among the most lightpolluted metropolises on Earth. It is remarkable that any relatively dark areas remain between London and the south coast of England. The “Downs” are named for an area of chalk downland, deriving from a Celtic word meaning “hills.” The Dark Sky Reserve is named in honor of the numerous contributions to British astronomy made by area resident and native son, Sir Patrick Moore, CBE, FRS, FRAS (1923–2012).

The

Sky At Night

Here are our top tips for enjoying your darkest local skies, whether exploring a town park or somewhere more remote!

Where?

Find somewhere: l

l

Away from the glare of direct lights.

Open to the public (remember to follow the Outdoor or Countryside codes in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland).

l

With good sightlines, without tall buildings or trees.

l

Safe, without hazards such as traffic or steep drops.

l

Local parks, playing fields or forest car parks can all be good places to visit.

How? All you need to get started: l

Your naked eyes. It’s a really good idea to get familiar with the night sky with just your naked eyes. If are ready for investing in binoculars or telescopes, get in touch with a specialist shop or local astronomical society for advice.

l

A red torch. Your eyes can take up to ten minutes to adjust fully to the dark – enabling you to see more stars.

During this time avoid looking at any bright lights. However, red lights don’t affect your night vision so use a red torch such as a bike light.

l

Wrap up very warm. It’s often cold when the sky is clear.

l

Starcharts. Night Sky resources show you the where to start.

When? l

l

An hour and a half after sunset for the sky to become properly dark – so check your local sunset times.

When the Moon is not in the sky.

The Moon is a beautiful sight, changing its shape and position in the sky during a month. But

moonlight can make it hard to see the stars – so check your local moon calendar.

41

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April

Open Your Garden By opening your garden to visitors, you'll give people a great day out, and raise money to help those in need. Even better, you will connect with a community of like-minded garden-owners, all passionate about their beautiful gardens.

Is your garden worth visiting?

Do friends and family wax lyrical about your plot? Do neighbours ask for advice and cuttings? Do you sometimes wish you could show other people the result of all your hard work?

If you answered yes to these questions, then it’s very likely other people would love to see your garden too.

It might seem a somewhat daunting experience but opening your garden to the public can be very enjoyable.

Many people get the bug and open their gardens year after year. Most people start by opening once in a year, but many go

This month we are looking at The National Garden Scheme.

This wonderful initiative gives garden-lovers unique access to more than 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales.

It also raises money for nursing and health charities through admission fees, teas and cake. Beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

. . .unique access to more than 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales.

on to open twice a year, to show off their garden in different seasons.

You don't need a big garden.

There are some tiny plots in the NGS. What matters is quality, character and interest.

NGS will support you all the way with their network of helpful, friendly volunteers. Initially you'll be visited by one of the team during the season you feel your garden would look best.

And if you don't feel as though garden is worthy of being part of the scheme, why not visit open gardens in your area to gain inspiration, hints and tips, make new gardening friends, and raise a bit of money for charity.

Happy Gardening!

Call 01483 211 535 to speak to one of the NGS team or visit www.ngs.org.uk 43

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Residential, Nursing & Dementia Care At Gracewell of Newbury, we go out of our way to ensure that our modern, purpose-built home is full of life and activity. A place that our residents love to call home.

• Choice of stylish, furnished en-suite rooms • Homely lounges and sociable dining spaces • Wheelchair friendly garden and courtyards • Freshly prepared, balanced and nutritious meals • Range of daily activities

Memory Care Coffee Shop Every Wednesday 10am – 12pm Everyone is welcome to socialise in our beautiful home, meet our care team and learn more about the personalised care we provide.

Complimentary refreshments provided.

To arrange a visit please call 01635 016009 or email newbury.haa@gracewell.co.uk

26 October 2017

Gracewell of Newbury 370 London Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2QH GW_ADV_NEW_0319_BuzzMagazine_01.indd 1

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Facts of St George’s life have passed through the centuries growing in legend and myth. However, he must have been some character in his lifetime for his reputation to have survived for almost 1,700 years!

St George’s Day T uesday 23 A pril

There are many facts outlining the life of England’s Patron Saint. Below are the widely accepted ‘facts’ of St George’s life.

The History of St George’s Day l

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St George was born to Christian parents in A.D. 270 (3rd Century) in Cappadocia, now Eastern Turkey. l

He moved to Palestine with his Mother and became a Roman soldier, rising to the high rank of Tribunus Militum. l

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However, he later resigned his military post and protested his pagan leader, the Emperor Diocletian (245-313 AD), who led Rome’s persecution of Christians.

His rebellion against the Emperor resulted in his imprisonment, but even after torture he stayed true to his faith.

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The enraged Diocletian had St George dragged through the streets of Nicomedia, Turkey, on the 23rd of April 303 AD and had him beheaded. l

The Emperor’s wife was so inspired

by St George’s bravery and loyalty to his religion, that she too became a Christian and was subsequently executed for her faith.

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In 1222 the Council of Oxford declared April 23rd to be St George’s Day. It was not until 1348 that St George became the Patron Saint of England.

In 1415, St George’s Day was declared a national feast day and holiday in England.

However, after the union with Scotland at the end of the 18th Century, the tradition diminished and since has not been widely acknowledged and is no longer a national holiday.

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Traditional customs were to fly the St George’s flag and wear a red rose in one’s lapel.

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The hymn ‘Jerusalem’ was also sung on the 23rd April, or the nearest Sunday to that date, in churches across the nation.

St George's Day was once celebrated as widely as Christmas. But the celebrations waned by the end of the 18th century after England had united with Scotland on May 1, 1707. In recent times, there has been a push, involving campaigns and petitions, to make the day a public holiday in England.

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Why you should make the most of your ISA allowance with us Are you looking to save for something special or just for a rainy day?

An Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) can be one of the best savings accounts to make the most out of your money.

Tax-efficient - the interest you earn you keep - the personal allowance set by the government currently stands at £20,000 per year.

So, are you ready to make your cash work harder? If the answer is yes, all you need to do is find a bank or building society right for you.

That’s where we come in: You don’t need a large sum to start with: You don’t need a large lump of cash to open an ISA. In fact, our Easy Access Cash ISA can be opened in branch or by post with as little as £50 to start you off. You can then add to it as and when you can afford to do so.

Safety first: All our ISA’s are cash ISA’s. This gives a guaranteed return on your money, depending on the interest rate. It’s less risky than a stocks and shares ISA as your money isn’t invested in equities which are traded on the stock market; this means the value of you investment might move up and down, resulting in getting back less than you paid in.

Mutuality: We are a mutual building society; we are owned by our members. This means instead of having shareholders, we have members who collectively own the business and are also customers. Due to this, we take direction from, and seek involvement from, those within the communities we serve.

Easy access: Plenty of savers steer clear of ISAs because they think they have to lock their money up for the longterm. However, this is not the case. Our current ISA is an Easy Access Cash ISA. This means you can withdraw your money without any notice period or penalty. You can also replace any cash you withdraw without it affecting your annual ISA allowance. However, replacement money has to be paid into your ISA before the end of the tax year following the withdrawal. Failure to do so would mean the deposit will go towards your next annual allowance.

People, not robots: When you deal with us, there is always a compassionate member of staff to talk to who takes the time to discuss your needs and options in a language you understand. We are not a programmed computer and we understand every customer is an individual and tailor our service to fit them.

If you would like to discuss opening an ISA with us, you can do so by visiting your local branch or by contacting us online and one of our qualified savings advisers will be in touch.

Please note: our Easy Access Cash ISA is available to those within certain postcodes. Visit our website to find out more.

Visit our Basingstoke, Hungerford, Newbury and Thatcham branches. Call: 01635 555777 or visit: www.newbury.co.uk Senior Branch Manager, Jane Bosher of Newbury Building Society’s Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford branches.

Upon opening an account with a starting deposit of £100, you automatically become a member and you are entitled to attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting on issues such as the election of Directors.

Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial 48 Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). 7433

Newbury Building Society

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01256 587795 Sales office and Show home open Thursday to Monday 10am to 5pm.

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Step up to the challenge of the sale board

It’s not looking very rosy, according to recent figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, whose members reported that they expected sales to fall in the next three months. Overall, their outlook for the housing market was the worst for 20 years, and the lack of

clarity around Brexit has shouldered the blame for that, with lack of supply and affordability also affecting sales.

The conditions are combining to create a buyer’s market for anyone with a mortgage offer, and sellers should get themselves well prepared before they put up the “For Sale” sign, as it could make the difference between a failed sale and a completion.

Savvy sellers are instructing and making ready before they market. That includes making sure their solicitor has already examined the title, lined up all the paperwork, anticipated any problems and dealt with them in advance. It’s a tactic that avoids delay later and means they are ready to act immediately when a buyer is found.

If you are thinking about selling your property check out our online Conveyancing e-Quote to get a cost estimate in seconds.Our new price packages will help you to select the service that suits you best.

Savvy sellers are instructing and making ready before they market.

gardner-leader.co.uk/get-your-equote

Review, Plan & Save Tax A new tax year and a good opportunity to review your finances and financial planning. When was the last time you looked at all your existing policies, whether they are life cover, pensions or savings plans? Are they value for money?

Are they still doing what they were intended for? l

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The personal allowance will increase to £12,500 for 2019/20.

Since 6 April 2015 it has been possible for one spouse to transfer 10% of their personal allowance to the other spouse provided neither spouse is a higher or additional rate taxpayer.

For 2019/20 the threshold for the start of higher rate tax on taxable income (outside of Scotland) has increased to £37,500.

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A 45% tax rate applies to taxable income that exceeds £150,000.

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People with income in excess of £100,000 lose some, or all, of their standard personal allowance.

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A £2,000, a year, 0% tax band also applies to dividend income. Above this 0% tax band dividends are taxed at:

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7.5% for basic rate taxpayers;

n 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers

n 38.1% for additional rate taxpayers. l

Shareholding directors who draw remuneration from their company in the form of dividends will need to base any

tax planning on the above dividend allowance and tax rates.

Investors who receive more than £2,000 a year in dividends from investments may also need to review their investment strategies. l

Tax increases can be combatted in a number of ways including:

n Maximising the use of all of a couple’s allowances, reliefs and exemptions.

n Planning to use the allowances on savings income. n Planning around dividend taxation. n Using tax-efficient investments.

For a free, no obligation discussion please contact Andy Street at Andrew Street Wealth Management Ltd – mobile: 07767 081051 email: andrew.street@sjpp.co.uk or visit my website at www.andrewstreetwm.co.uk

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BuzzConnect

Effective networking If you have come along to one of our events, you will have noticed the warm and welcoming approach that we take. We encourage everyone to get involved and promote what they do.

BuzzConnect was created to bring people together and we believe that there should be no exclusions, no long-term contracts and no “performance pressure” such as speaking to the room and giving a 2-minute introduction about your company.

Our monthly networking at Metro Bank is hugely popular and will

always be free. However, our evening events have a small charge which covers our immediate costs with proceeds going towards our chosen charity. This year we have partnered with Colostomy UK. We look forward to welcoming you to our events this year, contact us if you have any questions.

BuzzConnect Business networking is evolving and it will continue to grow for years to come. Make sure you join the BuzzConnect Networking Group on Facebook, so you can share your company information for free and be part of a thriving business community.

Join us today!

Our networking events are rapidly growing and we have added more events that will bring greater opportunities to local businesses to engage, network and promote their products/services.

What are the benefits of joining BuzzConnect?  Raise your profile.  Build a local network of suppliers and customers.

 Collaborate with other local businesses.

 Develop business and leadership skills.

 Be part of a community that represents you.

Join BuzzConnect and book now for these events: APRIL : Thur 11th Guest Speaker Abi Brown from Openingz Making confident hiring decisions and coping with challenges that lead to positive outcomes.

Guest Speaker Andrew Street from AS Wealth Management Ltd 2019 New Tax Year at Donnington Grove Hotel 5.30pm - 7.00pm

JUNE : Thur 20th #TheBigPitch 2019 David Lloyd Clubs, Newbury 10am - 5pm Register www.buzz-connect.co.uk/events JULY : Thur 18th Guest Speaker Lindsay Heath from Intuitive Giraffe Mind getting in the way of your business goals?

Guest Speaker Maggie Dee from Designs For Living The Mood of Colour at Donnington Grove Hotel 5.30pm - 7.00pm

More events. . .

In order to give you a great networking experience and to allow you to plan in advance, here are BuzzConnect events for your diary.

Metro Bank Newbury - Every 1st Thursday of the month 8.30am - 10.00am

SEPTEMBER : Thur 26th Guest Speaker Julie Taylor from Gardner Leader Employment Law Update

Basingstoke - Every 2nd NEW Thursday of the month

Guest Speaker from West Berkshire Wellbeing Mental Health at Work at Donnington Grove Hotel 5.30pm - 7.00pm

(commences 11th April)

8.30am - 10.00am

OCTOBER : Thur 17th #TheBigEvent 2019 at Donnington Grove Hotel 4.30pm - 9.00pm Register www.buzz-connect.co.uk/events

Donnington Grove Hotel

11th April, 18th July, 26th September, 17th October By attending a BuzzConnect event you are also supporting

BuzzConnect Ambassadors

localbuzzmagazine.com

donnington-grove.com

openingz.com

metrobankonline.co.uk

gardner-leader.co.uk

andrewstreetwm.co.uk

www.buzz-connect.co.uk

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Part of a 60 person office delivered in Swindon. We first supplied this customer 6 years ago when they had just 4 staff.

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Recent Installation we did in County Kildare, Ireland.

This was a 30 person office delivered and installed for under £10,000. If bought new would have been in excess of £30,000

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Staffed entirely by volunteers, we are looking for more people to get involved, both as presenters and behind the scenes. Interested? Get in touch – there’s always lots to do!

Local business need local customers. Advertising your business on Kennet Radio is great value - for details, call Neil on 01635 780 880 or email sales@kennetradio.com.

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