Local Buzz – Award Winning Lifestyle Magazine ISS71

LOCAL West Berkshire | East Hampshire | North Hampshire

APRIL 2020 localbuzzmagazine.com

Win ÂŁ50

Impress

free Win two edia m social ements adver tis

your family

this Easter!

Vegetable garden

for Spring!

This month's charity

Eggxtra

Proud partner of

Local Buzz Magazine

Special

Competitions

| Beauty | Food & Drink | BuzzConnect | Community | Recipes

Your Tann i n g E x pert s

2 Parkway Shopping Centre, Newbury RG1 1AY

08000 88 60 90 consol.eu

Consol

Welcome At Local Buzz, we understand and appreciate that this is a worrying time for our community. We have introduced a system of remote working for all staff where possible to do so. Every day the coronavirus brings about new developments and our thoughts go out to those impacted.

As part of our business continuity plan and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the first significant step you’ll see is that we have stopped the printed format of Local Buzz and are now fully digital. This means you can access your favourite magazine online and all the links will directly take you to the services available. Bear in mind that most of the businesses shown here have changed their opening hours naturally, however, it doesn’t mean they have closed. We are still promoting local businesses free of charge until we can return to normality.

28

Impress your family this Easter!

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

We’ll provide updates our website and social media – so please check this regularly. We have also launched a Local Buzz Daily with the latest news – to receive the Local Buzz Daily directly to your inbox please send an email to info@localbuzzm agazine. com requesting to be added to the mailing list.

I urge to stay safe and stay in touch with Local Buzz.

5 Competitions

8 Your Local Buzz 11 Community News and Updates 15 Seasonal Food 17 Dr.Greger 18 Beef Rendang Recipe 24 Be prepared don't panic!

26 Are you unsigned and Talented?

28 Impress your Family this Easter!

30 Easter Lemon Cake Recipe 32 Love and Care for your Pet! 34 Open plan or not to Open plan?

38 Tips on buying a New Car 42 Meet a Local Business 51 BuzzConnect 54 Services

Editor-in-Chief Jackie Osborne jackie@localbuzzmagazine.com Artwork studio@localbuzzmagazine.com Digital Media info@localbuzzmagazine.com Advertising sales@localbuzzmagazine.com

20 20 Gardening GardeningWeek Week

Events events@localbuzzmagazine.com Accounts accounts@localbuzzmagazine.com Columnist Abbie Cooper Davis abbie@localbuzzmagazine.com Contributors Dr Michael Greger, Vicky Tallon Interiors,Trevor Langley Call us on 01635 200 006 www.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

14 Gin and Flavour of Agnes Arber

Proud winners Best community magazine Best magazine design Best website

www.localbuzzmagazine.com TM

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. @210dab

8

Worth £50

Competitions

Win two free social media advertisements post from our Facebook Page What size publication is Local Buzz? a. C3

b. B6

Enter today to win fantastic prizes

c. B5

www.localbuzzmagazine.com

The 1st prize will be a pet portrait worth £55 and 3 runner's up with a 20% off voucher from Naomi Lunn What is burning onto wood called? a. Calligraphy b. Electrography c. Pyrography

Win a free Large milkshake from Mr Moo Juice How many years has Mr Moo Juice been open? a. 6 Years

Win a bag of your choice from DAJ Collection What year was DAJ Collection established? a. 2010 b. 2005

b. 8 Years c. 10 Years

Worth £6

Win free access to Team MG Fitness, Quality Online Pilates Videos for 4 weeks Plus interaction with Marie for advice.

Other than Physical Health & Fitness what else can Exercise benefit? a. Wifi Speed b. Mental Health c. Climate Change

Worth £40

Worth £40

c. 2015

Win a free 50 minute bespoke aromatherapy facial with Yvette at Baytree Beauty Which plant is most commonly associated with relaxation and sleep? a. Lily b. Bamboo c. Lavender

Advertise your competition here for FREE - contact studio@localbuzzmagazine.com

Worth £40

5

01962 600777

So simple to operate Fully automatic Simple key fob operation info@skandoor.co.uk Fully www.skandoor.co.uk insulated Covering Hampshire No maintenance Reduced draughts Space saving Full range of colours ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS • AUTOMATIC INSULATED Single/Double doors all made in our Bishops Waltham factory ALUMINIUM ROLLER • GARAGE DOOR

Winter Sale 33% off

WE SURVEY WE MANUFACTURE WE INSTALL NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

Winter Sale 33% off

ALL OUR DOORS COME WITH BOTTOM RAIL SAFETY EDGE SYSTEM AS STANDARD AND LAW REQUIREMENT

Covering Berkshire and South Oxfordshire

ELECTRIC GARAGE DOORS •DOORS AUTOMATIC INSULATED  ELECTRIC GARAGE  01962 600777 info@skandoor.co.uk | www.skandoor.co.ui ALUMINIUM ROLLER • GARAGE DOOR  AUTOMATIC INSULATED ALUMINIUM FITTED ROLLER GARAGE DOOR 

ALL OUR DOORS COME WITH BOTTOM RAIL SAFETY EDGE SYSTEM (AS REQUIRED

BY LAW) AS STANDARD ALL OUR DOORS COME WITH BOTTOM RAIL SAFETY EDGE

SYSTEM AS STANDARD AND LAW REQUIREMENT SO SIMPLE TO OPERATE

01

Fully automatic  Simple key fob operation  Fully insulated No maintenance  Reduced draughts  Space saving  Full range of colours Single/Double doors all made in our Bishop’s Waltham factory

info@s

WINTER SALE 33% OFF 14 6

WE SURVEY WE MANUFACTURE WE INSTALL NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

D Diiggiittaall M Maarrkkeettiinngg

gggiiiieeeessss ffffo oooccccu uuusssseeeed ddd o ooon nnn SSSSttttrrrraaaatttteeeeg nnnccccre re nnng ggg tttth hhheeee re re hhh aaaan nnnd ddd re re reaaaassssiiiin reaaaacccch iiiin bbbiiiilllliiiittttyyyy of of ooou uuurrrr b bbbu uuussssiiiin nnneeeessssssss.... of of yyyyo vvvviiiissssiiiib Be part part of of the the BuzzOnline BuzzOnline strategy strategy and and take take advantage advantage of: of: Be Be Be part part of of the the BuzzOnline BuzzOnline strategy strategy and and take take advantage advantage of: of: Bepart partof ofthe theBuzzOnline BuzzOnlinestrategy strategyand andtake takeadvantage advantageof: of: Be l Website design and development l Website design and development Website Website design design and and development development lll l Website Websitedesign designand anddevelopment development l Advertising l Advertising Advertising Advertising l Advertising Advertising lll l Search engine optimisation (SEO) l Search engine optimisation (SEO) Search Search engine engine optimisation optimisation (SEO) (SEO) l Search Searchengine engineoptimisation optimisation(SEO) (SEO) lll l Content / email marketing l Content / email marketing Content Content email email marketing marketing l Content Content////email emailmarketing marketing lll l Social media marketing l Social media marketing l l Social Social media media marketing marketing Socialmedia mediamarketing marketing l l Social l Pay Per Click (PPC) l Pay Per Click (PPC) Pay Pay Per Per Click Click (PPC) (PPC) lll l Pay PayPer PerClick Click(PPC) (PPC) l Digital marketing strategy l Digital marketing strategy Digital marketing strategy Digital marketing strategy l Digital Digitalmarketing marketingstrategy strategy lll l Online community building l Online community building Online Online community community building building l Online Onlinecommunity communitybuilding building lll l Ad-campaign l Ad-campaign Ad-campaign Ad-campaign l Ad-campaign Ad-campaign lll

01635 200 200 006 006 .. E: E: jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com 01635 jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com 01635 01635200 200 200006 006 006 ... E: E: E: jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com 01635 jenna@localbuzzmagazine.com 15 7

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

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

Your Local Buzz

Read Online

the next Issue from

1st of May

Pupils’ art and poetry competition launched to mark Civil War battle The English Civil War is on the curriculum for school pupils across Basingstoke and Deane for the launch of an exciting art and poetry competition by the Mayor to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Basing House.

Borough Mayor Cllr Diane Taylor is inviting all schools and sixth forms to producea piece of artwork or a poem that relates to conflict in 1645, at the end of the English Civil War. In a project launched by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust, pupils will learn how Basing House was besieged and destroyed by Oliver Cromwell.

The nationally important historic site at Old Basing was the last Royalist stronghold in the south east and a key site in the battle between King and Parliament. The educational project will use interactive videos from The Sealed Knot re-enactment charity. Some schools will be visited by members dressed as Royalist soldiers from the 17th century.

Art work and poetry entries will be judged by Cllr Taylor in three competition classes - primary, secondary and sixth form. Winners will be invited to the Sealed Knot’s Basing 2020 re-enactment of the battle on Sunday 24 May.

Hampshire Cultural Trust is also offering all pupils and teaching staff the opportunity to visit Basing House on Friday 22 May, to discover how the Civil War affected people living in Hampshire at the time.

You can find out more about Basing House at www.hampshireculture. org.uk/basing-house

Artwork and poetry will also be on display in a pop-up gallery over the bank holiday weekend. Cllr Taylor said: “Local history in the borough is rich and fascinating and the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Basing House is the perfect opportunity for young people to learn more about the English Civil War and to engage with the event.

Newbury named a European City of the Future Town features in European-wide top25 list. Newbury is named as one of the top European Cities of the Future in a new report by the Financial Times.

The town is in the top-ten Northern European Cities of the Future and also features in the top-25 for the whole of Europe. The Financial Times looks at a range of characteristics including economic potential, business friendliness, human capital, lifestyle, costeffectiveness and connectivity.

In a boost to the Council's priority to be 'open for business' Newbury is also named in the top-ten Micro European Cities of the Future for business friendliness. At fifth, it is the highest8

“I hope as many pupils as possible will contribute an entry to the art and poetry competition – it is a chance to stretch their creative talents and to produce new art and culture.”

ranking place in the UK. It comes at a time when the Council is set to adopt a new Economic Development Strategy for the coming years and as planning gets underway for the redevelopment of the London Road Industrial Estate.

There was also good news for the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership - which aims to drive economic growth in the region. It came second in a national ranking of Local Enterprise Partnerships. The report highlighted one Newburybased example - of Portugal-based telecommunications firm Celfinet which expanded its Newbury office creating 50 jobs and a £3m investment in the area.

LOCAL BUZZ

Local

Issues National funding for A4 road improvement scheme Scheme will resurface 16km of road between Newbury and Reading.

West Berkshire Council has been awarded £4.5m from central government to improve worn out sections of road on the A4 between Newbury and Reading.

The funding award will allow improvements to be made to a road used by 33,000 vehicles every day as residents travel between the east and west of the district. Over the next year almost 16km of road will be resurfaced - improving journeys for road users and extending the life of the road. The project will cost around £6.1m - with the Department for Transport paying for around threequarters of the project (£4.5m) and West Berkshire Council paying the rest.

The work is necessary because the top surface is beginning to wear down and risks water getting into the foundations of the road and causing further damage.

Repairing the top surface will protect the foundations and avoid further and more disruptive work later on. Where the resurfacing is near to existing projects - such as the Hambridge Way improvements and Newbury-Thatcham cycle path the resurfacing will be done at the same time to minimise disruption to road users. Councillor Richard Somner, Executive Member for Transport, said: "I'm delighted that we've secured additional funding to further improve the road network in the district. It's a road residents have told us needs resurfacing and I'm sure they will be cheered by the announcement today. "We have a good track record in securing national funding for local projects. It shows our ambition to do all we can to invest in our local infrastructure and ensure the district is a great place to live, work and visit. I look forward to seeing the improvements take shape very soon."

Laura Farris MP

Kit Malthouse MP

Protecting our environment

Budget gains for North West Hampshire

We are lucky to live in areas of outstanding natural beauty and protecting our environment is a huge priority for me. I’m pleased to report that the Budget unveiled a series of measures to protect our environment, and that the Environment Bill is progressing at pace through Parliament.

Together, a strong series of measures have been announced to protect our biodiversity, air, water quality and improve recycling rates.

The Environment Bill means that housing developers will be obligated to minimise biodiversity loss, and offset any damage they cause before they build homes. Under the new rules, West Berkshire Council will also be responsible for improving air quality around our schools and it will become easier for people to recycle packaging through measures such as a Deposit Return Scheme.

The Budget also unveiled a series of environmental improvement measures, such as £640 million for tree planting and peatland restoration across the country, along with investing £500 million over the next five years to support the roll-out of fast-charging networks for electric vehicles. To encourage greater recycling rates, a new Plastic Packaging Tax will also be introduced and I am confident that these measures will protect and restore our natural environments.

To ensure that no government falls behind on their commitments, a new Green Watchdog has been created to hold the government to account on its environmental objectives and we need to make sure it has the powers it needs to do its job. If we get this right, then I have no doubt that we can deliver on our clear commitment for the environment - that we will be the first generation to leave it in a better state than we found it.

Laura Farris MP

The Chancellor recently laid out a remarkable Budget which will bring significant benefits to North West Hampshire.

Among the billions invested in our roads, ports and junctions, funding has been confirmed for the tunnel on the A303 past Stonehenge which will remove a historic blockage that has driven many of us to profanity over the years. Potholes are one of the main complaints I receive, and I’m pleased we will get a good chunk of the £2.5 billion committed to repair some 50 million potholes.

Protecting the environment is one of my biggest priorities and a new £600 million nature fund will enhance and grow biodiversity and help us protect our areas of natural beauty which we are lucky to have on our doorstep.

We’re putting more money in people’s pockets by increasing the National Insurance threshold, the National Living Wage and freezing fuel and beer duties once again.

And we are taking strong and decisive action to steer us through the instability of Coronavirus such as abolishing business rates for small shops for the next year, and footing the bill for staff sickness at small and medium sized businesses. This is of course on top of funding for the NHS, our schools, and 20,000 more police on our streets.

It’s a brilliant package for us in North West Hampshire and we can do this because we have nursed our economy to health over the past few years.

Kit Malthouse MP and Minister for policing and crime.

9

Your local electric bike specialist

01635 579304 enquiries@velospeed.co.uk www.velospeed.co.uk 10

Velospeed Electric Bikes . Unit 10 . Frilsham Home Farm . Yattendon . RG18 0XT

Community

News and updates

Shop that are opening in Basingstoke Festival Place Basingstoke Still open as restaurants offer takeaway services. Please check www.festivalplace.co.uk

Homebase Open from 9am to 6pm. Please check www.festivalplace.co.uk

Home Bargains Home Bargains is remaining open to the public and will be open 8am to 5pm. Please check www. homebargains.co.uk

Screwfix Screwfix will be open at normal.

Please check www.screwfix.com

Halfords Halford's stores are temporarily closed but their online home delivery is still in operation.

Opening times updates please check www.halfords.com

Halfords MOT Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 5pm. www.halfords.com

The latest announcement from the government You should only leave the house for one of four reasons: • Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.

•

One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household.

• Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.

• Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

These four reasons are exceptions even when doing these activities, you should be minimizing time spent outside the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household. Please access www.gov. uk/coronavirus

Food bank Foodbank remains open for clients to collect food and for donations. New procedures have been implemented to help everyone stay safe. Demand for food is expected to increase so please continue donations. Please check the website regularly for updates. www. basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk

Community support Voluntary Action to co-ordinate support for vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. This partnership will enhance the significant community work already taking place across the borough, providing a source of further information and guidance plus allowing us to match suitable volunteers to community groups. Please visit www. bvaction.org.uk/covid-19

MOTs The Government has granted a sixmonth exemption period for car MOTs due to the coronavirus outbreak.

With many garages closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, anyone whose car MOT expires from 30 March will have six months to get it renewed. For more information please access www.gov.uk/ transport/mots

FREE ONLINE!

upload your community news

localbuzzmagazine.com Local buzz Magazine is not responsible for any content provided by third parties - we believe the source of information to be true and reliable.

11

Discover the difference softened water can make to your daily life

12

Blue Cross is a charity that has been helping sick, injured, abandoned and homeless pets since 1897.

For more pets needing a loving home, or to make a donation towards their care, visit www.bluecross.org.uk

They help thousands of pets in need every month, providing veterinary care, expert behaviour help and finding them loving happy homes - as well as offering advice and education for current or future pet owners and pet bereavement support.

Whilst Blue Cross rehomes to anyone in the country that is a match and prepared to travel to meet their new pet, the nearest Blue Cross rehoming centre is in West End, Southampton. There is also a cat foster scheme in Andover and below are a few pets looking for homes nearby: Millie is a two-year-old beautiful tabby domestic short hair cat. She loves fuss and attention but hates being left alone so the best home for her is where she will have company for most of the time. For more information about Millie contact 0300 777 1933 or email rehomingnetwork@bluecross. org.uk At the Blue Cross animal rehoming centre in Southampton there is Danno, a five-month-old Labrador cross. He loves to be around his friends having fun and enjoys meeting other dogs on his walks.

He has made a great start to his training and can sit, paw and stay and he would like to learn more in his new home.

Snowball Hill Woodlands Park Avenue Maidenhead SL6 3LU

Meet Pedro Pedro is a two-year-old rabbit who was found all alone in a street.

Thankfully brought to Blue Cross for safety he is now in foster care but would love a home all of his own. Ideally, he would love to meet a lady bunny as rabbits all want company.

He is curious and inquisitive and must explore every nook and cranny. He loves to play with his toys – especially if contain a tasty carrot treat. He is looking for gentle people who can offer him (and a bunny pal) plenty of space for their accommodation.

Meet Bella Bella is a six-year-old cat who was also brought in as a stray. She is a confident girl who likes to explore and would love a garden in her new home.

She will let you know when she fancies a fuss by following you around purring. She loves a spell with her toys, especially if they rustle.

13

At 69 years of age, on the 24th May 1948, Agnes Arber became the first woman to be awarded with the Gold Medal of the Linnean Society of London, a world-famous institution dedicated to the study of natural history, recognising her outstanding contributions to botanical science.

The Linnean Gold Medal is the highest honour and only awarded in recognition for ‘outstanding’ service to the Society.

Agnes published numerous books on botany and philosophy.

Signature Brands has created the Agnes Arber gins, in recognition and admiration of the first lady of botany. Agnes Arber Premium Gin is pot-stilled at the distillery from nine botanicals, plus premium grain spirit.

The botanicals utilised are Angelica, Cassia, Coriander, Grapefruit, Iris, Juniper, Lemon, Liquorice and Orange. I consider this to be a perfect balance and (if it possible) even more perfect by adding a slice of pink grapefruit to the finished drink.

Following on, from the original concept, a further production was created, to include another flavour and more colour, to an already winning formula. The gin was infused with rhubarb, adding a luscious tartness. Agnes Arber Rhubarb Premium Gin pairs extremely well with Ginger Ale, plus garnishing with a slice of orange, if so desired.

The productions are very well presented and are fabulous for cabinet displays, likely taking ‘Pride of Place’, in any collection.

Trevor Langley Wine Appreciator

Great gins on their own or adding tonic (if such is a preference), these will not disappoint, with a softness on the mouthfeel, which follows through to the memorable palate sensation, superbly.

Other high-quality productions, from Signature Brands, are very much worthwhile locating and trying, too.

Spirits, including Old J Spiced Rum and Moonshine Vodka are very popular.

Further impressive beverages include beers and cider, which have regular ‘devotees’, also.

Having a splendid range of drinks, with great presentations, take time and pleasure to locate your favourites, from this well-established company.

Excellent advice and also recommendations for food pairings are always available from their very experienced team.

Peas Peas typically have a very short growing season of just a few weeks and that makes them all the more special.

They contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C and K and several B vitamins, plus magnesium, phosphorus and protein.

This makes them an excellent anti-inflammatory food.

SFOOD easonal Spring is here! In nature this means abundant growth in the form of grass, flowers and delicious colourful produce.

Artichokes Available in both spring and fall, artichokes are rich in folic acid, vitamin C, B-complex vitamins and many minerals. These nutrients help lower cholesterol, ensure healthy pregnancies in women and an optimal metabolic cell function.

Beets Some foods give you a clear indication of what part of you they’ll benefit and that’s the case with beets. Their deep and juicy colour let you know they’re great for your blood and circulation. They can lower blood pressure, boost your stamina and support detoxification all due to be a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains after detoxification.

Carrots We’re all familiar with this classic vegetable but when they’re in season locally carrots are absolutely delicious. Rich in vitamin A and other antioxidants, they’re great for maintaining healthy hair, skin, nails and are therefore considered, an “antiaging” food, plus they’re a powerful cancer-fighter.

Spring onions Onions contain a high number of polyphenols and especially flavonoids, which are compounds that play a major role in disease prevention and reducing the oxidative stress that wears our bodies down when we don’t take good care of ourselves. They are also natural antihistamines and have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Strawberries Is there anything better than biting into a fresh, ripe, fragrant and delicious strawberry in late spring/early summer? This decadent and sexy food is a healthy indulgence because it is among the top five sources of antioxidant-rich fruit. Despite being a fruit and containing fructose, strawberries can actually help balance blood sugar and the polyphenols they contain will support immunity healthy cell renewal and many other functions.

Mint This powerful herb grows like a weed and sometimes doesn’t get enough credit for its powerful healing properties. Mint contains an antioxidant called rosmarinic acid, which can relieve seasonal allergy symptoms (the not-so-great side effect of spring!), the menthol it contains is a natural decongestant and it can also soothe an upset stomach.

15

www.yourequityreleaseoptions.co.uk

Time to

Rev things up!

Buying a new car is often quite a conundrum. The unrelenting list of options leaves buyers in a quagmire of confusion, attempting to discern those which are best suited to their lifestyle, those which are affordable and ultimately the model of car which appeals to that specific buyer. Before embarking on multiple mega-test sessions, buyers will often take a few weekend visits to car dealerships, amidst countless nights spent internet browsing for their imminent purchase. However, though the excitement of buying a new car may seem shower the buyer with the lust and fantasy of cruising along in their ‘fresh wheels’, there are many factors to consider.

money on something which will presumedly be owned for a number of years and so the decision should not be an impetuous one, but rather an informed and contemplated purchase.

To somewhat elevate such buying quandary, it is important to recognise a few key considerations before splurging on a new car. One could consider whether second-hand cars have more advantageous financial implications, or simply the mere susceptibility of damage to the car and thus the cost of repairs.

Within contemporary society, cars are often undermined to mere accessories, particularly with the proliferation of social media. However, buying a new car is a commitment.

One will be undoubtedly spending a large sum of

Nowadays, owning a car is a vital instrument of daily life.

Cars are used for the school run, one’s commute to work, and even the weekly shop; they truly facilitate daily mundane activities. Though with their depreciating nature, it is imperative that one chooses the car that is perfect for them and so be sure to make a steady decision before cruising into your next car!

Spring into Action Contact us for a free initial meeting to help you understand how releasing equity from your home can benefit you.    

100% home ownership retained.

No negative Equity Guarantee.

Tax free lump sum.

Take further funds in the future or arrange a drawdown facility.

Taking a lifetime mortgage may affect your entitlement to some State Benefits.

Home visits can be arranged if required.

To book your free meeting call Carol on:

01635 550 179

16

Abbie Cooper Davis Columnist abbie@localbuzzmagazine.com

Carol Brown Senior Mortgage Consultant

A lifetime mortgage will be secured against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Treating Parkinson’s Disease with Diet Caffeine consumption appears to help prevent Parkinson’s, but what if you already have the condition? A study found that giving folks the equivalent of about two cups of coffee a day worth of caffeine significantly improved symptoms of the disease.

Of course, there’s only so much you can charge for coffee, so drug companies took caffeine and added a few side groups so they could patent it into new drugs (Preladenant and Istradefylline). These drugs appear to work no better than plain caffeine, which is dramatically cheaper and probably safer.

Similarly, certain plants, such as berries and plant-based diets in general may help prevent Parkinson’s. This may be partially because of pollutants that magnify up the food chain into the meat and dairy supply, but it could also be from the protective phytonutrients in healthy plant foods.

At its root, Parkinson’s is a dopamine deficiency disease due to a die-off of dopamine-generating cells in the brain. These cells make dopamine from

Soba Noodle Soup This recipe is from NutritionFacts. org’s Chinese Social Media Manager, Hailey. A light broth soup, packed with a rainbow of vegetables and hearty buckwheat soba noodles. Toss in edamame or

For more on Parkinson’s disease, visit NutritionFacts.org/topics/ parkinsons-disease.

L-dopa derived from an amino acid in our diet. The consumption of animal products blocks the transport of L-dopa into the brain, crowding it out. With this knowledge, researchers first tried what’s called a “protein redistribution diet.” This is where people could only eat meat for supper so the patients would hopefully be sleeping by the time the negative effects of the animal protein hit.

The researchers didn’t consider cutting out all animal products altogether until it was discovered that fiber consumption naturally boosts L-dopa levels. Thus, a plantbased diet would be expected to raise levodopa bioavailability and bring some advantages in the management of the disease through two mechanisms: reduced animal protein intake and your favorite vegetables and spices to make this recipe your own.

Servings: 4

Ingredients • 8 oz 100% soba noodles • 4-5 cups salt-free vegetable broth or water • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1/4 cup white miso paste • 2 cups diced tomatoes • 2 1/2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom • 1 cup shredded carrots • 4 cups chopped bok choy or

Dr. Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

an increased fiber intake. That’s why plant protein is superior, because that’s where fiber is found. So, researchers put folks on a strictly vegan diet, saving beans for the end of the day and indeed found a significant improvement in symptoms. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. napa cabbage

Instructions 1. Prepare the soba noodles according to the directions on the package, then set aside.

2. Add 4-5 cups of water or salt-free vegetable broth to a pot and bring to a boil.

3. Add the onion, miso, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots and bok choy to the water. Cook until vegetables are tender.

4. Pour the soup over the noodles and top with fresh cilantro just before serving.

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.

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

17 17

Beef Preparation time: 40 mins Cooking time: 2.5 hours Serves: 6+ Ingredients

•

3 tbsp vegetable oil

•

2kg beef shin or skirt, cut into bite-sized chunks

•

2 lemongrass stalks, bruised

•

2 x 400ml cans coconut milk

•

For the paste

•

ef stock cube

•

2 tbsp tamarind paste

•

1 tsp sugar1/2 - 3 chillies chopped (depending on taste)

4 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut

•

6-8 baby shallots

•

2 kaffir lime leaves, torn

•

1 Beef stock cube

• 2 inch / 5cm piece ginger chopped

•

2 tbsp tamarind paste

•

1 tsp sugar

•

¼ tsp salt

18

•

three cloves garlic

Method

1.

For the paste, place all paste ingredients into a small food processor and blitz until smooth.

Rendang 2.

Heat the oil in a heavy-based flameproof casserole dish or large saucepan.

3.

Fry the paste for 5-10 minutes until golden. Add the beef chunks and the lemongrass and mix well.

4.

Once the beef has coloured, add the coconut milk plus 250ml water.

5.

Bring to the boil, then lower to a very low summer.

6.

Uncovered for 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent the rendang sticking and more often towards the end.

7.

Towards the end of the cooking time toast the coconut in a frying pan on a low heat for 5-7 mins until golden brown.

8.

Set aside to cool. Using a blender, coarsely blend it to finer pieces – but not too fine.

Put to one side.

9.

10.

After 2 hrs add the coconut, kaffir lime leaves, stock cube, tamarind paste, sugar and salt to the pan.

Stir well and simmer for 30 minutes. The meat should be tender and falling apart when touched. Serve with rice and green salad!

Garden W Preparing the Vegetable Garden for Spring

The days are gradually getting warmer, the sun is out a bit longer and it all means one thing – Spring is slowly but surely approaching.

For most vegetable gardeners, it may still be a few weeks before the majority of our vegetables can be started in the garden.

As spring slowly wrestles away the grip of Old Man Winter, vegetable gardeners should begin the sometimes mundane, yet essential, tasks of preparing the vegetable garden for spring.

It is best to go ahead and get these tasks completed before planting time arrives so that you can concentrate your efforts on the goodstuff – sowing and planting your vegetables.

Here are a few tips for preparing the vegetable garden for spring.

Assess Your Vegetable Garden Space Take a quick stroll through your vegetable garden space and assess the condition of it. Make note of what needs to be done in order to prepare the vegetable garden for spring. Jot down a to-do list to help you keep track of what needs to be completed.

Begin calculating how much compost, mulch or garden fence you may need. It is important to have this planned out before the season starts. You don’t want to be running around grabbing needed supplies at the last minute!

Pay close attention to any wood structures you may have in the garden such as raised beds or trellises. Check for any signs of damage or rotting and what repairs are needed. Make any repairs now instead of waiting until spring. You want to be planting and sowing in spring, not making repairs.

Remove Any Seedlings As temperatures begin to rise, you could spot a few rogue seedlings sprouting up from last year’s vegetable garden. You may think you are getting a freebie plant, but it is a good idea to remove them. The new seedling could also carry over diseases from the previous season.

Take Inventory Now is a great time to take an inventory of your garden tools and supplies. Check tools for any damage and make sure they are in good working condition.

Repair or replace any that may 20

10

Easy to grow vegetable, fruit & salad seeds

ening Week

1. Salad Leaves Crunchy fresh leaves with a fantastic range of textures and flavours.

2. Radishes Spice up your salads with crunchy, peppery radishes. They're easy to grow in containers or sow them directly into the ground

3. Potatoes Potatoes are such easy vegetables to grow at home!

4. Peas You'll be amazed at how good fresh peas taste - and the more that you pick them, the more they produce!

5. Spring onions Give your salads a tangy crunch with some quick-growing spring onions.

6. Broad Beans What could be simpler! Sow Broad Beans in spring in small 7.5cm (3") pots of compost, and within a few weeks these quick growing beans will make sturdy plants that can be planted out in the garden

be broken or unsafe to use.

Plan For Wise Watering This is the perfect time to develop a strategy for an efficient watering system. Plan how you will run soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems to water your vegetable plants.

Implement using a rain barrel to water your vegetables. Rain barrels are a great way to save on watering costs by using captured rain water.

7. Runner Beans Runner beans are climbers so give them plenty of space and train them onto wires or a plant support frame.

8. Onions and Garlic

Prevent Pests Before They Arrive It is also the best time to develop some pest and disease management strategies for your vegetable garden. Remove items near your garden that pests can hide under such as boards or large stones. This can help to prevent snails and slugs, which can seriously damage young seedlings.

Start Seeds Indoors Most vegetable and herb seeds can be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date for

Onions and garlic are virtually maintenance-free crops, and are such easy vegetables to grow.

9. Tomatoes your area. Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump on the growing season, especially if you live in an area that has a relatively short growing season. Once the seeds have germinated, place them next to a south facing window where they will receive the best amount of light. A seed starting tray works well if starting many different types of seeds at one time.

Tomato plants are so quick that you can almost watch them grow, so they are the ideal easy vegetable for kids to cultivate.

10. Beetroot For a super-easy to grow root vegetable try beetroot. Often used in salads but equally tasty eaten warm and freshly boiled as a vegetable.

21

Do you use your conservatory all year round?

BEFORE

AFTER

Top reasons to to upgrade upgradeyour your Top reasons conservatory roofwith withGreen GreenSpace SpaceUK, UK, conservatory roof as chosen by by our ourcustomers customers as chosen

£400 OFF THIS MONTH

*QUOTE BUZZ0619

Installed in 1 day

Usable all year round

“What a difference a day makes as the saying goes, and yes, that’s all it took to install.”

“The conservatory is now used throughout all seasons of the year and is far more comfortable to sit in whatever the weather outside.”

Mr & Mrs Barber, Wells

Warmer in winter

Mr & Mrs Gibson, Portishead

“There is no doubt that the conservatory is much warmer than previously, and no, the room is not darker either!”

Cooler in summer

David Birch, Chichester

Mould & condensation “This is the best thing we have done in this house. Used to run with condensation and now zero.”

“You could have fried an egg on the table in there in the summer, I now look upon the conservatory as a new room. It is quiet, restful and cosy.”

Carol Doyle, Surrey

Karen Thomas, Chippenham

For a free no obligation quote call

0800 65 25 157 CONSERVATORY ROOFS

greenspaceconservatories.co.uk

Finance Subject To Status.

T&C’s apply. *Orders placed by end of June 19. Applies to orders over 8 panels. Smaller orders receive calculated discount. Not valid for use with any other offer.

Office: 01256 637 870 On site: 07379 700 762

Greenscaping Ltd are specialists in landscaping services working throughout Hampshire and the surrounding areas. All our work comes with a guarantee and is never finished before the customer is satisfied. We will work hand in hand with you from design to completion to ensure that you get the finished product you wish for: Fully insured Fully qualified Free estimates and advice You are entitled to a fourteen day cooling off period

www.greenscapingltd.co.uk

greenscapetreeandlandscaping@outlook.com The Square, Basing View, Basingstoke RG21 4EB

Be Prepared… but don’t panic!

Zombie apocalypse movies are perennially popular. Human beings love to imagine how we might survive after a global disaster.

Zombie apocalypse movies are perennially popular. Human beings love to imagine how we might survive after a global disaster.

Recent flooding and the coronavirus have prompted an interest in ‘prepping’, as in ‘prepping for disaster’. Preppers have historically been cast alongside conspiracy theorists, and American survivalists, who build bunkers, live ‘off-grid’ and are scarier than any imaginary zombie.

As flooding and extreme weather become ‘normal’ events in the UK, and every year seems to bring a new pandemic threat it’s easy to see why people feel helpless and why ‘prepping’ becomes seductive. Should we prepare for imminent disaster?

The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. In this country we are fortunate that food is plentiful. However, food is supplied on a ‘just-in-time’ basis, using predictions based on the public’s past shopping habits.

If everyone shops normally, supply and demand remain balanced, but if large numbers of people suddenly panic buy

24

more than usual to stockpile food, shelves are stripped bare pretty quickly.

It makes sense to be aware of this and to think about how we might manage if there was a temporary hiccup in our own food supply chain, perhaps because poor weather or flooding prevents us from accessing shops, or because we’re confined to our home through illness or quarantine.

It does no harm to plan how we might be more self-reliant for a week or so, and to make sure that we have a basic emergency store cupboard. I would advise against specialist emergency food packs you see advertised. They are expensive and freeze-dried food tastes like garden mulch. A few extra tins in your weekly shop is easy for most people to achieve. Remember, in most instances you will already have food in, which can be used up first.

Useful items for an emergency store cupboard: tinned meats, tinned vegetables, tinned beans, pulses and chickpeas, tinned soups and packet soups, tinned fruit, a large bag of rice, a large bag of porridge oats, cooking oil, salt, honey, long-life milk, long-life orange juice, packs of cereal, cereal, protein bars and dried fruit. If you live

in an area where flooding and therefore water contamination is likely, please allow 2 litres of bottled water per person per day for drinking and cooking.

A simple emergency store cupboard can be built up over a couple of months quite easily by adding a few extras into your weekly shop.

A can opener is essential. Torches, batteries, a camping stove to insure against loss of electricity, loo roll, bleach, hand sanitiser, paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and disinfectant are useful health and medical items.

If you live in a flood zone, make sure your supplies are stored high up. Use a vermin-proof storage box in the coolest place possible. Every so often move items out into your regular cupboards and replace them to make sure that nothing goes beyond its sell-by date.

One last thing. We all have important documents filed away such as birth certificates, passports, insurance documents and house deeds. Ideally these should be stored in a fire and waterproof deed box to protect them.

A little thought and preparation go a long way. No bunker required!

LocalCommunity CommunityNews News Local Local Community News us! to important are You You us! tous! importantto areimportant Youare us! to important are You

Inview viewof ofthe thecurrent currentsituation. situation.

In In In view view of of the the current current situation. situation.

LocalBuzz Buzzhas hasdecided decidedto toprotect protectthe the Local Local Local Buzz Buzz has has decided decided to to protect protect the the communityand andthe theour ourdistribution distribution community community community and and the the our our distribution distribution teamby bychanging changingfrom fromits itsnormal normal team team team by by changing changing from from its its normal normal pritingformat formatto todigital. digital.You Youcan can priting priting priting format format to to digital. digital.

You You can can accessthe thelatest latestLocal LocalBuzz Buzzby by access access access the the latest latest Local Local Buzz Buzz by by checking on the chec checking chec checkingon onthe the chec checking on the chec localbuzzmagazine.comwebsite website localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com website website orscan scanthi thiQR QRcode code or or or scan scan thi thi QR QR code code

Scan me!

Scanme! me!

Scan Scan Scan me! me!

Reducethe therisk riskof ofCoronavirus Coronavirusinfection infection Reduce Reduce Reduce the the risk risk of of Coronavirus Coronavirus infection infection Cover you nose Coveryou younose nose Cover Cover Cover you you nose nose and mouth when andmouth mouthwhen when and and and mouth mouth when when coughing with coughingwith with coughing coughing coughing with with a tissue or elbow tissueor orelbow elbow aaaatissue tissue tissue or or elbow elbow

Clean your hands Cleanyour yourhands hands Clean Clean Clean your your hands hands with soap and withsoap soapand and with with with soap soap and and water or alcohol wateror oralcohol alcohol water water water or or alcohol alcohol based hand rub basedhand handrub rub based based based hand hand rub rub

Avoid hand shaking Avoidhand handshaking shaking Avoid Avoid Avoid hand hand shaking shaking and physical contact andphysical physicalcontact contact and and and physical physical contact contact

Avoid touching any Avoidtouching touchingany any Avoid Avoid Avoid touching touching any any publication that publicationthat that publication publication publication that that is held by several isheld heldby byseveral several isisis held held by by several several people people people people people

Please access Local Buzz online to Please Pleaseaccess accessLocal LocalBuzz Buzzonline onlineto to Please Please access access Local Local Buzz Buzz online online to to read fabulous articles and updates readfabulous fabulousarticles articlesand andupdates updates read read read fabulous fabulous articles articles and and updates updates from our local community fromour ourlocal localcommunity community from from from our our local local community community localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com localbuzzmagazine.com

Like & Follow us Like&& &Follow Followus us Like Like Like & Follow Follow us us 25

Are you unsigned and talented?

The Shed Session is an exciting new YouTube platform that was launched on the 5th January this year with the sole purpose of promoting unsigned and talented musicians nationally. www.theshedsession.com contact@theshedsession.com The Shed Session 26

@theshedsession

Unsurprisingly The Shed is a (large) garden shed in Brentwood, Essex that has been converted into a recording studio and multimedia space. It boasts professional grade equipment to allow the recording and production of audio visual material.

music is not right for the channel.

As you might expect this happens via a live performance of original material where a band/artist get to strut their stuff in front of the camera and have it professionally recorded for YouTube.

From there it’s a matter of being selected based upon your diversity and talent which was mentioned earlier in the article. Once selected you’ll need to make the journey to Brentwood, Essex for your day in the studio.

Ralph Mullan, the founder of the Shed Session, owner of The Shed Studio and self-confessed music addict, has played and worked with unsigned bands for many years.

He has wanted to turn a dream of owning a studio and his desire to help gigging unsigned talent to climb the super tough music ladder into a reality for many years.

Ralph recognised the insatiable appetite of today’s social media platforms for content and saw The Shed Session going some way towards satisfying this must have for any aspiring talent.

The Shed Session welcomes and encourages diversity and wants to showcase people from all walks of life, all ages and all styles. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to think that their

To get involved you’ll need to contact Ralph at The Shed via one of the platforms listed at the bottom of this article provide an appropriate link to your material and social media sites.

If selected it is worth noting that The Shed Session is free, YES FREE!! If you are not a performer or maybe you are not selected there is still some great music to be enjoyed on the channel so why not like and subscribe to the fortnightly releases?

Ralph Mullan, the founder of the Shed Session, owner of The Shed Studio

27

IMPRESS

...your family

Easter is all about new life. It’s about remembering the importance of fresh starts and cherishing the season.

Around Easter, flowers start to bloom and the weather gets warmer. We’re surrounded by colour, sunshine and family!

If you’re entertaining this Easter and want to dress up your home, there are many simple Easter crafts that will impress your family.

Table Set for Easter Breakfast A beautiful breakfast table with lots of lovely details. You will love it! For this decoration we chose the dishes in shades of light blue and pink. A rustic touch in the sousplat and a little refinement in the golden cutlery. The idea was really to mix and show how it is possible to use more sophisticated pieces with simpler pieces bringing a lot of charm to any table.

28

A very nice tip to use in Easter decoration is moss.

You can use it live or artificial (permanent). For this production we use the artificial one all the way from the center of the table, giving that touch of blue to remind us of the forest of the dear bunny. In it we harmoniously accommodate food and decorative pieces.

Quail eggs are beautiful to compose the decor. Look at how they give a charming effect with the bunny rabbit as a vase for the flowers.

&

this

! r e t s a

The folding of the napkin in the shape of a bunny is very charming and makes the decoration more special. A golden spray painted egg to complement, it will give that eggxtra charm!

Carrot cake, can't be missed.

Decorate with mini carrots.

Use the small cup to support them and even add a little moss to highlight the production.

21

&

! r e t s a

LEMON

Serves: 8 Preparation: 25 minutes

For the topping

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

• 250g royal icing sugar

Ingredients

Method

•

1tsp vanilla extract

•

225g baking margarine, softened

Preheat the oven to 180oC/fan 160oC/ Gas 4.

•

225g golden caster sugar

•

4 free range eggs, beaten

•

225g self raising flour

•

1tsp baking powder

•

1tbsp milk

For the filling

•

75g soft butter

•

125g icing sugar

•

Lemon juice

• 44

3 tbsp lemon curd

28 30

Bake for 20 minutes or until risen and light golden in colour and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle.

6.

Leave tocool slightly, then remove from the tins and place the cakes on a cooling rack, peel away the paper and leave to cool.

7.

For the filling, beat together the butter, icing sugar and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. When the cakes are cool, spread lemon curd onto one cake, top with the butter cream and put the other cake on top.

8.

To make the topping, beat together the icing sugar and approx 40ml cold water until smooth, stir in the lemon curd and spoon over the cake, and leave it to drizzle down the sides.

• 1tbsp lemon curd

1 lemon

•

5.

1.

Lightly grease 2 x 20cm sandwich cake tins and line the bases with baking paper.

2.

Put the lemon zest, vanilla, baking margarine and sugar into a large bowl and beat until pale and fluffy.

3.

Gradually add the beaten eggs with a little of the flour. Carefully fold the rest of the flour and the baking powder into the mixture.

4.

Add the milk, mix and spoon into the tins.

CAKE Grand finale on Easter Sunday!

29 31

Love

and care for your Pet. Keep your furry furry friend safe from Covid-19, advice and simple tips on how to keep pets happy and healthy

Pet owners should think and plan ahead over caring for their animals if they need to stay at home with suspected symptoms or self-isolate completely with a confirmed diagnosis.

Latest government guidance urges ‘social distancing’ to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable members of the community.

But people and their pets can still go out for a walk if they

stay two metres away from others.

However there’s no evidence to suggest that pets can be carriers of coronavirus or can become ill from it themselves.

The latest ‘social distancing’ advice does not 34 32

have a huge impact on pet owners, but dog walkers do need to follow government advice and keep two meters away from others while they are out for a stroll.”

A pet’s first line of defense is a well-prepared owner to take the necessary precautions and incorporate pets into their preparedness plans to keep their family and pets healthy.

should they need to self-isolate or a member of the household shows symptoms of coronavirus.

How to care for dogs and cats during coronavirus?

1 There is not solid evidence that animals can carry the virus

2 3 4 5

Good hygiene practices are said to be critical - as they are for everyone. Pet owners who are not showing any signs of coronavirus themselves or living with anyone who has symptoms should continue to interact with their pets but adopt good hygiene practices including washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching them, their food, toys and bedding Avoid being kissed or licked and sharing food with your pet.

6

Spend extra time with your pet which is a great opportunity to try some new games. Learning a new trick or command is great mental stimulation for a dog.

7

Toilet breaks - your dog will still need to go outside to use the toilet so make sure they get regular access to the garden.

8

It’s possible that the virus could live on your pet, just as it may live on any other surface in your home. That’s where good hygiene comes into play a good advice is bath your dog or cat more frequently than you normally would.

Make sure that you have enough pet food and medication in case of self-isolation.

Vets should be spoken to in cases of concern. Do not visit the vet but phone for advice.

9

Pet owners should keep interaction between your pet and other people to a minimum.

Pet owners to think about how they can care for their animals 35 33

Open What are the pros and cons?

The pros include:

1 2

Integrated living – it allows people to do lots of different things together in a single space eg study, cook, listen to music.

Spread of light – opening up the spaces means that both natural and artificial light can spread across the whole space and improve our enjoyment of the space.

3 4 5 34

Feeling of space – where space is a premium, opening up rooms into a single space can make the place feel bigger, brighter and airier.

Sociable – combining two or more spaces can often mean that families or groups of people can be together in the same space, mingling and socialising whilst continuing to do different activities.

Children – open plan living is particularly popular when children are small as it enables the parents to keep an eye on the children whilst they are doing other things.

Open plan living generally refers to the combining of two or more spaces. It is a relatively modern phenomena – coming into fashion after the WW2 – and driven by the fact that the kitchen is no longer just a utility space. With the rise in popularity of cooking shows and competitions, as well as entertaining at home, the kitchen has become an integrated part of home living and entertaining.

What are the downsides I should consider?

1

Noise levels – noise easily transfers across a single space meaning that pots and pans are banging whilst someone else is watching TV, and another is trying to make a call. Combine these with hard floor surfaces and the sound can bounce around and become very loud.

2

Everything is visible – including dirty dishes, homework books, office papers etc. For those who are not the tidiest or neatest people, open plan living makes mess or clutter very visible.

3 4 5

Lingering smells – the smell of burnt toast can definitely linger ….and it may not be a smell you want to throughout the day.

Heating – without good thermal insulation and zoning, open spaces can be more costly to heat. Remember that only 20% of the heat from an open fire stays in the room – the rest goes up the chimney & the cold air comes down.

Less privacy – whilst we might initially enjoy the experience of all being together as we get older, children and parents often wish to enjoy more privacy from one another – with smaller spaces to escape to.

Plan

or not to Open Plan which way should you go?

When planning open living spaces consider whether you also need a smaller, quieter area like a snug or a study. Think about storage – clever, innovative and well-designed storage can hide a multitude of things whilst keeping the open areas clutter free. Finally consider zoning/creating defined areas for specific uses: eating, watching TV, cooking, reading etc.

Open plan kitchens are one of the top 4 things that add value to your house but before you go knocking down all the walls, take a moment to consider how to make it best work for you.

Vicky Tallon is the talent behind Tallon Perry Interiors - designing interiors for homes and commercial spaces.

If you’d like a bit of a guiding hand contact Vicky at vicky.tallon@ tallonperryinteriors.com 35

ACHIEVE OUTSTANDING

Natural colour!

Finally, the daylight hours are getting longer, daffodils are in full bloom and 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.

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.

Getting your recommended dose of sunshine and Vitamin D could not be easier, thanks to Consol. Originating from Denmark and now with over 45 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.

Consol, Newbury boasts numerous 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.

Drink complex that offers ultimate tattoo protection whilst exposed to UV light, HOT by Australian Gold with pharmaceutical grade skin care ingredients and a range of high-performance bronzers to give a little instant colour whilst your natural tan develops.

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 wide range of settings to create your unique tanning experience.

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 can be used to purchase tanning sessions or products and can be accessed in any Consol studio, via the kiosk by signing in as usual.

At Consol, we also carry a range of high-quality products to enhance your tanning experience and these are always available from the vending machine instore. Products include a range from JWOWW to include an Ink-

Consol is usually open 7 days a week from 7am until 10pm.

Becoming a member is free, quick and easy and can be done in studio on the sign-up station or by registering on www.consol.eu

2 Parkway Shopping Centre, Newbury, RG1 1AY

08000 88 60 90 consol.eu

Beaut iful

If we have to cocoon, let’s at least emerge as butterflies

How to Stay

During self-isolation?

Hello ...

I’m Yvette, a Skin Health and Beauty Therapist at Baytree Beauty. Over the coming months I’m going to be talking all things Skin Health and Beauty related. Questions or advice, please send an email to info@ localbuzzmagazine.com.

Social distancing is drastically changing lives and daily routines. Diet, air quality, workouts and stress levels negatively impact skin, resulting in unwanted skin conditions: breakouts, congestion, dryness, dehydration and premature ageing.

More ladies now probably choose not to apply make-up every day.

What better time to commit to a daily skincare routine, keep skin clean, fresh and hydrated, preventing neglected skin when we emerge from these uncertain times.

Morning Skin Care – Provides protection for the day ahead

Step 1 -

Cleanse

Removes sebum excreted from skin during the night along with dead skin cells. Either apply directly to dry skin, massaging in well, using water to emulsify it or foam up in hands and apply to skin. Massage cleanser over face, neck and décolletage area, up into 38

hairline and around ears for at least a minute. Remove either by splashing off, using preferred face cloth or just under the shower.

Step 2 –

Tone

Helping close pores and prevent further grime entering. Some also act as a humectant, allowing better absorption of products to follow and boosting hydration levels. Best toners are either spritz or splash on; no wastage onto cotton wool pads and skin reaps all the benefit. Spritz a fine mist over face or pop a little into hands and press firmly into skin. Don’t blot any excess off, just apply following products to damp skin.

Eye Cream / Serum Step 3 –

Extremely valuable, helping fine lines, puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles around delicately skinned eye area. Use a rice grain size amount, patting around eye orbital (not eyelid) gently with ring finger from the outer corner inwards.

Step 4 –

Serum

High impact product loaded with active ingredients to target personal skin

concern. Lightweight, allowing it to penetrate deeply into skin. Apply small amount into hand and gently massage, pressing the product into skin.

Step 5 –

Moisturiser

Essential to provide critical protection against moisture loss, pollution and elements. Massage into skin, avoiding eye area. Use SPF15+ Moisturiser or then apply sunscreen.

Evening Skincare – soothes and tones skin whilst boosting natural regenerative and constructive processes.

Repeat morning routine but I recommend you cleanse twice.

The first removes make up, pollution, sunscreens and dead skin cells.

The second, a really thorough clean also removing residue from first cleanse. Your skin is ready for serums and moisturiser.

Targeted treatments such as exfoliation and masques together with product choices etc. will be covered in the coming months.

barnes

01793 821303 www.barnescoaches.co.uk travel@barnescoaches.co.uk

Book Now for the Easter Holidays!

beaulieu (Inc. National motor museum) Mon 6th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £43.00* Child Ticket: £27.00*

bucklers hard & maritime museum Mon 6th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £31.00* Child Ticket: £19.00*

exbury gardens Mon 6th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £37.00* Child Ticket: £21.00*

abergavenny (market day), caerphilly & brecon beacons

brighton Wed 8th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £26.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

camden market Thu 9th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £23.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

kew gardens Sun 12th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £38.00* Child Ticket: £19.00*

portsmouth or southsea Tue 14th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £21.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

london zoo Wed 15th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £23.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

Legoland windsor Fri 17th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £52.00* Child Ticket: £46.00*

windsor & eton Fri 17th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £20.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

Cardiff Sun 19th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £22.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

view our full list of easter day trips on our website or call our team to request a free day trip leaflet! tours marked with an * include admission

Mon 6th April 2020 Adult Ticket: £25.00 Child Ticket: £14.00

ked Tours mar with an * include admission!

39

Tips on buying a

New

Dealers have targets to meet, with bonuses up for grabs. Typically, these are based on quarterly sales, making the end of March, June, September and December a good time to buy.

They need to shift cars, so will be more willing to negotiate and offer attractive finance packages.

For a quiet time, try to avoid weekends or the start of the month just after payday. A dealership crammed with wannabe buyers isn't a good place to bargain hard, so it may also be worth avoiding new numberplate seasons too.

Think about the style of car, too.

Summer's when drivers dream of buying convertibles, making winter a good time to get a deal on one. Here are some tips from a broker and a dealer on when to buy to get the best deal...

What car do I need?

Before you start browsing for the 'one', think about what you really need from a new car. There's no point buying a two-seater convertible if you're about to start a family, so work out what is realistic. Ask yourself: 40

What are my essential requirements?

• Fuel efficiency or enough room for all the family?

•

Do I need the car to do anything specific?

•

Fuel efficiency or enough room for all the family?

•

Is it for short city drives or longer motorway journeys?

•

Does it need to be able to cruise at motorway speeds without straining?

•

What's better, petrol or diesel?

The fuel you want to use can make a big difference in the model you might choose.

•

Do I need a massive boot?

Consider whether you need room for things such as sports equipment or a pushchair – or if you need to fit friendly Fido or your meddling mother-in-law.

•

Do I want to consider an eco-friendly car?

If so, a hybrid or electric car could

be an option.

Comparison Diesel

Car

Once you've decided what car to pick, now you need to know how to get the best deal.

• •

More economical higher mpg

last longer

• •

Ideal for long journeys

than equivalent petrol models

Engines typically more robust

Commands higher resale values

•

Vehicle excise duty is cheaper on

diesel cars

• •

Cars cost more to buy Pricier parts if repair needed

Petrol •

Petrol is usually cheaper in

the UK

• •

Good for short journeys

suit 'performance' cars

•

Often less reliable than

diesel cars

•

Vehicle excise duty is

Engines are more responsive

more expensive

Draw up a list of essential requirements and go from there.

The cheapest cars to run You can compare running costs of different models, including the ones you're looking to buy, on several websites, But, follow these rules to home in on the cheapest cars:

Smaller engines can be cheaper The choice of a 1.0-litre or a 2.0-litre engine isn't just about pure horsepower.

A large engine will usually burn more

fuel than a smaller one. So engine size is a vital consideration if fuel economy is an important factor in your decision.

Petrol cars tend to be cheaper than diesel Diesel engines are often more economical than their petrol counterparts. But don't be fooled into thinking this definitely makes diesel a better option. These cars are more expensive and they usually cost more at the pump than petrol. We've looked at this more closely below.

Manual cars are cheaper than automatic Switching between gears is extra work – particularly to those of us prone

• •

Cars lose value slightly faster

more fuel

Engines less efficient and use

to stalling at traffic lights. Yet while automatics take some of the hassle out of driving, they come with a higher price tag.

Hybrid cars are cheap to run, but cost more to buy Technology is improving everyday with modern hybrids coming in all shapes and sizes, from superminis to luxury SUVs. Fuel-economy and cheap or even zero tax rates make part-electric models appealing, like the Toyota Prius.

They also tend to hold their value for resale.

Smaller cars are cheaper to insure If you're looking to save money, you'll want a car that's cheap to cover.

41

Meet a LOCAL BUSINESS I chose International Women’s day to launch Alder, 7th March 2019.

I was born in Wales but moved around quite a bit with my family due to Dad’s job in the gas industry. My parents settled in Pangbourne for twenty years before recently moving back to the Swansea valley. I live in Bucklebury in Berkshire with my husband our three children.

I have a varied professional background. I was an Air Stewardess, working for Gulf Air and based in Bahrain. I spent several years working as a personal assistant for senior management in large corporations such as Microsoft, Oracle and the Wolseley group.

It was when I worked for family’s business that I realised my passion for small business. I found it so liberating to be able to able to make decisions and act on them quickly. I enjoyed the fact that I could make a real difference.

I have always loved handbags and ended up with quite a collection from around the world after my flying days.

I found that many lacked the attention

to detail so in my spare time I set about designing my own bags and purses It took three years from the initial idea to having my own bag in my hands.

BettyJo’s of Bucklebury was born (www. bettyjos.co.uk).

It wasn’t long before I started designing a laptop bag. When commuting I wanted a bag that was comfortable, big enough for all my things, that protected my tech and that looked stylish!

like and feel like.

Based on their answers and after 18 months of development, the Alder laptop bag was born.

Where do you find inspiration from?

I have lost count of the number of times I have walked up to a woman on a train platform or in an office to ask her about her bag(s)!

It seemed like I was looking for the holy grail! I was shocked at how few options existed for the working woman.

I conducted a survey on this subject which was shared and shared again.

My inspiration comes from listening to the issue’s that women tell me that they have and trying to find ways to address them.

In it I asked whether or not women felt there was a gap in the market for a laptop bag that was versatile, practical and stylish and the response was a resounding YES!

I asked about issues with the bags that they were currently using and what they would change about it. I asked them what their ideal laptop bag would look

•

Why is your laptop bag different to any others on the market?

•

There are three big differences between the Alder laptop bag and any other bag on the market.

1.

The Alder bag can be worn as a backpack, as a shoulder bag OR as a cross body messenger bag.

2. All Alder products are handmade in

the UK

" My inspiration comes from listening ....

42

The only laptop bag that works as intelligently as you

3. All Alder products come with a

traditional lifetime guarantee

Why British made is important to you?

The handbags and purses that I designed for BettyJo’s were made in India. While the quality of the workmanship is excellent and the costs are much lower, I have never enjoyed that fact that I can’t pop into the factory at any time.

their roots in the water and branches in the air which is seen as the balance between male and female (fitting for gender equality in the working world).

Celts used to carry Alder cones in their pockets as they thought of the Alder as providing protection. (the Alder bag protects your tech). The Alder moon is also in April which is a creative period.

Why the women that own my bags love them?

No number of compliance certificates or verbal assurances can replace knowing with certainty that my products are made with happy hands. My products are manufactured in Somerset in a workshop where they have been producing luxury leather goods for four generations.

I’ll let a customer review answer that question…

Why did you call your company Alder?

“A comfortable commuting bag that looks great as-well – the holy grail of laptop bags.

Thank you Alder”

The name Alder is a nod to my Celtic roots. Ancient Celts associated when you were born with a tree, a plant and an animal. I was born in April and my tree is the Alder. The Alder is a pioneer species that is native to Europe and are generally found at water’s edge with

"Carrying a laptop isn't the pain in the neck (and shoulders) that it was.

Put simply, the Alder bag is a revelation!"

What difficulties do you face in bringing a new product to market?

My biggest difficulty lies with getting people to know that

my products exist with a very small marketing budget.

Social media is an important tool for me and I have found that I am able to get my message across that way.

There is a long way to go but I am looking forward to the challenge of being recognised worldwide as a respected British brand that is renowned for its quality, innovation and style.

OPENING SEPTEMBER 2020

IT’S TIME TO ACCEPT YOUR CHILD’S PLACE! Don’t forget to accept your offer and confirm your child’s place as a founder member of Highwood Copse Primary School.

www.highwoodcopse.co.uk

44

The CLOTHES SHOP Of Newbury - Est 1985

Your Local independent supplier of seasonal clothes An amazing selection of fabulous hats, bags and accessories.

Spring and summer outfits now available

www.theclothesshopnewbury.co.uk 01635 47832 12 Pound Street, Newbury RG14 6AA

Add us on

theclothesshop

For more information or to order contact www.Slim4UcoffeeUK.valentus.com Take the Free Tour: www.ValentusTour.com/Slim4UcoffeeUK

Computer support throughout Berkshire On site PC/Mac/Network support for home and small business users •

PC, Mac or Network problems?

•

Would you like a new computer setup?

•

Are you secure?

•

All work carried out in your own home/office

Call PCBoB 07958 473675 www.pcbob.co.uk | info@pcbob.co.uk

10% OFF

WITH THIS ADVERT 45

Quality Private Healthcare

Recognised by all healthcare insurers and open to any self-funding patient.

Full range of clinical services including: • Private GP • Orthopaedics • Ophthalmology • Cardiology

Located at Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital

• Cosmetic Surgery • MRI & Imaging

Call 01256 315010 Visit candoverclinic.com

Private Healthcare Supporting

Make domestic cleaning a chore of the past...

Newbury and all surrounding areas 01635 813 200 Basingstoke and hereall and all surrounding areas 01256 689 346

• • • •

No Time To Clean?

Too Tired From Work?

Want Someone You Can Trust?

Uniformed and insured Staff

Independently owned and operated

Or book your clean online now at:

www.dailypoppins.co.uk

“We poppin, so you can pop out”

UP TO 50% LESS THAN A NEW FULLY FITTED KITCHEN

RE

BEFO

by just swapping the doors and worktops FAMIL Y BUSIN RUN ESS

• Trusted reputation • Huge choice of doors, worktops appliances, sinks & taps • Free planning & design service • Door swaps to full kitchens – tailored to your needs

THE UK’S # 1 KITCHEN MAKEOVER EXPERTS. ®

EST. 1999 VISIT OUR SHOWROOM NOW.

www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Call Lesley now for your FREE quote on

01635 867336

AVERAGE SCORE 9.8/10

Visit our Showroom: 86-88 Chapel Street, Thatcham, Berks RG18 4QN Free Parking at rear 49

BUSINESS

COVID-19 Support for Businesses The Government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption.

This website www.businesssupport.gov.uk, helps you find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) on your business. The Government is doing its best to stand behind businesses and is asking businesses to do their best to stand behind their workers.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:

Business Closures and Stay at Home

•

To reduce social contact and help stop the spread of coronavirus, the Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close. A list of these businesses can be found here.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

•

Deferring VAT and Income Tax payments

• A Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) • A 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England • Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief • Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 •

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank

•

50

A new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans

•

The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

In England, under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG) announced on 16 March 2020, businesses and premises in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will be eligible for cash grants of up to £25,000 per property.

Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.

employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. This applies to employees who have been asked to stop working, but who are being kept on the pay roll, otherwise described as ‘furloughed workers’.

HMRC will reimburse 80% of their wages, up to £2,500 per month. This is to safeguard workers from being made redundant.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will cover the cost of wages backdated to 1 March and is initially open for 3 months, but will be extended if necessary. HMRC will set out more details shortly.

Eligible businesses and premises in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.

Businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000 are not included in this scheme. For more information please visit the support for businesses page click here.

Support for businesses through deferring VAT and Income Tax payments

Support for businesses through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

VAT

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their

Support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months.

Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system may be deferred until January 2021.

For VAT, the deferral will apply from 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

Eligibility All UK businesses are eligible.

Local buzz Magazine is not responsible for any content provided by third parties - we believe the source of information to be true and reliable.

Join us today!

Follow us:

Our networking events have been postponed due to Corona virus, however, we are providing a FREE business promotion when you register for the networking events Once registered, we will be sending a newsletter every week with updates on your your business.

UKBuzzConnect UKBuzzConnect BuzzConnect

What are the benefits of joining BuzzConnect?

RAISE  your profile.

BuzzConnect

Effective networking

BUILD 

a local network of suppliers and customers.

COLLABORATE 

with other local businesses.

DEVELOP 

business and leadership skills.

BE PART 

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 Living Paitings Charity.

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.

Monthly BuzzConnect Events . . .

of a community that represents you.

BUZZCONNECT AMBASSADORS

localbuzzmagazine.com

donnington-grove.com

andrewstreetwm.co.uk

metrobankonline.co.uk

jamescowperkreston.co.uk

All the events are postponed until further notice.

Metro Bank Newbury | Metro Bank Basingstoke 64 - 65 Northbrook St Newbury RG14 1AE

Chiswick House, Unit 1 Festival Way Basingstoke RG21 7LD

Every 1st Thursday of the month 8.30am - 10.00am

Every 2nd Thursday of the month 8.30am - 10.00am

www.lambbrooks.com

livingpaintings.org

www.buzz-connect.co.uk

REBECCA KINGWELL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Comprehensive, bespoke, financial advice & planning

I offer specialist advice across all areas of financial planning.

Rebecca Kingwell

My expertise includes planning for retirement, savings, investment planning, estate planning and tax efficiency.

BSc (Hons), DipFA

For further details please contact: T: 01635 869 265 M: 07919 543 684 rebecca.kingwell@sjpp.co.uk www.rebeccakingwell.co.uk Montague Court, 21–25 London Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1JL

52

Business Directory . Call 01635 200 006

Would you like to be walking on air again? Then look no further.

HCPC registered Podiatrist

WE TREAT: Corns, callus . Nail problems including thickened and fungal nails . Skin conditions of the foot . Diabetic foot care . Verrucae including swift treatment - the highest success treatment available!

07379 904833 . Louise@westberkshirefootclinic.co.uk www.westberkshirefootclinic.co.uk Find me on:

Total Health West Berkshire . Lower Henwick Farm . Turnpike Rd . Thatcham . RG18 3AP

Are you a male or female who sometimes feels anxious stressed worried but doesn’t know why?

Would like to control the way you feel but doesn’t know how?

We can Help Teaching you the simple but immensely effective Techniques of Cognitive therapy and NLP A problem is only a problem if it’s a problem to you we make it NO LONGER A PROBLEM!

Please call me 07710 726 424 info@robdonnellytherapy.com

J.S Fencing & Landscaping ALEX DE MEYER

All types of garden fencing and landscape construction.

30 years experience No job too big or small

07845 222834

alex@demeyerdecorating.co.uk www.demeyerdecorating.co.uk

Please contact Jason on M: 07810 794171 . T : 01635 269280 jsfencinglandscaping.com

De Meyer Decorating

Harmony Helen Peedell LMAR Complementary Therapist

on

rm

Ha

54

• • • •

Kinesiology Reflexology Reiki Ear candling

07833 182353 Email: helenjpeedell@btinternet.com

Window Cleaning Services l l l l l l l l

All types of windows, frames & sills Conservatories

Fascia & soffit cleaning Gutter clearing

Solar panel cleaning

One off or regular cleaning Domestic & commercial

Professional service at competitive prices

Contact us for a free no obligation quote

07760 127007

dcwindowcleaning71@gmail.com

TM

@210dab