AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES
Private P Consumer Easter Monday saw the Champion for a generation. The p
Abarth 124 Spider Page 22
Mulled Wine
pensions’. Yet more ch
Christmas so here’s what eve
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Plus by accessing your funds e than needed you can reduce y ability to make future contributi Yet you’re saying if I want to, just take out all the cash? If y choose to yes, but remember on of it is tax-free. The rest is taxed current income tax rate like sala if you take a huge whack, just lik earn more, some of it will push the higher tax bracket. See the tax calculator at www.mse.me/ta to see the various levels. If I don’t want to take it all ou can I do? There are many opt some of them can be combine here’s the main ones. Option 1: Leave it in your pens when you need it. Then each t withdraw, 25% of that amount free. Eg, if you had £100,000 a took £20,000 out you’d get £5, it tax-free, the rest would be ta your current rate. Option 2: Take 25% tax free, th a flexible income drawdown product. This is a product you keep the rest invested so it can hopefully grow, but you can als to take income when needed. H you get the first 25% you withd free and then the rest is taxed you take it – possibly useful if y likely to be in a lower-tax brack you’re older. Option 3: Take 25% tax free, th an annuity. This gives you a guaranteed income each year rest of your life. There are diffe charges on all of these, and it’s important to check them out an always compare different provi Eh, I thought annuities were dead as a dodo’s granny? Ac annuities are a decent concept get the security of knowing exa how much you can spend each and that it’ll last for the rest of y The problem is the rates have crap, and 60% of people just g from their pension provider rath than checking for better deals, especially people with poor he who could’ve got much better rates. Yet done right, with som your pension, it can be a usefu for security of income for life.
My Local Magazine Pension freedom sounds like something from Braveheart – what’s actually happening? I suspect George Osborne does picture himself as a financial freedom fighter. Yet only time will tell whether these reforms will paint him as the man who liberated older savers, or who exposed them to huge risk. This is all about how you use your pension savings. As always you can
®
lump To-Do’s take a quarter Reviews of it as a tax-freeand Issue 66 | November 2016 | The BEST of Middlesbrough’s Business,sum. News, Yet for decades most people
Local Stories Local Businesses Gardening Car Reviews
have effectively needed to use the remainder of the money to buy an annuity – a product that pays you an income each year until you die. Now anyone aged 55 and over can take the whole amount as a lump sum, paying no tax on the first 25% and the rest taxed as if it were a salary at their income tax rate.
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Does it apply to all types of pension? No, we’re only really talking private pensions where you and/or your employer saved up a pot of cash for retirement. Technically these are known as ‘defined contribution’ or 'money purchase' pensions. It doesn’t apply to the state pension, nor in the main part does it apply to pensions where what you’re paid is a proportion of your final salary – known technically as ‘defined benefit’ pensions.
There are ways to convert these final salary pensions into a pot of cash (be very careful of scammers), but don’t do it without genuine independent financial advice Is it worth taking out my pot as soon as I can? Usually not. If you’re in your 50s or early 60s you’re probably still working towards retirement and should be focusing on putting yourself in a position to have enough income when you do retire – so you want your pension to keep growing.
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Welcome Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.. Where does the time go? Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, might seem a bit early, however this is the last edition in your areas for 2016. So with this in mind, I have decided to offer some Christmas Tips. Firstly, every always finishes with a bang, but its usually a banging headache, caused by over indulgence. So a tip fro me, is to keep this little mag handy so you know how to cure a hangover see page 10. So if you have a little hangover ,maybe it was because you over did it on the Mulled Wine see page 7. Do you know elderly people that need some company? If so read our article on page 11 and help out someone over Christmas. Don’t forget to read Martin Lewis article, always good advice. The article offers advice on how to curtail the overspend and not have that skint feeling in January page 15 If budget is not an issue , you’ll need to know to wrap your presents correctly see page 18 Lastly, if budget is not a problem, I quiet like to look of the Abrath 124 Spider on pages 21 and 22 I wont be offended if anyone offers to buy me one. Speak again in 2017
Regular Features Recipe
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Beauty
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Motors
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Gardening Trades
Tastes so good Mulled Wine 7
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NEW Advertiser Index
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Hangover Cure 10
Celebrity Interview Ricky Tomlinson 12
Russell Grant 16
Abarth 124 Spider 22 Jeremy Middleton Managing Director My Local Magazines Ltd, Office 4, Walker House, 3rd Floor, High Street Stockton on Tees TS18 1BG T: 01642 924847 M: 07533 265 475 E: jeremy@mylocal-magazine.co.uk www.mylocal-magazine.co.uk
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My Local Magazine does not endorse any advertisement with in this publication. My Local Magazine cannot be held responsible for breach of copyright arising from publication artwork supplied. It is the advertisers responsibility to ensure conformity wuth the Trades Description Act 1975 Business Advertisement Disclosure Order 1977 and The Consumer Act 1974. Reproduction of this magazine is in anyway is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use any of the advertisements or content with in this publication please contact Jeremy Middleton 01642 924847 Whilst we, the publisher take great care to be accurate, no liability will be accepted under any circumstances should any of the contents of this publication be incorrect.
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Tastes so good... Mulled Wine An easy mulled wine recipe for the festive season, brimming with Christmassy spice. Don’t bother with expensive wine - a cheap red will work beautifully and no one will ever know the difference! Eat, Drink and be merry! Ingredients for 4- 6 servings 1 bottle dry red wine 2 (5cm) cinnamon sticks 1 dessertspoon whole cloves 1 dessertspoon whole allspice 1 large piece orange rind (avoid the pith) 1 large piece lemon rind (avoid the pith) 2-4 tablespoons demerara sugar, (or to taste) Preparation time: less than 30 mins Cooking time: less than 10 mins
Serves: 4- 6 adults Method Pour the wine into a heavy saucepan over medium heat, and
add the cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon rind and orange rind. Heat gently, but don’t bring to the boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and once dissolved, taste to see if you’d like the wine sweeter and add more if so (take care not to burn your mouth as this will be hot!). Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine. Strain your mulled wine into heatproof glasses or mugs and serve at once, perhaps accompanied by mince pies or just enjoy by the fireside.
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Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we The company, based locally, say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, offers homeowners the opand Value in that we offer portunity to maximise their our services at a price people storage space with a loft can afford. Our business ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding relies on referrals and we got and a light all fully fitted in a huge amount of our calls less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just from people who have been the affordability of the pack- referred to us by our existing customers - that simply age the company offers that wouldn’t happen if we didn’t makes Yorkshire Loft Ladadhere to our overriding ders stand out as manager principles. Paul Robson explains: These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.
‘Our watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value.
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big or small, call Paul on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!
At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers
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Fixing the Hangover from Hell By Kate Duggan Pounding head … gasping thirst … a vague memory of telling anyone who’d listen how much you love them … Sound familiar? Most of us have woken up to regret that last drink (or five), at least once. If you’re reading this through bleary eyes, while trying to stop the world from spinning, you might want to take heed of these hangover cures: Rehydration sachet Dehydration is the main cause of your hangover symptoms. Drink plenty of water and juice, but if that’s not helping, try a rehydration sachet or isotonic drink. A fry-up A fry-up is a bit of a kill or cure remedy in my opinion. Many people swear by it though. Ideally, go for grilled meat, rather than fried, or you might realise it tastes a lot better going down than it does coming back up. A banana Bananas contain potassium, which
you might be lacking after all the booze. If you don’t fancy a banana, try popping a multivitamin. Tomato juice and raw egg Personally, the risk of salmonella is enough to put me off this one. No one seems to be able to explain why the egg needs to be raw, so I’ll stick to my boiled egg and toasted soldiers, with a side of tomato juice. Milk thistle This is my fail-safe remedy. Milk thistle can help to detoxify your liver, so really does seem to help reduce a hangover, or even prevent it in the first place. Ideally, you should take one or two capsules before bed and another first thing in the morning.
Hair of the dog that bit you Treating a hangover with more alcohol is just delaying the pain. If you can stomach a drink, you may well feel better short-term, but the hangover will come back again, with a vengeance. Fresh air While you may just want to curl up on the sofa with Netflix, a walk outside will usually help to clear your head. Just don the shades so your bloodshot eyes don’t scare any small children. Mongolian cure If all else fails, you could go for a drink that’s said to be popular the morning after the night before in Mongolia – tomato juice with a pickled sheep’s eyeball. Not sure where you’re going to get the eyeball from however. Prevention Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Next time you’re out, try alternating your alcoholic drinks with soft drinks, and downing a pint of water before bed. Suffering from a few too many hangovers? It might be worth visiting www.drinkaware.co.uk.
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Only the Lonely By Kate Duggan Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year if you’re on your own. And, even if you’re surrounded by friends and family, it’s still possible to feel lonely. However, there are lots of charities that might be able to help: Mind can offer advice and useful contacts for people who struggle with loneliness. Visit www.mind.org. uk or call 0300 123 3393. The Red Cross and The Coop have partnered up to tackle loneliness. They’re aiming to ‘provide vital care and support to help reconnect thousands of isolated and lonely people with their communities.’ Call the Red Cross on 0344 871 11 11.
can help. Visit communitychristmas. org.uk or call 0844 443 0662. A pet can offer much needed companionship, but they do take a lot of care. If you’re struggling to look after your pet, The Cinnamon Trust may be able to arrange for a volunteer to help walk your dog, or take your pet to the vet. Contact the trust on 01736 757 900. It can be difficult to meet new people. A community class can help to get you talking to others with similar interests. Your local community college will likely have courses in everything from creative writing to flower arranging.
Wavelength provides TVs and radios to people who are on their own and who might struggle to afford them otherwise. Beneficiaries need to be referred, by a friend or housing officer for example. Contact 0800 0182137.
If you’re fit enough, why not consider volunteering? It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet new people and give yourself a sense of purpose. You could volunteer at a local shop, help out at a homeless shelter, or get involved in making your community a greener, cleaner place to live. Visit do-it.org for local opportunities.
Community Christmas believes that no one should be on their own at Christmas, so it helps to direct older people to events and groups that
It’s worth contacting your GP if you’re struggling with loneliness or feeling depressed. He or she may be able to point you in the direction
of organisations that can help. If you’re not the one who’s lonely, but you’re worried about an elderly friend or neighbour, the Be a Friend campaign has some great tips about how to support them. Visit: www.beafriendtoday.org.uk. It can be difficult if you have a friend or relative who you know is lonely, especially if you’re not able to see them every day. You could try sharing the responsibility with other friends or relations. Maybe set a day for each person to visit or ring. The charities above might also be able to offer you advice.
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Celebrity Interview Ricky Tomlinson talks to Tim Saunders Ricky Tomlinson is probably best known for playing Jim Royle in the Royle Family. His catchphrase ‘My arse!’ is equally memorable. In 2001 he was National Television Comedy Actor of the Year and was awarded Best Performance in Network Drama by the Royal Television Society. Many, including the director, Ken Loach believe Ricky to be a fine actor, “…His work – and comedy – springs from a life that has seen hardship and struggle and many changes in fortune. From his early days in the building trade and as one of the heroic Shrewsbury Two, he has always
known which side he is on, as those who have experienced his generosity and loyalty will testify.” In 1968, after deciding that less immigration meant more jobs, Ricky signed up to the National Front. He went on marches and registered as a candidate. Britain’s first building strike was called in 1972. Ricky became a member of the Wrexham Strike Action Committee and peacefully picketed building sites but was later arrested and found guilty of unlawful assembly. Refusing to plead guilty, he went down for two years. “They were tough times
but my Liverpool sense of humour helped me survive.” On leaving prison he discovered that he had been blacklisted from the building trade. “So I became a stand-up comic touring the pubs and clubs. I started acting in 1979, when, at the age of 40, director Roland Joffe cast me in the lead role of the controversial BBC film, United Kingdom.” Yet Ricky admits to finding it difficult remembering his lines. “It does take me time. Fortunately, Ken Loach and other directors are happy for me to extemporise.” Ricky has starred in a variety of TV programmes and films: Brookside; Boys From The Blackstuff; Cracker; Down To Earth (which sums Ricky up to a tee – he happily chats to anyone); the Royle Family; 51st State; and Mike Bassett: England Manager. He has made one top selling comedy video entitled Laughter My Arse and written two books, the first, his autobiography was called Ricky (available in all good bookshops priced £17.99) and was
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a number one bestseller. “So far it has sold half a million copies. It was in 2002, that my wife Rita sold it to Time Warner for the incredible sum of £800,000. I still can’t believe it.” Since this phenomenal success, Rita has become Ricky’s agent. Given that she knows his availability and the roles he likes, she insists it’s no problem negotiating his acting work. Ricky has now been commissioned to write a third book, which will be about his life in showbiz. In addition, he has won ten regional awards for comedy, personality and drama. His CD single are you lookin’ at me was released in 2001 and reached no. 18. So what’s this celebrity up to now? Driving Ferraris and jetting abroad at every opportunity? Not a bit
of it. “We do have a big caravan that we take to Benidorm now and again, but to be honest when I’m not acting, I’m doing DIY which I’m not bad at. We have a large garden at home in a quiet part of Liverpool near the Mersey and I’ve built sheds, fitted electrics and water. Actually, I’m a DIY fanatic. Every day off I get a different tool from B&Q. I have most of their tools. Now that I’m a certain age, I’m a B&Q Diamond cardholder - I get 10% off any purchase, which’ll come in handy when I buy my generator. I’ve just finished filming an in-house film for B&Q too.” Tim Saunders is an author, journalist and businessman. He meets celebrities, goes on holiday and road tests cars.
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Martin LEWIS
Christmas By Martin Lewis Don’t hate me, I know it’s early, but it’s time to prepare (not celebrate), as Christmas is coming. I hate tinsel and Jingle Bells before December as much as the next man, but many festive savings are only possible if you do them early. This isn’t a trivial message. I’m fed up of every January people telling me they’re skint and when I ask why they reply, “Christmas of course.” Well I can tell you exclusively here, Christmas will be on 25 December this year, so it’s not an unexpected event – there is time to plan in advance to prevent problems.
in advance. Wherever you’re planning on spending the festive season, if you need to travel by train, book your tickets 12 weeks in advance. That’s when most cheap advance tickets launch, so you get maximum availability. So this is close to the perfect moment to be buying tickets if you’re away visiting friends and family for Christmas and New Year. 3. Small savings make merry
So here are my seven key things you should do now that’ll save you for festivities. I’ve focused on Christmas, but the same techniques work for Chanukah, Eid, and Kwanzaa too.
Based on roughly 90 days, 75 working days and 13 weeks left till Christmas. So, if you buy a £2 coffee every work day, just give it up now, put the cash in a Christmas kitty instead and you’ll have £150 by the big day. I’m not telling you to do this, it’s about deciding priorities. If that’s cash you need for Christmas, are you willing to make the sacrifice?
1. Agree to not give unnecessary presents.
4. Earn 5% cashback on your Christmas shopping.
Gifts for kids, grandchildren or your spouse are fine. Yet it’s time to stop the ever growing list of people we buy for even when we’ve no idea what they want, know we’ll end up buying tat that’ll never be used, and add heaps of pressure on ourselves to do so.
If you’re going to be spending for Christmas, you might as well do it on a card that pays you every time you spend on it.
I’ve been campaigning to end unnecessary gifts for six years, and more and more people are doing it. Yet it involves agreeing a pact not to buy each other. Even the joy of giving can be selfish if it obligates someone who can’t afford it to buy back. Julia tweeted me a couple of weeks ago: “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told family I can’t afford Xmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” So contact friends and family now and make an agreement not to buy, or to cap the cost, only give homemade or even to give to charity instead. See my full ‘why Christmas presents are bad’ explanation at www.mse.me/ BanChristmas. 2. Book your train tickets 12 weeks
The no annual-fee www. americanexpress.com Platinum Everyday credit card pays you 5% cashback on your first three months’ spending (maximum £100), so get it now and you get the big cashback during the high spend pre-Christmas period. It then follows with up to 1% after. The cashback is paid after a year, so you’ll get it in time to help next Christmas, though there’s a minimum £3,000 spend to get it. That sounds a lot, but do all your normal spending on it as it pays you and you’ll be fine. Of course, only do this if you’ve a direct debit to repay it IN FULL each month, or you’ll be charged 22.9% rep APR, which kills the gain. 5. Not saved for it? Do it now – then you can split the cost by three. A typical family Christmas costs
around £600-£800 - a huge amount from one month’s salary alone. But if you haven’t started saving yet, there is still time. For example, if you put £200 aside from your October and November income, it’ll spread the cost. Save what you can. If you’re saying you can’t afford that, then I’m afraid you’ll need to go cold turkey. Christmas is just one day, it’s not worth overspending and ruining your New Year. 6. Set up a Christmas cupboard. Become a tactical shopper. Work out now what necessary gifts you need to buy, and then if you spot a bargain, you can pounce on it when there’s a code, voucher or discount that makes it cheaper (I put the best in my weekly email at www.mse. me/tips). Even better, as is part of many Money Savers’ Christmas arsenal, once you buy a present, bag it, wrap it, and pop it in a Christmas cupboard – gradually getting the chores done. 7. Not used it since last Christmas? Flog it. Walk around the house and examine everything; it’s time for your annual personal stock clearance. Many old items can be worth serious cash. And if you’ve not used things for a year, whether toys, prams, old coffee makers, mobile phones, gadgets, or even clothes, why not sell them? This isn’t just about eBay or car boot sales; Facebook now has a lot of good local sales groups too that can be an easy way to do this. There are also lots of recycling sites that will pay you for old mobiles and gadgets – just make sure you do your research first to find the one that’ll give you the most. Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 10 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www. moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip
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For December 2016
Sagittarius By Astrologer Russell Grant
ARIES March 21st - April 20th It will be hard to get a dream off the ground in early December. Try not to get discouraged when an authority figure criticises your initial attempts. Patience and perseverance will pay off. Fortunately, friends will be very supportive throughout the first half of the month. Ask your loved ones for help when you encounter difficulty. A bold visionary will offer sound advice about a creative project; be sure to take it. The Full Moon on the 14th brings exciting news about your family. A round of celebrations will be triggered. Take this opportunity to reconnect with your nearest and dearest. During the second half of the month, you will try to keep a low profile. Despite these efforts, a powerful person will ask you to take the helm of an important project. Don't be surprised when you're given a pay rise, promotion or high profile job on the 29th. That's when the New Moon will mark a career breakthrough. TAURUS April 21st - May 21st A team project will be very frustrating in early December. It will be impossible to do a good job with so many conflicting opinions. Fortunately, you can make a good impression on authority figures by launching an independent effort. Creating a unique product or service during the first half of the month is strongly advised. The Full Moon on the 14th will help you earn extra money. Use this sum to buy a new car or computer. The second half of the month will invite you to expand your horizons. Taking a trip for pleasure will be a welcome change of pace on the 29th. That's when the New Moon will make it possible to break away from the old routine. Exploring a country known for its unspoiled natural vistas will be inspiring. Take along an easy going friend for company. The two of you will have a great time exploring the sights together. GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st It will be hard to get a straight answer from your boss in early December. You will have to muddle ahead as best you can. Be prepared to start a job from scratch. This situation will be frustrating, but it can't be helped. Take your cues from an older colleague who has lots of experience. By taking a philosophical approach to setbacks, you'll become a valued member of the team. The Full Moon on the 14th is ideal for making a serious commitment. Getting engaged or married is a distinct possibility. If you're already in a serious relationship, you may launch a business partnership. 16
Someone who is in the grips of an addiction needs to be confronted in the second half of the month. The New Moon on the 29th will give you the strength to communicate some hard facts to a loved one who needs help. Don't mince your words. CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd It will be difficult to find fulfilling work at the beginning of December. Your love life will fare much better. If you've recently met someone you fancy, you will have to be the aggressor. Don't be afraid to pursue your heart's desire. Spending time with your amour will make professional challenges more manageable. The Full Moon on the 14th will allow you to rest, relax and recuperate from a stressful assignment. This would be a good time to take some time out to think things through. During the second half of the month, you'll be on a more solid footing with your career. You might have to work overtime during the second half of the month. Fortunately, your loved ones will be very supportive. Are you single? You could meet someone special near the 29th, when the New Moon attracts lots of romantic attention. If you already have a partner, go on a trip with your amour. LEO July 24th - August 23rd Be realistic about romance at the beginning of December. Releasing a desire for perfection will make your personal life much more rewarding. Working with a partner is strongly advised during the first half of the month. Collaborating with somebody who is highly logical will allow you to reach new heights. The Full Moon on the 14th will bring the successful conclusion to a group project. Use this success as a launching pad to bigger and better work assignments. Be open to unorthodox teaching methods during the second half of the month. If you remain patient, you'll see the method to your instructor's madness. The New Moon on the 29th is perfect for launching a fitness regime. Taking more exercise will give you an attractive glow that will be difficult to resist. A steady job will be yours for the asking. Take this opportunity to build some financial security for you and your loved ones. VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd Be respectful of a loved one's desire for privacy in the early days of December. Focusing on work will be a welcome distraction during the first half of the month. You'll make great progress with an
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assignment that draws on your creative talent. Hosting a party could be lots of fun. Take this opportunity to bring together your nearest and dearest in a spirit of harmony. The Full Moon on the 14th marks a turning point in your domestic life. This is a great time to buy or sell a property. Relocating to a place that affords beautiful views will be inspiring. If you're looking for love, you could find it during the second half of the month. You'll have to play the aggressor in this relationship. Money from a loan, grant or scholarship could become available during the second half of the month. The New Moon on the 29th invites you to launch a creative project. LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd Work won't offer much creative fulfilment in the opening days of December. Your love life will be far more promising. If you're single, you could meet someone special at a sporting event or gym. Are you already in a serious relationship? Your partner will inspire you to develop your artistic talent. Taking a writing or music course will give you plenty of inspiration around the middle of the month. The Full Moon on the 14th brings the successful conclusion to a legal matter. It will be a relief to move on to greener pastures. Focus on your home life during the second half of the month. Spending time on domestic pursuits will be rewarding. Invent a new recipe, host a dinner party or arrange a family reunion. On the 29th, the New Moon could prompt you to relocate. Take this opportunity to find a place that serves as a comfortable haven from public life. SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd Don't feel pressured into buying expensive gifts at the beginning of December; it's better to conserve your resources. Career demands will keep you busy during the first half of the month. If you play your cards right, you could land a well paid position. Salary negotiations may be tense, but stay calm. You'll be able to get the money you want by keeping your cool. The Full Moon on the 14th will bring some additional money from an inheritance, legal settlement or insurance refund. Spend this windfall on equipment and clothes that can further your career. Resist the urge to take time off work during the second half of the month, or you could make some powerful enemies. It's better to do your part and offer to help colleagues who are struggling with an excessive workload. The New Moon on the 29th will prompt you to acquire some valuable skills. Expand your repertoire. SAGITTARIUS November 23rd December 21st Family won't be very supportive at the beginning of December. You'll have to be your own cheerleader, especially if you're planning a bold move. Raising money for a good cause will give you a new lease on life. Draw upon your extensive social network to help a vulnerable segment of society. Your success may prompt you to run for office or change a restrictive law. The Full Moon on the 14th marks an exciting turning point in an intimate relationship. Getting engaged or married is a distinct possibility. Alternatively, you might form a business partnership. The second half of December will be filled with exciting moneymaking opportunities. Landing a lucrative job is a strong possibility on the 29th. Use this
income to buy a dream home. Going on an uplifting spiritual journey is also an option as the month draws to a close. Head for an exotic place that has captivated your imagination since childhood. CAPRICORN December 22nd January 20th Be careful about sending sensitive emails in the early days of December. Double check the address field before hitting 'send.' The last thing you want is for confidential information to get into the wrong hands. Moneymaking opportunities will abound during the first half of the month. This would be a great time to land a lucrative job, raise your prices or demand a pay rise. The Full Moon on the 14th will mark an exciting turning point in an intimate relationship. You'll be able to hand off some responsibilities to a loving partner. If you're single, you could meet someone special at a library, bookshop or classroom. Don't make promises you cannot keep to your employer during the second half of December. Family responsibilities will keep you close to home. You might have to assume a reduced workload. The New Moon on the 29th could prompt you to change your look. Adopting a more fashionable appearance will be empowering. AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th Money will be tight at the beginning of December. The best way to increase your income is to spread word of your talent. You can generate lots of business with an original promotional campaign. The first half of the month will remind you that relationships are more important than money. When you feel insecure, turn to your nearest and dearest for support. The Full Moon on the 14th will bring the successful conclusion of a creative project. If you play your cards right, you'll be able to sell your handiwork for a handsome profit. Are you single? You can meet someone special at a library, bookshop or classroom. Your charisma will be powerful during the second half of the month. Take this opportunity to ask for favours, apply for loans and win hearts. The New Moon on the 29th will find you enjoying solitary pursuits. Escaping the public eye will be a profound relief. PISCES February 20th - March 20th It will be difficult to get an authority figure's approval in early December. Instead of trying to impress your boss, continue to obey your instincts. Although your methods are unconventional, they yield impressive results. Give your employer a chance to recognise your unique strengths and weaknesses. The Full Moon on the 14th could prompt you to relocate or make changes to your domestic life. Getting a little extra privacy will keep stress at bay. You need to draw a strong boundary between your private and public lives. Achieving a healthy balance will strengthen your career prospects. Don't be surprised if you're given a pay rise, promotion or both during the second half of the month. The New Moon on the 29th is ideal for planning a big party. You'll enjoy compiling the guest list, shopping for treats and catering the whole affair. Ask reliable friends to run small errands that will save time and aggravation.
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Wrappingtips and techniques for beautiful gifts Are you one of those people who leave all their wrapping until Christmas Eve and end up using a bit of birthday paper because you run out of Christmas wrapping? Why not plan ahead and take a little more time this year. It can be really satisfying to see all your gifts looking beautiful under the tree and receive lots of compliments when you hand them out. There are lots of different types of wrapping available including paper, bags, huge sacks, tubs and boxes. You can also get lots of accessories from craft shops to add a unique twist. Here are some tips and suggestions to help:-. If using wrapping paper, measure it first and trim off the excess. Decide how much you need by wrapping a ribbon around the gift and then
laying the ribbon on the paper and cutting it to that size. Alternatively, use a tape or ruler. If you have trouble cutting gift wrap in a straight line, look for brands that have grid lines on the reverse. If you can’t get these, mark the paper where you need to cut it and then fold it and cut along the crease. Keep any off cuts as these may fit smaller gifts. This will also help avoid waste. If your gift consists of a number of boxes try making a tower and wrapping ribbon round the whole. Even if your gifts don’t come in boxes, you could put them in some to make wrapping easier. This is also the art of disguise and can
create an element of fun. Even those who think they know what you are buying them will start to wonder. When wrapping something soft like a scarf or a jumper, lay the item on a piece of cardboard, This will give you a firm base and mean that you can create clean corners and crisp edges. For oddly shaped presents, you can create a better effect by padding out unusual angles with tissue paper or using a gift bag. Try creating a cracker shape for tubular gifts. If your present has a circular bottom, pleat the paper to get a neat finish. To avoid getting in a tangle, buy tape which is on a dispenser and use double sided tape where it will help. Create a wow factor by colour coordinating your wrapping or using the same design for all of a persons presents. You could also use plain wrapping and be creative with patterned tape, add homemade gift tags or create a pocket effect in which you insert a card or other decoration
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Closing date November 30th
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AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES Abarth 124 Spider
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist
The Abarth 124 Spider is cast from the same die as the Fiat 124, and to improve it Abarth has used the same tactic as it did to change the Fiat 500 into the Abarth 595. In other words, it has added lithe looks, noise and, most importantly, muscle. The Abarth 124 Spider uses the same platform as Mazda’s MX-5 and Fiat’s 124. However, while the Fiat has been constructed to be more of a cruising vehicle, the Abarth is more hardcore – and the most performance driven of the three brands.
The Abarth uses the same 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine as Fiat’s 124 - except in the Abarth it produces 170PS, compared with the Fiat 124’s 140PS. The Abarth’s power unit spins with the proper Italian sports car vigour you’d hope for. It feels wayward and entertaining at high revs - and you’re aware of the turbocharger when you push on. The sports car is quick to respond and the gear change is rapid and exact.
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The best thing about the 124 Spider, though, is the noise it
makes. Popping burbles emit from the quad tailpipes when doing the 0-62mph gallop, as I found
out testing the car at Silverstone Circuit, in Northamptonshire. The two-seater Abarth will reach the magical figure in 6.8 seconds, on its way to 143mph. Fold the roof, via a simple fastener, and the Abarth 124’s sound is even more delectable. For an added dose of pleasure, the Abarth 124 has a Sport setting. Hit the button and things become louder, tighter and faster. The throttle feels more insistent, and weight is also added to the steering, making you feel even more united with the road – or race track. The 124 Spider feels most pleased driven hard, with the tail-end hunkered down over the rear wheels. Even when you go too brutally into a bend and lose traction for a jiffy, the Abarth 124 continues to play nicely. Working out what the rump of the car is going to do soon becomes second nature. On the whole, the Abarth 124
Spider is a grin maker, although your beam might falter for a moment when you see the pricetag - £29,565. Yes, it’s a large lump of cash, but once you’ve heard the melodious tailpipes, felt the performance and experienced the handling for yourself, you’ll appreciate that this car is worth every single bank note.
• Handling √
PROS ‘N’ CONS • Appearance √ • Noise √
• Max. power (PS): 170
• Excitement √ • Licence loser X FAST FACTS • Max speed: 143 mph • 0-62 mph: 6.8 secs • Combined mpg: 44.1 • Engine layout: 1368cc 4-cylinder turbo petrol • CO2: 148 g/km • Price: £29,565
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Gardening
Garden View This month - The Christmas cactus By Rachel Leverton Christmas cacti are splendid plants. They pump out masses of delicate jungle flowers in rosy red, white, orange, pink, and pale yellow, depending on the variety, just in time for the festive season. And although they’re a true cactus, their spines are so tiny and soft that you’ll barely notice them - and never get pricked. Also as each outer leaf produces its own flower the display gets better year on year. They are available in shops and garden centres right now and are
just perfect for those hard-to-buyfor souls. Also, according to my neighbour, who grows prize-winning cacti, they can live for 25 years or more so they’re the gift that just keeps on giving.
Christmas cactus care! Light Christmas cacti are tropical epiphytes, which grow naturally in rain-forest trees. Choose a cool, bright spot, out of direct sun is best. Try an east-facing windowsill, and it won’t know it ever left the jungle.
Humidity They love a humid atmosphere so are best grown on a gravel tray. Fill a waterproof bowl with gravel then add water to half way up the gravel. Place the potted plant on top of the gravel. Water As it’s tropical it’s less drought-tolerant than other cacti species. Water thoroughly then allow the top half-inch or inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Fertilizer As new leaves appear or when flower buds start to swell, apply a liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants every 7 to 10 days until the growth or flowering cycle ends. Repotting Christmas cacti flower best when they’re pot-bound. Every year or so, gently pull the plant out of its container and check the roots. When roots start to mat where they touch the inside of the pot, move the plant into a container that’s an inch larger in diameter. Gently rough up the matted roots with a knife or fork before you repot.
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amount of weeding I need to do?
a
coming months. In the past few months, I have
Gardening
B
plant of the month – geranium After Christmas When flowering is over, keep the plant indoors until the weather warms in late spring. New growth tends to start in March. If you particularly want the plant to flower at Christmas then next November put the cactus in a place where nights are cool (about 10-12C) and there’s no artificial light. After flower buds form, you can stop the cool/ dark treatment and start fertilizing for a strong three-week bloom cycle. My neighbour tells me that Christmas cacti are pretty forgiving souls and that even if you’re
The leaves, covered in their unmistakable Geranium ‘fuzz’, may have a slightly odd smell about them but the burst of colour emitted from the flowers that shoot forth from these little plants more than make up for its shortcomings. These are pretty tough plants and usually grow through any off the odd problems they may get such as late summer mildew or vine weevil larvae. Make sure they are planted in good sunlight and protect from cold. Geraniums are happy both as unsuccessful at inducing Christmas indoor or outdoor plants and as blooms you should be treated they root easily from cuttings you can keep a good supply of plants to regular flowering displays throughout the year. What could be on the go! nicer?
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