Town & Village Life Magazine - September/October 2020

TOWN & VILLAGE LIFE MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

LOCAL MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO 16,000 SELECTED HOMES AND BUSINESSES

■ Focus on Homes

and Gardens

■ Fashion, Hair,

Health & Beauty

■ Eating out at

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■ Family Tickets for

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■ Award-winning Wines

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

DELIVERED TO AREAS OF: BELBROUGHTON, HAGLEY, WEST HAGLEY, STOURBRIDGE, LAWNSWOOD, PEDMORE, WALL HEATH, NORTON, OLDSWINFORD, WOLLASTON, AMBLECOTE, WORDSLEY, KINVER, KINGSWINFORD, BOBBINGTON, HEATHTON, STOURTON, ENVILLE, SWINDON, HIMLEY AND SEDGLEY

01902 324230 02

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Willows Willows Dental Dental & & Implant Implant Centre Centre

How long has it been?

Okay, we both know it may have been a while Okay, we both know it may have been a while since you've visited the dentist. We are not here since you've visited the dentist. We are not here to judge. to judge.

We know the gardening and flossing the cat kind We know the gardening and flossing the cat kind of took priority. Let’s try and make this easier for of took priority. Let’s try and make this easier for you, let’s have a look at what we can do at you, let’s have a look at what we can do at Willows Dental to make this the best step you Willows Dental to make this the best step you will take this New Year! will take this New Year!

Guaranteed no judgement.

Guaranteed no judgement.

Here at the Willows Dental & Implant Centre we DON’T judge. No Here at the Willows Dental & Implant Centre we DON’T judge. No matter how long it has been we have always heard longer. No matter how long it has been we have always heard longer. No matter what state you feel your mouth is in we have seen worse. We matter what state you feel your mouth is in we have seen worse. We focus on how you should feel empowered about making that step focus on how you should feel empowered about making that step coming into the dentist. Our treatment coordinators are always on coming into the dentist. Our treatment coordinators are always on hand with a comfy sofa and a hot cup of tea to listen to what you hand with a comfy sofa and a hot cup of tea to listen to what you want to achieve and not what we think you should be doing. want to achieve and not what we think you should be doing.

We understand.

We understand.

For such a short statement it has such a big meaning. We For such a short statement it has such a big meaning. We understand that sometimes it can be a big deal for you and what understand that sometimes it can be a big deal for you and what you have had to overcome just to email or call us. We know what it is you have had to overcome just to email or call us. We know what it is like to have the feeling of wanting to cancel the appointment just like to have the feeling of wanting to cancel the appointment just days before you’re meant to come in. Here at Willows Dental we can days before you’re meant to come in. Here at Willows Dental we can do as much or as little as you want us to do. This is all about making do as much or as little as you want us to do. This is all about making your journey specific to you. your journey specific to you.

This is your time not ours.

This is your time not ours.

We're not just about a quick check of your teeth here. We check We're not just about a quick check of your teeth here. We check everything. We are thorough, gentle and understanding. That’s why everything. We are thorough, gentle and understanding. That’s why here at Willows Dental we have a 30 point health check in which here at Willows Dental we have a 30 point health check in which your dentist will not only check everything there is to check but your dentist will not only check everything there is to check but discuss with you everything you would like to discuss. discuss with you everything you would like to discuss.

We want to look after you, your family and friends for years to We want to look after you, your family and friends for years to come. come.

Although we are one of the largest and most technologically Although we are one of the largest and most technologically advanced practices in the Midlands, offering everything from advanced practices in the Midlands, offering everything from routine healthcare to implants and cosmetic dentistry, we have old routine healthcare to implants and cosmetic dentistry, we have old fashioned values. We know all of our clients by name and care about fashioned values. We know all of our clients by name and care about you which is why in the last 10 years we have retained over 90% of you which is why in the last 10 years we have retained over 90% of our clients who leave the area. our clients who leave the area.

We have never turned anyone away.

We have never turned anyone away.

Here at the Willows we welcome everyone. There is no-one that we Here at the Willows we welcome everyone. There is no-one that we would turn away here regardless of how long it’s been and the story would turn away here regardless of how long it’s been and the story that has lead you to us, in fact we would love to be a part of your that has lead you to us, in fact we would love to be a part of your story. Why not take that all important step in the New Year and bring story. Why not take that all important step in the New Year and bring yourself to your new start? yourself to your new start?

Call us now on 01902 324230 Call us now on 01902 324230 Or email us at info@willowsdental.co.uk Or email us at info@willowsdental.co.uk

EARLY AND LATE APPOINTMENTS, SAME DAY EMERGENCY EARLY AND LATE APPOINTMENTS, SAME DAY EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS, 0% FINANCE, ON-SITE PARKING APPOINTMENTS, 0% FINANCE, ON-SITE PARKING 5 Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, 5 Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV5 9JE West Midlands, WV5 9JE

www.willowsdental.co.uk www.willowsdental.co.uk

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03

When I normally sit down to write a summer summary in my editor’s letter I am overwhelmed with stock phrases about (dismal/joyous) weather, (foreign/domestic) holidays and (lacklustre/surprisingly good) British sporting performances.

Summer 2020 was different. At best a mixed bag, it has been a strange one. We did manage a bit of normality in amongst it all, but so much of it was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. Anyway, whatever you decided to do this year - whether to risk travel abroad, have a staycation or simply stay at home - we hope everything went well. Normally I’d write ‘went to plan’, but, frankly, who plans right now?

From the editor At Town and Village Life, living in the moment is where it’s at, so let’s move things swiftly along before I go all melancholy on you…

It’s interesting how simple things can bring back a sense of normality.

Eating out may no longer be subsidised by the government but it’s still worth every penny.

You can be assured of a warm reception at any and every one of our fantastic local eateries. I’ve - at long last - left my lockdown kitchen (even though I still enjoy my newfound fondness for cooking!) and Gisella and I have been out and about, eagerly indulging at one of our old favourites, Wombourne Tandoori. You can read our review in this edition.

We’ve got all you need to know about home and gardens along with fashion, health, hair and beauty sections that are full of tips, tricks and ideas to keep you looking and feeling good.

Plus - if you’re feeling lucky - we’ve got another Halfpenny Green Wine Estate competition for you (we were inundated with entries for the last one!), a pamper package from Wollaston Beauty Clinic and a super offering from West Midland Safari Park too.

And in the meantime, enjoy yourselves all you can.

See you in November…

Geoff

Contents September/October 8 The local property market 14/15 Grandmillennial style 18 A scented home 26 Recipe – Chicken & pepper jalfrezi 30 Crosswords & puzzles 38/39 Fab floors 50 A brief history of time 56 The money pandemic 58/59 Outdoor dining 66/67 The best locations for a post-lockdown road trip 70 Gardening with Ann Winwood 76 Stourbridge RFC 82 Halfpenny Green Wine Estate competition 86/87 Food review – Wombourne Tandoori 88/89 Sioux – Ensuring a glittering future for Rudell’s 90 Wollaston Beauty Clinic competition 92/93 Royston Blythe – Back at the salon 100/101 New season, new look – Autumn fashion 104/105 Get back into shape with Heaven 112/113 The importance of posture 116/117 Ladies golf 128 West Midland Safari Park competition 129 Index to advertisers 129 Answers to crosswords & puzzles

We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Town & Village Life magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate.

Town & Village Life magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Town & Village Life magazine Ltd.

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Town & Village Life Magazine Ltd 1 Lytham Rd, Perton, Wolverhampton, WV6 7YY Tel: 01902 744217 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Total distribution 16,000 copies bi-monthly

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Congratulations to:

All the winners of the Heaven competition Winner of the hair makeover competition at Royston Blythe Ruth White, Kingswinford Winner of the Halfpenny Green Wine Estate competition Kath Jones, Stourbridge

Advertising enquiries Gisella Wiley, Sales Director (gisella@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk) Editorial/What’s On information Geoff Hall, Editor (info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk) Magazine Design Studio 28 Design & Print (studio@s28.co.uk)

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

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The local

by Nick Berriman

property market I wrote my last article for Town and Village Life on the 23rd June 2020, and at that time I was reporting a surprisingly busy postlockdown market. I ended the article by saying that I hoped my next piece would be equally positive.

I had no idea what was about to occur…

As I said last time, once the country entered lockdown I was certain that the property market was over for 2020 and that nobody would want to move house until 2021 at the earliest.

My business partner and I decided to have long holidays and think about working again next year. Unfortunately for us that was not to be the case!

At the time of writing previously I was able to give some positive figures for our business. By the end of that month we were astounded to see that June 2020 was a record-breaking month. Across our three branches we saw a £50 million month! We received over £25 million worth of instructions and, more importantly, over £25 million worth of sales were agreed. For Berriman Eaton these were big numbers, and I thought we would never see the like again.

And then, in his wisdom, the Chancellor announced the stamp duty ‘holiday’

in an attempt to re-ignite the market.

In my opinion this was ill-conceived as the property market was already exceptionally strong. I believe that, if the idea was to ‘fix’ a broken market, the stamp duty holiday should have been delayed until the market started to slow down. There was no need to mend the market at this time. At such time that the residential estate agents may see our business slowdown in the future, the Chancellor now has nothing ‘up his sleeve’ to boost the market, which is always seen as one of the most vital aspects of our economy to protect. But then, what do I know!

The stamp duty holiday added fuel to a fire that was already burning brightly.

June was our best ever month for only a short time, as July’s figures were even better. A record breaking £50 million month was soon replaced by a £70 million month. To see combined business of over £120 million in two consecutive months was incredible.

I have never, ever experienced a market like the one that we have at the current time. Properties that may have struggled in the past have now been sold with comparative ease and we are finding multiple buyers for many houses. Whilst always tempting to agree a quick sale at a good price, we are finding that with a little patience, many properties are achieving well in excess of their asking prices. I have seen several agents boast about how quickly they are selling

properties, but this is not always the best-case scenario for the seller…

At this point I should mention that it is not only Berriman Eaton that is experiencing huge levels of interest – the market is busy across the region and, in fact, across the country as a whole. Whether or not other agents are seeing the recordbreaking levels of sales that we are at Berriman Eaton I cannot say, but I know that levels of transactions across most agencies are high.

And it is not just sales that are strong – our Letting Department is also inundated with demand. Andy, the head of the Lettings business and Managing Director of Berriman Eaton, and his team are seeing multiple applications for new properties and are finding tenants swiftly for most homes. Their only issue is a lack of supply as the properties they offer to the market are being snapped up so quickly!

Are we in a bubble that will soon burst? Only time will tell, but the market analysts now seem to be changing their predictions.

Previously the view seemed to be that the climate was overheated and would soon see a reversal in levels of interest. The current opinion seems to be more optimistic and the belief is that the market will withstand the recession and forthcoming wave of redundancies. If only I had a crystal ball I could tell you what will happen next!

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The Woodlands RetiRement Residence

The Woodlands Retirement Residence

66 Bridle Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 4QE

01384 394851

woodlandsres@virginmedia.com

www.thewoodlandsretirementresidence.co.uk 12

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

maintaining privacy and dignity.

Individualised care is delivered within a secure, relaxed, homely and conducive environment, where a resident’s physical and psychological care, wellbeing and comfort are of prime importance to both staff and management.

The Woodlands offers a warm welcoming and family atmosphere.

We have a team of trained and dedicated staff that bring compassion and experience to every aspect of their work, providing high quality, professional, person centred care. We put our residents at the heart of everything we do.

The Woodlands Experience You can relax in either of the two generous lounges or private gardens, enjoying the home cooked food or spending time with family and friends. Diets and daily living choices are tailored for you.

The Woodlands is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and provides excellent Palliative care.

Stimulate your Mind Everything from armchair exercises to vocalists and piano recitals. Parties to celebrate special events and birthdays are also hosted. You have the option to be as involved in our fun and engaging activities as little or as much as you like.

The Woodlands Philosophy The Woodlands philosophy of care is to offer the highest standards of holistic care to each resident based on an initial assessment and a regularly updated plan of person centered care; to encourage independence and individuality whilst

We liaise closely with family and friends, encouraging open, two-way communication at all times so as to ensure good relationships.

Training and Development We are committed to the training and development of our staff, which enhances the quality of life of our residents. All staff have an enhanced CRB check and receive a comprehensive induction. All have complete mandatory training and either hold or are working towards their NVQ level 2 and/or 3 in Health and Social Care. Each member of staff is fully supervised and has an individual learning and development plan, which ensures they are fully competent to deliver the highest standard of care in a professional manner.

At the Heart of our Care Planning Our trained and dedicated team is on hand 24 hours a day to help you. When you first arrive at The Woodlands an individual care plan will be prepared, tailored to your individual needs. We work closely with our local GP surgeries and their District Nurses to ensure the highest level of medical care and attention. We also have regular visits from other practitioners such as chiropodists, dentists, opticians and the hairdresser. www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Grandmillennial Style

BY CATHERINE SORRELL

This comfortable, colourful, chintzy look could also be called ‘granny chic’ - and it’s the style of the moment for youngsters and the young at heart.

T

hey say that if you wait long enough, all fashions will come around again.

And for the Millennial generation (roughly speaking, those in their twenties and thirties now) the trend du jour harks back to the cosy style of their mothers and even grandmothers - a look that has been dubbed ‘granny chic’ or ‘grandmillennial’. Could it be that this cohort is seeking familiarity and security in an uncertain world? That wouldn’t be so surprising. It is certainly a trend that, however old you are, is a welcome change from the cold, monochromatic, minimalist looks that we have seen in

Shells And Pearls Wallpaper in lilac.

recent years. Grandmillennial is definitely nostalgic (and not in an ironic way), but it’s timeless rather than outdated, combining a more-is-more approach with a careful edit of traditional elements alongside modern touches. It’s fun, pretty, happy and approachable; all in all an invigorating expression of individuality.

Furniture Essentials

Atmosfera fringe table lamp by Slamp Lighting.

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Dark wood furniture is having a moment once again. Good quality, polished walnut, mahogany or rosewood, for example, all work with this look. On the other hand, wicker, rattan and cane pieces will also fit right in - think headboards, occasional chairs and small tables.

When it comes to relaxing, choose the super-comfortable Victorian style of deeply buttoned upholstery, in the form of sofas, armchairs and ottomans - or even (think back to your nanna’s house) a pouffe.

Velvet or chenille are both great fabrics to use, with a desirably soft, tactile and warmly traditional feel.

Embellishments Ever since the Modernists decried the use of ornamental additions, interiors have become more and more pared down and unadorned.

Not with this style! Extravagant embellishments are your go-to for perfecting the grandmillennial look. Tassels, fringes, gathered skirts, pleats, scalloped edges,

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

ruffles, braids and ribbons. These are the little extras that make this look interesting and different. Can you have too many?

Maybe, but why not give it a try anyway?

Pattern and Colour Pattern and colour are the heart of this design style, and while it’s true to say that they can be bolder and more layered than in the average home, that doesn’t mean they can be a complete free-forall. Colours might be bright but they are also fresh rather than overpowering, with designs often on a white or pale background, or at least carefully controlled so they don’t clash (or at least, only clash tastefully). Wallpapers are a big feature in the grandmillennial room, but if an entirely papered room is not for you, a good alternative is a framed panel - and cheaper, too. Favoured colours are classic blue and white, pink, green and yellow (imagine a bouquet of summer flowers from a country garden), with specific patterns to look out for including chinoiserie, chintz or blowsy florals, toile de jouy and trellis.

Accessories Few accessories could be as appropriate for the grandmillennial room as a handembroidered cushion in traditional style but bearing a sarcastic modern slogan: the ultimate in traditional with a twist.

A selection of colourful, not too-wellmatched cushions in general is a good addition, as well as charming displays of collections such as blue-and-white china, Staffordshire dogs or milk glass.

Finish it all off with some block-printed or monogrammed napkins, botanical prints, an ornate mirror and - for their scent as well as beautiful looks - a cut-glass vase of hydrangeas, peonies or roses.

The Rise of the Grandmillennial The term ‘Grandmillennial’ was coined by Emma Bazilian in an article for American House Beautiful in October 2019. A self-confessed grandmillennial herself, she identified a set of Instagram influencers who might post photos of themselves wearing floral maxi dresses or with dining tables carefully laid with block-printed napkins and white hydrangeas.

“Grandmillennials have an affinity for design trends considered by mainstream culture to be ‘stuffy’ or ‘outdated’ – Laura Ashley prints, ruffles, embroidered linens,” she wrote. “Unlike that of the late-aughts hipster, their taste for the antiquated isn’t ironic, it’s less twee than timeless.”

She interviewed several young interior designers about the trend, who described the rise in interest in ‘old-school’ design, with layers of bolder colours and patterns and a highly individual approach. And as Manhattan-based designer Ariel Okin explained, grandmillennials “appreciate the staying power of good, well-edited design, while putting their own fresh spin on it to make it feel updated and unique.”

If you want to find out more about the style, look at these Instagram feeds: @grandmillenniallifestyle;

@arielokin;

@grandmillennialshop;

@lilsemckenna;

@grandmillennialdecor;

@emilycbutler;

@amyberryhome;

@lycettedesigns

@clarybosbyshell;

and @grand.millennial.

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1.. SIZE - Double page with 3mm bleed.

Canvas size (inc. bleed) 251mm x 342mm.

Finished TRIM size 245mm x 336mm.

2.. ARTWORK Let your background images fill the whole of the canvas including the green area and pink area. Your artwork will be TRIMMED along the white dashed line.

IMPORTANT This magazine is perfect bound - this means an additional 6mm (on either side, depending on placement of advert) will be glued into the magazine binding. Please make sure ALL TEXT AND LOGOS are set within the WHITE AREA (at least 12mm from the white dashed line - left and right).

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Financial advice made personal We recognise that talking about money and finances is personal – sometimes sensitive. So it’s reassuring to know that there’s someone on hand who can help you address your needs, understand your goals and realise your dreams.

We offer a friendly and approachable service, backed by the strength and security of FTSE 100 company, St. James’s Place Wealth Management; and being local means we’re here to help whenever you need us.

Please do get in touch for a chat.

STEVE COMPTON Wealth Management Consultant 07748 635267 steve.compton@sjpp.co.uk

DAVID HOBBS Director 07887 867782 d.hobbs@sjpp.co.uk

EDWARD SPENCER Wealth Management Consultant 07850 896871 edward.spencer@sjpp.co.uk

ALBRIGHTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

W W W. A L B R I G H T O N W M . C O. U K Lyndale, Blymhill Lawn, Shifnall, Shropshire, TF11 8NB

The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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A SCENTED

HOME

BY KATHERINE SORRELL

Some people swear that the right home fragrance will help you feel relaxed, refreshed, more focused, calm, clearheaded or invigorated.

Tips for a beautifully scented home • Using a reed diffuser provides safe, continual, all-over ambience. Turn the reeds over every two or three weeks to refresh, but replace if they become clogged with dust.

• Candles provide a more intimate setting, but place them carefully and don’t leave them unattended.

Make Your Dreams Happen gift pack, £12.95, Chalk and Cheese.

• When burning a candle, let the wax on top liquefy right to the edges before extinguishing to prevent ‘tunnelling’ of the wax as the wick burns down.

Extra-wide candles should have multiple wicks to avoid this effect. Avoid smoke by trimming the wick, and dust your candle so you don’t burn dirt.

Giving forty to fifty hours of burn time, this paraffin/ vegetable wax-blend candle in a hand-blown amber bubble glass releases a scent of juicy summer fig.

• Soy wax candles tend to burn for longer than paraffin ones, emit fewer chemicals, and come from a renewable source.

Bastide figue d’eté candle, £48, Curated Living.

• Wax melts are scented cubes or bars of wax (sometimes called ‘tarts’), but without a wick.

They melt in a special warmer and release fragrance safely and without evaporating.

Jasmine, tuberose, orange flower, carnation, ylang ylang and musk combine in this reed diffuser, which lasts for up to nine months.

Jasmine and tuberose reed diffuser 500ml, £30, Ashleigh & Burwood.

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This gift box set contains a pack of four tealights and six melts, all made from vegan soy wax. Each fragrance is unique and releases a heavenly scent.

White nectarine and honey medium soy wax tin candle with pure essential oils.

Marmalade of London, £10.50.

This pretty glass contained a eucalyptusscented candle that burns for twenty hours.

Small eucalyptus garden boxed candle, £6.99, Gisela Graham London. town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

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Chicken and pepper jalfrezi Servers: 4 Ready: 1 Hour Save a trip to the takeaway, just cook up this deliciously spicy chicken curry instead. Serve with pilau rice, warmed naan breads and some cooling cucumber and mint raita.

Ingredients

Method

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 Heat a heavy-based non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add the mustard seeds. Toast for 1-2 minutes until just popping. Place in a mini processor or blender with the turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger and half the green chillies. Add 3 tbsp water and process to a paste.

1 tsp each ground turmeric and ground cumin 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 1 tbsp grated fresh root ginger 2 green chillies, deseeded and chopped 1tbsp sunflower oil 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp tomato puree 500g chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks 2 red and 2 green peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks 4 tomatoes, chopped 4 tbsp freshly chopped coriander Salt and freshly ground black pepper Strips of lemon zest, to garnish

2 Heat the oil in the frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion and remaining green chilli for 10 minutes until the onion is soft and golden. Stir in the spice paste, tomato puree and the chicken and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.

3 Stir in the peppers and tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes then add 300ml water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.

Stir in half the coriander and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve garnished with the remaining chopped coriander and the strips of lemon zest.

TIP

If you don’t have time to make the paste from scratch, simply buy a jar of good quality jalfrezi curry paste and use 4-5 tbsp to make the curry.

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Crossword Across 1 Fog (4) 3 Travellers (8) 9 Table support (7) 10 Entrance (5) 11 Clarifications (12) 14 Epoch (3) 16 Sphere (5) 17 To drink (3) 18 Uses camera (12) 21 Large sea (5) 22 Lawn game (7) 23 Mixing (8) 24 Steak (4)

Puzzle answers on page 129

Down 1 Mumbled (8) 2 Snooze (5) 4 Poem (3) 5 Ice-box (12) 6 Proverbs (7) 7 Painful (4) 8 Untangled (12) 12 Amid (5) 13 Alcoholic appetiser (8) 15 Accomplish (7) 19 Dwelling (5) 20 Grave (4) 22 Tin (3)

Sudoku How to play Sudoku It’s simple!

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box, contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

You don’t need to be a genius.

These puzzles use logic alone.

Watch out! Sudoku is highly addictive.

Word Search Find the words below in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a phrase.

Bats Broom Cauldron Creepy Crypt Dracula Goblins Groans Haunted Hoot Howl Monster Moon 30

Mummy Night Potions Pumpkin Scary Screech Skeleton Spiders Spooky Treat Trick Witch town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Hayley Windows

Design and Installation Limited Discover a window and door system designed to embody both traditional and modern homes. Combining innovate technology with time honoured aesthetics to bring you the only window that gives planners the dimensions and detailing they demand for conservation areas.

WINDOWS & DOORS THE WAY THEY’RE MEANT TO BE TM

7

2

Unit 19 Enterprise Trading Estate, Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill DY5 1TX 01384 89 69 89 | www.hayleywindows.co.uk

Over 35 Years Experience Patrick Bellew • • Interior Painting Wallpapering • • • • • • • •

Exterior Painting Domestic Commercial Fully insured Reliable and trusted Competitive Rates NVQ Level 3 Based in Wordsley

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION CALL: 01384 271038 or 07793 589984 / patrickbellew@ymail.com www.local-painter-decorator.com

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

31

Pa r g e t e r s

New furniture styles for your home to be more expensive to buy from than larger group stores.

“But I can assure you that it won’t cost you to shop at Pargeters, very often we are cheaper and will price match the leading brands. We pride ourselves on offering the lowest possible prices combined with the highest standard of customer service.”

If you’re busy updating, improving or redesigning your home interior this autumn, you’ll no doubt be keen to find a selection of quality and contemporary furniture to complete the new look.

Displaying modern designs, from leading British brands, over three floors, there are looks to suit every home interior style. And, what’s more there’s an incredible 25% off most leading brands as part of the company’s amazing autumn discount event.

As Miles explains: “We have got lots of fantastic new displays at the showroom and we’re delighted to offer our customers a substantial discount in our autumn event.”

A change in direction has taken place over the last five years at the family-run store, which has seen the business focusing on being an upholstery specialist that no longer sells bedroom furniture, curtains and carpets.

Now instead, there is a brandnew department that specialises in Sherborne lift and rise beds, reclining chairs - which are all exempt from VAT - as well as sofas to match.

With all of this and more you’re sure to find outstanding designs and style at affordable prices when you pay a visit. In fact, customers at Pargeters are always surprised by the independent stores’ low prices, as Miles explains: “Sometimes an established business and single store furniture shop can be deemed

Indeed, the store is renowned for its exceptional service and that’s why it has remained a firm favourite with locals, ever since its doors first opened over 90 years ago.

Unlike their competitors, the staff at Pargeters aren’t on commission, which means their focus is entirely on helping you make the purchase that’s right for you – if, of course, you decide to buy from the company.

“We don’t sell ‘add-ons’ – like finance or insurance, which some companies use to boost their profits,” adds Miles.

The company offers free delivery within a 50 mile radius and will also take your old items away free of charge.

So, whatever you’ve got in mind for your home interior this autumn, make it look amazing with the addition of a quality buy from Pargeters.

PARGETERS SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES We are offering customers the opportunity to shop safely on their own or with family members (maximum of 3 people). The showroom will also be open to 2 more walk-in customers at any one time.

The current social distancing guidelines will be adhered to at all times. Staff will be available to assist you and answer any questions while following the current guidelines.

Personal Protective Equipment will be used in the showroom by all staff.

Please ring (01384 394176) to book your preferred appointment time at the showroom between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday.

Free customer car parking available adjacent to the showroom, please ask for directions.

32

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

• G-Plan

Parker

Knoll

•

Sherborne

AUTUMN DISCOUNT All leAding quAlity brAnds A At the most

•

40%

25%

ex display items

all leading brands

OFF

OFF

•

•

& many more brands Free delivery within a 50 mile radius and we will take your old items away free of charge

•

Pargeters High Street, Stourbridge DY8 1EQ

01384 394176

Willis Gambier

Bradley

3 Floors of fine furniture

•

Family run for 93 yrs

Bardi

Bridgecraft

Vale

PRICE MATCH POLICY ON ALL LEADING BRANDS

•

Collins & Hayes

Up to

Titmarsh & Goodwin

Charltons

•

•

competitive prices in the midlAnds

Sutcliffe

EVENT NOw ON

g

•

•

•

Nathan

Duresta

Charm

•

Old

www.pargetersfurniture.co.uk

FREE customer car park at rear www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

33

Dreamland Comfort suppliers since 1976 ON! W O N E L A S AU T U M N ALL OTTOMAN DIVAN SETS NOW ON OFFER • ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLES FROM £499 • 10% OFF ALL FABRIC BED FRAMES • UP TO 20% OFF MAJOR BRANDS • CLEARANCE FLOOR MODELS UP TO HALF PRICE • DISCOUNT ON ALL FRAMES WHEN PURCHASED WITH A MATTRESS • FREE UPGRADES ON SELECTED BEDS • OVER 100 BEDS AND MATTRESSES IN STOCK

W ON! O N E L A S N AU T U M 34

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Dreamland

Dreamland are now entering their Autumn Sale period, where many beds throughout the store have been reduced, whether that be a single bed for a child, a super king ottoman bed for maximum storage or even adjustable beds to offer a little more help for those who need it. All the major brands within the bed industry have true offers on them – unlike some unscrupulous stores. Dreamland only ever show true savings on the products. With over 100 mattress and beds in stock even if you need a bed straight away Dreamland should be able to accommodate your needs. Within the store there are several measures in place for the safety of both the staff and customers, but no appointment is necessary. You are still able to try the products and your old beds are still be collected and disposed of.

STOCKIST OF ROYALLY APPOINTED BEDS

Dreamland are proud to only stock mattresses and divan beds which are made in Britain. Britain has a long heritage of bed making and Dreamland take full advantage of this. Owner Mike Brown said “True craftsmen who produce our quality products have crafted their skills their whole working life, Dreamland buying British only divan beds and mattresses we are making sure these skills do not disappear” “Since we have re-opened after lock down, we have found many customers are requiring better quality handcrafted products, which for us, is what we have specialised in.”

ON! W O N E L A S AU T U M N

Dreamland Mill St, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RG 01384 74166 dreamlandbedding.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Delivery and disposal service available Free to use car park at rear Open Monday – Saturday 9 – 5:30 Sunday 11 – 4:30 35

Bathroom ideas and inspiration…

Whatever your style - whether you’re after a sleek, clutter-free family bathroom or a splash of hotel chic, if you’re planning to refresh your bathroom, we’ve got it covered!

From statement baths to space-saving storage, Carvers is on hand with a host of inspiration!

Refreshing a bathroom doesn’t always require a total overhaul, it can be as simple as swapping the basin, changing the taps or even looking at some new lighting.

2020 has been marked by the return to the organic and natural, highlighting new and functional designs. So, when it comes to bathroom design, the trend is super-clean colours, seamless lines and a practical, yet simple arrangement of spaces.

Natural materials and industrial fittings are another strong look for bathrooms this year and needn’t cost a fortune. Reclaimed materials work really nicely when teamed with modern bathroom suites and fittings and help to create a bathroom with real character.

Continuity is key to seamless lines and one way to achieve this is the use of one single material for cladding the walls and floors, ensuring smooth flowing lines and textures and it is a great way to create the feeling of space.

Clever bathroom lighting needs careful consideration and instead of one main light source, the use of multiple lighting devices, highlighting separate areas, visually increases the space available.

Colour options for decorating purposes are undoubtedly ruled by white, however the classic decoration of black and white is a sure fire hit, with the introduction of tones of grey for something a bit more unique.

Showcase geo patterned tiles on both walls and floors in muted tones for a truly modern feel.

New Roman Wet Room – ‘A black and white colour option creates a stunning look, with tiles supplied by Tile Choice’

Farrow & Ball Wallpaper – ‘Dixons have a wide range of wallpaper and paints, including Farrow & Ball’

For those who prefer brighter colours as an accent, make a statement with bold natural colours, such as lemon, emerald, turquoise, blue, indigo or amber.

Blush pink is the colour of the moment and it offers a light-hearted contrast to the usual neutral pallet.

Cheaper than tiling, wallpapering your bathroom can add stunning colour and take plain white tiles to a whole new level. Avoid papering directly behind a bath or basin (due to splashing) and try sealing the paper with a matt decorator’s varnish to create a longer-lasting look.

Chrome has been king for some time, with regards to accessories and brassware and recently there has been a definite trend for a more modern metallic finish. Gold is definitely experiencing a renaissance now, but it’s important to set the right tone. Think gentle champagne and rose gold shades, rather than showy orangey tones.

These can be incorporated through your choice of taps and showers, all finished in brass, chrome and nickel.

Whatever option you choose, it’s often the tiles, flooring, accessories and other all-important finishing touches that really bring the dream to life. Flooring, paint and lighting solutions, which all add unique touches to your bathroom project are all available from Carvers, along with the Tile Choice showroom in store, which stocks a wide range of floor and wall tiles and Dixons for all your decorating needs (including a fab wallpaper selection!)

Carvers ‘new look’ bathroom showrooms have a complete range of modern, contemporary and traditional bathrooms, cloakrooms, vanity units and showers with accessories to suit every budget. The design team can fully manage the project and offer a complete design and installation service, should you require. Buy Now, Pay Later finance packages are also available.

For a complete one stop shop contact Carvers on: 01902 577090 Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY 36

www.carvers.co.uk

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

LOVE YOUR BATHR

BUY NOW

PAY LATER

M.

Bathroom Suites From

£189.99 inc VAT

Pick up our new brochure

Visit our NEW LOOK showrooms and discover inspirational ideas to transform your bathroom.

Full Design and Installation Service available.

Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, WV1 1JY www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Tel: 01902 577090

www.carvers.co.uk 37

Fab

floors

From traditional wooden boards to soft carpet, funky rubber to classic stone, flooring is fundamental to the look and feel of a room.

What flooring where?

Flooring must be practical. For the hall and probably the living room, too, the toughest, most durable flooring is best, while a more delicate type will be fine in a spare bedroom. For kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and conservatories, consider how well it will withstand spills, splashes and general humidity. Choose the right flooring for each space and it will both look good and last.

Timber Beautiful and hard-wearing, timber floorboards are available in a range of colours and patterns. It is often possible to recondition an existing wood floor by mending or replacing damaged boards and sanding carefully, then finishing it with oil, wax or lacquer. If not, choose new hardwood from an environmentally-friendly source or seek out recycled boards from an architectural salvage yard – these have the advantage of years of beautiful patina. Solid-wood

38

engineered boards are crossbonded for stability (meaning they won’t warp or move, which solid timber is prone to), making them a good choice with underfloor heating, while cheaper, but less long-lasting, are either a multilayered or veneered wood floor, where the surface is a thin layer of hardwood attached to a base of cheaper wood, MDF, cork or plywood, or a wood-effect laminate floor, in which a photograph of wood is bonded to a chipboard base and protected with a highpressure laminate surface.

Carpet Soft, warm and quiet underfoot, carpet comes in two main types: woven, which is harder-wearing and more expensive, and tufted, the durability of which is related to its pile height and density.

Carpets are classified for light, moderate, general, heavy and extra-heavy domestic use. Select a tough carpet for a hallway: perhaps an 80:20 (wool:nylon)

twist classified for heavy domestic, while for a living room a combination of a luxury look with a robust performance, such as a loop or velvet pile, would be best. A spare bedroom carpet could be more delicate – a velvet or Saxony classified for light domestic use, for example. For a seamless look, lay carpet suitable for general use throughout.

Carpets are inadvisable in kitchens and bathrooms.

Natural fibres In a wide range of colours and weaves, sisal, coir, seagrass, rush and jute are warm and soundproof and, often, good value for money.

The rougher the surface, the more hard-wearing it will be – so sisal and coir may feel uncomfortable underfoot at first. Jute has the softest feel, but is the least durable.

A stain inhibitor is advisable.

Hard surfaces Sandstone, limestone, granite, marble and terrazzo are expensive

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

floorings that last a lifetime and have a beautiful, individual grain and patina. In areas that might become wet and slippery choose a version that is matt or slightly textured – sanded for a rough finish, or riven for an attractive, hand-split effect.

Ceramic tiles are heat- and water-resistant, hard-wearing and low maintenance. They vary widely in price and come

in a vast array of shapes, sizes and designs. Unglazed terracotta tiles (or quarry tiles) are rugged and non-slip.

Sheet flooring Softer and warmer than stone or timber, sheet floor coverings – vinyl, linoleum and cork – are relatively inexpensive and very easy to clean. Lino is a traditional

material made from natural ingredients, while vinyl is a PVCbased man-made material, which comes in a huge range of textures and patterns. Cork is hardwearing, resilient to water and offers an interesting, natural look.

Rubber, good-looking, practical and tactile, is available in smooth or textured designs, the latter ideal for bathrooms. Rubber floors should be laid professionally.

Make sure to check out our advertisers who offer a varied range of flooring to suit all budgets and styles.

WHAT LIES BENEATH The success of any flooring depends on the sub-floor underneath. It must be level and dry, with no protruding nails. A good quality underlay will prolong carpet life and add comfort and insulation, while laying thin sheets of board may be necessary to prepare for sheet flooring such as vinyl or lino. Before laying heavy stone tiles, the sub-floor may need reinforcing – check with your builder or a structural engineer if in doubt. Tiles are best laid onto a smooth concrete or cement-based backer board.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

39

Furnishing your home WITH the love and care it deserves

T

his year has brought about all sorts of change, and our homes have centred at the forefront of comfort throughout these turbulent times. Many of us have had plenty of time to look around our space and really evaluate what furnishings need adding, replaced or completely changed around.

Whatever is needed to create that perfect home, Casa Italia have a wide range of beautiful, quality and fantastically priced furniture to tickle every fancy.

A family business founded in 1977, current owner, Raj Kumar was 2 when his father opened the doors to the Bilston furniture store, ‘Classic Furniture’. Since then, their new store, ‘Casa Italia’ (translating as ‘Italian home’ in English) has recently been established and offers luxury modern and contemporary furniture for a truly bespoke feel. Having grown up alongside the company, Raj’s expert knowledge and dedication is wholly unmissable upon meeting him: “I was born into this. From the age of 12 I was helping my father with stock and ever since then I’ve never thought or wanted to do anything else!”

This passion is exhibited within every piece of furniture sold in his store. Each item

is especially scouted and imported by Raj from all over the world - predominately Italy, but can also include destinations such as Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia to add a more diverse selection. This personal dedication ensures that Raj is able to recount the story of any product, with detailed insights into the materials, care requirements and quality of each furnishing.

W

hat makes Casa Italia even better? The prices. As a familyrun business, Raj and his wife are able to keep their overheads low and with the added advantage of importing directly, have managed to cut out the middle parties such as the U.K. importer, wholesaler and distributor which is effectively reflected in their impressively low prices.

The store itself exhibits a stylish and homely atmosphere.

40

Nothing is absent - from comfortable suites and beds to statement chandeliers; slick wardrobes to beautiful wall art and mirrors. Everything is arranged in a clean and spacious format, its well-thought layout boasting inspiration to further your decor ideas.

A multitude of design tastes are creatively constructed, so the place will always have you leaving with a much better idea of what will suit your home. And even if that’s still not quite enough, Raj is on hand to work alongside you, passionately brimming with ideas and alternative options to help create that perfect home.

Nor will getting the furnishings to your house be a hassle. With a huge range of stock available in their 12,000 square feet warehouse, personalised delivery can be immediately sorted with Casa Italia to suit your schedule.

Whatever it is you’re looking or seeking inspiration for, Casa Italia can guarantee a huge range of stylish and quality products to indulge your home with, alongside expert guidance and fantastic prices - all within a haven of genuine care and admiration for home decor and furniture.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Living Room | Dining Room | Bedroom Luxury Modern and Contemporary furniture

Massive range always in stock for immediate delivery Opening Times: Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm 27-28 Enterprise Trading Estate, Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill DY5 1TX (opposite Merry Hill Centre)

sales@casaitaliauk.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

01384 262784

www.casaitaliauk.co.uk

41

How many times do you find yourself getting up to adjust your curtains or blinds? From ruining perfect moments in your favourite movie to snatching the rich colour from your treasured ornaments and pictures, the sun always seems to find ways of intruding without welcome.

Just imagine how blissful it would be to

"We offer motorisation on eve,y style of blind we sell, which means that you can benefit from eve,ything motorisation has to offer, regardless of the look you want for your home."

"Window blind cords can pose a risk for babies, children and vulnerable people who could injure or even strangle themselves on the hanging looped cords."

These cords are completely absent from

So what makes motorised products a worthy

motorised products, meaning parents can be

investment? For one, easier living - and with

completely reassured that their children are

that follows increased usage. Not only will

out of harm's way.

control unwanted rays at the click of a button!

you be saved from endlessly walking around

No more arguing as to who gets up from

your house, adjusting your blinds every time

By choosing Castle Blinds and Awnings,

the sofa, or migrating to the small corner of

the sun moves, you'll be able to control the

you'll never find yourself short of an excellent

your garden with the only available shade.

shade with much better precision - which is

service from start to finish, as these two happy

Motorised products will soon become your

especially important for protecting furniture

customers outlined:

companion of convenience, and you'll

and decor from being washed out by the sun.

need to look no further than Castle Blinds

Motorisation also increases peace-of-mind, as

and Awnings.

Brian points out:

Dedicated to delivering excellent service,

''They can be set to open or close automatically, so you don't have to wor,y

available and the benefits that came with

about your house looking empty when you're away on holiday or out late."

all fitted in no time - the process for us was

"We decided to install the Markilux motorised

roof blind in our Orange,y as it was far too

hot. Brian came around with samples and took fantastic prices and quality, stylish products, you'll find everything here to suit the needs of your home and garden - including internal

the time to explain what different fabrics were

each. The expert team at Castle Blinds had it simple and mess-free. We couldn't believe

roof blinds and awnings. Nothing will be

how neat, compact and stylish it looked when

compromised with the added benefit of

What's more, they're a far safer option for

motorisation, as company director, Brian

young children. As supporters of the 'Make It

fitted. We're already looking forward to having

Jones, explains:

Safe Campaign', Castle Blinds and Awnings

a motorised awning installed outside next

are serious when it comes to blind safety:

year!" - Mr and Mrs Hall, Wolverhampton.

Don't leave the sun to dictate the way you enjoy home-living! Pay a visit to Castle Blinds and Awnings for affordable, safe and quality products.

42

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Showroom address:

Made to measure blinds and awnings

Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford,W 9NT

Blinds

Awnings

Shutters Conservatory Shading

Canopies

WE’RE OPEN!

Our showroom is now open for visitors by appointment.

Call us on 01384 273769 to book.

Website : www.castleblinds.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk Email: sales@castleblinds.co.uk

Mon-Friday – 9.00am-5.30pm Saturday – 10.00am-4.00pm Sunday – Closed 43

KARNDEAN AND CARPET SHOWROOM MON - FRI 8.00am - 5:00pm SAT 10:00am - 3:00pm

For a free no obligation site survey and measuring service call 01902 745491 Unit 9 Walton Works industrial Estate, Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD 44

Shop online @ www.premierflooringltd.com town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Four Different Types of Ceiling Lights for Your Bathroom Are you struggling to choose a ceiling light for your bathroom?

Well, do not worry we have listed four different types of ceiling lights for you to choose from. So, sit back, put your feet up and browse through our article with ease, we promise you will find the perfect light for your bathroom.

IP44 Flush Ceiling Lights When it comes to lighting in the bathroom, flush ceiling lights are a popular choice as they are a practical option for low ceilings and can produce the perfect amount of light to illuminate your bathroom

IP44 Spotlights Want directional lighting in your bathroom? Well, spotlights are the perfect choice for you. Used for ambience, task, and accent lighting. You can place spots just about anywhere in your home, especially your bathroom.

IP44 Chandelier Now if you want to impress and have a lavish light in your bathroom, then a chandelier is the perfect choice. Chandeliers make a statement and produce the correct light when it comes to bathroom lighting.

IP44 Recessed Lights The most versatile of them all.

Recessed lights are so unobtrusive and fit perfectly into the bathroom with the right planning and layout and produce the best lighting for a bathroom as they illuminate the space by adding depth to the room.

To view the our stunning collection of Lanterns visit our website at: www.lightingrus.co.uk or visit our wonderful showroom at: UNIT 1A, WALTON WORKS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MACROME RD, ALDERSLEY, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV6 9HD

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

45

Quality products and outstanding service

at De Rosa Installations

There’s no better way to improve the look of your home – and add to its value – than with the addition of new windows, doors, a conservatory or even a brand-new flat roof.

Whatever installation you choose, you’ll need to find a company that you can trust to provide the highest quality products and service.

And, there’s no better choice than the expert team at long-established local family-run company, De Rosa Installations limited.

Founded in 1997 and registered as a limited company in 2012, De Rosa Installations has built an excellent industry reputation and has earned an incredibly loyal clientele over the years.

Director Rob Alexander is the founder of the company and heads the team at De Rosa Installations which includes his son Adam Alexander - his sister, Gill Alexander Williams – the company’s Sales Manager and his brother Andy Alexander, an installer. Every member of the team is committed to delivering excellent customer service, as Rob Alexander explains: “We’re really proud to offer our customers a completely bespoke service and we place great emphasis on quality throughout all aspects of our business, whether that’s in the products we use or the service we provide.”

proven to last for decades. Our premium range of windows, doors and conservatories gives our customers plenty of choice when it comes to style.”

Within the range there are many colour choices and styles to choose from, including popular flush sash systems.

For those concerned with security though, an Endurance door is the perfect choice.

“Endurance doors are incredibly secure and a really ‘high-end’ option.”

And, when it comes to roofing systems, the company lead the way. As the only approved Sarnafil installers in the area, the De Rosa Installations team are able to install the architectapproved premium flat roofing system in their client’s homes.

“Sarnafil has been used on many high-profile buildings around the country, including Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium and Manchester’s Arndale Centre, as well as featuring on programmes like Grand Designs.”

And, Sarnafil can be used on everything from listed buildings to new builds as well as on allmanner of commercial properties.

All fitting is taken care of by De Rosa Installations in-house team of specialist fitters who have been employed by the company for many years.

to be delighted with our installations.

We are small enough to care but big enough to cope with any project.”

And the De Rosa Installations team work across the West Midlands and beyond on all-manner of commercial and domestic projects and, each job is completed to the same exacting standards.

“We take real pride in the work we do and we are always willing to go the extra mile for our customers,” adds Adam.

Why not see for yourself why so many home and businessowners choose De Rosa Installations? Contact the team today on 01902 897111.

“Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we want every one of our clients

That’s why most of De Rosa Installations business comes from word-of-mouth recommendations and their customers return time and time again.

Experts in window and door systems, roofing systems – including flat roofs - fascias and conservatories, the company’s carefully-chosen ranges combine both style and practicality.

“We only deal in high-end, highperforming products which are 46

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Bespoke Windows, Doors, Conservatories in uPVC, Timber and Aluminium

FLAT ROOFING ■ ■

■ Hard wearing ■ Aesthetically pleasing ■ No moss or plant growth ■ Low maintenance Lasting performance ■ Proven Design ■ Life expectancy of over 40 years Environmentally friendly ■ Solar reflective (No need for paint or chippings)

www.derosawindows.co.uk ■ www.derosaroofing.co.uk Unit 42, Wombourne Enterprise Park, Bridgnorth Road, Wombourne WV5 0AL

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

01902 897111 47

Curtains, blinds, soft furnishings and more…

M

ake your home look amazing this autumn at Total Sewing Service.

You’ll find a fabulous range of soft furnishings that will make your home look amazing.

A selection of home interior accessories including lighting, lamps, mirrors, vases, clocks, picture frames, ornaments and much more are now available.

Suppliers of leading brands, like Prestigious, Ashley Wilde and Bill Beaumont, the Kingswinford based store offers something for every home interior, as Natalie Hemmings explains: “We’ve recently introduced a new range of home interior accessories for the home which complements what we already offer.

“We’ve got hundreds of swatches, wallpaper books and mini curtains for clients to choose from. We’re proud to supply fabric and wall coverings from top brands and have a fantastic choice of styles that’ll suit both traditional and modern décor tastes.”

A full measuring, making and fitting 48

service is all part of what the team offer, so all you need to do is pick the designs that are right for you.

AUTUMN OFFER Free Lining or 10% off custom made curtains and blinds in September/October 20 when you present this advert at time of purchase.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

“Of course, if you’ve already found the fabric you want to work with, then we’re more than happy to take care of the making for you.”

“We specialise in bridal and promwear and can undertake any alterations that you require for a perfect fit.”

And, you’ll also find a wide range of poles and blinds at Total Sewing Services to complete your new look.

So, whether you’ve found your dream wedding dress online and need some alterations, or if you’ve got some design ideas of your own, you can trust Total Sewing Service’s talented seamstresses to help. They also offer an embroidery service and have a new machine. They can embroider teddies, work wear, school wear and hobby clothing eg. equestrian.

“Our professional team of fitters are on-hand to install all of our items in your home, which allows you to enjoy a brand-new look, hassle-free.”

Offering a ‘total sewing service’ means that the team are experts in dress alterations too:

“We’re happy to undertake any clothing alterations, large or small - everything from a broken zip to customising a gown.”

Whatever you’ve got in-mind, give the Total Sewing Service team a call today or call in at the showroom.

You’re sure to be delighted with the results.

Cur tains and Blinds ~ Soft furnishings Haberdashery ~ Alterations ~ Embroidery

Advice, Measure, Make, Fit Homeware and Accessories now in stock Bespoke curtains and blinds, all made to measure, with 100’s of fabrics to choose from Large range of wallcoverings • Huge range of poles and tracks • Haberdashery Wool and knitting patterns • Dressmaking fabrics and patterns Clothing alterations, specialising in bridal and prom wear, with tailoress on site New embroidery service, with logo digitising facility available

O p e n : 9 a m - 5 p m M o n d ay to Friday. 9am-4pm Saturday.

Tel: 01384 295960

7 The Cross, Kingswinford, DY6 9JA

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

www.totalsewing.co.uk

49

A Brief History of Time

By Katherine Rose

heavy so tended to feature in church towers. The clock in Salisbury Cathedral is one of the oldest surviving examples of a working mechanical clock, built in 1386 out of hand-worked iron.

In 1450 the coiled spring mechanism was invented, heralding portable clocks and watches. The oldest pocket watch is the spherical Melanchthon Watch made in 1530.

For thousands of years human beings have used devices invented to measure the passage of time.

T

he earliest monitored the sun’s shadows using stone obelisks and sundials.

Sundials remained in popular use until the nineteenth century.

During Shakespeare’s time, people even carried pocket sundials, referred to by the bard in his play As You Like It. However, measuring time using the sun only works during daylight when it is not cloudy. Another method was to use graduated candles whose measured burn could also calculate the passing of hours, especially at night.

The ancient Egyptians and Greeks built water clocks. Known as clepsydrae, they basically 50

consisted of two containers, one placed higher than the other. Water would drip slowly from the top container to the bottom, while markers inside the lower container showed how much time had elapsed.

Another popular and iconic timepiece was the hourglass.

They were reasonably accurate and used to measure time at sea. Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan had eighteen hourglasses on each of his ships during a circumnavigation of the globe in 1522. Even today we still use the minute version to time the perfectly boiled egg!

It was around the fourteenth century that the first mechanical clocks with gears and escapements were invented in Europe. The old English word for a clock was daegmael meaning ‘day measure’. It was at this time that the word ‘clock’ came into parlance, derived from the Latin word clocca meaning ‘bell’, as the first mechanical clocks were made to strike the hour rather than display time.

Operated by weights, these clocks were usually large and

In 1650 Christiaan Huygens invented the first pendulum clock, which kept time more accurately than anything previously. It was found that the longer the pendulum, the greater the accuracy, which is how the Grandfather clock developed. Pendulum clocks remained the standard right up until the invention of quartz clocks in 1927.

During the nineteenth century, industrialisation made it important to keep track of time and the use of pocket watches exploded.

We tend to think of the wristwatch as being relatively modern but in fact it goes back a lot longer. It is recorded that a jewelled bracelet with a portable coiled spring timepiece was made for Queen Elizabeth I and given to her as a gift by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in 1571.

However, such timepieces were seen as no more than ladies’ jewellery. The first purposebuilt wristwatches were not produced until the early 1900s.

Today, we have seen the advent of the digital watch, mechanisms that no longer need winding, and atomic clocks accurate to a second within 100 million years – more than the length of human timekeeping itself.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

THE ART OF

New stock has been arriving each week with new candles from JANIE WILSON and ST EVAL OF CORNWALL, soft toys from JELLYCAT, irresistible gift collections from EAST OF INDIA and CAROLINE GARDNER, new hand care products from BATH HOUSE, including sanitisers, and beautiful hand carved wood sculptures from ARCHIPELAGO include Owls, Curlews, Shoals of Fish and even a Blue Whale!

The galleries have an expanded selection of on trend greetings cards, perfect for most occasions, with a new section devoted to the work of contemporary artists.

The picture framing service at the Galleries is accepting work, with COUNTER SCREENS making it possible to discuss your requirements while maintaining social distancing. All types of artwork including paintings, prints, photographs, needlework and memorabilia are framed on the premises from a comprehensive range of mouldings, mounts and glass types.

EXPECT A WARM WELCOME AND SOMETHING NEW TO SEE EACH TIME YOU VISIT.

I N S P I R AT I O N

STOURBRIDGE GALLERIES have had a successful reopening, following a refurbishment of the store’s interior during the coronavirus lockdown.

With its spacious layout, customers have found it to be a calm, relaxing and safe environment in which to browse the lovely greeting cards, gifts, jewellery and art work on display.

STOURBRIDGE GALLERIES 58 WORCESTER STREET STOURBRIDGE DY8 1AS TEL: 01384 390170 EMAIL: stourbridgegalleries@virginmedia.com www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Great Quality

Great Value!

Town & Village Life Magazine

% OFF 20 IN-STORE & ONLINE DISCOUNT CODE: TVL20 Country Baskets cannot accept responsibility for lost or misplaced vouchers. This voucher can be used in-store or online. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion. Original voucher must be present at the point of purchase and cannot be used in part transactions. Valid until 31st October 2020.

Customers must be logged in to use this offer. Single use only.

www.countrybaskets.co.uk

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Skye Blue Create this beautiful arrangement with the Skye Collection - a delicate mix of pastel shades combined with intricate textures and complementary floral supplies.

A sweet colour palette contrasted with the deep greenery and wrapped in our new Eco paper (Meng Huan Grey) makes for an interesting piece, perfectly balanced in tone and texture.

Country Baskets have a brand-new range of eco-friendly papers for use in your arrangements, from Hemp fibre papers ideal for flower and gift -wrapping to two-sided, water resistant Kraft papers boasting many benefits aesthetically and environmentally.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

Discover inspiration across Artificial Flowers & Greenery Floral Supplies | Baskets | Dried Vases & Glassware | Foam | Craft Wedding | Seasonal & MORE!

Visit your local store; Country Baskets, Gibbs Road, Stourbridge, DY9 8SY Alternatively, shop our complete collections online -

www.countrybaskets.co.uk Trade membership available!

The best thing about this arrangement is that from a distance it’s stunning and simple but close up, the finer details become further enhanced, creating depth...the more you look the more you find.

Exclusive to Country Baskets and endorsed by the British Florist Association.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Winterdene

Excellence as standard

has over 15 years’ experience in administration services.

Winterdene Carpentry & Construction Ltd is a local company based in Kingswinford.

We are a small family run business consisting of Lee, the founder and director who’s a qualified carpenter and has over 20 years’ experience in carpentry work. And there’s Lindsey, Lee’s wife and administrative coordinator of the company who

We carry out a comprehensive range of works which includes all aspects of carpentry such as joisting and roofing, 1st fix works which include wall studding, roof struts, door frames and floor joists through to 2nd fix works such as fitting skirting and architraves, various types of flooring, fitting internal and external doors, loft hatches and a range of internal storage solutions. We also carry out full stair renovations and we specialise in kitchen installations.

We also do a range of construction services including conversions and extensions plus work on outdoor spaces such as laying decking, timber cladding, building summerhouses and constructing porches and canopies.

We pride ourselves on giving exceptional customer service from the first contact to the finished product. Every job is completed to the highest standard and we offer a competitive price to our customers. We have a lot of returning customers which we think speaks for itself.

We use a number of trusted tradesmen on our jobs where needed such as plasterers and electricians who we ensure complete any works to the standards we hold for ourselves.

We also enjoy a good working relationship with a number of developers who we carry out subcontract works for.

Please have a look at our website and get in touch if you’d like to discuss any projects.

ConCept to Completion

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pRojeCt in mind? ContaCt us 07903 703028 enquiries@winterdene.co.uk www.winterdene.co.uk

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

winterdene

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THE MONEY

PANDEMIC The COVID-19 pandemic has already had a mighty short-term impact on personal finances, but the effects could be here for many years.

I

t’s a fool’s errand to try to make financial predictions, but we can certainly make some educated guesses about what happens next.

Tax rises of some kind seem almost inevitable after the public spending deficit exploded with furlough pay and other measures. It is true the government has explicitly committed to no rises in the rates of income tax, national insurance or VAT until the next general election. That said, a cut in personal allowances or the 40% rate threshold would mean a bigger tax take without breaking the letter of the pledge.

It’s also getting harder to see the famed pension ‘triple lock’ surviving. It currently guarantees the state pension will rise each year in line with average earnings, inflation, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.

One possibility is to ditch the 2.5% figure and simple go with the higher of earnings or inflation.

It seems many of us have got the taste for avoiding the commute and there will certainly be some permanent shift away from office working. That could affect the housing market, with the commuter belt becoming less of a mandatory destination for some. Meanwhile, city

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centre offices could be less in demand by business and potentially repurposed as apartments. Some effects have already been felt, with traditional twobed buyers now looking to three-bed properties, earmarking the extra room as a home office.

The mortgage market has already absorbed the initial shock of COVID-19 with a period where few lenders were interested in anyone with less than a 40 percent deposit. Fortunately that seems a short-term measure, but it certainly appears 95% mortgages will get rarer while rates and availability will become even more favourable to those with bigger deposits.

Even the practicalities of day-to-day spending have been changed by the coronavirus, with the upper limit for contactless payments rising from £30 to £45. With few signs of increased fraud, this is likely to be a permanent switch.

Once overseas trips become more normal again, reading travel insurance policies in full will become more important. Many insurers put in a hard deadline after which new policies didn’t cover losses stemming from COVID-19. Until that changes, holidaying could be a more risky proposition, while it’s possible COVID cover could become an optional extra.

Finally, investors and those with non-state pension plans will continue to be somewhat at the mercy of markets. Stocks have certainly taken a huge hit during the pandemic, though many analysts hope they’ll recover in the medium-term given that this is ultimately a financial hit stemming from a health crisis rather than a fundamental economic failing. As always, it’s important not to panic when markets fall and remember that losses aren’t ‘real’ until you sell.

John Lister (www.johnlisterwriting.com) is a freelance writer based in Bristol, specialising in technology and personal finance.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, WV6 9HD

01902 752764

Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0RX

01902 429060

*Terms and Conditions apply. Sold as an agent of Euronics Limited. All rights reserved. All offers are subject to availability while stocks last. Delivery & Installation charges www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk may apply.

Exclusions and Radius Apply. See in store for full details. Images for illustration purposes only. Copyright Euronics 2018. E&OE September 2018.57

Outdoor Dining

By Catherine Sorrell much fuss. But think about what the furniture will look like when viewed from the house – will it block your view of a favourite shrub, or enhance the overall setting? And there are some specific practicalities. Is there enough space for the required table size (including space to walk around it and pull the chairs out)? Is the ground level and dry? Is the area clear of overhanging branches? will it be too sunny, or always in the shade?

What to choose?

The next big question is what type to buy. Consider what works best for your style of property, the overall look of your garden and your lifestyle.

It could be: a bar set that takes up little space, ideal for drinks and nibbles; a large, formal table with six or even eight chairs for a classic dining experience; a casual dining set with a cushioned sofa and lower chairs; or a small bistro set for two. Options include dual-height tables that enable you to go from dining to lounging, or a gas-powered fire-pit table that provides warm, flickering flames for entertaining into the evenings.

With comfortable, practical furnishings – and a dose of good weather – there is nothing nicer than eating al fresco.

Advances in design, technology and materials means modern outdoor furniture is comfortable, low maintenance and durable, and available in a huge number of styles and materials. For a more traditional feel, you might opt for natural rattan, Lloyd Loom, teak or oak, in generous,

W

hat could be more enjoyable than a quiet breakfast, casual family lunch or sundowner barbecue in the garden, on the patio or even on the balcony?

These days we are treating our outside spaces more and more as an extra room, ‘furnished’ not only with dining chairs and a table but, increasingly, with comfy sofas and armchairs, coffee and side tables, lighting, exterior-quality rugs, raised bars and even pizza ovens or complete outdoor kitchens.

Placing your dining furniture When it’s just a case of a quick cup of tea and a slice of toast, a small perching spot is all that’s required; perhaps a chair, bench, stool or arbour in a quiet corner with a pretty view. But for spending any time dining comfortably outside, a little more planning is necessary. Pick a place that’s not too far from the kitchen door so that you can get food and drink in and out without too 58

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

curving shapes, while a more modern space might incorporate steel, aluminium, outdoor wicker or upholstered, weatherproof fabric, featuring slim, angular forms and a minimal outline.

Luxurious touches Adding outdoor cushions to your dining set adds a lovely dash of colour and pattern as well as additional comfort – and there are all sorts of extra touches you might wish to consider.

A parasol, for example. But instead of a simple shade that slots into the centre of a table, why not a side-post parasol that raises, lowers, tilts and rotates, and that even comes with a light and a Bluetooth speaker? Go for maximum impact lighting with an oversized garden chandelier or giant floor lamp, or a row of torcherès that lead to the dining table. Add an outdoor rug, made from polypropylene to withstand sun, rain or snow.

And finally, how about a table-top pizza oven to cook you and your guests an authentic stone-baked pizza in minutes?

! s u o i c i l De

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Extend your evenings outdoors with flexible lighting If you are renovating your garden and have the opportunity to add some external lighting, it is well worth considering the additional investment.

Not only will you be able to enjoy your outside space later into the evenings, but it will highlight interesting features, help guide you safely in the dark and provide additional security. Because a new outdoor lighting circuit must conform to Building Regulations, always use a qualified electrician.

• A floodlight with a wide beam, set at least two metres off the ground, is effective at providing general light. Make sure it won’t annoy your neighbours, though.

• Wall lights are ideal for passageways and either side of an entrance. Consider security sensors that switch lights on when a visitor approaches.

• Use spotlights to highlight specific elements, such as a sculptural plant or a water feature.

• For a party atmosphere, wind, weave and swag strings of lights around trees, posts and trellises.

• If you don’t have any outside power, consider solar lights or battery-operated LEDs. They are inexpensive and easy to install, and available in a range of styles from strings of fairy lights to candles and lanterns.

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Quality Products and Exceptional Service at Premier Carpets and Flooring Ltd

Premier Carpets and Flooring have long been the number-one choice for discerning home and business owners who are keen to find quality products and exceptional service.

Established for over thirty years, the business supplies carpets and flooring from industry-leading brands from their impressive showroom, that’s located in Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton.

With something for every home interior – and budget - as well as an extensive selection of flooring which meets the demands of the commercial sector, Premier is the only place you’ll need to visit whatever your carpet and flooring requirements.

As company owner, Roy Colman explains: “Our extensive, recently refurbished showroom displays the latest ranges of flooring from leading brands such as Karndean and Amtico and there’s a vast range of top-quality carpets from all of the big names; Cormar, Brockway, Westex, Ulster, Brintons, Kingsmead and Victoria Carpets.”

And no matter what budget you’re working to, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Premier.

“We have plenty of budget carpets to choose from too, which are particularly popular with private landlords.”

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As approved Karndean suppliers – and installers – Premier offers a full design and fitting service for the ever-popular flooring.

“Clients can book an appointment – free of charge - with one of our surveyors who will visit their home, measure up and provide plenty of help and advice before giving a quotation.”

And all of the company’s fitters have been fully trained and completed advanced Karndean fitting courses.

Of course, Premier’s fitters are able to install any product sold by the company and can take care of all aspects of the installation process, including sub floor preparation, damp-proof membranes as well as floor-levelling screeds.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

But it’s not just domestic clients that benefit from what Premier has to offer: “We work with many businesses and have taken on projects for all-manner of institutions, including schools, hospitals, residential homes, private businesses, each of Wolverhampton University’s campuses and even the prison service.”

It’s no surprise that Premier are the go-to supplier for the commercial sector, not only do they supply commercial carpets, carpet tiles and safety floor vinyls - from brands such as Altro, Polyflor, Forbo, Heckmondwike, Interface, JHS and Rawsons - they deliver an unbeatable, ultra-efficient service, from start to finish.

customers and specialise in all types of floor coverings including carpet rolls, carpet tiles, Luxury vinyl tiles, planks and sheet vinyl.

Independent local traders can also take advantage of Premier’s trade counter, which is situated in store.

With a team of eight staff members and a fleet of nine vehicles, the company are able to easily meet the demands of any job.

So, why not update your home – or business – with carpets or Vinyl flooring from Premier?

“Our website has been designed to be an extension of our already successful bricks and mortar business. We now offer ’supply-only’ all over the UK on our extensive range of products, you can buy online and experience great advice and impeccable service all within a few clicks.”

We provide our services to both domestic and commercial www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Premier Carpets DPS.indd 3

Left Brough, IanIan Widdowson, Elaine Coates, Matt Thompson, Left to to right: right: Kerry Matt Thompson, Widdowson, Emma Stowe, Roy Colman Simon Fellows, Roy Colman

Premier Carpets and Flooring Ltd Unit 9 Walton Works Ind Est, Macrome Road, Claregate, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV6 9HD.

Call us on: 01902 745491

w w w. p r e m i e r f l o o r i n g l t d . c o m

And that’s why companies from across the entire UK are keen to use Premier.

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09/08/2019 13:46

Whether you’re laying down the first foundations or developing an existing one, Manchester Brick have got you covered for the perfect external look!

First established in 2013, Manchester Brick’s mission is to create a fast, fuss-free experience for customers, providing bespoke advice and bricks perfect for each individual need from a vast range of suppliers - saving you time, energy and money.

As current Managing Director, Dean Royle, recounts: “We quickly developed a global network of manufacturers that we work closely with to develop brick types which are made to look olde-worlde or reclaimed.”

Partnered with popular suppliers such as Ibstock, Forterra and Wienerberger, there is no limit to the types and styles of bricks on offer. What’s more, it’s the only UK Distributor of bricks that can guarantee all partner factories have the stamp of approval from Sedex, meaning clients can rest easily assured that all ethical trade standards are met.

With services such as brick tinting on offer, there really is no job too unique. No matter the colour or style in need of replicating, Manchester Brick will be able to match it. If there are reservations, exact samples can be made and delivered within 48 hours so you can be absolutely certain of the match before purchasing.

Looking to revamp your style without rebuilding?

Brick slips are an effective and simple way of adding an authentic brick design without having to start afresh. With a wide range of styles on offer, you’ll be stuck for choice. However, if you’re looking for slips to specifically replicate a type of brick, these can also be made at your request.

Nor do brick slips need to be reserved solely for external use. From incorporating some old-fashioned comfort to boasting a statement feature wall, there are countless ways you can add some texturised character to any interior space with brick design.

Whatever the need, the team at Manchester Brick will provide you with a 5-star quality service, brimming with 100 years of specialised knowledge in the brick industry. Whether you’re interested in the various services on offer, or you’re in need of some expert opinion, there will always be a friendly team member on hand to meet and discuss your requirements.

With extensive stock to suit the demands of homeowners, builders and merchants, there really is no need for you to be stressing over prices, quantity or delivery.

Let Manchester Brick do the work and research for you! We are confident to provide a perfect and seamless match for every style and need.

CALL: 0161 641 3579 EMAIL: SALES@MANCHESTERBRICK.COM

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Manchester Brick Specialists are proud to present our new range of beautifully distinctive handmade bricks.

SEE OUR FULL RANGE AT WWW.MANCHESTERBRICK.COM

GLAZED BRICK TILES ALSO AVAILABLE

Manchester Brick Specialists is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of clay bricks and tiles.

Specialists in replicating the UK’s regional brickwork styles, weathered and aged so they are indistinguishable from genuine reclaimed bricks.

0161 641 3579 SALES@MANCHESTERBRICK.COM

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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To find out more about the new Parkfield Grange Care Home, visit www.cinnamoncc.com/parkfield or call 01384 465837

A New Breed of Care Home Finding a care home with exceptional standards and facilities is the top priority for many families. Thankfully, a new breed of care home is emerging in the UK – driven by dignified and compassionate elderly care. We talk to Carol Hunt, Director at the luxury care home group Cinnamon Care Collection ahead of the 2021 opening of their new care home Parkfield Court in Stourbridge.

“The luxury care market isn’t about waiting for an emergency situation to prompt the move into care. It’s more focused on encouraging people to make lifestyle choices whilst they’re still fit and well and to choose an environment that supports their continued wellbeing. Often, people see going into a care home as synonymous with losing their independence. Perhaps they’re no longer mobile or they have been diagnosed with

dementia. In such situations, it’s not just the facilities but the people that make the difference,” comments Carol.

Each Cinnamon care home has an experienced General Manager that interviews every prospective staff member, looking for compassion, dedication, respect and inspiration. Residents at all levels of physical health are also involved in interviewing staff and sitting on residents’ councils. It is vital that residents are active in developing their own environment. Cinnamon’s philosophy is to have exceptional teams, combined with luxury facilities, to offer a truly bespoke service. “Customers expect more on behalf of their loved ones.

They want elderly care that prioritises security and safety.

As care home providers, it’s our job to meet and exceed those expectations,” Carol adds.

So, what should people look for when they’re exploring possibilities for their loved ones?

According to Carol, “Even in the luxury market, it’s about more than just the facilities – although they are, of course, important.

But even more vital are the people and the culture. In my experience, 99% of staff who work in this industry do it because they genuinely care. If we equip those staff with the right training, skills and leadership to be able to do their jobs to an outstanding level, then we’re pretty much there.”

Parkfield Court on Hagley Road, close to Stourbridge town centre, will be Cinnamon’s sixteenth care home. The luxury care home has 68 en-suite rooms plus 6, onebedroom suites which are ideal for couples or for those looking for more space. The home will provide residential, dementia and respite care. Facilities will include a private dining room, cinema, activity room, café bar and a hair and beauty salon. Parkfield Court will join a nationwide portfolio of awardwinning Cinnamon care homes.

New Luxurious Care Home in Stourbridge Show suites opening soon

Every aspect of our new care home has been planned with the people we care for in mind – whether it is the personalisation of their care plans, the careful selection of the dÊcor in their room, their dining experience, hobbies or personal preferences...

At Parkfield Grange, people will always come first.

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Residential I Dementia Care I Respite

TOP

D AR AW

To register your interest, phone 01384 465 837 or visit our website: www.cinnamoncc.com/parkfieldgrange

Parkfield Grange Care Home Hagley Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1QR t: www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk 01384 465 837 e: parkfield.enquiries@cinnamoncc.com w: cinnamoncc.com/parkfieldgrange

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The best locations for a post-lockdown road trip The loss of complete freedom to travel didn’t stop us from planning ahead.

This year brought unprecedented changes to our freedom to travel as we wish. However, we can now turn our attention to what we’ll do with the relaxation of lockdown.

With that in mind, here are a few road trip ideas for Brits dreaming of indulging their wanderlust.

Scottish Highlands Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world can be found on our doorstep. The Scottish Highlands are famous for their endless rolling hills and otherworldly mountainous landscapes, including Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak.

Fly into Glasgow airport and rent a car for the two-hour drive north to Fort William, and you’ll also take in the utterly gorgeous Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Snowdonia From one tall peak to another, this time in Wales. It’s a similar story here, with epic scenery on tap along with some of the most exciting roads in the UK. Keen drivers should try to take in the roads around Bala, which are synonymous with popular automotive magazine photo shoots.

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands, Anglesey is about an hour north, too, offering more picturesque views and some fantastic ocean drives.

Lake District While you’re touring the UK’s tallest mountains, add Scafell Pike in the Lake District to your list. Climb this along with Snowdon and Ben Nevis and you’ve completed the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing the tallest spots in Scotland, Wales and England.

Aside from the big pointy hills, the Lake District is full of lakes (you’ll be shocked to hear) and forests, as well as being steeped in history. There’s really something for everyone.

Wild Atlantic Way Just a short 1,500 miles long, the Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail that takes in the west coast of Ireland. Unless you have three or four weeks to take it all in, it’s probably best to take a more detailed look at what’s along the way and pick the section that appeals most rather than cram it all into a week or two.

There are tons of places to visit, so however long or short your trip, there’s plenty to see, with highlights such as the Skellig Islands, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher and Killary Harbour standing out.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Nurburgring Petrolheads should look no further than making a pilgrimage to the Nurburgring.

It’s not known as The Green Hell for nothing, with the formidable circuit winding through the beautiful Eifel forest for a ludicrous 12.9-mile stretch. It’s open to the public too, if you’re feeling brave. If not, it’s free to park up by the track and watch others have a go, or perhaps time your visit to coincide with one of the official races.

Route Napoleon Loosely following the route taken by Napoleon in his 1815 escape from Elba to Grenoble in France, the aptly named Route Napoleon is a 200-mile stretch of twisting tarmac close to the Alps that naturally provides some breathtaking scenery.

What makes it so appealing, though, is that the roads are largely well-sighted, meaning you can really enjoy driving without being concerned that a tourist bus could appear out of nowhere and punt you off the road.

Stelvio Pass Made famous by the Top Gear trio, the Stelvio Pass is situated in northern Italy close to the Swiss border.

If you’re a fan of hairpins, boy are you in for a treat, because this mountain pass snakes its way down steep Alpine mountains via seemingly endless switchbacks.

It’s narrow and popular with cyclists, so you need to keep your wits about you, but even so, there can be no arguments that the Stelvio Pass is pure bucket list material.

Trollstigen Driving in Norway is a unique experience, because its endless fjords make for beautiful scenery while its mountains result in funto-drive roads and some of the longest road tunnels in the world.

The main attraction is Trollstigen, though. Translating as Trolls’ Path, it features a steep incline of ten per cent with eleven hairpin bends and waterfalls cascading down the rocks beside the road.

It’s far from easy to get to, but well worth the journey – just remember to go in summer, because it’s closed during winter.

Bruges Less known for its World Rally Championship-style ribbons of tarmac, better known for its craft beers and picturesque architecture, Bruges might seem like an outlier in this list.

However, it’s a worthy entrant because it’s the perfect city break location, and it’s just 90 minutes from Calais. So if you fancy a weekend away in Europe you could pack the car up on a Saturday morning, jump on the Eurotunnel, and be in Bruges for lunch!

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Fall in Love with

Jacuzzi®

Worcestershire

J-485™

Jacuzzi® Worcestershire, based at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold, has been the perfect place for prospective hot tub buyers for nearly 10 years.

As a global brand, Jacuzzi® carefully selects the locations of its own stores, and it’s never been easier (or more enjoyable) to sample the delights of a hot tub than with Jacuzzi Worcestershire.

The team is made up of Jennifer, Emma and Natalie and together they are on hand to guide you through the premium range of hot tubs that Jacuzzi® has to offer, helping you to select the perfect model for you and your lifestyle. Whether you’re a large and busy family looking to get some quality time together, or a couple looking for the perfect way

to relax after a long day at work, Jacuzzi® has the right tub for you.

Plus, with the introduction of 4 stunning new hot tubs into our J-400™ Collection, a range known for its elegant styling and superior hydromassage, Jacuzzi® is the trusted brand that can deliver neckto-toe muscle relief like no other.

As part of your research, Jacuzzi® Worcestershire offers the ‘try before you buy’ experience, meaning all you need to do is make an appointment, bring along your swimsuit and enjoy a private wet test. Nothing compares to fully experiencing a Jacuzzi® hot tub to give you the confidence in your chosen model, or the chance to familiarise yourself with its fantastic features.

Many people still believe that buying a hot tub is an expensive purchase, but with a variety of finance options available, enjoying a hot tub in the comfort of your own home has never been so affordable.

Visit the team at Webbs Garden Centre and they will happily talk

you through the range of flexible plans on offer. Whether you opt for 0% interest free credit, want to buy now and pay later or prefer to spread the cost over 10 years with deposits from as little as £100, they’ll make sure you choose the right option for you.

As one of the UK’s leading hot tub suppliers, you’ll enjoy first-class service, impeccable aftercare and benefit from the sound hot tub knowledge that the team at Jacuzzi® Worcestershire possess.

If you’re looking for advice on what chemicals to use, instructions on how to replace a filter or just need some help on day-to-day usage, the team are always happy to help.

With Jacuzzi® Worcestershire, your hot tub purchase will be a fun, stress-free and exciting experience. So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of this premium service by calling 01527 869 378 or better yet, drop by the showroom and have a look at the range of hot tubs on display.

A n d f o r a l i t t l e o n l i n e re s e a rc h , v i s i t w w w. j a c u z z i w o rc e s t e r s h i re . c o . u k 68

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Autumn colour in the garden

Tips are provided

by Ann Winwood, Lealans Garden Centre, Wolverhampton

I

f we get a nice spell of weather through August and into the beginning of September the flowering season of summer bedding and perennials will continue into early autumn. The range of new varieties of tried and tested herbaceous perennials has expanded quickly over the last few years with the introduction of new foxgloves, delphiniums and Lupins alongside the newer plants of perennial Salvia, Gaura and Heuchera - they make a cost-effective alternative to summer bedding. Buying perennials from spring through to autumn will give colour for many months of the year.

Summer baskets and tubs should still be in their prime through September and possibly into October if we don’t get any early frosts, but as the nights draw in and the weather gets cooler, they’ll begin to fade. Continue to dead head and feed regularly to encourage a late show of colour.

Once your baskets have been emptied why not replant for winter colour, there’s plenty to choose from – pansies, violas, polyanthus, heathers, ivies and don’t forget to add a few spring flowering bulbs for added colour. Most garden centres sell smaller sized shrubs that are suitable for tubs and baskets, they then can be planted out in the garden next spring. These include gaultherias, leucothoe, skimmias and grasses.

Once borders have been cleared of summer bedding, you can replant with winter pansies, violas, sweet williams and wallflowers. Hopefully if the weather has been moist we’ll have some of our own field

grown wallflowers available from the end of September they give excellent value for money - for flowering in the spring with the bulbs.

Harvest onions and potatoes now – lift up onions and allow to dry out where they’ve been growing if the weather is fine, before storing. Potatoes should be stored in a cool but frost-free environment.

Hessian sacks that are available from garden centres are ideal for this purpose. Continue to pick runner beans and courgettes on a regular basis, so that they don’t become stringy. Pick any tomatoes before the first frosts and ripen on the windowsill or use for green chutney.

Pick early apples and pears as they become ripe.

Eat the earlier varieties straight away, storing later ripening ones for later use. Cover autumn fruiting raspberries against birds. The old fruiting canes can be pruned out during the winter months as the autumn varieties fruit on new season’s growth each year.

Clean out greenhouses before putting in overwintering plants and insulate with bubble. Check over heaters ready for the first frosts. As you bring in plants to overwinter, watch out for vine weevil larvae, especially on fuchsias. If you do see signs of them, drench the compost with Bugclear Vine Weevil control.

Buy prepared hyacinth bulbs for Christmas flowering and plant them in bowls with Bulb Compost by midSeptember. Give them a drink and put in a cool, dark place, bringing gradually into the light and warmth once the shoots are approx 3cm high.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

a real garden centre for real gardeners

Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, Pattingham, Wolverhampton WV6 7EZ Tel 01902 700209

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71

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Amazing Lawn Transformations

Michelle’s Garden Care

Autumn is the best time to drastically transform your tiredlooking lawn with the help of Michelle’s Garden Care.

Experts in lawn renovations and general maintenance the team take care of gardens of all sizes and have earned a loyal client-base across Halesowen, Harborne, Stourbridge, Pedmore and surrounding areas.

As Michelle explains: “this time of year is the optimum time to renovate a particularly neglected lawn. The autumn climate helps new grass seed to germinate more easily with less help from yourself.”

“We are really proud of the excellent service that we offer our customers and we take great pride in our work.

When you choose us, you’re buying an independent local garden service that you can count on.”

“We offer custom-made plans to suit the individual

BEFORE

needs of your lawn, which is a service franchised companies simply cannot replicate.”

Utilising their in-depth knowledge, the gardening experts at Michelle’s Garden Care provide seasonal lawn treatment plans which promote green, healthy lawn growth.

“We use professional fertilisers, equipment and treatment and each aspect is carried out at the optimum time of the year for superb grass health and colour.”

And, the company tackle moss and weed issues too: “Moss is caused by a combination of moisture in your lawn and weak grass. Moss needs moisture to spread so you’re more likely to suffer from a moss problem in shady areas or in wetter seasons.”

AFTER

To treat the problem the team improve air circulation by aerating, remove unwanted matter by scarifying and ensure the lawn receives the correct level of each nutrient.

Whatever the job, the team use the best equipment and work hard to ensure a fantastic result for every client.

“We get great satisfaction in lawn renovations – transforming neglected lawns in poor health to lush green lawns for families to enjoy,” adds Michelle.

Although it’s all too easy to neglect the health of your lawn with a little help from Michelle’s Garden Care you can give it a new lease of life. So, why not contact the team today?

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73

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To pre-order please visit www.wallheathcoffee.co.uk or call: 07887 053054 The Wallheath Coffee Co.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Faithful servant bows out

GRACEFULLY

Like most places it’s been business, but not quite as usual over recent months at Black Country Firewood.

Throughout lockdown, we continued delivering logs to our customers and offered free delivery to over the 65’s and vulnerable groups. Although we have several payment options, we encouraged everyone to pay over the phone which meant we could social distance with ease whilst out delivering.

We found this payment method a real success with several customers commenting on how reassuring it was to have the logs delivered without having to worry about handling cash or using our mobile card machine. We also set up a ‘click and collect’ system, where customers were able to purchase through our website and then collect from the firewood centre abiding by social distancing rules.

In August, we updated our JCB loader. The loadall is one of our most valued pieces of equipment reliving us of what would otherwise be back breaking work. Its duties include moving heavy

tree trunks of wood called ‘cord wood’ onto our firewood processor to loading finished logs onto delivery vehicles. Manufactured in 1999, at the age of 21, she’s been a true testament to British engineering completing over 10,000 hours of service both on our home farm and at the firewood centre. Although we will be sad to see her go, the team are looking forward to some of the modern luxuries the replacement has to offer, including Air Conditioning and a DAB radio!

Usually, we would take this opportunity to advertise our open day which has run successfully for past three years. However, in light of the current situation we have made the decision to cancel it for this year.

Moving forward, we will endeavour to look after you, our valued customer. We are confident that regardless of how the pandemic progresses, using the systems we have in place, we will be able to deliver firewood safely to everyone this Winter.

Suppliers of high quality firewood Shop and buy online

www.blackcountryfirewood.co.uk

or visit us at

Salters Hall Farm Bobbington, Stourbridge, DY7 5DX * pack includes:

1 x Huge Bag Kiln Dried Logs 2 x Nets of Kindling Sticks 1 x 24 Natural Firelighters 1 x Box Matches

Only £109* Contact us today...

01384 884481 or 07791 438389 @thefirewoodshed

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

blackcountryfirewood 75

cing As lockdown and social distan ed eas lly dua gra e hav restraints has over the last few weeks so also ally dic tho community rugby me and with due adherence to s government and RFU guideline to k bac ss gre pro n see lly gradua clubs normal. As with other rugby se C Pha g cin bra we are now em by Rug to n tur “Re ge of a six sta is e anc ern gov r Ou p”.

Ma d Roa ip rsh mie remote from the Pre rts games being shown on BT Spo With the same testing and disinfecting systems in place, this allows for up to twenty players to train at the same time and a new format of the Touch Rugby game has been developed to help with fitness, skills and game play called Ready4Rugby. This new stage will be monitored closely and if successful, there is a possibility of playing competitive Ready4Rugby games against other clubs. Stage C could be in place for some weeks so we have taken the positive approach to the new way of training and playing. It opens up the opportunity for any one who fancies a go at trying rugby as a fitness boost to come and have a go, without any nerves of physical contact. Stage D allows for adapted contact training, Stage E for adapted contact fixtures and Stage F for full contact training and competitive fixtures. As you will appreciate Stage F could be months away.

As far as the First XV fixtures go with sixteen teams in the league the scenario outlined above would allow for a 22 match season if we started in November or December based on one match against everyone else and then the top eight and the bottom eight play home and away ,or if we have a January start then the season is 15 games long where everyone plays each other once. Any other scenarios and further implications are still on the drawing board.

Despite our keenness to get our “May Lunch” off the ground even as late as mid-October that concept has been abandoned and Friday May 14th is booked for next year with the Summer Ball on the Saturday.

The club office will be open in the first week in September and all membership options will be made available then and on our website. It is our intent, subject to guidelines to use the club house extensively throughout December with our traditional Christmas Fayre, Turkey supper, Ladies Lunch, combined office parties, sponsors’ Christmas celebrations and our regular Corporate Lunch.

November 6th is currently planned for Bonfire and fireworks all subject to social distancing restraints. Tickets will be available from late September on a pre-booked basis ONLY. We are all keen to get back to playing and watching full contact rugby and joining our pals with a beer in hand…

it may be a few weeks yet!

T: 01384 395000 E: rugby@stourbridgerugby.com www.stourbridgerugby.com 76

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

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77

TRAVEL IN STYLE WITH

Signature Luxury Cars “If you’ve got a special occasion to attend, why not take the stress and strain out of travelling there - and make it even more memorable - by letting us drive you in style?”

Whether you’re going on holiday or leaving for a business trip, Signature Luxury Cars will get you to your destination on time.

Whatever you’ve got planned this year, make sure that you travel there in style, with Signature Luxury Cars’ professional chauffeur service.

“We’re a discreet, professional luxury chauffeur service that’s based in the West Midlands and we pride ourselves on the excellent service that we offer our clients,” explains owner, Andrew Hickman.

Covering all UK destinations, including airports and seaports, the company can take you anywhere you want to go.

And, corporate clients are always pleased to know that their personnel will receive only the best service.

“We offer relaxed, discreet and efficient travel for your business personnel.”

The company cover all UK sporting events too, so that you can enjoy door to door service, whatever the event.”

With over 25 years’ experience working as a professional driver, Andrew knows exactly how to provide the very best service for every one of his clients.

Directors and corporate VIPs, in the electricity industry as well as local government.”

In fact, Andrew spent the last 14 years of his career working as chauffer to Wolverhampton’s civic heads and in his role he has chauffeured the most senior civil servants, as well as visiting royalty from overseas.

“My career as a professional driver has taken me the length and breadth of the country, as well as continental Europe.”

With surprisingly competitive prices, it’s affordable for anyone to enjoy a little luxury with Signature.

“Our R-Class Mercedes is complete with air-conditioning, privacy glass, DVD entertainment systems and space for up to seven people.”

So why not contact Andrew today to enjoy the chauffeur driven experience, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that luxury travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

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Airport Transfers • Weddings • Sporting Events • Concerts Anniversaries • Proms • Birthdays • And any other Special Occasion

Contact: Andrew Hickman: 07931 440225 / 01384 458326 email: signatureluxurycars@yahoo.com www.signatureluxurycars.co.uk

“From A to B without a worry” Locally based, covering all UK destinations no matter where you need to go, we can meet and exceed your expectations of what a chauffeured service should be.

78

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

THE PERFECT COUNTRY HAVEN AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE...

If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay in the Black Country then you’ll be delighted to find New Wood Farm. Located in Stourton - just outside of Wollaston – New Wood Farm boasts two beautifully renovated self-catering cottages that lie in a tranquil and picturesque countryside setting that’s within easy reach of Stourbridge, Kingswinford and Kinver.

The converted farm buildings have been designed to offer guests a cosy ‘home from home’ and have been lovingly restored by owners Linda and Mick Thornton, who were keen to retain their original character whilst creating a stylish and modern interior.

Welcoming visitors from all over the world, the couple have long been ensuring that their guests enjoy a wonderful stay.

As Linda explains: “We have been hosting the barn for over 20 years and have had guests stay with us from as far away as Australia and America, as well as from all over the UK. We also have a lot of local people stay with us too.” Holiday makers, business people, those visiting relatives and local people needing a place to stay in between a house move, renovation works or even to recuperate after surgery - have all enjoyed what New Wood has to offer.

“There are plenty of different reasons why guests choose to stay with us at New Wood but we hope that the reason they return time and time again is

because of the enjoyable stay they’ve had.”

The Barn sleeps four people and has two bathrooms and The Stable provides accommodation for two. “The Barn and The Stable both benefit from a wood burning stove,comfy leather sofas and a large TV.” There’s also parking available for up to three cars and free WIFI. “Our gates open onto a bridle path that leads down to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, with no passing traffic which is great for walkers and cyclists.”

Linda and Mick have worked hard to pay attention to those little details that make all the difference; there are flower boxes and planters outside the cottages, as well as a very unique addition in The Barn.

“We’ve got a Wurlitzer juke box containing many vinyl records from the 1960’s and 1970’s in The Barn that many of our guests love,” adds Linda.

With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that guests at New Wood Farm can’t wait to book their next stay.

For bookings or enquiries please call 01384 390520 or email: enquiries@blackcountrystays.com New Wood Farm, Hyperion Road, Stourton, Nr Stourbridge, DY7 6SJ

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

FP NEW Wood Farm Wolves mag May.indd 1

www.blackcountrystays.com

79

18/04/2019 13:52

Willows…

dentistry

Willows Dental WOMBOURNE

making a difference

surgery within schools. Families from surrounding local areas would travel for days to see Jas and his team for their children to receive dental treatment who were in immense pain. A lead Dentist would triage all the children who came to the pop-up dental surgery on a daily basis for Jas and his team to treat them accordingly.

As part of Willows Dental Charity and Community Program, Jas, one of Willows long standing Cosmetic Dentists visited Saigon in Vietnam to look after underprivileged children.

Jas decided to embark on a challenge, travelling to Vietnam with 5 of his University friends with the charity “Aid for Kids”. After researching many different charities to travel abroad with, Jas and his friends decided on this charity as they were dedicated to helping children specifically in need, in rural areas of Vietnam.

Aid for Kids is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation which aims to improve life for children and their families worldwide through exploitation

As a country’s socioeconomic conditions evolves, the introduction of refined sugar sneaks its way in, and the transition in terms of what people eat is also evolving.

Because of this, the majority of the children’s pain was caused by having multiple decayed teeth. Due to the amount of decay and because there was no means to carry out a routine filling, the only treatment available was to extract the teeth. The lack of healthcare available in rural Vietnam and with the risk of infection in the baby teeth affecting the adult teeth, extraction and education was the most effective treatment.

Treating the local population allowed Jas to learn a few Vietnamese dental terms such as “làm tốt - well done”, “ khạc nhổ - spit” and “ cảm ơn bạn - thank you”.

During some down time on the beach playing volleyball, Jas and his friends were approached by a group of locals who were at a neighbourhood summer fete and challenged them all to a game of tug of war after a little struggle, Jas and his friends won the war, apparently... (no photo evidence available, haha). The local Chief of Police also took part in the game and was so impressed with their victory, that he took Jas and his team out for dinner with his own family.

Members of the local government were so overjoyed with Jas and his teams’ efforts for the neighbouring communities, they treated them all to dinner and a round of Saki.

This was something Jas has always wanted to do.

So when the opportunity to provide healthcare to those less fortunate than ourselves in the UK came available, and to be able to use his skills to assist others in need, he couldn’t say no!

Starting at 5am every morning, Jas would travel for hours visiting different rural villages and set up a mobile dental

Throughout Jas’s stay, the team treated over 2,000 patients and extracted over 4,000 teeth!! The team had originally set out to only see children from the local areas however, this turned into seeing some adults from the same families who were also in extreme pain and in need of desperate help; people were travelling from other villages as the news of the incredible team’s arrival had spread fast.

The fond memories of this beautiful country really shows us how lucky we really are.

The love and appreciation that was received was truly heart-warming and will stick with Jas forever.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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WIN 3 BoTTLES of Award-Winning English Wines With Halfpenny Green Wine Estate Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, near Wombourne, South Staffs, produces a range of 13 award-winning English wines from grapes grown on-site, including whites, reds, rosĂŠs and a selection of traditional method sparkling wines.

The Estate’s Winery, built in 2005, produces over 60,000 bottles of wine a year, which are sold not only in their shop, but in many farm shops and delis throughout the region. The Winery also carries out contract winemaking and bottling for over 65 other vineyards around England and Wales, winning many regional, national and international awards in the process.

To learn more about Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, head to www.halfpennygreen.co.uk Halfpenny Green Wine Estate are giving one lucky reader the chance to take home 3 bottles of their award-winning wines.

For a chance to win, just answer the following question correctly:

Name one of the wines produced by Halfpenny Green Wine Estate Email your answer, including your name, address and telephone number to: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk All entries to be received by Friday 9th October 2020.

Terms and Conditions: To enter readers must be at least 18 years of age. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and notified by telephone. No cash or alternative prize available.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Wombourne Tandoori Restaurant Established 1989

Air conditioned

Cuisine of Bengal

 FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME 2011

Fully licensed Restaurant of the year West Midlands region 2016

WE ARE NOW OPEN Strictly telephone bookings only for the restaurant Rafique Miah welcomes you to the longest established Indian Restaurant in Wombourne Village, serving sumptuous Bangladeshi Cuisine for 30 years.

“We pride ourselves on our Quality of Food, Excellent Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction.”

Recently refurbished in contemporary surroundings, air conditioned and fully licensed.

Our popular Take-away Service is still the best in Wombourne offering 10% off our Menu price.

Tel: 01902 324148 or: 01902 324437 Open 7 days including Bank Holidays - 5.30pm until 11.30pm facebook.com/wombourne.tandoori

High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

www.wombournetandoori.com 83

Treat yourself at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate If you’re looking to find the perfect afternoon treat for yourself - or someone else - then look no further than Halfpenny Green Wine Estate.

With wine, gin and rum tastings held seven days a week, there really is something for everyone to enjoy, as Lisa Vickers explains: “Our wine tastings are held in our wine loft from 12pm - 3.30pm daily and customers get to enjoy four half glasses of wine - three still and one sparkling - and each complete with tasting notes.”

And, the tasting costs just £15.50 per person: “Customers can also choose a wine tasting with cheese where they get to sample a selection of three carefully chosen artisan cheeses from our deli for only £19.95 each.”

There are also gin tastings as well as a recently added rum experience too: “Our gin tastings are also available every day (12pm - 3.30pm) and we have two menus to choose from, which change monthly. Customers simply select their preferred menu and then receive four gins with tonics, garnishes and tasting notes all for £28.50.”

wine that’s just been added to the vineyard’s own range.

Rum tasting is brandnew at the vineyards:

It’s not just amazing wine that’s on offer though, the restaurant is open between 9.30am - 4pm every day and serves all sorts of tempting dishes.

“Our rum experience launched on Saturday 5th September and costs £28.50 per person. There are four rums to enjoy, again complete with mixers, garnishes and tasting notes.

Booking is required and gift vouchers are available for all of our tastings.”

And, if the weather is good, customers can move their tasting outdoors to the vineyard’s gorgeous balcony bar.

Rum tasting isn’t the only thing that’s new at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate though, there’s a brand-new

“Our Classic Cuvée 2014 (£27.50) is our latest addition; it’s a sparkling white wine with a delicious mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Thanks to over four years of lees ageing it’s rich, elegant and has flavours of green apple, hazelnut, brioche and lemon pastries with a long finish.”

“Our High Teas are on offer between 12pm - 3pm and customers can opt to eat in at the restaurant or take them away to enjoy them at home.”

And, when you’ve finished sampling the fabulous food and drink you can step outside and see what’s on offer at the estate.

“We’re delighted that all 15 units in the craft centre are now open, as well as the Wild Zoological Park.

There are plenty of businesses to explore: an artist, blacksmith, homemade candles, glass work and much more,” adds Lisa Vickers.

There really is something for everyone and a visit to the Wild Zoological Park makes for the perfect family day out. If you fancy something a little more tranquil though, then why not spend the day fishing at the estate’s pools? There’s no need to book and fishing costs just £7 per day.

To find out more about the estate visit www.halfpennygreen.co.uk and start planning your visit today.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

NEW

RUM TASTING W I T H

FA N TA S T IC

AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH WINES

SHOP, DELI & WINE LOFT

V I E W S

RENOWNED RESTAURANT & TEA ROOM

Tom Lane, Bobbington, South Staffs, DY7 5EP visit www.halfpennygreen.co.uk call 01384 22 11 22

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

85

Wombourne Tandoori

W

By Geoff Hall

e’ve all had to endure a mostly rubbish 2020 so far and we’re all well used to the feeling of not being able to eat-out: until now. That’s right, even the government has in August been subsidising the stuffing of the nation’s collective face. So, because now we can get out and do what we’d all until the start of this year taken for granted, where better to start than with the best of the best: Wombourne Tandoori.

The restaurant has been serving up amazing Bangladeshi cuisine for over 30 years from its base on Wombourne’s High Street, overlooking the cricket pitch. In that time, it’s bagged countless awards, been praised in countless publications and delivered customer service and satisfaction that is second to none. If anywhere was ever going to be a dead-cert 86

for a post-Covid bounce back, it was going to be Rafique Miah’s fine dining establishment, so on a balmy Saturday evening my partner Gisella and I took our first steps out into eating-out’s “new normal.”

We pop into the Vine pub across the road and have a drink first; we’re not driving tonight. Then, we take a stroll over to the restaurant, waiting only seconds outside before being called in by a waiter. We’re taken straight to our table and notice immediately that the restaurant is adhering to new covid-19 guidelines. All of this can be a bit overwhelming at first but we soon notice what makes eating out so great in the first place: there’s still the usual buzz; the chattering diners, the clinking of glasses, the rustling of plates and cutlery; the comings and goings at the door of the busy and speedy takeaway service.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

J

ust like before the restaurant offers diners a stylish, modern space and, just like before, the staff are great: nothing is too much trouble. Our table is appropriately spaced away from other diners (some tables have screens to divide them) and is immaculately presented. We just can’t wait to eat.

We order four poppadums (85p each) and receive them with the usual chutneys and pickles (£1.00). Being as this

while the speciality dish is cooked to perfection. Time moves very slowly as we take in the familiar aromas!

The food arrives and we decide to share our main dishes.

Every bit of it is delicious and just as I remembered. Better, in fact. This is why we’ve dined at Wombourne Tandoori time and time again. Of course, staff are friendly and efficient and, of course, the air-conditioned contemporary restaurant is spotlessly clean and boasts a 5-star food hygiene rating, but the food, oh the food. What a joy!

It’s no wonder that the restaurant has received so many awards over the years – the food has earned every one. We’ll definitely be back in the next couple of weeks. And if you’ve never tried the place you’re missing out on a real treat…and after so much turmoil lately, you really do deserve a treat, don’t you think?

It’s a totally Covid-safe place in which to dine: we’re living proof. So, go on, spoil yourself or, at the very least, order a Wombourne Tandoori takeaway.

is a rare treat we’re determined to spoil ourselves and go for a large G&T with rhubarb and ginger tonic. Nothing less than premium mixer, Fever Tree, will do for Gisella.

Proprietor Rafique soon arrives to take our order. We skip starters and go straight for the main course. Gisella chooses ‘Pilau rice’ (£2.65) and a Peshwari Naan (£2.50) to share, with one of Rafique’s speciality dishes, ‘Chicken Tikka Palok Achari’ (£9.50). It is a dish that is served sizzling in a skillet – and is not on the menu. In fact, as regulars at the restaurant know, some of the best food at Wombourne Tandoori remains ‘off-menu’. Rafique and staff are always happy to give advice on top-secret goodness.

I’m after an old favourite tonight: ‘Mushroom pilau rice’ (£2.95) with ‘Chicken Tikka Pathia’ (£7.95). We go for a side of ‘Sag aloo’ (fresh spinach and potato with dried spices) (£3.30) and then wait patiently www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

Wombourne Tandoori owner Rafique Miah

Wombourne Tandoori High Street, Wombourne WV5 9DN For table reservations please call 01902 324148 / 324437 www.wombournetandoori.co.uk 87

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Win a post lockdown Pamper Package at Wollaston Beauty Clinic

COMPETITION Wollaston Beauty Clinic are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a Post Lockdown Pamper Package. To be in with a chance of winning this unique prize simply answer the following question correctly:

“What is the name of the new ESPA massage oil blend?”

The team at Wollaston Beauty Clinic have created a gorgeous pamper package including an ESPA Back Massage together with a Pedicure.

Plus, they have included a complementary gift for you to take home to complete the experience: Take away the stresses that have built up over the last few months and have some complete “Me Time”. Choose from 8 oil blends for you massage, and 100’s of colours for your finishing touch of polish during your pedicure.

Competition Terms and Conditions: By entering this competition, you are agreeing to our salon terms & conditions including subscription to our mailing list which you can unsubscribe at any time. The Winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received and informed by telephone. To enter you must be aged 18 years or older. Prize to be redeemed by Friday 30th October 2020. No cash or alternative prize will be given.

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Email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: info@wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk

Entries to be received by Friday 25th September.

Prize to be redeemed by Friday 30th October.

www.wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Tanzanite and Diamond Suite Exclusive to

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HAIR LOSS & ALOPECIA TREATMENT at Symétrie STOP LOSING HAIR WITH XL HAIR® HAIR XL Hair® is a revolutionary new treatment it helps treat hair thinning, hair loss, baldness and Menopausal hair loss.

XL Hair® stops hair loss and stimulates growth of new hair follicles. It is used to treat androgenic alopecia, and hair loss in MEN and WOMEN to create fuller thicker hair.

The procedure uses a ‘Mesotherapy Gun’ which provides painless, precise penetration of a unique serum made of hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids, growth factors, vitamins and antioxidants. Promoting circulation and stimulation of the hair follicles.

If you’re concerned about hair loss call 01384 886 646 to arrange a FREE Hair Clinic consultation.

NEW TO SYMÉTRIE Hair loss is a cosmetically and psychologically distressing problem It is important to diagnose early and start treatment immediately. XL Hair® is a new opportunity for the treatment of different baldness patterns and hair loss and it’s now available from Symétrie.

Our nurse administered treatment repairs and stimulates hair growth, increasing the thickness of hair by improving skin nutrition and skin defence against internal and external stress and damage factors. Added to this is the delivery of copper peptide to the base of follicles, which helps strengthen hair while stimulating hair follicles to produce a strong hair shaft, help blood circulation in the scalp and revitalize hair follicles.

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

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WOLLASTON BEAUTY CLINIC Proud to be open again, even more confident, and ready to give you the best service ever.

The salon is clean and hygienic with new procedures in place to keep both staff and clients comfortable and safe.

There is absolutely no need to be nervous or apprehensive about booking your treatment in this open and airy salon. When you’re met at the door your treatment journey begins. From start to finish you’re in good hands. Celebrating its 35th year, Rachel and her team of highly qualified therapists absolutely love what they do and want you to feel amazing.

To mark their birthday this autumn the team has put together a “Post Lockdown Pamper Package”, perfect to tend to those neglected feet and also to suitably unwind and relax your tension from the build-up over the last few months. Experience a gorgeous Back Massage in fresh clean surroundings using one of the ESPA signature oils of your choice, maybe you would choose the brand-new Positivity Blend.

This signature oil incorporates a harmonious blend of essential oils including the spirit-lifting aromatics of Jasmine, Gardenia and Rose Geranium to provide a burst of happiness, whilst the vibrancy of Bergamot and Sweet Orange evoke mindfulness. Next treat yourself to a totally thorough Pedicure, one of the salons highly recommended treatments, loved by many, Wollaston Beauty Clinic Pedicures are a true favourite. Finally, you will be given a limited edition “Tri-Active Collection” ESPA bag of miniatures to carry on pampering yourself at home or away.

Worth £135, this limited time Pamper Package is available anytime throughout September and October for only £69.

This well-established salon has long been a favourite within the local area, and as Salon Manager Jenny explains: “Our team of Therapists are so dedicated to giving their clients the best experience they have ever had and are so happy to be back doing all their treatments again”. The treatments on-offer at Wollaston Beauty Clinic are as close to those offered by a day spa as possible: “We provide a little bit of luxury in Wollaston that’s guaranteed to make you look good and feel great,” adds Jenny.

“During the weeks we were closed we did a little renovation on our washroom to guarantee absolute cleanliness within the Salon and we can’t wait to show all our valued clients old and new.”

Post Lockdown Pamper Package

ntil Available u020 31st Oct 2 t time of

for a ocks ust be paid Package m ift available while st . re *G , u rt ng a ki ep oo d b en on last and giv

COSMOS NATURAL CERTIFIED: The highest standards of natural ingredients are contained in every new ESPA product.

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VEGAN SOCIETY CERTIFIED: Many ESPA products are Vegan therefore, cruelty free, clean and safe.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

YOU DESERVE THIS Post Lockdown Pamper Package

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Wollaston Beauty Clinic where relaxing & pampering is essential

153 Bridgnorth Road Wollaston DY8 3NU 01384 393305

www.wollastonbeautyclinic.co.uk Terms and conditions apply. Offer not available in conjunction with any other offers.

Notwww.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk available to purchase with voucher payment or beauty point redemption. Package must be paid for at time of booking.

Valid until 31st October 2020. *Gift available while stocks last and given on departure.

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Aristocats New Autumn/Winter 2020 Collections

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We are following ALL government guidelines to help keep you and our staff safe.

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DYS L E X I A

AND VISION Olha Lac BSc (Hons) Dip ScV M.ASvP (Director Optometrist at Taylor Biddle Opticians)

Award winning Schoolvision practitioner Q. What is dyslexia?

A. The word ‘dyslexia’ comes from the Greek and means ‘difficulty with words’. It primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent reading and spelling. It is believed to be one of the most common learning difficulties although many dyslexics are very bright and often have strong visual, creative and problem-solving skills. Many famous and successful people are known to be dyslexic.

Q. What is Visual Stress?

A. Simply explained, Visual Stress (also known as Visual Dyslexia or Irlen Syndrome) is a sensitivity to visual patterns, particularly stripes.

It can occur when a white background appears to interfere with lines of black print and causes difficulties with visual processing of the reading content.

Q. Is Visual Stress the same as Dyslexia?

A. Visual stress is not the same as Dyslexia, but is more common in those who are dyslexic and can occur despite normal vision. It is thought that it affects 12% of the population and 65% of dyslexics.

Many dyslexic people are sensitive to the glare of white backgrounds on a page, white board or computer screen. This can make the reading of text much more difficult.

Q. What are the symptoms of Visual Stress?

reading content and are observed to fidget, move books around, skip words and lines and often rub their eyes and blink frequently.

Frustration and low self-esteem can occur in children who are underachieving at school due to visual stress, therefore early diagnosis is essential. The longer it takes to identify and remedy visual stress, the greater the loss of confidence that can result.

Q. My child has difficulty reading but I was told that his vision is normal?

A. It is important to remember that normal sight may not necessarily be synonymous with normal vision.

Reading is a complex task and involves many aspects. Most recent studies found that people with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, are more likely to have unstable binocular vision at near distance, which means that their eyes have to work harder than usual to maintain alignment and tracking whilst reading and writing. Some of the conventional tests used in routine eye examination may not show this instability in children. I have used

SCHOOLVISION method for over six years with great success as its battery of tests are very accurate and are specifically designed for testing children. The results are confirmed with Clinical Eye Tracker which shows the stability of eye movement with and without the tint.

Q. Is there a cure for visual stress?

A. There is no “cure”, but visual stress can be reduced or eliminated by the use of coloured lenses worn in spectacles. These are prescribed following Colorimetry assessment when the precise tint is selected with the aid of INTUITIVE COLORIMETER, which produces thousands of colour combinations. The success rate in my practice is around 80%.

Degree of improvement differssome individuals reach up to 150% increase in speed of reading, some about 20% due to other non-visual learning difficulties. Very often children move up several reading levels within a few weeks.

Visual Stress screening cost £35.

Please enquire for further information.

A. Sufferers may report movement and blurring of the text. Letters can appear to reverse or change shape. Halos, colours or patterns, sometimes described as “rivers” or “worms”. Red, sore eyes and headaches are also frequent complaints. These individuals often have poor comprehension of the 110

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

EXTENDED DISTANCING EYE EXAMINATIONS LATEST CUTTING EDGE EYE SCANNING TECHNOLOGY LATEST COVID-19 SAFE GUIDELINES FOLLOWED NEW DESIGNER COLLECTIONS AND SPECIAL OFFERS 39 Bridgnorth Road, Compton WV6 8AF: T 01902 750325 34 Windmill Bank, Wombourne WV5 9JD: T 01902 895909 w taylorbiddleopticians.co.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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The Importance of Posture Posture can be defined as the way we carry and position our body throughout our daily physical activities.

When our bodies have good posture it is less stressful on our joints and muscles, so it is important to be aware of how you are standing or sitting as you perform your daily activities – particularly if you spend a lot of the day in one position, such as sitting at a desk.

If you have had bad posture for a long time (and most of us do) it will feel very strange and alien at first when you try to correct it, as the body wants to keep doing what it is used to. However, if

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By Catherine Rose

you persevere, coupling this with regular exercise to strengthen muscle tone, eventually muscle memory will kick in and you will find that your posture has improved without you having to constantly think about it.

For a good seated posture your knees should be slightly lower than your hips, so you need to position your chair height accordingly. If you work at a computer, ensure that the screen is at a comfortable eye level and you are not having to hunch forward or bend your neck. Sit with your feet flat on the floor facing forwards, a hip width apart, and straighten your back so that your tail bone ‘sticks out’ rather than your back being rounded. Your spine should form a gentle ‘S’ curve.

Finally, make a conscious effort to lower your shoulders, slightly pushing your shoulder blades back and down at the same time.

You may need to do this more than once as we all tend to naturally carry our shoulders in a

raised, rounded position, which over time can lead to muscle tightness, tension headaches and back or neck pain.

Are you a fan of stilettos? If so, you may want to limit their wear as high heels push the spine forward, over-arching the back. They also put pressure on your knees and the balls of your feet, which can cause joint problems later. Save the shoes for special occasions rather than wearing them every day.

Exercise and core stability are important when maintaining good posture, as muscles weaken and muscle fibres shorten without regular movement and exercise,.

Stretching exercises two or three times a week will help relieve tension, increase circulation and maintain muscle condition.

Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that are excellent for improving tone, flexibility and posture. There are classes available for all levels and online tutorials.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

Ergonomic furniture and aids can also help with best posture; for example, by using a lumbar support cushion in your office chair or in the car. Always ensure that your furniture supports you adequately. A squashy chair that is too low and difficult to get out of may not be ideal.

Likewise, your mattress should also support your back properly when you sleep. To check this, notice if your spine is straight when you lie on your side. If not, it may be time to change your mattress. Your pillow should also cradle your neck so that it is in alignment with the spine.

you are carrying yourself. If you are feeling stressed, tired or sad, it is likely that this will be reflected in your posture; for example, your head may be drooping, your shoulders hunched, your weight unevenly distributed and your back rounded. now close your eyes and evenly distribute your weight, straighten your legs (keeping knees soft) and then

gently lengthen your spine and neck as much as you are able, vertebra by vertebra, tucking in the pelvis. Push your shoulders back and down then slightly lower your chin. If you can, smile. now open your eyes. not only will you be standing taller and straighter but you will almost certainly look and feel better too.

Always consult your GP if you have any concerns.

Bad posture not only physically impacts on our body; it has also been proven to have a detrimental psychological effect, even leading to an increased risk of depression.

Charles Darwin first scientifically proved the link between movement and emotion in his studies of humans and animals.

Try this experiment. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and note how

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PAYCARE IN THE COMMUNITY

september/ october 2020 achieved with the support of Paycare and with this news we look forward to continuing our development plans.”

Extensive work has also been underway while games have been on hold, thanks to a team of loyal and dedicated club volunteers, including the refurbishment of the dressing rooms and the main club room, and reconfiguring the space to create a fully-equipped gym.

Garry Hale, Vice Chair of Darlaston Town (1874) FC, and Sally Bromley, Paycare’s Partnership Engagement Officer, check out the newly-created gym room at the club’s ground.

SPoNSorSHiP DEAl ExTENDED

Black Country organisation Paycare is set to continue its sponsorship of a local football club for another three years.

Paycare Ground, named after their main sponsors who also feature on the home shirt of the first team.

The announcement that the Health Cash Plan and Wellbeing Provider would be supporting Darlaston Town (1874) FC all the way up to the end of the 2023/24 season came in the same week as the FA decided local football leagues could resume from September.

Club Chairman Neil Chambers said: “This is fantastic news and a boost for everyone at the club.

Paycare has been our main sponsor for the last six years, so to extend their sponsorship for this forthcoming season and a further three seasons is wonderful, especially given these difficult times.

Now it’s just weeks until the club’s team can start playing at The

“Our progress and development over the last six seasons have been

Sally Bromley, Paycare’s Partnership Engagement Officer, added: “The Paycare team is absolutely delighted to confirm that we will be extending our current sponsor partnership with Darlaston Town (1874) FC for a further three years beyond the forthcoming season.

“It is amazing to see the works that have been safely carried out during the lockdown months, and to know what a positive impact these improvements will have for everyone at the club and the local community. To have such a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers with Darlaston Town at the very heart of everything they do can only bode well for the future of the club.

“We are extremely proud to continue our support of Darlaston Town, their fans and our community, and wish the club every good luck for the forthcoming season in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division.”

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PAyCArE’S GoT

THEir BACKS

ANNivErSAry CElEBrATioNS Black Country Chamber of Commerce employees are celebrating a fantastic first year of being Paycare Policyholders. The staff all enjoy access to an array of Health Cash Plans with the Wolverhamptonbased not-for-profit organisation, meaning they benefit from cash back on a range of everyday health costs, access to a digital doctor with MyPocketGP and find support when they need it with the Confidential Counselling Helpline.

The association between the two organisations stretches back far longer than the last year as Policyholders – Paycare has been a Chamber member for over 35 years, first joining in January 1984, and became a Patron of the Black Country region’s Chamber of Commerce in 2014. Paycare CEo Kevin rogers is ever passionate about the cause of the organisation and its alignment to Paycare’s own values, more so having been a former board member at the Chamber.

When asked what difference the Paycare plan had made, Chamber CEo Corin Crane explained: “Like many employers, we are much more aware of the value of employee health benefits. These benefits are seen very positively here at the Chamber and for both us as a business, and for our employees, the range of health benefits has been incredibly well received.

“As a business support agency and membership organisation, we know that benefits implemented by employers for their workforce can have a dramatic effect on company productivity and morale, so it’s no surprise that more and more businesses are introducing Health Cash Plans as an employee benefit, recognising the impact that sickness absence has on the bottom line.

“I know many of the team are using Paycare for everything from dental care to eye tests, GP consultations to personal counselling, gym membership and even booking discounted holidays with Paycare Perks. During these tough economic times, the business case for implementing an employee benefits scheme has never been stronger, and a year into our Health Cash Plan with Paycare, we know that the raft of physical, mental health and wellbeing measures available to our teams is incredibly important.

It’s been a summer of sport for Paycare, who also announced it would be sponsoring Bilston Town Football Club’s kits for the next two years.

The organisation will have its logo displayed on the home and away shirts, as well as the kits of the youth team and under-eights and on advertising around the Queen Street ground.

The shirts are made

by Midlands-based Macron who are currently including the message ‘Thank You NHS’ on the front in recognition of key workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Club Chairman Denise Frankham said: “We are delighted that Paycare has confirmed it will be continuing its support of Bilston Town FC and will be the club’s new kit sponsor for the 2020/21 season and 2021/2022 season.

“Everyone at the club and Paycare is keen to support Macron’s unique Thank You NHS

campaign as a tribute to all the NHS staff and carers for the selfless work they have done and continue to do for all of us.”

Sally Bromley, Paycare’s Partnership Engagement Officer, said: “the Paycare team was delighted to continue its valued partnership with the club.

“Next season may be a season like no other as we continue to adjust and find our way through the strange times we are all facing; we couldn’t be more excited to see Bilston Town start the season in the Premier Division of the West Midlands Regional League, having been in fifth position when the league was suspended and the 2019/20 season declared null and void earlier this year.

“We are proud to continue to support the health and wellbeing of the Bilston fans, as well as the wider community, and wish the club good luck for the season.”

Bilston Town FC Club Secretary Hayley Farren, Youth Team Manager Wayne Smith and Chairman Denise Frankham join Sally Bromley, Paycare’s Partnership Engagement Officer, to celebrate the kit sponsorship announcement.

“The availability of preventive healthcare also means less absence because of our employees’ own health issues, or those of their families. Many employers and especially small businesses don’t realise that offering healthcare benefits can be attractive to employees and even be a retention factor.”

To learn more abouT Paycare, Please visiT www.Paycare.org or call 01902 371 000 www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Award winning education is closer than you think.

W

olverhampton Grammar School is an extraordinary school. Founded in 1512, it’s one of the oldest schools in the country, within easy access of the wider West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire thanks to flexible school bus links.

If you’ve never visited the stunning 25-acre campus, you can register at any time for a virtual open event, individual tour or open day. Simply visit www.wgs.org.uk to register for our annual open day on Saturday 10th October. Just like the School’s approach to education, the open events are tailored specifically for you with flexible opportunities to join in and meet our staff and students. The events include everything from a guided, virtual tour to an opportunity to hear from teaching and specialist staff about our curriculum; how we use technology to life in the Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form and our reading and library services too. You’ll also learn about our exceptional extra-curricular programme – the largest available locally.

First priority is the happiness of your child

Small class sizes and space for individual tuition enables the teachers to get to know each and every child. Wolverhampton Grammar School also offers a tailored and individual approach to UCAS and Careers support and students can expect the very best preparation possible when it comes to life after school. Our examinations and Sixth Form team ensure every student is supported with the very best support possible to ensure students make the right choice for their next step.

Life outside the classroom

Children at Wolverhampton Grammar School receive pastoral care like nowhere else – that’s because happy children do well, thrive, and leave the school with excellent exam results and the confidence to embrace whatever opportunities come their way.

Your child will never feel alone at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Assistant Head of Pastoral Care, Claudine Jones leads a team of staff to support and work with families to ensure every child gets the care and individual attention that they need.

Support includes a dedicated, expert pastoral team, School Counsellor and annual adolescent mental health tracking using the latest digital tools.

The school offers over 100 extra-curricular clubs – the largest range available from any school in the area. Everything from Political Forums, Technology clubs, Debating, Warhammer to Climbing, Cooking and Gardening. Residential trips begin as early as Year 3 and from Year 7, all children have the opportunity to travel to Europe, culminating in a choice of worldwide expeditions for older students.

Academic excellence The academic achievements of the students speak for themselves. All teachers are experts in their own academic disciplines, trained and experienced professionals who love their subjects as much as they enjoy teaching students.

Interested to learn more?

Simply visit the website to register www.wgs.org.uk for an open event or alternatively, contact the Admissions team at Wolverhampton Grammar School telephone 01902 422939.

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Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 7-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18

25

acre site

TES Independent School Award Winners

Judged ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate

School

Open Day Saturday 10th October,

Small class sizes

11am - 3pm Register now: www.wgs.org.uk/openday Alternatively, for more information about the open day or joining our School, please contact Julie Roberts, Admissions Assistant.

T: 01902 422939 E: jar@wgs-sch.net

A school community that inspires openness, trust and mutual respect

Flexible and convenient School Bus Services across 3 counties

Government restrictions may require this event to be a virtual open event (rather than on campus).

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Tettenhall College celebrates A level success in Economics along with an A in English and a B in Geography.

With an outstanding 3 A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, Steven Chen will be off to Edinburgh University to study Electronics and Electrical Engineering.

Katherine Li is heading to King’s College, London to study Physics having achieved an impressive 2 A*s in both Maths and Further Maths as well as A grades in Chemistry and Physics.

Marta Gniecka celebrates an outstanding 5 A Levels with 3 A grades and 2 B grades.

Ivan Zhao will join Steven at Edinburgh University to study Product Design having secured A* in Math and 2 A grades in Further Maths and Art.

Tettenhall College, the coeducational independent day and boarding school for 2 – 18 year olds, is celebrating A level success.

Headmaster Mr McAllister, commented that, “This academic year has been like no other. It has presented challenges that none of us could have foreseen. Yet today, I am so proud of the students and teaching staff who have secured such an outstanding set of results. Not only do these results allow our young people to pursue the next stage of their academic careers at some of the very best universities; this is where Tettenhall College’s teachers truly know their students. Their grades were significantly in line with our teachers’ expectations. This demonstrates that the College’s personalised approach to knowing each individual student has such fundamental value.”

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Tettenhall College A level students celebrated their success with over a quarter of students securing grades at A* and A, 55% achieving A* to B grades and 77% gaining A* to C grades. Deputy Head Mrs Samra said, “This is a true testament to all of our students for their continued efforts and adaptability throughout this time.

Delivering a full curriculum digitally with live teacher led lessons has been something that we are so proud to have done for all our students.”

All students are to be hugely congratulated. Amongst the raft of excellent performances were those from two of the College’s Senior Prefects William Fletcher-Taylor & Joseph McKaig. Joseph with an impressive A* in Biology, A in Chemistry and an A grade in Maths. William will be studying Economics at Birmingham University, having secured an A*

Rohan Sharma will head to the University of Exeter to study Accounting and Finance having gained 2 A grades in Economics and History with a B in Biology.

Leaving her creative mark on the College, with some of her stunning artwork hanging on the walls of the school, Emily Chan will be following her dream after being accepted to Lancaster University to study Fine Art, having secured 2 A*s and a C. Tettenhall College wishes all of their leavers well and look forward to welcoming their new Sixth Form cohorts in a few weeks’ time. A limited number of places are still available for September 2020. Further details are available from the College Admissions Team: admissions@tettcoll.co.uk Telephone: 01902 751 119.

www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR JANUARY 2021 ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT DAY SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME • GCSEs A LEVELS & BTEC PERFORMING ARTS EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE • NURTURING AMBITION FROM PREP TO SENIOR DAY PUPILS - PRIVATE MINIBUS SERVICE AVAILABLE FLEXI, WEEKLY AND FULL BOARDING OPTIONS JUNIOR AND SENIOR RATES

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING 26TH SEPTEMBER 2020 ADMISSIONS@TETTCOLL.CO.UK • 01902 751 119 • WWW.TETTENHALLCOLLEGE.CO.UK www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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Congratulations to the Class of 2020 Preparing your daughter for Choice at 11+ Congratulations to the class of 2020 at Newbridge Preparatory School. The eighteen girls who, despite the impact of COVID-19, achieved remarkable results in their senior school applications.

The eighteen girls secured over 40 school place offers between them and were awarded ten scholarships.

Thirteen of the eighteen girls achieved places at Wolverhampton Girls’ High School (a selective state grammar school) for September 2020. A success rate of 72% is extraordinary, when statistically, as a school, less than one place should be achieved.

In the independent sector, the girls saw similar success. Five girls were offered places at the much coveted and highly selective King Edward VI Girls High School in Edgbaston with Raechel Philip and Harmani Basi being awarded scholarships. KEHS only provides academic scholarships to the ablest girls at 11+ and therefore for Newbridge girls to accomplish

two of the scholarships is an incredible accolade. Eight girls achieved places at Wolverhampton Grammar School (100% success rate) with Amelia Smith being offered the WGS Music scholarship, the only award on offer to external candidates for entry at Year 7. Nine girls gained places at St. Dominic’s Grammar School with seven scholarships being offered for a combination of academic prowess, Art and Performing Arts. Further places were offered at Tettenhall College with Shaune Cameron-Douglas securing a drama scholarship.

The Independent Schools Examinations Board provides rigorous, high-quality examinations and assessments for pupils seeking entry to independent senior schools. Pupils sit the Common Entrance Examination at 11+ when they are in Year Six, mainly for entrance to top independent girls’ schools.

Ibidunni Lotsu passed her 11+ Common Entrance having taken papers in English, Mathematics and Science; achieving excellent

results. Consequently, she was offered a place at the prestigious boarding school, Wycombe Abbey in High Wycombe.

Girls also gained places at the new Thomas Telford UTC opening in September 2020 and Codsall Middle School.

Mrs Sarah Fisher, the Headmistress, said, “We are delighted for the girls and the successes they have achieved. Our role as a preparatory school is to find the right senior school for every girl as an individual by creating choice at eleven plus.

The girls have demonstrated how successful our approach to this task is by achieving place offers in a diverse range of schools and securing both academic scholarships alongside performing arts, art and music scholarships.

I wish the girls every happiness as they start the next step of their academic journeys.”

If you would like to give your daughter this opportunity, contact Annabelle Addison (Admissions Registrar) on 01902 751088.

SOME OF THE GIRLS’ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

Wycombe Abbey (Common Entrance 11+)

Wolverhampton Grammar School

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School

King Edward VI High School for Girls

King Edward VI High School for Girls (Academic Scholarship)

St. Dominic’s Grammar School (Combined Academic and Performing Arts Scholarship) Wolverhampton Grammar School (Music Scholarship) Tettenhall College (Music Scholarship)

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School

St. Dominic’s Grammar School (Art Scholarship)

King Edward VI High School for Girls (Academic Scholarship)

Wolverhampton Grammar School Wolverhampton Girls’ High School

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School King Edward VI High School for Girls

www.newbridgeprepschool.org.uk www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

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DISCOVER IT ALL

AT WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK… West Midland Safari Park has lots going on this year, with a variety of events, a sneak peek at new exhibits and the chance to meet some of the Park’s newest arrivals.

To finish the year, the Park is planning to host its annual events, including Spooky Spectacular in October and Santa Safari in November and December. Both will see the Park’s Discovery Trail transformed, giving guests the chance to see the Park in a different light. Details will be published on the Park’s website and Facebook page.

To kick start the year, the Park announced the arrival of seven African lion cubs. After a gestation period of around four months, ten-year-old Scar gave birth to three cubs on 27 August 2019, with the second litter of four cubs following three weeks later on 17 September 2019, for seven-year-old Amber.

Further information, including the Park’s new safety measures, are available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114. Find out more on the Safari Park’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WestMidSafari.

As with all animals born at the Park in 2019, keepers have chosen names for the cubs beginning with the letter ‘H’. Scar’s cubs have been called Hunter, Hercules and Hernatty (two males and a female), whilst Amber’s are named Harabi, Hodge, Havoc and Hira (three males and a female). The adorable youngsters can be seen in Realm of the Lions on the four-mile safari drive-through.

The lion cubs aren’t the only exciting new development on the safari, as work has started on upgrading the animal facilities as well as improving the overall guest experience. The development is part of a five-year plan and starts with creating brand-new, state-of-the-art housing and outdoor spaces for the African elephants and cheetahs.

In addition to the new animal facilities, integrated into the new exhibits will be eight exclusive, luxury lodges, introducing the opportunity for guests to stay overnight, giving them an up-close and personal wildlife experience like no other. The new elephant and cheetah exhibits aim to be completed, alongside the lodges, by Easter 2021.

In the Park’s walk-through Discovery Trail, there are more new arrivals to spot, with the hatching of two adorable Humboldt penguin chicks in April.

Indiana (hatched 12 April) and Izzy (hatched on 16 April), can be seen in Penguin Cove, learning to swim and enjoying fish in the daily penguin talks.

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This month we have teamed up West Midland Safari & Leisure with to give you the chance to win Park admission tickets. The tickets free a family of four to visit on one entitle up to 1st March 2021. Theme occasion not included. Not valid on BanPark rides k Holidays To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply answer the following question correctly…

What are the names of the two Penguin chicks that hatched this year?

Email your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: info@townandvillagelifemag.co.uk All entries to be received by Friday 9th October 2020.

Competition Terms and Conditions: Winner from all correct entries received. The ticket s will be chosen at random four-mile self-drive safari, Discovery Trail includes admission to the exhibit African Village and live shows. Usual admiss s, animal encounters, £20.00 for children and £22.00 for concess ion is £24.00 for adults, admitted free of charge. No cash or alterna ions. Children under 3 are tive prize will be given. Prize valid until Monday 1st March 2021. Not valid on bank Holidays.

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Aesthetic Clinics Symetrie Aesthetic Clinic

95

Airport, Transfers & Executive Travel Signature Luxury Cars 78 Appliances - Electrical & Gas Capital Appliance Centre

57

Bathrooms Carvers Building Supplies Roman Bathrooms

37 22/23

Beauty Salons & Wellbeing Heaven Skin Care Wollaston Beauty Clinic

106/107 97

Beds & Bedroom Furniture Casa Italia Dreamland Woodrobes

41 35 28/29

Dentistry Willows

2

Education Newbridge Preparatory School Tettenhall College Wolverhampton Grammar Estate Agents Berriman Eaton Fashion - Retail Aristocats Classy Rags

126 125 123

Health Care Cover Paycare

9

Jewellers Rudells The Jewellers

108/109 102/103

Lighting Lighting R Us

45

Loft Ladders / loft Boarding Revealaspace

74

Floristry Supplies & Craft Products 53 Country Baskets

Carpentry & Construction Winterdene Carpentry & Construction

55

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Zero Dry time

54

Carpets/Flooring - Supply & Fit ND Walters Premier Carpets

21 44

Car Sales Steven Eagell - Toyota

131

Coffee Shops Wall Heath Coffee Co.

74

75

Opticians Taylor Biddle

114/115

111

Funeral Directors Hickton Family Funeral Directors

81

Painters & Decorators Dave Russon Patrick Bellew

Furniture & Furnishings Casa Italia Pargeters

41 33

Restaurants & Pubs Halfpenny Green Wine Estate Wombourne Tandoori

85 83

Galleries & Gift Shops Stourbridge Galleries

51

Self-Catering Cottages New Wood Farm

79

Garage Doors Garolla

54

Solicitors MFG Solicitors

Gardening & Landscaping Lealans Garden Centre Michelle’s Garden Care MR Garden

71 73 72

Groundworks, Construction & landscaping Evenfield

72

Haberdashery & Wool Total Sewing

49

Puzzle Answers Quick Crossword:

Kitchens - Supply, Design & Fit 27 Dayrooms 22/23 Roman Bathrooms

10/11 19

77

65 12/13

91/132

Fireplaces & Stoves Flaming Fires Wolverhampton Fireplaces

Boiler Service & Installations Gas First

Care Homes Parkfield Grange The Woodlands

69

Leisure Centres South Staffs Leisure Centre

Firewood Black Country Firewood

Building & Maintenance Contractors 6/7 Three Pines

120/121

16/17

43 49

62/63

Hot Tubs Jacuzzi at Webbs of Wychbold

99 92/93

Financial Advisors Albrighton Wealth Management

Blinds - Curtains - Shutters Castle Blinds Total Sewing

Brick Specialists Manchester Brick

Hairdressers Euphoria Hair Royston Blythe

Word Search:

Tiles & Interiors Tile Choice Vein Clinics Simon Hobbs Vineyard & Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Wine Estate

72 31

119 5 113 85

Windows, Doors & Conservatories 47 De Rosa Installations 31 Hayley Windows

Sudoku: Hidden phrase: Ghosts like ladies don’t speak til spoke to.

Richard Harris Barham

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

129

Steven Eagell The new name for Toyota in Wolverhampton We are delighted to have acquired the Toyota dealership on Bilston Road and look forward to welcoming all existing and new Toyota customers.

Established in Milton Keynes in 2002, the Steven Eagell Group is an award-winning company and Britain’s largest Toyota and Lexus retailer, with branches in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Staffordshire and now the West Midlands.

From day one, our foremost objective has been to offer complete customer satisfaction to all our customers. This has enabled us to build a large and loyal database of valued customers, supporting our rapid expansion to a total of 22 Toyota dealerships.

At Steven Eagell, as well as offering the full range of new Toyota cars and up to 2,500 quality used vehicles in group stock, we also offer an extended range of facilities.

As an official approved Toyota Centre, we are authorised to carry out servicing and repairs and offer excellent aftercare facilities. Our manufacturer-trained technicians use the latest diagnostic equipment, tools and only genuine Toyota parts.

We are open seven days a week, so please come and visit us to find out more about our products and services.

Our newly appointed General Manager, Shiv Trikha has 32 years motor trade experience and has spent the last 20 years working with Toyota. He now brings his wealth of experience to the Steven Eagell Group at the newly acquired dealership in Wolverhampton.

“I’m extremely excited about joining the award-winning Steven Eagell Group, as we share the same passion and philosophy of delivering the highest levels of customer care and satisfaction. For me, customer service is genuinely our number one priority and kindness and courtesy are at the root of delivering a fantastic and memorable showroom experience.

General Manager – Shiv Trikha

I would like to extend a personal invitation to customers old and new to pay us a visit and allow my friendly team and myself to explain more about our products and services”

Steven Eagell Toyota (Wolverhampton) Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 2QE

01902 873555 • steveneagelltoyota.co.uk 130

town & village life magazine | september/october 2020

TOYOTA C-HR DESIGN SELF-CHARGING HYBRID

0% APR £249 REPRESENTATIVE OVER 36 MONTHS*

PER MONTH^

3-month payment break option included* with Toyota Access Flex

ORDER YOUR

NU70REG NOW Steven Eagell Toyota (Wolverhampton) Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 2QE

01902 873555 • steveneagelltoyota.co.uk Model shown is C-HR Hybrid Design 1.8 VVT-I Auto £29,225 including optional metallic paint at £600. Prices correct at time of being published. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km): combined 54.3 (5.2)- 57.6 (4.9). Combined CO2 118 - 110 g/km. Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results.

All vehicles are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). CO2 figures (and hence car tax and recommended 'on the road' prices) may differ from information printed before 1 April 2020, due to a change in the official method of calculation. This date may change, please visit www.vehicle-certificationagency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp for the latest information. For details of your preferred model and grade derivative, please contact your local Toyota Centre. Choice of options and accessories fitted (pre-registration) may affect the official CO2 figures, car tax and 'on the road' price. *0% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of C-HR Hybrid between 26th May 2020 and 30th September 2020 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31st December 2020 on a 36 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit. ^Payment shown is based on a 36 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) contract with £6,651 customer deposit and Guaranteed Future Value/Optional Final Payment. By taking a Toyota AccessFlex monthly payment break, you defer that monthly payment until the end of your agreement. You can defer up to 3 monthly payments (but not the final repayment), either consecutively or on 3 separate occasions during your agreement. The term of your agreement will be extended by one month in respect of each monthly payment deferred, up to a total possible extension of 3 months. Payment breaks cannot be taken to assist with financial difficulties, in respect of the first 3 monthly payments due under the agreement, within the 5 working days before the payment due date, or if any sums due under the agreement are unpaid. Toyota AccessFlex is not available for used vehicles or for any finance offers other than 0% APR. The vehicle may be used during any deferred monthly break period. No associated fees charged and monthly payment remains the same. Toyota Financial Services is a trading name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer.

Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. 8,000 miles per annum, excess miles over contracted charged at 10p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres. Affordable finance through Toyota AccessFlex (PCP). Terms and conditions apply.

AYGO X-TREND 0% APR £129

REPRESENTATIVE PER MONTH^ and £500 Finance Deposit Allowance* 3-month payment break option included* with Toyota Access Flex

ORDER YOUR

NU70REG NOW Steven Eagell Toyota (Wolverhampton) Bilston Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV2 2QE

01902 873555 • steveneagelltoyota.co.uk Model shown is AYGO x-trend 1.0 VVT-i Manual £13,855 including optional White Flash paint at £250. Prices correct at time of being published. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km): combined 53.3 (5.3) - 56.5 (5.0). Combined CO2 120 -113 g/km. Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results.

All vehicles are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). CO2 figures (and hence car tax and recommended ‘on the road’ prices) may differ from information printed before 1 April 2020, due to a change in the official method of calculation. This date may change, please visit www.vehicle-certificationagency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp for the latest information. For details of your preferred model and grade derivative, please contact your local Toyota Centre. Choice of options and a ccessories fitted (pre-registration) may affect the official CO2 figures, car tax and ‘on the road’ price. *0% APR Representative and £500 Finance Deposit Allowance only available on new retail orders of AYGO (excluding X grade) between 1st July 2020 and 30th September 2020 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 31st December 2020 on a 48 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit. ^Payment shown is based on a 48 month Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) contract with £3,197 customer deposit and Guaranteed Future Value/Optional Final Payment. By taking a Toyota AccessFlex monthly payment break, you defer that monthly payment until the end of your agreement. You can defer up to 3 monthly payments (but not the final repayment), either consecutively or on 3 separate occasions during your agreement. The term of your agreement will be extended by one month in respect of each monthly payment deferred, up to a total possible extension of 3 months. Payment breaks cannot be taken to assist with financial difficulties, in respect of the first 3 monthly payments due under the agreement, within the 5 working days before the payment due date, or if any sums due under the agreement are unpaid. Toyota AccessFlex is not available for used vehicles or for any finance offers other than 0% APR. The vehicle may be used during any deferred monthly break period. No associated fees charged and monthly payment remains the same. Toyota Financial Services is a trading name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. 8,000 miles per annum, excess miles over contracted charged at 8p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres. Affordable finance through Toyota AccessFlex (PCP). Terms and conditions apply.

www.townandvillagelifemag.co.uk

131

Rudells T&D Ad 245x168 Diamonds.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2020 12:21 Page 1

18ct White Gold, Octagonal Diamond Set

97 Darlington Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4HB. Tel: (01902) 423308 / 427199 89 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NR. Tel: (0121) 427 1904 www.rudells.com

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town & village life magazine | september/october 2020