14 minute read
Champagne Sudoku
Win a bottle of Champagne courtesy of All Things Local!
Just complete the Sudoku grid above, cut out and post to Sudoku Competition, All Things Local, 74 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0NA. Closing date Tuesday 13th December 2022. Remember to include a piece of paper with your name, address and contact telephone number. The winner will be notified by telephone initially. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. All entries are destroyed after the closing date and no information is given to any third party.
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EXTENSIONS ALTERATIONS MAINTENANCE NEW BUILDS SMALL WORKS
Call Now for a FREE, no obligation quote, 07970 860460 or 01332 781832
Email: bennettconstruction00@gmail.com
Proprietor: Dean Bennett Recent New Build - Horsley Woodhouse
A LOCAL BUSINESS WITH A GREAT REPUTATION
Abbey Glass
With its beautifully designed showroom displaying a comprehensive range of products in actual settings and extensive customer parking, their own manufacturing plant, superior products and a top quality after care service, it’s no wonder that Abbey Glass continue to go from strength to strength.
The company provides quality windows, doors, conservatories, garden rooms and orangeries in PVCu, aluminium and hardwood.
Established in 1972 and currently celebrating their 50th anniversary they are the area’s most experienced glass and double-glazing company by some distance.
The firm was founded in 1972 by Roy Osborne and is now in the safe hands of Roy’s sons Mark and Jon, alongside fellow directors Simon Law and Glen Batchelor who have almost 150 years’ worth of experience within the business between the four of them.
As with any business, it is only as good as its 60 strong fully employed workforce. The company employs NVQ qualified and CRB checked installers and fabricators with vast experience in the industry. Over 25% of the workforce have worked at the company for more than 20 years and over half for more than a decade, which is a clear statement of the company’s values both as a supplier and employer and further reassurance that you are in safe hands.
A loyal customer base concentrated in and around the Derbyshire area has helped the business continue to grow. “One of the reasons the company has survived and prospered for so long is that we are unique in the way we do things. We employ all our own fabricators and installers, ensuring the work always meets our standards. By having our own waged installers and not asking for deposits or stage payments, we are confident of being able to do a good job – and, if you do a good job, then you get paid.” Director Mr Glen Batchelor stated. The company is the local trusted business for all glass and glazing needs and is a long-standing member of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF); Conservatory Association; FENSA; Derbyshire County Council’s Trusted Trader Scheme and Government endorsed Trustmark Accreditation.
For more information see the Abbey Glass advert on the back page, visit www.abbey-glass.co.uk or email enquiries@abbey-glass.co.uk.
All aspects of building works including: • Extensions • New Builds • Refurbishments • Commercial Works • Loft Conversions • Conservatories
Semi-detached new builds, Abbotts Bromley
• Best value for money • Free design and planning service • Quality 18mm colour co-ordinated cabinets • Extensive door styles to choose from • Granite, solid surface and laminate worktops • Latest CAD 3D design software • No pressure selling • Large car park • Experienced friendly designers
Established in 1985
Christmas & New Year Opening times: Bank Holiday Tues 27th Dec closed Dec 28th, 29th, 30th & 31st 10 - 4pm • Tues 3rd Jan onwards, normal opening times
From our family to yours
As a family run, independent business with over 30 years’ experience we pride ourselves on being able to provide a fully personalised and expert service which is unrivalled by larger retailers. Our extensive showroom boasts an impressive range of kitchens, worktops, bedrooms, tiles and accessories. Our team of highly experienced designers and installers are here to help create the kitchen or bedroom of your dreams. ‘A trusted family business built on a solid reputation’
T: 01773 829 222 M: 07973 506 053
2 Burbage Close Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0DW
Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Style Combi
W: www.woodwardplumbingandheating.co.uk E: info@woodwardplumbingandheating.co.uk • Gas / Oil Boiler
Installations • Gas / Oil Boiler
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Servicing & Repairs • Central Heating Installations • Gas Safety Inspections • Landlord Safety Certificates • Under Floor Heating
GB ROOFING SERVICES
Our services include the following Re Roofs • New Builds • Repairs Lead Work • Natural & Stone Slating Roof Windows UPVC Soffits, Fascias & Guttering
Please call Gavin 07429 568864 Danny 07805 384247
gbroofingservices@yahoo.com www.gbroofingservices.com
TME Electrical
All Types of Domestic and Commercial Work Undertaken Sockets - Lighting - Fuseboxes - Rewires Kitchens - Phone - TV Emergency Call Out Service. Free Quotes
Periodic Inspections, Landlords Certification, Rolec EV Chargepoint Authorised Installer.
For a friendly reliable service call Tom 01773 513723 / 07974 798768 email tmeelectrical@live.co.uk www.tme-electrical.co.uk
Paul M Longden Ltd
Kitchen & Bathroom Installation Services
30 years’ experience of Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Installation. All works fully Insured & Guaranteed. Recommended Installer for Bathstore.com. Installer of Howden’s Fitted Kitchens
All Aspects of Plumbing, Plastering & Joinery Wall & Floor Tiling • Laminate Flooring • Wet Floors • Ensuite Conversions Knock Throughs • Design Service
Contact Paul on 01773 449754 Mobile 07943 237824
I have been in business since 2006. All works are carried out by myself (no subcontractors) ensuring the very best in personal service from start to finish. My reputation has been built on my high quality work
Services include: Pitch Roofing of all types - Slating/Tiling Roof Repairs including leaks • Ridge Work
Please feel free to call me on 07960 820978 Darren Harris. Based in Belper
Short Story:
A Tangled Web
Aunty Val up the road had asked Melanie to trim her conifers while she was away. The trees were veiled in cobwebs, and blocked out Val’s light. Melanie had agreed, then struck a deal with Darryl whereby he tackled the trees while she cooked egg and chips for them to enjoy while they watched the match together.
“Tree trimming’s more your sort of thing,” she’d told him, not mentioning the cobwebs on account of Darryl’s terror of anything creepy-crawly.
The egg and chips were now getting cold, kick-off was twenty minutes ago and there was no sign of Darryl. “Are you taping it for him?” Alice asked.
“No, I’m not.” Melanie folded her arms indignantly. “And you might as well eat his chips. No point wasting them.”
Melanie was rightly cross. It was their one afternoon off together and Darryl had gone absent without leave. She glanced at the clock and tutted. The dog up the street whined and she had a good mind to complain to the council about it.
“Do you know what I think, Alice?” Melanie said finally. “I reckon Aunty Val’s left him a few quid for his trouble so he’s watching the match at the Nag’s Head and forgotten all about me.”
“Typical!” Alice mumbled with her mouth full of chips. The game turned into a memorable match. After being two goals down at half-time, the home team scored three goals in the last ten minutes. Melanie was on the edge of her seat.
“Bet your Dad will be celebrating with another pint.” Melanie switched off the television. The dog up the road was still whining. “I’m going to have to see about that poor animal.”
“I’m coming with you.” Alice stood up. They walked up the road towards Val’s house. The conifers had taken a severe pruning. Three naked trunks stood where once there had been a thick bush of dark foliage, and Melanie could see the trimmed branches in a heap around them.
“Typical! He’s only half done the job,” she declared. “He’s not tidied up.”
Within the branches she could hear the dog whining.
“Is it trapped under there?” Alice began to run. “Mum, it’s not a dog at all,” she called out, pulling the branches aside.
“Thank goodness.” Melanie caught her breath. “What is it then?”
“It’s Dad.”
There, within the thicket, with tears rolling down his cheeks, was Darryl.
“Is that you, Mel?” he croaked.
“What are you doing in there?”
“I’m stuck,” Darryl replied feebly. “Didn’t you hear me? I’ve been calling for ages.”
“Are you hurt?” Melanie avoided his question.
“Just my pride,” he said. “You’ve taped the match, right?”
Alice gave Melanie a meaningful look.
“Why didn’t you just climb out?”
“I daren’t,” Darryl whined. “Too many spiders.”
By Jackie Brewster
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Lee Nikki Jayne Hadley
Charlie Ben Lucas Lee W Jake
Parenting:
A Calmer Christmas
The season of goodwill can sometimes feel more like the season of discontent. If you’re hoping to avoid the tantrums, sugar crashes and slamming doors this year (or some of them at least), keep reading…
Family time
It can be incredibly difficult to fit everything in around Christmas. Kids often seem to demand the most of you when you have the least to give. If you’re time-poor, think quality over quantity. Half an hour spent on a family activity now might well avoid a lengthy melt-down later on.
Arts and crafts with the kids can be fun, but you might want to leave the messier aspects until after the Christmas entertaining is over (unless you really enjoy cleaning out paint pots, scrubbing slime out of the carpet and hoovering up glitter before guests arrive!). Paper craft is a good alternative. Paper snowflakes are cheap, easy and not too time-consuming. Cut them out at the table so you can sweep most of the scraps straight into the recycling bin. Paper chains are even easier. Or, pick up a paper craft book. Christmas Paper Play by Lydia Crook (RRP £9.99) is packed with things to cut out and make, including decorations, mini crackers and games.
Jigsaw puzzles can be a good way to unwind and de-stress. If your children are older and you have the space, buy a Christmas-themed 1,000 piece puzzle and leave it out so family members can do a few pieces of it when they need some quiet time.
Charity gifts
If Christmas is starting to feel a bit too commercial, how about choosing charitable gifts? Wild animal adoptions tend to prove popular with kids and adults alike. You can adopt King the lion from Born Free for just £3 a month. The adoption pack includes King’s story (he was rescued from a Parisian apartment), a glossy photo, cuddly toy, personalised certificate and window sticker. www.bornfree.org.uk
You’ll also be sent Born Free’s biannual magazine. Other animals to adopt include elephants, polar bears and monkeys. See www.bornfree.org.uk/ adopt.
Or why not do a good deed as a family, for someone closer to home? You could make a meal together for an elderly neighbour, take a busy friend’s dog for a walk, donate food to a food bank or a gift to a homeless shelter.
Setting limits
It’s easy to let the usual rules slip at Christmas. While it’s good to have some flexibility, you might want to set some boundaries. Try to agree rules as a family for the Christmas holidays, whether it’s no screen-time after 5pm, no more than two sweet treats a day, or a set bedtime.
Agreeing a few chores for the kids to do can help to keep them occupied and you from getting too frazzled. Even young children can make a bed, feed the pets or swish a duster around.
Forget perfect
Above all, try to accept that perfection is impossible. There will be sulks, fallings-out, spills and arguments. When you look back at this Christmas, you won’t remember whether the sprouts were perfectly cooked or your child wrote their thank you cards, but you might remember the time you spent doing a jigsaw together or hunting the Gruffalo through the woods.
By Kate Duggan
The Diary of a Local Mum
What’s Your Style?
I’ve heard a few parenting buzzwords floating about over the years, referring to ‘styles’ of parenting, such as ‘helicopter’, ‘lawnmower’ and ‘tiger’. I had no real idea what these meant and (probably a little late in the day given that my two are now both teens) I realised that I’ve never really given much thought to having a particular style of parenting before… I’ve just sort of got on with things.
I do remember reading an advice book when my eldest was a baby but it got me so confused and stressed that I hid the book on top of the bookcase where I couldn’t reach it! To date, that’s pretty much the sum total of my research into parenting. I generally take a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ approach, or ‘close your eyes and hope for the best’ but, better late than never (story of my life…) I thought maybe it was high time I did some research into these parenting styles, if only to see what I could claim, in retrospect, to have been doing all along.
Firstly, upon googling ‘parenting styles’ it appeared there were ‘new’ and ‘old’ parenting styles. Fair enough, I thought. I mean, things have changed A LOT since the days of ‘children should be seen and not heard’. We live in a very child-centric world nowadays and most parents will admit to putting their children’s wishes and needs before their own most of the time (and we’re certainly not allowed to send them up chimneys anymore). So, having concluded that, yes, things have changed, I began to read up on some of the ‘new’ styles:
Helicopter: where a parent ‘hovers’ over their kids, making sure everything’s ok and swooping down to sweep up any problems. Akin to some kind of coastguard, I concluded.
Tiger: A strict, tough-love approach which prioritises academic and athletic achievement. Tigers are of the opinion that, by setting the bar high, children will respond to challenges. Often combined with micromanagement to ensure these high expectations are met. Lawnmower: ‘Mows down’ a path for their kids by removing all obstacles in the way, avoiding challenge or discomfort. These parents often do things on their kids’ behalf.
Elephant: In contrast to tigers, elephant parents value emotional security and connection, taking a calm, laid-back approach valuing encouragement over achievement.
Dolphin: Apparently, dolphin parents seek collaboration, flexibility and balance in their parenting style. They prioritise POD – play, others and downtime. And swimming, too, I assume?
Free-range: These parents believe freedom promotes independence and self-assurance. They let their children explore their environment and do things alone often at a younger age than others might.
Well, it’s safe to say I couldn’t reach any kind of conclusion! It appears I may have a zoological approach to parenting … perhaps with some vehicles thrown in for good measure! I couldn’t fit neatly into any box and nor would I wish to. What really struck me in my research was the constant implied (or often overtly stated) criticism in the various descriptions I read of each ‘style’. Tiger = too pushy; Helicopter = stifling/controlling; Lawnmower = over protective; Free-range = neglectful … and so it goes on. There was not a single parenting ‘style’ that seemed to be viewed in a positive light by any of the authors of articles I read. It seems parents really can’t do right for doing wrong!
I happily concluded that I was absolutely right to leave that book gathering dust on top of the bookcase (I wonder if it’s still there?) as even the ‘experts’ can’t agree on how best to do it. So, I’ll continue to blunder through this parenting lark in a mix-and-match fashion, guided by my kids in a ‘blind leading the blind’ approach. Maybe we’ll even throw in a trip to the zoo for good measure. Who knows, we might learn something! Penguin parenting, anyone? Or the giant tortoise approach, perhaps?
By Helen Young
