Clyde Life Magazine Christmas 2015

Clyde Life Christmas 2015 Issue 27

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Real Christmas Decorations Christmas Message Avoid a UCAS Drama Teen Style Files

4 4 10 12

Ardgowan Health & Beauty – where

14 Can Ivy Cottage rescue Chelsea? 17 Christmas Plc Now Recruiting 18 What’s On 20-21 Coming up at Beacon 22-23 Passion comes as Standard

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Arts Centre Inverclyde Christmas Lights

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Switch-on Waterfront Live Events The Palace of Westminster The Scottish Rate of Tax Choosing a Christmas Gift Money Matters Quick Christmas Recipe Style Files

25 26 28 30 32 34 36

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Contributors this issue: Charles Briggs, Stuart Davidson, Robert MacDonald, Marilyn Thompson, Holly Thompson, Rosalind Woollard, Joanne Simms, Alan Sorensen, Jodie Molyneux, Ronnie Cowan MP

Christmas Issue 27, 2015 Publisher: Life Magazines & Publications Ltd Editor Charles Briggs

Features Editor: Joanne Simms joanne@clydelife.co.uk Advertising Sales: Lisa Sanderson lisa@clydelife.co.uk

Cover Image: Provided by Beacon Arts Centre

Contact Info: Editorial: 07788-923054 Advertising: 01505-871962 Email: editor@clydelife.co.uk Web: www.clydelife.co.uk Graphic Design: Simon Jones - Skep Design simon.jones@skepdesign.co.uk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Life Magazines and Publications Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising material included in 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, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 3

‘Real’ Christmas Decorations This is a plea for the imperfect Christmas tree and the less than deluxe decoration.

Whether it’s from your own child or grandchild, a niece or nephew, your best friend’s off-spring or the kid from nextdoor, get it on display, front and centre.

Or better still, unleash that inner child who watched so many Blue Peter episodes and get the kids to join in with you and make some Christmas magic of their own just like you did.

By Joanne Simms

Christmas tree made from an upcycled glossy magazine on parents.com. Even the tiniest tot can fold the pages to make this; just make sure you are in charge of the glue gun.

Perfection will glint out of glossy pages between now and Hogmanay; look around this magazine you will see dazzling examples of the best on offer.

But this is a heart-felt request that somewhere amongst all the glamour of a modern Christmas, remember there has to be a place for the squashed and the slightly skew-whiff.

(Remember that infamous early Blue Peter decoration made of two coat hangers, tinsel, baubles and real candles.

Fire-fighters still wake up at night in cold sweat thinking about it.).

Any day now a very small child is going to hand you, with a shy look of pride on their face, something they have made at nursery or infant class. Please don’t take it with some gushing praise and pop it away out of sight to be binned as soon as possible.

Don’t worry if you have never attempted some DIY with the kids before, that’s why the internet was invented. Just key the words ‘Christmas decorations children can make’ into Google and be prepared to be amazed.

You will find templates to print out, suitable for older kids and teenagers, who haven’t hit the ‘too-cool-for-Yule’ stage yet, to make and easy to follow videos.

My particular favourite is a table top

This brings us to the subject of glitter, glue and small children that formidable combination which is the true test of the battle-hardened primary school janitor.

Any nuclear scientist will tell you that the isotope Uranium-238 has a half life as long as 4.5 billion years but glitter lasts longer, especially the shocking pink stuff.

The first week of a brand-new car delivered in time to chauffer the in-laws during Christmas, a small child with a card full of glitter sat in the back and 125,000 miles later the vacuum cleaner nozzle is still finding flecks. Have fun!

A Christmas Message

Rev. Alan Sorensen minister@lylekirk.org

See this Christmas story; the virgin birth, the wise men and a star, God being in a baby – hard to believe, isn’t it? And who could blame anyone for saying that it sounds like a fairy tale and so just treating it as one.

See modern ideas about the universe; dark matter, anti-matter, dark energy, quarks and multiple universes – there is a very high chance that one day some of this stuff will be proved to be pretty much akin to fairy tales as new theories will come along. But I’ll bet when that happens people will still be thanking God that he entered into our world and came to show us that he is love.

Whatever trials and tribulations come our way this winter, or whatever wonderful joys we share others, the fundamental, unchanging truth that we in the church hold on to is that God came to be with us. See that belief? That’s well worth celebrating in my book. Come and join us at any of our services but especially over the Christmas period.

4 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

@clydelifemag

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Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow…

Family run business celebrates more than 30 years in the home improvements industry. accommodate the office and sales staff who were now in place.

Tel: 0800 185 186 www.dmdesign.com

The business was thriving and five years later it was decided the time was with rightsome for DM Design to move on DM Design are making dreams affordable fantastic finance offers on all fully fitted Kitchens, to Bedrooms and of Bathrooms the project designing, building and kitting out its own custom built INTEREST FREE CREDIT BUY NOW PAY LATER factory and showroom. In 1993 for 6the months ‘4.9%made APR!’ a smooth for 36 months company transition into its current premises.

DM Design has continued to grow, Founded in 1984 by managing with showrooms in Edinburgh, director Donald Macleod and his wife Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Paisley and Ann, DM Design has grown over the years from a true family start up with the first base for business working out of the family garage, to their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, where kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms are now custom built to order.

UP TO 50% SALE IS NOW ON

In 1984, Mr Macleod – who was acting as a one man band and embodying true entrepreneurial spirit – sold, Uddingston. With such a success in purchased materials, manufactured Scotland, the company opened up • Upinstalled to 50% offfitted Fittedbedrooms, Bedrooms with FREE bedroom storage worth £500 and often the marketplace in England and has • Up to 50% off Fitted withAfter a FREE Dishwasher working seven daysKitchens a week. never looked back.

• Up to 50% off Fitted Bathrooms with a FREE Power-shower three months, it became apparent DM Design’s latest endeavour is All offers are for a limited only that a workshop wastimerequired in its purpose-built granite cutting order to Tomeet demand Bookthe you growing FREE Design Appointment: t. 0800 185 186 facility, where the company is able to e: sales@dmdesign.com for orders and if the business waswww.dmdesign.com to expand and develop. The firm opened its first workshop in Westfield Industrial Estate, where DM remains today, albeit in different premises.

From this base, the business grew over the years which led to employing more staff, mainly in manufacturing, leaving Mr Macleod to focus on selling, installing and driving the business forward. In 1985, after only 12 months of business, DM Design launched its products at The Ideal Home Exhibition in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. That same year saw the company start to design, build and install fitted kitchens and with this came the need for new premises to

8 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

custom cut and manufacture granite and quartz for each customer. By having this facility it will be able to significantly reduce costs for customers without jeopardising the quality of the product.

@clydelifemag

Tel: 0800 185 186 www.dmdesign.com

UP TO 50% SALE IS NOW ON DM Design are making dreams affordable with some fantastic finance offers on all fully fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms

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www.dmdesign.com www.clydelife.co.uk | 9

How to avoid to UCAS deadline drama this January Follow these simple tips for a stress-free university application and no, applying to Hogwarts is not an option!

The simplest piece of advice on how to breeze through the application process is simple in essence, but would apply to most important things in life; know your deadlines.

Each New Year is an exciting and fresh start for everyone, but this January is monumental for thousands of teens across the UK; applications for most university courses are due at 6pm on 15th January through the UCAS system.

Competition is fierce for many university places, and therefore care must be taken to ensure applications, including the infamous ‘personal statement’, are representative of the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed student on the other side of the computer. Having gone through this process myself and come out the other side in one piece, albeit with less hair and a more nervous disposition, it is most definitely doable and can lead to a place on the university course of your dreams, if done correctly.

10 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

As well as entering in all of your personal details, the written part of the application or the ‘personal statement’ will require a minimum of two drafts. Teachers have seen many personal statements and will of course review your work, no doubt returning it covered in demoralizing red scribble, but this process may take a while. A bit like a CV, the personal statement is your chance to sell yourself.

Each one follows a similar template, for example: paragraph one would involve explaining to the university why you have chosen this particular course and why you believe you are suitable, whereas in paragraph two you can begin to list your skills and achievements. Leave yourself plenty of time to double and triple check

By Jodie Molyneux your application and to allow for any last-minute technical difficulties... a perfect application will be no use if the cat knocks over the router at 5:55pm. It is also worth noting that though some courses have different deadlines and application requirements so be sure to check this on the UCAS website, where you can also find resources for the personal statement.

When it comes to listing your choices of university, it is important to have done your research on all aspects of university life in each city and not simply choosing the same as your childhood best friend.

There are sensible things to consider, such as rent prices in safe areas of your chosen city and job prospect statistics from graduates of your course, but there are also frivolities, such as the number of nightclubs nearby and the building of student accommodation with the best reputation. Finding a city that may well be your second home is a huge decision, but as much as I recommend thorough and detailed research, I can also reassure you of the power of going with the flow.

I myself applied to courses with my youthful optimistic view of getting all A’s and when things went pear-shaped, as they often do, went through the process of ‘clearing’ eventually ending up 300 miles away from my home town.

I happened to have the time of my life.

@clydelifemag

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 11

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The teen STYLE Files

It’s the most fashionable time of the year...

Christmas party season has come around again and it’s time to find that perfect dress for all of this year’s festive fun. This Christmas it looks like sparkles, leather, fur and sheer panels are the most on trend styles, so look out for these sooner rather than later to ensure you get that perfect dress before anyone else!

Fashion and beauty notes....

With fur being such a big hit this Christmas the perfect accessory comes in the form of cute pom pom bobbles. Whether worn as an adorable hair accessory or wristlet they make the perfect addition to any look and a great selection can be found at New Look.

Hair

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• Do keep it classy • Do embrace festive colours • Don’t go totally OTT • Don’t forget to coordinate

Your Fashion Questions Answered????????

Do - Amy Willerton

Don’t - Miley Cyrus

Q - Hi Holly, I’m in need of a dress for Christmas but don’t really want to spend much money, any ideas? Claudia

A - Hi Claudia, don’t be scared to reinvent an old dress! For a relatively cheap price you could buy a sparkly belt, add a fur trim which could be easily sewn onto the hem, make a net petticoat or add some bold accessories all of which would totally change the look! Holly x Get in touch - To learn more about The FASHION Class for teens & children, the courses, camps and Birthday parties, or to tell me what you think and ask any questions, contact: holly@thefashionclass.co.uk or www.thefashionclass.co.uk @clydelifemag

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Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 13

Ardgowan Health & Beauty,

where Passion comes as standard Here’s a simple tip for success: always deal with people who care passionately about what they do because they, in turn, will want you to be equally passionate about the results.

That’s the philosophy behind Greenock’s Ardgowan Health and Beauty Clinic quality products used by highly-trained, knowledgeable staff in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Pam’s belief is that everyone should be qualified to a high level and alongside college for trainees there are also courses with Clarins, the internationally renown cosmetic company.

And when Pam decided to introduce spray-tanning she and her team thoroughly researched which products would be used in the new treatment room with its own showers.

And all this delivered at realistic, out-ofcity-centre prices.

‘As professionals we should always be at the top of our game and always learning,’ said Pam. ‘and I am proud of the low turn-over of staff we have here at Ardgowan.’

‘I am passionate about our products.

We carried out a great deal of market research and testing because Ardgowan customers have high expectations and I haven’t been disappointed with the results St Tropez delivers. It has been a market leader for many years now,’ she said.

Owner Pam Durk has been in the beauty profession for 25 years and for more than 20 has been the inspiration behind Ardgowan.

In that time she has created the Ardgowan family of customers and staff; customers whose daughters have become loyal customers and staff who start as trainees and happily stay and grow their careers and qualifications at the Brisbane Streetbased haven of tranquillity.

Up to 10 people work at the salon, a mix of full and part-time. With top City and Guilds qualifications herself,

Her beliefs have seen Ardgowan grow to be one of only 70 gold-standard Clarins salons in the UK; an honour that Pam and her team have held for 12 years now.

‘We have been second in the Clarins Salon of the Year award and we are determined to bring that honour to Scotland,’ said Pam. Manicures at Ardgowan are with O.P.I. treatments and colours, another worldclass brand.

And for the sheer joy of it, Ardgowan stocks two other leading brands, Bomb Cosmetics’ handmade range of fun bath blasters soaps and candles and at this time of year the exquisite St Eval Candle Company Christmas range.

[Oh, and guys, there’s also a facial and massages designed just for you.]

Win a “Pampering Favourites” Christmas Box and more!

Clyde Life is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a “Pampering Favourites” Christmas box from Clarins.

The box contains a full size Clarins moisture rich body lotion & travel size Clarins hand & nail cream plus Clarins exfoliating body scrub.

In addition the winner will also receive a voucher for a pedicure or gel nail polish manicure from Ardgowan Health & Beauty worth £30.

Entry is free, so simply visit www.clydelife.co.uk and follow the competition link.

The competition closes on Monday 14th December and the winner will be announced on Facebook on Tuesday 15th December

14 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

@clydelifemag

Gifts to Treasure Share beauty with loved ones This Christmas, discover a dazzling array of gift ideas and gift sets bestselling skin care, must-have make-up and feel-good fragrances. With Clarins, your festive season is sure to sparkle.

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Residential Elderly Long Stay Short Stay Convalescent Respite

To request a brochure or to arrange a visit please contact the manager

Fiona Summers ~ 01505 613370 Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 15

Inverclyde Orthodontics

Stuart Davidson BDS MFDS RCPS Glas

at

Stuart Davidson provides comprehensive dental care throughout Inverclyde.

Orthodontics deals primarily with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of malpositioned teeth and the jaws. Stuart has been providing Orthodontic treatment for his adolescent and adult patients for over 3 years and now he wants to offer his service to the whole of Inverclyde.

Call in for an appointment on: 01475 521248 Main Street, Inverkip PA16 0AU | www.inverkip-dentist.co.uk

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@clydelifemag

Could Ivy Cottage rescue Chelsea and Mourhino?

Footballers’ bad teeth affecting performance and results, claim researchers

By Stuart Davidson touch. On the other hand, many fizzy drinks do contain sugar and this will place teeth at risk of developing cavities or teeth decay.”

How can a dentist help me prepare?

Sport is such an important part of many people’s lives but how many of us stop and think how our dental health may be affecting our performance.

Footballers from top clubs including Manchester United have poor dental health, which affects their performance, researchers say.

Almost four out of ten professional footballers have dental cavities, while one in 20 has irreversible gum disease.

Others suffer infections, while many experience regular toothache, found the study, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

This poor level of dental health affects footballers’ performance and wellbeing, and the sport “urgently” needs to promote better dental care, experts behind the research said.

The British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, Professor Damien Walmsley, said: “If your football team isn’t doing well, you might want to ask them if they are they looking after their teeth. The high degree of erosion seen in footballers’ teeth is likely to reflect a high consumption of either ‘sports’ or fizzy drinks following strenuous exercise.

Footballers, like the rest of us, would be better off drinking water to quench their thirst after strenuous exercise rather than sports or fizzy drinks that put their teeth at risk.

If you are taking part in any sort of major sports competition, prepare for it with your dentist. Have a check-up at least six months beforehand, so that any problems can be identified well in advance.

Make it clear to the dentist that, because of your sports activities, you cannot afford to have dental problems, and need to have preventive care and proactive treatment. Tell the dentist that you are competing at a high level and that you have competition commitments, so that a decision can be made on whether to treat any conditions early or whether to ‘watch and wait’. For many patients, ‘watching and waiting’ is normal practice where a problem is not serious, and where there is a chance that it will not progress. But if the outcome is sudden toothache just before a competition, this could be disastrous for performance.

The first check-up six months before a major competition will look especially for:

• Drink them quickly – avoid sipping them slowly; • Don’t hold or ‘swish’ them round your mouth – try to minimise contact with teeth (using a straw will do this); • Try to use them chilled, because warmer drinks are more corrosive; • Rinse your mouth with water immediately after using these drinks, rather than brushing, as this is more likely to wear away the teeth; • Try not to insert a mouthguard immediately after using sports drinks; • Try to avoid other acidic beverages during the day to reduce the risk of erosion, by drinking water, tea, coffee or milk at other times.

• Wisdom teeth, or other teeth, needing to be extracted. The space they leave in your jaw can weaken it, requiring avoidance of contact sports for a period to prevent possible jaw fracture; • Deep decay. When treated, this can lead to toothache, which may need time to settle down afterwards; • Treatments which may take a long time. Your dentist may be heavily booked, so allow time for any treatment to be fitted in and not hurried through.

Contrary to expectation, sports drinks are rarely a healthy choice. They don’t necessarily contain high amounts of sugar, but the high levels of acidity can cause irreversible damage to teeth.

The dentist may advise you to have another check-up four to eight weeks before the competition, to check for problems. Any major work should have been completed well in advance of this, but you need to make sure that no other problems have developed since your last check-up.

The acid in these drinks breaks down the tooth’s enamel, the shiny outer layer of your teeth, causing them to become sensitive to temperature changes and

If Morton are looking for a Club Dentist to help them gain promotion then maybe they should get in touch with Ivy Cottage Dental Practice.

Clyde Life Magazine

Minimising damage from sports drinks

Get a well fitted mouthguard Use a well-made mouthguard to reduce the risk of injury to teeth, bone and lips, and also to reduce the risk of concussion. There is evidence most sports injuries heal completely without residual disability, but injuries to the mouth can often entail further treatment throughout life.

A custom-made mouthguard designed by a dentist will provide a better fit, and be more comfortable to wear, than the fit-it-yourself mouthguards sold in sports shops; and it will be more likely to stay in place on impact. www.clydelife.co.uk | 17

Christmas PLC Now Recruiting Senior Personnel

❆ ❆ ❆

Clyde Life

Isn’t it time you got round to the business of really

By Joanne Simms enjoying yourself at Christmas?

Welcome to Christmas plc.

Christmas plc is a subsidiary of The Family plc. Its mission statement is to deliver positive benefits of the festive season on-time and on-budget. The Family plc may or may not adhere to traditional Christian beliefs but guidelines laid down during the Nativity still apply: comfort and joy.

This subsidiary was formed after a shock report revealed that many people confess their dislike of the event and despair as Christmas comes round; that they hate it and can’t wait until it’s over, citing: ‘it’s so much stress, all that hard work for one day’.

Christmas plc believes it is crazy to keep on doing something which makes you so unhappy: you need to rethink your whole approach.

Separate the reasons for celebrating Christmas from the work of preparing for Christmas: it is a perfect example of work-life balance in one holiday.

Where people go wrong and head off into Bah! Hum-bug! territory is when they let their emotions wander over into the business of Christmas. Do the job smoothly and efficiently just like you would any work project. Once done, step back and enjoy your family; they’re the reason why you work so hard in the first place.

Christmas plc is now recruiting!

CEO and Head of Finance The CEO and finance directors’ roles will frequently overlap making it essential that a firm decision-making process is established but with a sympathetic mutual understanding.

Purchasing should remain within budget and agreed credit limit unless a substantial case can be made to the finance director, who should keep an open-mind about unforeseen or emergency expenditure.

The merging of these two key posts is

18 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

best avoided; it can create a dictator, or even worse, a martyr.

Research and development

Previous successes should be repeated or developed and any disasters noted and avoided. This applies acrossthe-board for all Christmas plc’s core duties: gifts, food, drink, decorations and invitations given or received.

The finance director insists that R&D submits a thoroughly vetted list of toys and gadgets to eliminate never-touchedagain-after-Boxing-Day-syndrome while hoping that someone in the organisation can remember the name of that really gorgeous white wine served with Christmas pudding last year.

Research and development is reminded that new products should be thoroughly tested and sampled well in advance.

Christmas morning is no time to be attempting a new recipe; last year’s Brussels sprout mousse with candyglazed shallots was a surprise and a nasty one at that.

Communications and PR The Family plc must give clear and concise guidelines to Christmas plc before it begins its annual duties. This is essential to deploy the correct resources to all departments and helps avoid: ‘I can’t believe we bought all this food if we’re going round your mother’s.’

‘But Dad! I told you I was going to stay with them.’

briefing for teenage, too-cool-for-Yule personnel on interfacing and accessing conversation with grandparents.

Grandparents will be sent a memo on the need to avoid inflicting vile knitwear on grandchildren, regardless of age.

Thank-you notes are mandatory though The Family plc now accepts that these may be sent via social media.

Photographs or video clips of gift and smiling recipient have proved a vital asset for Christmas plc along with gift and card lists and menus for forward planning activities and should be included in the debriefing held at the January joint board meeting.

Merger of other subsidiaries and assets In recent years there has been increased asset-share and missioncreep with the work of Hogmanay plc and it may be more synergistic to merge these two subsidiaries.

Further indicators show a need might arise for the development of a Sod-it-allwe’re-off-to-the-Caribbean strategy as a part of the delivery of positive benefits of the festive season and budget strategy. A significant number of older shareholders voted that research should be expanded to include a cruise while young stakeholders are pressing for the inclusion of Disney World Florida. These matters are open for discussion.

‘You invited HOW many?’

‘Wasn’t that the kid who puked on our cat?’

‘Noooooooo! We can’t go round to theirs.

Remember last time.’

The Family plc must provide an updated Christmas card list to its subsidiary by no later than November 30 to eliminate waste, duplication and sending cards to the newly-divorced, or recently-deceased. Christmas plc will return a revised list after the event.

The CEO and HR will arrange a short @clydelifemag

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Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 19

CLASSES | CLUBS | MEETINGS | EVENTS | TALKS | EXHIBITIONS Clyde Life publishes details of classes, groups and clubs located within the magazine distribution area. If you are looking for new members or want to publicise an event please let us know.

To be included in the magazine and on the website please send details to charles@clydelife.co.uk Email birsayholistics@gmail.com Mon 9.30am and 8pm Skelmorlie Tues 10am, 6pm and 7.45pm Gourock Wed 6pm Wemyss Bay Thurs 10am Largs, 6pm Gourock, 8pm Largs Fri 6.30pm Meditation Skelmorlie Sat 8.45am Largs Yoga for all levels Instructor: Jacqueline Gibson 07851 735357 Email - jacqueline_a_g@hotmail.com Tues 9.30-10.30am Fri 9.30-10.30am All in Kilmacolm

Health & Wellbeing Classes Yoga and Meditation for all levels Teacher: Jacci Stoyle YS (reg) jacci@stoylehome.freeserve.co.uk 07790262124 Wed 7:00-8.30pm Boglestone Community Centre, Dubbs Rd, Port Glasgow.

Yoga for all levels Teacher: Aileen Hughes, YS(reg.)

01475 801613 aileenhughes@btinternet.com Mon 2-3.30pm RAF Club, 11 Ardgowan Square, Greenock Tue 2-3.30pm Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock.

Hatha Yoga for all levels Teacher: Flora MacKenzie fmackenzie_uk@yahoo.co.uk Wed 7-8pm Lyle Kirk, Union Street, Greenock.

Yoga and Meditation Teacher: Joanna Ritchie, Birsay Holistics 07518 373 073

20 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

Yoga for all levels Instructor: Patricia A. Ralston SYTA (Reg) 01475 785685 Tues 7.45 - 9.15pm Finnart St Pauls Church Hall, Bentinck Street, Greenock.

Beginners Yoga Instructor: Sara Marijuan-Tuck 07962 347950 Tues & Thurs 10:00 to 11:30 Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir Thurs 7:00p-8:30pm Scout Hall, Horsewood Road, Bridge of Weir Yoga and Meditation Teacher: Janis Binnie 07813 924922 | janis@santosa.co.uk Langbank Village Hall Tues 8.00-9.30pm Kilmacolm Community Centre Wed 6.30-8.00pm Pilates (all levels) Instructor - Jenn Forbes 07713 643693 | hello@forbespilates. com | Facebook forbespilates Wednesday 8pm

Dazzles, 1 George Square, Greenock, PA15 1PQ

Other Classes Ballet – Elite Academy of Dance Inverclyde’s only Royal Academy Ballet School www.theeliteacademyofdance.co.uk RAD Teacher- Julie Gunn Tel- 07753 246035 Email- eliteballetschool@gmail.com All ages for both Male and Female Classes every day The Studio 15a Watt Street Greenock Silver Swans Ballet Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet for the over 50s www.silverswansballet.co.uk RAD Teacher- Julie Gunn Tel- 07753 246035 Tuesday and Thursdays 11am – 12pm The Studio 15a Watt Street Greenock The Fashion Class Fashion Courses for children & teens, age 8-15.

Call Marilyn Thompson on 07793 591524 or visit www.thefashionclass.co.uk for more information.

Scottish Country Dancing Classes Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Scottish Country Dancing Classes are run at the Elim Pentecostal Church Hall, Kelly Street, Greenock on Monday evenings at 8pm.

Contact Jennifer Murrin - 01475 633096 for more information @clydelifemag

Kilmacolm Camera Club Every Tuesday at 7.30pm Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01 Contact David Walker 01505 873883 for more information Inverclyde Camera Club Every Friday at 7.30pm Cardwell Bay Sailing Club, Cove Road, Gourock Ann-Marie Westwood on 07971607453 inverclydecameraclub@live.com

Community Council Meetings Inverkip and Wemyss Bay CC 1st Thursday every month at 7pm Inverkip Primary School or Wemyss Bay Primary School www.inverkip-wemyssbaycc.co.uk Cardwell Bay & Greenock West CC 2nd Wednesday every month at 7:30pm Cardwell Bay Sailing Club www.cbagwcc.cloudaccess.net

Fort Matilda Bridge Club Meets Monday, Tuesday & Friday 7pm Visitors always welcome Tarbet Street, Gourock (turn right at Bluebird cafe on the main road.

The club is on the right hand side opposite ‘Duncan’s Ices’) Ann MacLeod (Secretary): 01475 522181 | annmacleod@btinternet.com

Kilmacolm & Quarrier’s CC Last Tuesday every month at 7:30pm Kilmacolm Community Centre www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk Houston CC 3rd Wednesday every month at 7:30pm Carrick Centre, Houston Everyone is welcome.

Local Churches Messy Church held at Greenock Westburn Church From 4-6pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month – 12th Dec 2015, 9th Jan 2016 and 13th Feb 2016 The format is an hour of crafts and games (with tea, coffee, juice and biscuits on offer). This is followed by a short act of worship consisting of children’s bible story where they usually participate, and a few action songs to go along with it. We finish off the day sitting down together to have a meal.

It is an alternative style of worship which suits regular church goers and nonchurch goers alike. Everyone will be made most welcome and there is no age limit.

Local Clubs Greenock Camera Club Every Thursday at 7:30pm Westburn Church Halls, Nelson St, Greenock www.greenockcameraclub.com Clyde Life Magazine

Fort Matilda Tennis Club Newark Street, Greenock The Club has four artificial grass courts, in very good condition and has recently added floodlights to three courts. www.fortmatildatennis.org The Ardgowan Club Ardgowan Square, Greenock The club has 2 bowling greens and 4 all-weather surface tennis courts, set in beautiful garden surroundings. www.ardgowanclub.co.uk Contacts : Gilbert McCracken or Dougie Warnock 01475 723418 Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club Esplanade, Greenock, PA16 7SE The Club also has an active social calendar with a monthly Folk night, sporting event functions and seasonal themed events.

Club website: www.rwsabc.co.uk Contact 01475 723260 Greenock Cricket Club Brisbane St, Greenock The club fosters and develops cricket and squash throughout Inverclyde.

Membership is open to all age groups.

Anyone interested in joining should email the Secretary brian.papworth@talktalk.net Greenock Speakers Club Ardgowan Square, Greenock Helps people improve their public speaking skills in a friendly environment. The Club meets fortnightly on alternative Thursdays from October to April within the Ardgowan Club, 7:30-10:00pm Contact Tony Cowden on 01475 783228 or by email at tony.cowden@ntlworld.com Greenock Writers Club Ardgowan Square, Greenock The club meets most Wednesdays from the middle of September from 7.30pm to 9.30pm with a break for tea and coffee. They are a small group affiliated to the Scottish Association of Writers’, who enjoy the chat and fun activities as much as the writing.

Contact: Mark Jones on 01475 713413.

Inverclyde Skywatchers Inverclyde Skywatchers Astronomical Group had its first meeting in April 2015 and currently has 14 members. There is a programme of weekly talks which are given by invited guest speakers or by group members who volunteer to share their knowledge. The group have a library of books, magazines and DVDs which are available to members.

Relevant events are organised, for example, trips to the Dark Skies Observatory, Paisley Observatory and social events such as Star Parties and Night Sky Viewings.

Anyone with an interest in Astronomy is welcome although numbers are limited.

The group meet in the Greenock Southwest Library (Barrs Cottage) every Monday from 3pm till 5pm.

For further information telephone Marion on 01475 634976 or email inverlydeskywatchers@aol.co.uk Inverclyde Cricket Club Inverclyde Cricket Club was formed, as Scott CC in 1954 being part of Scotts’ Shipbuilding Social Club.

Following the demise of Scotts’ Shipbuilding in 1987 the club changed its name to Inverclyde C.C. In the early days the club’s home ground was Battery Park, Greenock but with the redevelopment of this facility, the club moved to Gourock Park.

The club is always on the lookout for new members for both junior and senior teams. If you are interested in giving cricket a go, whether you have played before or not, please don’t hesitate to contact the Club Captain via www.inverclydecricket.co.uk www.clydelife.co.uk | 21

Coming up at Beacon Arts Centre It’s a Wonderful Life

Fri 18 - Sun 20 December £8 / £7

Nearly New Year Hogmanay Show Thu 31 December £20 /£18 Alan Beck (Caledon) and his wife, Polly Kirwan Beck perform with one of the country’s top ceilidh bands, the sensational Flung Aboot, to present an evening of great singing and great songs – the perfect way to prepare for the Bells!

Stewart Francis Pun Gent

Tue 15 December £17.50 The star of Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow and Live At The Apollo, comes to Greenock with his new stand up tour.

Back by popular demand!

Performed as a live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. Six actors perform the characters of 1940s radio actors, who in turn portray the dozens of characters of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Coming soon

Mums the Word 2

February 2016 A brutally honest and wickedly funny comedy about the trials and tribulations of having children

Beacon Arts Centre Custom House Quay Greenock, PA15 1HJ www.beaconartscentre.co.uk 01475 723723 @the beaconarts 22 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

Beacon-Arts-Centre @clydelifemag

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 23

Christmas Light Switch On’s Near You! Wishing you a bright and happy festive season!

Join friends and family in your local community and watch the lights switch on for Christmas…

GOUROCK Tuesday 1 December from 6pm at Gourock Pierhead.

PORT GLASGOW Wednesday 2 December from 6pm outside Port Glasgow Library.

GREENOCK Thursday 3 December from 6pm in Clyde Square.

QUARRIER’S VILLAGE Friday 4 December from 4pm outside Quarrier’s head office.

KILMACOLM Friday 4 December from 6pm at Kilmacolm Community Centre.

INVERKIP Friday 4 December from 6pm at Inverkip Primary School.

WEMYSS BAY Friday 4 December, event starts around 6.30pm with lights switched on about 7pm, at Wemyss Bay Community Centre.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas, from all at Inverclyde Council

24 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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Live Events Nutcracker:

Sunday 13th December 3pm Adult:£15.00 Concession: £13.00

WATERFRONT cinema

Live Event Listing

Dec 2015 – Jan 2016 December 2015 • The Mikado (ENO) Thursday 3RD December at 7.30pm (£12.00 / £10.00) On Christmas Eve, Marie’s magician godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker carved in the shape of a man. At midnight, when the celebrations are over, the toys magically spring to life. The nutcracker grows to human size and comes to Marie’s rescue as a battle rages between the toy soldiers and the Mouse King, backed by his rodent army! In the second act of Tchaikovsky’s enduringly popular festive ballet, Marie and Drosselmeyer’s nephew are whisked off to the Land of the Sweets.

Here they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince, who entertain the duo with their lovely dances. Based on E. T. A. Hoffmann’s story, ‘The Nutcracker’ continues to enchant audiences young and old. This superlative version was choreographed by former Bolshoi Artistic Director Yuri Grigorovich and is magnificently interpreted by the company’s dancers.

A Winter’s Tale (encore):

Thursday 24th December 2pm Adult/Concession: £ 15.00 Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is reimagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan.

Judi Dench will play Paulina, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes.

• The Lady of the Camellias (Bolshoi Ballet) Sunday 6th December at 3pm (£15.00 / £13.00) • Jane Eyre (NTLive) Tuesday 8th December at 7pm (£12.00 / £10.00) • Nutcracker (Bolshoi Ballet) Sunday 13th December at 3pm (£15.00 / £13.00) • Made in my Toun: Greenock Thursday 17th December at 7.30pm (£6.00) • A Winter’s Tale Encore (Branagh Theatre) Thursday 24th December at 2pm (£15.00)

January 2016 • Les Pecheurs de Perles (Met Opera) Saturday 16th January at 5.55pm (£25.00 / £21.00) • The Taming of the Shrew (Bolshoi Ballet) Sunday 24th January at 3pm (£13.00 / £15.00) • The Two Pigeons (Royal Opera House) Tuesday 26th January at 7.15pm (£15.00) • Turandot (Met Opera) Saturday 30th January at 5.55pm (£25.00 / £21.00)

Tickets available through box office (01475 732201) or online at www.waterfrontcinema.co.uk Clyde Life Magazine www.clydelife.co.uk | 25

The Workings of the Mother of all Parliaments In these articles I hope to give you an insight into the workings of the UK Parliament. In the course of doing this I shall of course call upon my own experiences, hopefully positive ones.

After being elected my first task was to get to grips with the layout of the estate.

Just like any new job navigating your way around the premises is important.

I have worked in many factories and office blocks but nothing remotely resembles Westminster.

Biographies, autobiographies, historical novels, thrillers, memoirs, tourist guides, have all been written about and around Westminster. It is hard to define what Westminster actually is. It’s a building, in fact it’s a series of buildings and extensions but it is a museum, art gallery, office block, and the home of the UK government or is it really a village in the heart of a massive city?

Sometimes it is referred to as a bubble, sometimes an institution. In truth it is all of these things.

The most famous and most photographed building is the palace of Westminster. At the North is the iconic structure of the Queen Elizabeth tower, topped off by Big Ben. The palace contains the House of Lords. The Lords is a debating chamber with red leather benches and rather uncomfortable woolsacks to sit on. The woolsacks are sometimes referred to as the Judges woolsacks as during the state opening of parliament senior judges sit on

them. The palace also contains the House of Commons. It is the debating chamber for elected members, such as myself. There are 650 elected members of parliament. Our benches are green leather and are actually quite comfortable. Which is just as well as I can be required to sit on them for hours at a time waiting to speak or listening to debates before voting. Unfortunately there is only seating for just over 400 members. This was at the request of Winston Churchill whose input was provided when the chamber was rebuilt after it was bombed in World War 2. Mr Churchill thought cramming in members would help to create a more vibrant chamber.

Between the two Houses (chambers) there are three grand halls. The Members lobby, the Central lobby and the Lords lobby. They are joined by two decorative corridors and they all line up to form the main spine of the palace.

Off the main corridor are stairways to meeting rooms, dining rooms (more like canteens) and hundreds of offices for members and staff. Every nook and cranny is filled by statues of people, mostly long dead. Every wall has paintings of historical events. If you are visiting Westminster I would

Ronnie Cowan MP recommend looking up. The ceilings are often the most ornate parts.

Across the road is Portcullis House.

Opened in 2001 at a cost of around £250 million pounds and accessible to the palace via an underground tunnel which also allows access to Westminster underground station.

Portcullis is a modern 6 story roundhouse with a massive glass atrium covering the central courtyard.

On the ground floor are eating places and meeting places. The first floor contains meeting rooms, some on a very large scale and contain TV cameras and sound equipment, some rooms are much more modest. The remaining floors are well appointed offices, which are spacious and some have balconies overlooking the central atrium.

It doesn’t end there. Beyond Portcullis are more office blocks. Norman Shaw House (north and south), Richmond house, 1 Parliament Street and most recently 53 Parliament Street. All of the estate is contained within a ring of steel.

Access is controlled by security pass and I.D. numbers. Armed police officers patrol the estate and cameras monitor our movements. Such is the mother of all parliaments in 2015.

Ronnie Cowan MP, Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, 20 Crawfurd Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LJ ronnie.cowan.mp@parliament.uk Telephone: 01475 721 877

26 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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Clyde Life Magazine

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– Service With A Smile!

Changes in the wind for Scottish Taxpayers

It’s been a crazy few tradespeople have struggled surrounding areas & Peter family of people I’ve done months for Cloudy2Clear since last year and I is finding that his approach work for, which just goes to Windows. The company honestly feel that during is a major factor in his show how much a little bit which specialises in the good times a minority success. “The truth is that of effort is appreciated.” repairing windows which perhaps didn’t focus on it’s not just the personal So, if your windows are steamed up, broken customer care as much as satisfaction that I get from are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing Rosalind they should have done. doing a good job but also it or damaged give Peter a Accountant Woollard the panes – not the We make sure we turn makes good business sense. call for a free quotation on frames has grown rapidly up when we say we will,of the I get a huge amount of RA 0800Woollard 61 21 118 and he’ll be explains the implications as homeowners take do the job the customer business from friends and Chartered happy to Accountant help! new Scottish Taxtheir advantage of their services.Rate requires of and leave Business & Personal Tax Managing Director Peter house as clean as a whistle.

Payroll & Accounts will be able to levy a Scottish Rate of It’s a taxing time of year for many – Brummit that it’s I often get Income comments back applied equally to all Tax (SRIT) Christmas feels is looming and so is the Bookkeeping all aboutforservice.

“Our from customers ontaxpayers. how Scottish deadline tax returns. rosalind@woollard.org.uk product is simple. your suggests they reallyIfdidn’t expect the SRIT is set at 10p then income tax Accountant RosalindIfWoollard  01475 520699 will be the same as in the rest of it’s a good idea toisget your returnthat sort ofrates www.woollard.org.uk double glazing misted service which, UK.sad SRIT in early, so that any issues can be up we can replace the glass in a way, isthe very forcan be reduced to zero and there is no upper limit. resolved in good time. likelihood is that the Scottish Government at a fraction of the cost the service industry as a will tread warily in the early stages.”

“The Scottish Tax Rate, obviously, Rosalind also points out that now would of a new window, in any whole.” will affect those classed as Scottish be a good time to assess the potential Rosalind’s clients include local type of frame, a Tax Rate.

Cloudy2Clear service taxpayers – and that is based on where implications of theand newwith Scottish tradesmen and women and a range of new 5 year guarantee.

Inverkip, Gourock, you live. So for the vast majority of family-owned businesses.

She explains: “From AprilBut 2016, the people, it will be their main residence it’s about savingtax will Greenock, Port Glasgow, mainnot UKjust rates of income be If you have any concerns about the will be used as the criteria. reducedmoney, by 10p for Scottish taxpayers, people although Langbank,which Kilmacolm, impact of the SRIT on your business, “As yet, no rate has been set and the and in its place the Scottish Parliament contact Rosalind. that obviously helps.

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Choosing a Christmas Gift for your loved one. b8yb Struggling to find the right gift for your loved one, then Joanne Simms our new feature writer offers some sound advice to avoid disaster.

For Her Gentlemen, be warned, this is being written by a woman who was once given bags of gravel for Christmas.

It was frosty that Christmas and more so for himself, inside the house, than out in the garden.

favourite drink. Better still, ‘double-gift’: here’s a salon voucher for you and I’m taking the kids off on an adventure so you can take your time, relax and pamper yourself. Better still arrange for someone else to take them and get her present together.

Learn from this, guys. It IS the thought that counts, but the thought should also extend to the gift. If you are unsure you have bought the right thing, giving it thoughtfully can mean all the difference.

Meanwhile, back at the gravel: a little box from the jewellers with a silver garden trowel charm on a chain and a gift-card saying the gravel would be delivered would have made me swoon.

The greatest strategists will tell you that time spent in recognisance is never wasted so do you know her favourite perfume? Does she have one of the modern charm bracelets? Is there a theme to the charms? If you are stumped as to what to buy, get a voucher for her favourite store, hairdressers or beauty salon, but attach it to a bottle of her

It’s not ‘Here’s some money go get those shoes you like.’ Instead: ‘I’m taking you to buy some shoes and we’ll have lunch along the way.’ You know that she knows that you hate shoe-shopping but that’s what’s made the present special.

For Him

are there is something he’ll want in the fishing rod, golf club, gym kit, model train or garage department. Why do you think all those sportsmen’s memoirs are published just before Christmas? So you can buy them, of course!

And if he is a foodie, then job done! Or, if he is flexing his culinary muscles, head down the gadget route. (We know that the same job can be done with a sharp knife in half the time and without as much washing up but he’ll be thrilled).

The adventure day/experience gift voucher is a great hit and if you can link-up with another family member or his best pal then that is two women who have just solved their present buying problems! But don’t just hand over the voucher – attach it to a bottle of his favourite malt, or something appropriate, like a pair of driving gloves if it’s a day driving fast sports cars.

If all else fails, go for the big kid inside him. I hold this truth to be self-evident: that no man, regardless of age, race, creed or sexual orientation does not want to own a Swiss Army penknife, a really neat torch or a stunt kite. Trust me.

Ladies, you are not alone, that noise you can hear in the background is countless other women banging their heads off the wall trying to think of what to buy him for Christmas.

If he has a hobby then don’t grumble that it takes up so much of his time during the rest of the year because the chances

30 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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Clyde Life Magazine

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How Much Should I Invest?

This edition, as we approach Christmas; the end of one year and the beginning of the next, we asked our resident columnist Robert MacDonald CFP about one of the things many reflect on at this time in relation to our money and our life… Do I have enough to allow me to continue my current lifestyle, am I saving/investing enough to have the lifestyle I desire when I retire? Clearly a very important aspect of this is how much to invest. Here Robert looks at some of the simple but often overlooked aspects to be mindful of.

You might think that the single most important investment decision you have to make is what share or fund you should invest in and I would agree that this is a pretty important question. But it’s equally important (if not more so) to know how much to invest and here’s why.

You might select the best investment possible, but if you don’t invest enough

By Robert MacDonald

it won’t matter. Clearly the percentage return will be great but if you invest only a small amount of what you could, you are ignoring opportunity and it could be a huge one!

short term capital/income you may need and then you can get a greater sense of how much you can invest. You can do that just by asking yourself a few questions:

And the opposite is also true. If you invest too much, you could find yourself in a precarious financial situation before you know it. People who invest too much often don’t have enough liquid cash to cover short-term needs and emergency situations as they pop up. When they hit a bump in the road, they either have to sell out of their investments at an inappropriate time or unfortunately have to borrow. Either way, it’s not exactly a comforting place to be in…

1. Emergency Fund

How to Find the Right Balance Some people make this very complicated. But keeping things as simple as possible is always a good option. Simply put, work out how much

You really can’t invest your emergency cash so the first question to ask is, how much do you need? That may seem like a very difficult question to answer because you can’t predict the future.

While it’s true that you can’t ever know what’s going to happen in the future, you can make a reasonably informed guess about how much cash you need to keep available for instant needs. One way you can do this is by thinking about the worst financial crisis you’ve had to deal with over the last 10 years. In my experience, that’s a good gauge of what you might need for emergencies in the future.

This isn’t a guarantee and clearly not

The views in this article are personal and provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as recommendation by the publisher or investment advice by the contributor as laid down by the Financial Conduct authority.

32 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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if all your income comes from pensions and reliable investment income, you might need even less cash lying around.

For our purposes, let’s say you need £2,000 a month to live on and you have a very stable job. Using the formula above, you would earmark another £6,000 for an “income emergency”.

Pretty simple…right?

3. Foreseeable Expenses very scientific either but it’s a reasonable start. Think about your own situation over the last decade. Let’s say the worst financial disaster you had to deal with cost you £20,000 five years ago. You may think with inflation that could be £25,000 and whilst it’s possible that you might need this for an emergency down the line, it’s not very likely. So for this example let’s put aside £10,000.

2. Monthly Spending The next question to ask yourself is how much you need to live on each month and how stable your income sources are. There are a variety of ways to calculate your average spending but my favourite method is to let my bank statements tell me. It only takes about 5 minutes a month to figure this out and it is a far more accurate measurement than other approaches that take hours each week.

Next, consider how stable your income is. When people tell me their jobs are very stable, I suggest that they still keep 3-6 month’s salary available anyway. If their incomes are volatile or self-employed and don’t have the luxury of a sick pay scheme, I suggest they keep 6 to 12 month’s salary tucked away. On the other hand,

The last question you need to answer before knowing how much to invest is to ask yourself if you’ll need a large amount of cash over the next 1 to 2 years. For example, if you know you’re going to need cash for a home purchase, new car or whatever, you really shouldn’t invest that money. Again, you won’t earn much interest on that money but it just doesn’t matter. You can’t take any chances. Think about what might happen if you invest it and then need that cash later on. If you need to sell at a time when the market is down it could derail your plans to buy the house, car or other

major item. For our example, let’s say you don’t have any large outlays on the horizon. At this point, it’s pretty easy to figure out how much you can invest. You already know that you might need about say £16,000 (£10,000 plus 3 X £2,000 monthy income) for emergencies. So that means you should invest everything above that amount. Simplicity itself.

As a further refinement, think about how much money you might need in 2–5 years, 5–10 and 10 and beyond.

A simple way to deal with this is to have each chunk of money you require invested in a different strategy because the closer it is to the time you absolutely need the money, the more conservatively you should invest it. Whilst nothing in life is certain (other than death and taxes!), a more accurate way to understand how much is required is to go through life is to use a process called “cash-flow analysis” or “cash-flow modelling” and this looks at your expected income and expenditure (ongoing/one off/recurring) inflated accordingly to keep pace with the rise in costs of things. All good financial planners should do this.

And Finally Knowing how much to invest may not be as difficult as you think, just be very clear on how much you should hold back for your expenditure, short term and emergency needs and let what is left over work for you. And remember what arguably the most prolific investor on the planet Warren Buffet maintains when asked of the two most important investment decisions in life, “Marry well… and… never leave ALL your money in cash” – wise words indeed from the oracle of Omaha!

T: 01475 638100 | www.macdonaldandco.com

An advanced level of advice... on Financial Planning MacDonald & Co is a trading style of MacDonald & Co (Wealth Management) Ltd which is authortised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 33

Christmas Recipe!

Quick

Some people say that there isn’t much to do with Christmas leftovers, but here is one which you can make with any Christmas leftover – turkey, chicken, ham or beef or all four!

Sweet Chilli Stir Fry Hi, my name is Faisal and I am the Head Chef and Director of a company called The Chefs Eye Limited and the resident caterer at Gourock Golf Club where I operate from.

We welcome visitors all year round to the restaurant and for further insight for our menus and upcoming events, please go to chefseye.co.uk and subscribe.

We still have a few spaces available for Christmas Party nights but Christmas Day is fully booked - but we do have a reserve list!

After a very busy Christmas day, the last thing you want is to be standing in front of a cooker on Boxing Day. So I have put together something quick and easy which you can make whilst watching the Boxing Day movies - have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

34 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

Method

• In a hot frying pan, preferably a wok, add a tsp of veg oil and get the pan smoking.

• Fry the onions until golden brown

Serving 2.

Cooking time - 10-15 mins Equipment: Wok - a good wok is an essential part of any kitchen and is used for a variety of different dishes

• Add the meat, soy sauce, lemongrass, and Chinese 5 spice

Ingredients

• Add the carrot once the rest is heated throughout

• Leftover turkey, ham, beef or chicken, cut into strips • Chinese 5 spice powder - 1tsp • Fresh Lemongrass x1 • Light Soy Sauce (Kikkomans) • Sweet Chilli Sauce • 1 medium onion - finely sliced • Toasted sesame oil • Sesame seeds • Flaked sea salt (Maldons) • Small bunch of fresh coriander • Medium egg noodles (ready to cook) • Sliced cabbage • Grated Carrot

• Add the sesame seeds now • Add the cabbage

• Set aside • In a separate pan, cook the noodles and drain, drizzle sesame oil over the top and toss • Place some in a cup and squeeze it in gently, tip over and put on a plate • Drizzle sweet chilli and a little balsamic glaze All the ingredients can be found at your local supermarket.

@clydelifemag

An Grianan

Derek Watters - PGA Golf Professional

Stationery

Email: pro@gourockgolfclub.com

We are located adjacent to the 1st tee @ Gourock GC • The professional shop is OPEN to the public • We stock all the major brands including Glenmuir Proquip Sunderland - Galvin Green - Callaway Lyle & Scott - Wilson - Footjoy & Srixon • We can order whatever you need in time for Christmas • We can provide Gift Vouchers that can be used for lessons and shop stock

CLYDE LIFE Reader Offer

10% OFF All Stock in Dec only

01505 874342 07929 464763 Full Garden Design & Makeovers Garden Tidy-Ups

(only on purchases made in store) Quote CL10 while in store.

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Patios, Driveways, Decking Fencing, Stump Grinding Grass & Hedge Cutting Water Features & more...

Winter Opening Hours Mon - 8.30am - 2.30pm • Tues - Closed Wed - Fri - 8.30am - 2.30pm • Sat & Sun - 9am - 1pm

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A Musical Celebration Hosted by Ian McCrorie MBE Enjoy a magical evening of festive music from pupils of St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm soloists, ensembles, choirs, orchestra, pipe band Wednesday 16th December Greenock Town Hall, 7-9.30pm Tickets: £10 each/4 tickets £35 (inc light refreshment) www.st-columbas.org t: 01505 872238 e: ddickie@st-columbas.org St Columba’s School Ltd is a registered charity SC012598. Reg No SC016856

SPONSORS

Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 35

The Christmas Party Style Files

by Marilyn Thompson

e

e

Are you ready to Party?

Tis the season to be jolly....Winter fashion is all about being cozy and warm, looking great (Rudolph nose and all) whilst remaining traditional except at Christmas party time when our inner diva’s get the chance to shine.

With so many invitations at Christmas from cocktail parties, dances, nights in town, intimate dinners and the office bash, this is your chance to embrace some seasonal sparkle but how do you make sure you get the right outfit? First of all

decide whether you are going to take the opportunity to vamp it up in the best va-va voom glamourpuss outfit you can find, go for understated elegance with beautiful fabrics in silks and cashmere or settle for somewhere in-between.

Whatever you wear this Christmas - Wear it with style.

Here’s just some of the hottest looks for the festive party season:

e

e Get noticed in red - the colour of Christmas. Dazzle in a show stopping glitzy sequinned number or one of the lovely red silk jumpsuits that are available. If going for full out glitz then you should probably keep your accessories to a minimum and let the dress do the talking.

The classic black dress, never goes out of style, it’s perfect, easy to wear, slimming and can be brought out again and again.

Looks beautiful with an on trend sparkly brooch or statement earrings. Team up with classic shoes and a clutch bag and you’re onto a winner!

Wallis

36 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

Very.co.uk

@clydelifemag

e Taking inspiration from the flapper era of the 1920’s, have a Great Gatsby moment and shake and shimmy in one of the many fringed styles of dresses and skirts - just make sure you’ve perfected your ‘Charleston’ dance moves before hitting the dance floor.

e Shine bright like a diamond in some of the prettiest party wear around. Embellished with sparkly gems and sequins and available in dresses and multi tasking separates this is a perfect Christmas look.

Dorothy Perkins

Very.co.uk

Feeling the festive spirit yet? - all that remains is to find the perfect outfit for the big day itself. However finding something where you look like the perfect hostess and can still eat, drink and be merry from dawn till dusk can be a hard task so all I’ll say is Good Luck and don’t forget the all important purchase of new cozy (maybe even glamorous) pyjamas for Christmas Eve! Last thing - Will you be on the Naughty or Nice list?

Proprietors Agnes and Rosemary Yarn from Rico Designs, James C Brett, King Cole, Stylecraft and Woolcraft.

Haberdashery supplies ribbon, lace and buttons.

Baby wear, gifts and cards.

The Knitting Pin, 28 Dubbs Road, Port Glasgow PA14 5UA | T: 01475-700771 Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm • Late night Thursday to 7pm • Sat 9am - 4pm www.facebook.com/theknittingpin Clyde Life Magazine

www.clydelife.co.uk | 37

BRU N R I , The k c a B r! s i e v l E a v n a h t Carni r te t e B r & e g g i B this year, dditions a g in it c ex , where new and Play Area e m le o b s ta a re As a Infl There a content! nd new ’s s ra e b rt p a e ro e u h th E of eir now including nce to th ake sure to book the return u te o b ra b n a le c r to ce eason, m arnival. the kids me of yea N-BRU C do’ this s t IR s e u th It’s that ti 7 ‘m , 1 ir y fa the hall. day famil door fun ntry in to until Sun e y 5 s 1 a 0 e 2 e largest in y r isit be d, th to enjo please v 23 Decem playgroun n y rs a io e d k t s e a e e n s d inform m. ate thrill , Glasgow From We the ultim For full nival.co the SECC r * r 6 a e v 1 c o 0 2 u e r k . ry b re nJanua is set to ta ever befo www.ir Carnival, cier than n u o b d n IRN-BRU N er a n, the IR 13 with igger, bett family fu ice is £ r g and it’s b h p n li it y w rk tr a ir n p E fs ing ten nfa 5 years o s receiv used indoor fu 9 r t o g s n it e ti is rg ra v la Celeb rope’s can be ival is Eu , which . s s r n e stalls** o h ti c c BRU Carn u vo d most nd attra n a a s s e e d ri id over 65 r, most on all r vouche

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38 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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Clyde Life Magazine

Christmas at

The Chartroom

MID-WINTER BALL

Sunday 27th December

A glass of fizz on arrival, candlelit dinner & live entertainment with THE JERSEYTONES till the wee hours. Black tie for the Gents and Glamorous for the Ladies.

Tickets £35.

HOGMANAY

DANCE GALA DINNEaRnapes on Cocktails & c rse dinner u o c 4 • l a iv r r a ent and DJ till

m Live entertain iper for the P t h ig n id M s 2am plu 1st December 3 y a d rs u h T s’ ‘Bell

Saturday 2nd Ja nuar y

2015

NEW YEAR RE COVERY

LATE LUNCH!

Festive brunch menu ser ved all day – open 1pm – 8pm

BOXING DAY AT THE CHARTROOM LUNCH Saturday 26th December FESTIVE1pm – 8pm 2 Courses £14.95 • Child menu £5.95 – open

The Chartroom, Kip Marina, Inverkip, PA16 0AS

01475 520919 • thechartroom.co.uk 40 | Clyde Life – Christmas 2015

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