October 2008 by LifestyleMonthly

SOUTHPORT • LIVERPOOL • WIRRAL • CHESTER • FREE COPY

October 2008

Spooky! Most Haunted’s

Yvette

Fielding

Talks exclusively to us

WIN A pair of Bryan Adams tickets A family ticket to Splashworld A Reiki course A day out at Alton Towers Tickets to Our Benny

BRYAN ADAMS

TOM SLEMEN

Rocks up to Liverpool

Celebrity ghost hunter & author

10 pairs of tickets to the BBC’s The Good Food Show A meal for two at Simply Heathcotes in Liverpool

OCTOBER CONTENTS 42

25 04 07

News & Events

32 34

Dream On Food & Drink Halloween treats and pumpkin carvings.

Out & About Haunted mansions and creepy places around our region

What your dreams mean.

Social Style Who’s been partying where

Business Lifestyle IT expert Leon Brown.

Celebrity Interview Most Haunted’s Yvette Fielding.

Jobs & Recruitment Take charge of your destiny.

Ghosthunter & Author

Tom Slemen reveals some spooky true stories.

Style & Fashion Gothic need not be gruesome

Celebrity Astrology Gayna talks to us.

The Last Word The editors word is final.

Competitions 13 22 23 27 37 39

Win a day out at Alton Towers Win tickets to Our Benny A pair of Bryan Adams tickets A Reiki course A family ticket to Splashworld Win a meal for two at Simply Heathcotes in Liverpool

Post your competition entries to: Lifestyle Monthly, 2 Barnhill Road, Liverpool, L15 5BE

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editor@lifestylemonthly.co.uk www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk

0151 280 0059

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NEWS & EVENTS

THORNTON HALL NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL SPA OF THE YEAR Staff at a Wirral hotel are celebrating after gaining a place in the National finals of the British Beauty and Spa Awards. Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa, in Wirral, was one of 7 finalists nationwide for the top award of the night - Destination Hotel/Spa of the Year - and went head to head with the crème de la crème of the beauty world at a ceremony in London last month The four star venue has been nominated in previous years for Regional Salon of the year in the Northwest and Scotland but it is the first time the family run hotel gained a place within the prestigious category of Destination Hotel/Spa of the Year. The finalists include Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa in East Grinstead, Titanic Spa in Huddersfield, Norton House Hotel in Edinburgh and Senspa in Brockenhurst and The Spa at Geoff Dale General Manager, Ina Schmidt Marketing Manager, Johanna Dale, Andrew Thompson Managing Director and Suzanne Thompson.

Gleneagles by ESPA in Auchterarder. “Here at Thornton Hall we are passionate about providing positive changes in our clients’ lives so we are absolutely thrilled to have made it into the final for such a

Dates for your Diary:

prestigious award,” said Geoff Dale, General Manager, at Thornton Hall, which is located

17 October – 2 November

ultimate spa experience which will leave them feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to

Celebrating the Liverpool/Irish connection in many

face the world again.”

venues across the region Liverpool Electric

in the picturesque village of Thornton Hough. “We work hard to give our guests the

The British Beauty & Spa Awards 2008, which launched 12 years ago, recognises innovation and excellence in the spa and beauty industry. They have rapidly become the Oscars of the beauty world and are attended by top industry names.

22-26 October, various venues

BUSINESS CLUB GETS LIVERPOOL LAUNCH

As part of the BBC Electric Proms Brand New World by Positive Impact Royal Court Theatre – 25 October

The North West’s newest and fastest growing

Urban Contemporary musical based on the story of

business networking club launched at the Britannia

Aladdiin

Adelphi Hotel. BSB Networking Club, which takes place at a

Karl Jenkins at the Royal Philharmonic Hall

breakfast meeting at the Adelphi Hotel, fortnightly

25 October

on Wednesday mornings, aims to assist the business

Karl Jenkins conducts the first performance of a new

community across the North West, including

work

Merseyside, the Wirral and Cheshire. In addition they hold regular weekly events across the region Co-founder Paul Ashbury said, “In these tough

Halloween Lantern Parade 31 october at Sefton Park MTV Liverpool Music Week 30th October – 6 November Leading up to the MTV Europe Music Awards at the

economic times getting business has never been Co-founders, Paul Ashbury(left) with Geoffrey Prince of the BSB Networking Club

harder. That’s why networking, used as a marketing tool, makes good commercial business sense. It is an opportunity to learn, develop, make new contacts

and gain new business, while having an enjoyable time.” BSB membership includes a full profile page for each member business on the website www.

ECHO Arena, there’s a week long celebration of music

bsbnetworkingclub.co.uk. Plus with the BSB Networking Club Forum members can use the

and the largest indoor winter festival

“Trading Post” feature enabling them to do business with each other online.. For details call 0845 862 1123 or visit the web site www.bsbnetworkingclub.co.uk

NEWS & EVENTS

News

www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk

NEW ART GALLERY FOR THE WIRRALL Art plays a strong part in the history of the village of Parkgate, Wirral. In its early days, the famous artist Turner is known to have had great appreciation for the village and the inspiration for his works that stem from admiring and studying its spectacular sunsets. Artroom is a new gallery that was a former Old Post Office Building. This makes visitors to the area realise that the history of artistic practice and appreciation is still alive in this locality today. Works on display from local artist Matthew Snowden, who has an eye for bringing to life the stunning colours and beautiful surroundings of Hilbre Island and the Wirral coastline in his paintings. Ian Wilson continues “Matthew, like many of our contemporary artists we have in the gallery, believes that the great tradition of painting will never die and sketching outdoors and taking notes is a traditional part of the artists make-up. Artroom only displays original art and our portfolio of artists ranges from abstract works and townscapes to still life”. ARTROOM holds new exhibitions every eight weeks. Artroom Old Post Office The Parade Parkgate South Wirral CH64 6RW. Opening Hours Thurs – Sun 12 – 5 pm (View by Appointment Mon Tues Wed on 07710078845) Tel: 0870 085 20 85.

www.artroom.uk.com

TAXI!!! A Merseyside taxi, Radliffe, of Kirby, has been shortlisted for a national award for its commitment to learning and development.

Fireworks Spectacular in Southport

The firm is up for “Company of the Year” award

Southport hosts the

in the GoSkills Passenger Transport Awards 2008.

British Musical Fireworks

Working closely with with Merseytravel’s

Championships between Friday,

multi-award winning learning arm Merseylearn,

October 3, and Sunday, October

Radcliffe Taxis willbattle it out with a handful of

5, when the pyrotechnic

companies across the country for the coveted

spectacular returns with a bang.

title. Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director

The three-day extravaganza will see seven world-class

General of Merseytravel, said: “The way this

pyrotechnics companies battle

organisation has worked with us and Knowsley

it out in Southport’s Kings

College to embrace learning and development

Gardens, overlooking the Marine

has been fantastic.

Lake. Three displays will take

“We’ve worked hard with many taxi firms

place on the Saturday night and

to give drivers flexibility in the way they are

two each on Friday and Sunday.

learning so they can tailor it around their work

Last year more than 60,000

schedules. It’s very difficult for many drivers

people flocked to the event

to fit learning into their lives, without meaning

- with similar crowds expected

time off the road and losing money.”

this year.

SOCIAL STYLE

It’s been a busy month of parties. Here are the faces seen in all the right places. If you want your event featured in Life Style Monthly then send your pictures to: Pantheon Property Services celebrated its launch and the opening of the new Wavertree office with a drinks reception attended by many of the city’s leading business people and key players in the local property market.

editor@lifestylemonthly.co.uk Or go one better and invite us along and we’ll take the pictures.

Above: Gill Torres, Zoe Morgan and Zoe Wallace from Livewire Right: - Alan Stables - A Construction, David Barker - Red Carpets 2 Go Below: Laura Oakes - entertainer, Kim Wallace - Facelift Painting Services, Zoe Wallace - Livewire, Helen Davidson - Balance Financial Management

OUT & ABOUT

HAUNTED MANSIONS

ACROSS MERSEYSIDE... The North West of England is home to some of the spookiest places in the UK. An hour’s drive from Liverpool will take you to some of the scariest places in the country... While up the road, Chester claims to be the most haunted city in the UK. Here’s our guide to the creepiest...

CHINGLE HALL, PRESTON It was built in 1260 by the knight, Sir Adam de Singleton. It is located just

Beauclerk. He was a heavy gambler and before long he informed his wife that

outside the small village of Goosnargh, near Preston, England. The house is one

he had gambled away everything that they owned. Mary became so distressed

of Britain’s oldest haunted house. It is also the oldest inhabited brick building

that she turned insane, throwing her baby son out of the window and into the

in England. Formerly known as Singleton Hall, it remained in the de Singleton’s

moat below. The baby drowned and realizing what she had done, she killed

family late into the 16th Century. In 1585 the Wall Family who were related to

herself. Her ghost has been seen by many witnesses, not only in the Tapestry

the Singletons, moved in. John Wall was born in the Hall in 1620, he studied

Room but also in a bedroom where she appears and then vanishes into a wall.

at Worcester University. In 1641 he became a priest, during the time of the Catholic Reformation it was illegal to practice mass in Britain, Chingle Hall was used as a place of worship by Catholics and had many priest holes and secret

PENDLE HILL, LANCASHIRE

compartments were made for the people taking part the mass to hide if the

This is the most famous site of witchcraft in the UK history and every

Hall was raided by the kings soldiers. At this time Father John Wall was most

Halloween large numbers of visitors climb the hill. In 1612 ten of the so-called

active, conducting secret mass on a regular basis.

Pendle Witches were savagely hanged at Lancaster Castle, (possibly just innocent victims of the whims of witchcraft-obsessed James I). Their ghosts reputedly haunt the village of Newchurch, which lies in the dark, brooding

SPEKE HALL, LIVERPOOL

shadow of Pendle Hill and is where one of the witches is said to be buried.

This 15th Century timber-frame house stands just minutes from Speke Airport.

Popular with ghost hunters, there are several testimonials to say the witches

It was once the home of Mary Norreys, who allegedly haunts the Tapestry

actively haunt the site.

Room. As the story goes, in 1736 she married a young rake called Sidney

OUT & ABOUT

SMITHILLS HALL, BOLTON There is a lady ghost known to touch people on the stairs, also there has been ghost people seen in the church, but the main ghost at Smithills Hall is a man called reverend George Marsh who was burnt alive on April 24th 1555 for his beliefs. It was believed that George Marsh stamped his footprint in the floor of Smithills Hall as a protest, the footprint still lies there today.

CHESTER This ancient walled city is steeped in history. It’s hardly surprising with its narrow passageways, crypts and cellars. There are well documented apparitions and poltergeists from almost every century, street by street, house by house. Visit www.hauntedchester.com for more details

L M 09

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

LIVING TV’s MOST HAUNTED

YVETTE FIELDING talks exclusively to Lifestyle Monthly In an interview with Charlotte Dobie

Where did you get the idea for Most Haunted? We heard of a place called Michelham Priory In Essex. The owner was keen for publicity and we had heard It was haunted. We sat up until 5am coming up with the Idea of Most Haunted. We phoned and asked If we could film there, they said yes and the rest Is history. Did you expect the immense following it would get? Well honestly, how could you? You imagine people will have an interest and hope it goes well but for it to get as huge as it has, well nobody could foresee that. It still shocks me the level of knowledge our core fans have about the series’ and locations and how much they care about what we do. It reminds you on a cold January morning on the way to the office what and who its for. I find it quite humbling actually. Why did you decide to set up your production company, ‘Antix Productions’? Anyone that has ever worked in television will tell you about the pressure and how hard it is, but when you see ideas that you yourself have come up with as well as the people you employ, come to fruition, there’s a great sense of

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

achievement and personal pride. Overall I’d say

difficult to explain and probably the nearest I’ve

Do you have a favorite scary place?

the day-to-day interaction between the team and

been to seeing an actual ghost in the flesh. The

Oh it changes all the time to be honest. You’ll have

feeling very much part of that buzz are the reasons

sensations of a spirit walking past you though after

a favourite then we’ll go somewhere else and that

Karl and I set up the company.

a medium has indicated a presence in the room is

will become your favourite. For the latest series

one of the weirdest feelings possible. Any sceptic

which we filmed in the USA, we filmed at West

When you first started ‘Most Haunted’ were you

feeling those sensations would struggle with their

Virginia State Penitentiary in a thunderstorm which

sceptic or a believer?

beliefs for sure.

was unbelievably scary and also the legendary

I’d always thought there was ‘something’ but wasn’t sure of what I believed or not.

Sleepy Hollow. You can catch those on the new Have you ever done, or would you ever do a

series which airs on Living very soon.

ouiji board? ...and now?

I can hardly remember a shoot we DIDN’T do a ouija

Is there a reason why you got into the

The things I’ve experienced through Most Haunted

board to be honest!!! It’s pretty much part of the

paranormal?

and Screaming Banshees (Paranormal Channel sky

armour on an investigation and is a pretty good

There are some fabulous old buildings with

201) mean I am very much a believer now. The

indicator of spiritual activity. It is open to abuse

gruesome history attached to them that we have

sensation of a genuinely creepy location on a misty

but we don’t tolerate anything like that on a shoot.

investigated. Luckily for us there are many many

autumn night with a chill in the air never fails to

We try to ensure as much as we can that there is

more still to be investigated and we are currently

heighten the senses and get the hairs on the back

nobody ‘playing games’.

researching some fantastic locations for upcoming

of the neck standing on end. Even with the crew

series of Most Haunted as well as for shows on the

around it can be absolutely terrifying.

Paranormal Channel.

What is the scariest thing that has

What would you say to someone who is

happened to you whilst presenting

not a believer?

a show?

While I wouldn’t try to foist my views

Probably when we filmed an episode

and experiences onto someone who

at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane.

refuses to contemplate that there could

We were walking up a flight of stairs

be paranormal phenomena, I would say

and a pair of legs with no torso

spend a night investigating with us and

attached walked by us. There were

THEN tell me you don’t believe!

three of us there and we all saw it. The sheer terror on peoples faces

You have just set up a new company

was an unforgetable experience.

‘Monster Pictures’ which operates

Unfortunately we didn’t catch it on

the new Paranormal Channel, the first channel in the world dedicated to the

camera which is a shame. Can you tell a real psychic from a fake?

paranormal. What can we expect from this in

Do you still get scared going into haunted

It’s hard to say definitely yes or definitely no to that

the future, do you have any new projects lined

places?

one quite frankly although the more you work with

up that you can tell us about?

Oh all the time. I think it’s the fear of the unknown

mediums you are able to tell on a personal level

Lots and lots in pre-production right now. Myself,

and picking up on the atmosphere which is tangibly

when they are trying to make more of something

Cath and Lesley are involved in Screaming Banshees

different from location to location. When you’re

than is clearly the case. We’re quite lucky with

which is a hoot, while Karl is touring the country

with a respected medium like Brian Shepherd and

Brian (Shepherd) actually and I think his sincerity

in the search for Britain’s scariest pub in Whines

he’s picking something up, it tends to filter through

is starting to be seen as an asset by our more

and Spirits. There’s ‘Spook School’ to look forward

the crew. At some locations the atmosphere is

knowledgeable viewers.

to as well as some upcoming programmes that will

absolutely electric.

surprise, shock and even delight fans of the genre. Where is the scariest place you have ever been?

What are you afraid of?

We recently filmed an episode of Screaming

And where do you consider to be the scariest

Probably being alone. If Karl’s away filming and the

Banshees for the Paranormal Channel at Lincoln

place in Merseyside?

kids are at their nan’s house it’s easy to get scared

Jail. I have just seen some of the footage at the edit

Possibly the Royal Court in Liverpool. Very

by the slightest noise. You’d think I’d be used to

stage and it reminded me of how terrified me and

Creepy indeed! I’m actually looking forward to

stuff like that by now wouldn’t you but no. Creaks

the girls were that night. Even the crew couldn’t

investigating the Dingle Underground station to be

and crashes when you’re on your own after the

believe what was going on there. I can’t wait to

honest. I’ve just seen some of the photographs and

things I’ve seen are still genuinely scary.

see that one air. We accounted for all the crew and

it looks very spooky quite frankly so look out for

none of the castle crew were allowed in while we

that one coming very soon and apparently not too

were filming.

many people are aware of its existence.

Have you ever seen or been touched by a ghost? Well there was the Drury Lane episode which is

L M 11

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GHOST HUNTER & AUTHOR

GHOST HUNTER

& JOURNALIST, TOM SLEMEN, UNRAVELS THE MYSTERIES OF ANOTHER WORLD…

READ ON IF YOU DARE... In an interview with Amanda Moss

When did you first start believing in ghosts and the paranormal?

came to this conclusion, my mother saw a figure in

the cheering stopped dead. Days later, the next-

black and white clothes out the corner of her eye,

door neighbour decided to move because she’s seen

I believed from around the age of twelve that there

crossing the hall of our home late one night. She

little children in ragged clothes standing around her

was more to the world than we knew. I remember

thought it was my older sister sneaking in, but it

1-year-old son in the nursery. ‘They were like the

visiting Kensington Library at that age and reading

turned out my sister was in bed fast asleep. On the

street urchins out the film Oliver,’ the neighbour

a book on science which stated that all we can see,

following night, my mother had just got into bed

told my mum. I linked the encounter with the maid

every colour and image, is contained within a tiny

when he heard a rustling sound and dull footsteps

and the ragged children, and went to the library to

wafer-thin section of the electromagnetic spectrum

approaching. The distinctive figure of a Victorian

see what had stood on the site of my house and my

– we are blind to the other 98 per cent of all those

maid, dressed in black with a white apron and cap,

neighbour’s house in Victorian times. An orphanage

other unknown colours and radiations. Right then

came through the corner of the bedroom, carrying

had stood there. That was my first breakthrough in

I realised that our view of reality is like viewing the

a covered platter. She passed through the bed – and

the paranormal, at the age of 12.

world through a thin gap in a fence. Once I realised

my mother’s legs (which went icy) – and continued

how large the area of human ignorance was, I

towards the other corner. Throughout this, my

accepted that ghosts were probably just things that

mum heard the sounds of young children cheering.

When did it turn from a hobby into a career?

are not understood by physics yet. Shortly after I

The maid went into the wall, and as she vanished,

I was working as an electrician for a while and

GHOST HUNTER & AUTHOR

found 9 till 5 jobs unbearable. Then around 1994

name of the man the woman was secretly seeing.

I decided to write a book about unusual local

Her husband had left her after discovering the

murders called Murder On Merseyside. The book

affair. The haunting reached a climax when icy

How do you go ghosthunting sensibly?

topped the local charts for months. Around

hands gripped the woman’s throat in the night and

I’d suggest going with another person or perhaps

this time I was also given a weekly column in

tried to strangle her. I discovered that a man had

a small group, as it’s both safer and more people

the Financial Times called ‘Just the Job’ (about

strangled his wife in that house decades before,

can gather more information. Finding a ghost is

unusual occupations) and that gave me even

and sought advice from a priest. I performed an

the thing. I used to ‘ask around’ and someone

more confidence to write. Then I looked at an old

exorcism and left a Bible at the house, opened at

would know about a haunting. My own books are

typewritten manuscript called Haunted Liverpool,

the Psalms. The poltergeist ceased its reign of terror.

also a good source of ghost-sightings, and there

and took it to a publisher in Wirral – but he

history of the place where your ghost was seen.

are occasionally articles in the newspapers about

laughingly advised me to go back to the 9 to 5 job. I

How many ghosts have you seen?

hauntings. You could even scour the newspaper

showed a rough version of the book to Wally Scott

I have seen balls of lights, several doppelgangers,

archives for ghost reports at your central library.

at Radio Merseyside, and he invited me on the

shadow entities and many carnate ghosts – ghosts

You’ll need a digital camera, and a camcorder

highly popular Billy and Wally Show to talk about

that look solid. I went on a vigil on a bus up in

if possible. Some carry a thermometer to note

local ghosts. The radio station’s switchboard lit

Sefton. The bus driver and I were the only ones on

changes in temperature, and even devices like

up – everyone had a ghost story to tell. I pitched

the bus one evening, when he stopped for a woman.

magnetometers. I once wired a plant up to a

my Haunted Liverpool book at the Bluecoat Press,

She showed her pass and got onto the bus in

sensitive electronic circuit and picked up all sorts

they said yes. Since then, hundreds of thousands of

silence. About thirty

copies of my books have been published both here

seconds later the bus-

and abroad, because there are countless growing

driver stopped the

colonies of scousers across the world.

vehicle and looked anxiously into his

“

of data. Don’t forget

On the morning of September 11 I had a vivid dream of the Twin Towers...

the basics: notepad, pencils, and torch. Always make sure you have permission to

How do you describe yourself? A journalist or ghost hunter or paranormal investigator?

mirror. ‘Where’s that

I will always be more interested in the supernatural

asked. That woman

than writing, but the two go hand in hand in my

was nowhere to be

case. I have a decent knowledge of electronics and

seen and could not

love inventing ghost-hunting devices. I recently

have left the bus. Later at the bus depot, I learned

built a dual digital camera to probe ‘orbs’ – globes

that a woman answering the very same description

What should you never do when dabbling with the supernatural world?

of light that are often seen on photographs. Some

as the woman who’d vanished had died on that

I’d advise strongly against use of the Ouija board, as

believe they are spirits, but many of them are

same bus after collapsing on it months before.

I have seen so many bad incidents stem from them.

woman gone?’ he

just reflections of dust and moisture particles. I also have transducers that let me listen to ghostly sounds outside the range of human hearing.

”

investigate a ghost if it’s on someone’s land and respect private property.

A séance – where people join hands around a table,

How do you advise someone who has seen a ghost?

isn’t as bad, but that too should be supervised by someone who knows about the Occult.

Most people are naturally weary and afraid of

What’s the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?

things such as ghosts, which are outside of our everyday experience. Remember, that most

Does the media scaremonger with films such as Amytyville, Poltergeist etc?

I once investigated a poltergeist that was terrorising

ghosts are harmless, and many are actually shy of

Yes, to a certain degree, but films like The Exorcist

a woman and her son in Toxteth many years ago. I

the living. The person who stands and faces the

are not far from the truth. Most poltergeists are

called at the house and as she started to describe

unknown will learn more than the person who

not as violent or long-lasting as the ones in the

events that had happened, a pair of her slippers

runs away. Mental preparation is the key. When

Spielberg film Poltergeist – although there are

in the corner started to jump about. Then a heavy

you watch the Wizard of Oz, you don’t switch off

records of an invisible entity which demolished a

old-fashioned mirror, suspended by a chain over the

because you can’t accept a talking lion, you simply

house in France in the 19th century!

fireplace, leaped off the wall and hit the back of my

suspend disbelief and enjoy the story. Suspend

head, throwing me onto the sofa. I was stunned and

disbelief if you’re a sceptic. The main thing is to

shaken but the woman had seen it all before and

note the time when a ghost was seen, and to write

What’s the nicest thing a ghost or paranormal entity has done for you?

was not very impressed by the young “ghost-buster”

down where it happened and what happened.

I occasionally find a wonderful sweet fragrance

who had been sent to her by Billy Butler after she’d

Write down how you felt; whether there was a

drifting through my home. It’s the ghost of a lady

phoned his show. I saw words smeared on a mirror

change in temperature, and if there were other

of bygone days, that I do know. One autumnal

in margarine that said the woman was an adulterer,

witnesses present, compare your notes with their

evening I was looking for a word to use in one

and on one occasion the ghost even scrawled the

descriptions. Then you might like to research the

of my write-ups about a case I was investigating,

GHOST HUNTER & AUTHOR

when the sweet smell arrived. I jokingly asked

benevolence they would

the phantom lady to find a word for me – and

tell. All of these human

seconds later I heard a thump in my living room.

dramas left their marks

I was alone in the house – except for that ghost.

behind, imprinted on

On the carpet in my living room I found my old

some medium we call

Victorian dictionary – and the word at the top of

the ‘ether’ for want

the page was ‘serendipity’ – the very word I needed.

for a better word.

I suppose I should call that female presence Lady

Some can enter a

Serendipity…

room where there has been a violent

Is there anything that you can’t explain?

argument shortly

Yes. Why are we here? Like most freethinkers I have

before and sense the

theories, but that is all. Years ago I came upon an

hate-energy still

old document in an antiquarian bookseller’s shop

hanging in the air.

that said there are four words that can explain why

This energy is like

we are here and the secret of human existence, but

the stuff of ghosts,

if you read them, there’s a chance you’ll go insane.

and sometimes it

I never turned the page.

never goes away, because it was

What do you believe happens after death?

imprinted into

My lips are sealed. I will only say that people who

the building in

were bad while they are alive had better repent

a surge of love or

and change their ways. The good have nothing to

hate.

business and do not want to leave loved ones

Are you psychic?

Do you believe your path is mapped out or you?

and family members behind, but the majority go

My mother was psychic, and I do believe I have

I don’t like to believe it, but I sometimes think our

on to that ‘undiscovered realm’ and meet their

inherited a small percentage of her abilities. I was

lives are set out to a preordained plan, but only

appropriate fate.

walking through a shopping complex once and

roughly. I have a friend named Keith Andrews who

fear. Some come back because they have unfinished

suddenly the image of a girl I hadn’t seen in years

is a lot older than me, and he told me how a tramp

Liverpool seems to be especially steeped in ghostly history. Why is that?

popped into my mind. I turned a corner and there

once told his childhood friend John that he’d be the

she was. Before I opened my mouth, she said my

most famous man in the world one day. This was

In its eight centuries of existence, Liverpool has

face had just come into her mind. On the morning

in the 1950s when Keith and his friend John were

been the backdrop to so many lives. Full of great expectations, millions poured through our port to new lives in other lands, but millions of dramas, both

“

I performed an exorcism and left a Bible at the house, opened at the Psalms. The poltergeist ceased its reign of terror.

personal and public,

”

of September 11 I had a vivid

barely in their teens. Keith’s mate was a young John

dream of the Twin Towers. I

Lennon.

got up about 4am, and unable to sleep, made sure I had seen those towers in a dream by looking them up on Google. I didn’t see anything catastrophic in the dream, just a sense that something terrible was looming. I went back to bed and someone called later that day to tell me of the attacks on the towers. I told them about the dream and even showed them the history

have been acted out on the great stage that is

file on my computer to prove I’d looked up the Twin

Liverpool. We have grand-looking Georgian streets

Towers that morning on the computer. Not a single

of houses which have seen better days, and if

medium I knew predicted those attacks, yet I had

their walls could speak, what tales of love and

dreamt about the towers that morning.

hate, of jealousy, happiness, sadness, murder and

Visit Tom’s forum at: www.slemen.com/forum where you can post your ghost-sightings and receive feedback from others who have had a spooky experience.

L M

WIN!!!

2 pairs of tickets to OUR BENNY at the Liverpool Empire

ur Benny’ is an emotive tale of a young orphan boys struggle

Radio City, Johnny is also an accomplished actor and tenor, who’s appeared at

to survive on the harsh streets of Liverpool during the intense

the Empire on more than 150 occasions! He will play ‘Mr.Laurence’.

poverty of the Victorian era. It’s a feel good,

The shows writer and director Anne Dalton says: “It was incredibly important

classic rags to riches tale. Benny Bates claws his way up from humble street

to me to use Liverpool performers for ‘Our Benny’ as it’s our special year the

urchin to eventual gentleman.

eyes of the world are on the city. It’s a much-loved Liverpool tale so who better

The all star cast include Sam Kane, who became a household name

to convey it than local performers? The line-up really is first class. I’m really

after successful stints in “Brookside” and “Coronation Street.

looking forward to working with Sam, Bernie, Emma and Johnny as I know

Playing opposite Sam as leading lady is Bernie Nolan. Having secured

they’re all just perfect for their individual parts’.

international fame as part of singing sensations ‘The Nolan’s’, over more recent years Bernie has received widespread acclaim for her work in Television and Theatre. Staying true to the Liverpool theme, West End star Emma Dears will appear as ‘Older Eva’. One of the most in-demand performers in theatre, local girl Emma has toured =Europe, starring in such shows as ‘Les Miserable’, ‘Miss

Our Benny is on at Liverpool Empire Theatre Wednesday 12 – Saturday 22 November Tickets £12-£24

Saigon’ and ‘Oliver’. TV credits include ‘Shameless’ and ‘Hollyoaks’. Merseyside broadcaster and operatic star ,Johnny Kennedy completes the line up and has been described as ‘part of the very fabric of Liverpool’. An award winning Radio Presenter, Johnny was voted the greatest ever living Merseysider by readers of The Liverpool Echo. Probably best known for his ‘Bride of the Week’ spot on

We have 2 pairs of tickets worth £45 a set, to give away. Send your name and address on a postcard marked OUR BENNY or email to the usual address on page 3 and the winner will be picked at random on 1 November.

Bryan Adams

BRYAN ADAMS

EXCLUSIVE TO LIFESTYLE MONTHLY

Tell us about your latest album, 11. It was written on tour and whenever i went away

weren’t influenced by them, probably not.

somewhere. i have to go and lock myself away, un plug the phone and concentrate on writing, i get

Tell me more about your photography

too distracted, especially at home.

I work a lot as a photographer, i just shot the Guess Jeans campaign and I’m working on a book for later

And your new song ‘ I Thought I’d Seen Everything’, what is it about?

in the year.

It’s kind of based on the theme that just when you

Where do you have the time to fit it all in?

think you have experienced everything life has to offer, all of a sudden you see someone that turns

I divide my time between touring and music and

it all on its head. or just when you think you have

photography and leisure. it’s been like this for

seen everything, there something else is around the

about 10 years, i only tour for about ten days a

corner....something like that. so keep an open mind,

month, so 100 shows a year. there are still a couple

you are always learning

hundred days to find things to do...which i fill up fast!

Your last album, Room Service, was written in hotel rooms while you were on tour… where’s the strangest place you’ve written award winning lyrics?

You’ve been in the music business for over 20 years now – how difficult is it to break into?

The loo. Don’t laugh, having a wee, and humming a

It’s just as hard now as it was when i started. it’s

melody is a typical sight in the adams world

easier to get yourself broadcasted, on the internet for example, but that doesn’t mean anyone is

Can you tell me what you find special about playing in Liverpool?

listening. there is s much that goes into making it as

Other than it being a great vibe? well, it’s always

come from that school, because it’s the best place

had such a great history musically, i think people

to discover if you like it, want it, and can adapt

are really proud of that fact and it shows when you

your life to it.

a musician, and the main thing is to perform live. I

do gigs.

Where is your favourite place on earth? Have you had time to go shopping in Liverpool?

Anywhere where the food is good, the company is stimulating and the weather is good.

I’ve been taken out to see the sights, and i’ve been nights and the girls wearing practically nothing

If you could live your life again would you change anything? Why?

in the rain coming out of the pubs. I’ve always

Perhaps i would have taken more time to absorb my

wondered how they can do that...

life during the early 90’s as i don’t remember much

taken to the bars. i’ve witnessed the freezing cold

about it now. i know i was on tour and the tour

Liverpool has a unique music vibe… have you been influenced in any way by it, past or present? Well certainly as a Beatles fan of course. i wonder if there were any musicians from my generation that

went for nearly four years but it all became a blur which is a shame as we did so much, but it was kind of a circus routine, plane, hotel, plane hotel....

WIN!!! A PAIR OF TICKTS TO SEE BRYAN ADAMS AT THE ECHO ARENA ON 28 OCTOBER.

Answer the following question:

What is the name of Bryan’s latest album? Email or post your replies to the usual address on page 3. Winner will be picked at random on 21 October and notified immediately

L M 23

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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BLOOMING LOVELY B

loom-in-Cards are a luxury greeting card

flower’s either to mark a sale or as a goodwill

with a miniature bouquet of fresh seasonal

gesture I would be interested in talking too. My

flowers set inside the card. The flowers are in

Flower Cards are not only unique but is also a

For further information please

a sealed oasis of water (therefore no spillages)! and

refreshing style to sending flowers! The

contact Bloom-in-Cards on office

delicately

cards can be taylor-made to incorporate a

arranged within a beautiful presentation box.

company logo’s, corporate colours and can be

The flower cards can be sent for next day delivery

personlised for a any client or customer.

anywhere thoughout the UK & Europe. Bloom-in-Cards newest venture is to target Liverpool’s businesses. Any company that offer

L M

Prices from £17.95.

0151 487 3357 website www.bloomincards.co.uk or e-mail info@bloomincards.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Stephen Davies Personal Trainer at Fittoyou

IN FORMBY

Here is an exercise you can do at home with no equipment necessary, but delivering great health benefits and helping you to get fitter. All exercise should have a warm up before; this could include a brisk walk for 10 minutes, 3 minutes of skipping and 1 minute of arm circles, or windmills or walking on the spot. Anything that get you breathing a little harder and literally gets you feeling warmer. This month’s exercise is very challenging and should not be done if you have a weak back, are pregnant or have a medical condition that affects you when you exercise.

Exercise of the month : Burpees This exercise works the whole body both improving

succeed. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is

muscular tone and your Cardio vascular system. It is

to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits that you

an excellent exercise and can be considered a workout

can stick to for a lifetime. So don’t deprive yourself, as

on its own if you are really pressed for time.

it is unreasonable to think you can for your entire life, just don’t do it to often and control your portion sizes.

Starting point: Stand Straight up, then bend your knees and putting you hands on the floor, kick back

3 things to help you live longer:

your legs, keeping your feet together, until you are

• Set a three drink limit – researchers determined

in a conventional push up position, then reverse the

that downing more than 3 alcoholic drinks in a 24

action, bringing your knees back in, keeping feet

hour period increases your risk of atrial fibrillation, a

together, and thrusting up to the standing position

condition that may boost your odds of a stroke fivefold

again.

during that time.

Beginners should aim for 8 – 10 repetitions for 1

• Eat fruit and vegetables at every meal – If you

set every other day, building to 2 sets of 8 – 10

consume more than 5 servings of fruit and veg per day,

repetitions, with a 1 minute rest between sets. Once

you have a 26% lower risk of stroke than people who

you can do 3 sets try the intermediate variation for 3

eat less then 3 per day, according to a recent study.

sets. Intermediates should include a vertical jump when

• Exercise – Scientist found that Men who completed

moving to the standing position

3 total body workouts a week for 2 months lowered

Advanced should include a push up, when in that

their diastolic blood pressure by an average of 8 points.

position, as well as a vertical jump.

That’s enough to reduce the risk of a stroke by 40% and heart attack by 15%.

Myth of the Month In order to lose weight, you need to give up all sweets. Fact: Including a reasonable amount of sweets in

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a weight loss plan may help ensure that a diet will

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Pilates

If you please! If pilates appeals to you then specialist instructor, Kate Searchfield can help you. Running her pilates and massage therapy studio from home in Southport, she runs groups of up to 4 people, as well as one-on-one or couples. She says, “It works really well. pilates keeps you toned and well and it is very safe.” Kate, who has worked for Mark Warner holidays for two seasons, has trained in the Canadian STOPT and is fully qualified. With classes from just £8 per hour call Kate on 07923365357

ER READWAY A GIVE

o celebrate the launch of www. ecotopia. co.uk’s new food and

drink department we are offering

three lucky people the chance to win a delicious organic goodie bag packed with ethical goodies worth £30 each. These hampers include a selection of products including top ethical brands such as cafe direct, suma and bottlegreen. Ecotopia.co.uk is also offering readers a 10% discount until 31st December 2008. This offer includes over 3000 items from our organic food and drink, house and home, garden and wildlife, parent and child, and bodycare departments. We stock leading brands such as Auro Paint, Ecover, Method, Suma, Weleda, Faith in Nature, and Bottlegreen at credit crunching prices. Enter voucher code SMDEC10 at checkout. Expires 31/12/08 Terms and Conditions apply. Please see www.ecotopia.co.uk for further details.

STAR STYLE

IT S

Merseyside’s accurate astrologer, Gayna has radio and TV slots and writes for top magazines up and down the country. In an interview with Amanda Moss

ayna, who never uses her surname, has

about me that I had not disclosed to her. However

analysed over 300 birthcharts, including

she never set out to be a psychic astrologer

celebrities. Most of her work is repeat

musician and a writer, I studied pop music and in

always recommended. Her interest in astrology

the 80s I had a few songs published. It was mostly

began as a child. She says, “I did my first chart

indie pop. I lived in London in the 90s, partly

when I was 9 years old. In those days it was part

singing and writing music and partly teaching.

of a girl’s magazine but when I was about 12, I

When I went back to the Liverpool, the original

got the proper stuff. I those days there were no

city of music, ironically, people wanted me more

computers and I started to read books on the

to do astrology charts. What happened when I

subject and I was fascinated. I noticed that so

came back was that I wanted to be into my music

many people in the family had birthdays around

but more people asked me to do psychic work for

the same time, and not me, and I wondered if

them. I realised I could earn a lot more than my

something was going on here.”

music..”

Gayna has intuitive powers, saying, “So many

Gayna’s media credits include Russell Grant’s

people use the term psychic very loosely but it

Sky One and Channel 5’s Home Busters. She writes

covers so many things, from medium clairvoyancy

articles on clairvoyancy and astrology for Mensa

to clairsensensitives but it doesn’t cover astrology.

Magazine. She also writes monthly horoscopes for

Astrology specifically is a science because you

Ryanair’s inflight magazine and for Good Living in

are studying the rise of the moon and the stars to determine someone’s nature or personality.

Dubai Gayna says. “ I am not just an astrologer, I have

You can have projections to look into the future

got psychic abilities which originally I tried to

to determine illnesses and get and idea of people’s

ignore. There are psychological aspects of it. Yes I

synastry.”

hear voices but I don’t want to sound mad!

Gayna considers herself to be a reluctant

Gayna says, “I spent most of my life as a

business and she never advertises. Clients are

“There’s a big responsibility with what I do. You

astrologer. A warm person with a lovely smile,

can tell that the people who are interested in a

there is no doubt that she is highly skilled and

reading that they have usually been through a

during our interview she revealed personal facts

major tragedy or they are unhappy with part of

STAR STYLE

WRITTEN THE STARS their life. People don’t come for readings if they

are in the present and the descendant is what you

are not seeking some answers.

draw back in partners and children. Descendants

There is the burden of responsibility at all times

affects your attitudes to your mother and father

as you are colossally aware that some people

and relationships

hang onto your every word. I can get information that comes through, I need to determine how to use it and relay it back carefully and this is a constant concern, I regard it

“

“The moon is very important. How many men

With astrology you look at people’s lives and personalities and can sense how they came to be who they are...

morally and spiritually

”

look at women and how daughters look at their mothers in a certain way? It is fascinating. When the moon is in a particular sign it makes up what that person is likely to be and how they appear to others, eg two

wrong to try and influence a person’s actions. The

siblings can be born under different signs and see

priority is the person you are reading, for their

their mother as completely different.”

well being and I never get bad spirits, I always

Gayna adds, “ It’s very frustrating when I do a

ask information to come through for the higher

reading and they try and test you. I can do a chart

good. I don’t communicate with dead people or

for someone all about themselves and if there’s no

the spirits.”

feedback, if they aren’t telling me that I am right

She continues, “With astrology you look at

it’s very annoying. It’s like calling a plumber out to

people’s lives and personalities and can sense how

your house and saying fix the problem but go and

they came to be who they are and the influence of

find it first. There has to be trust to tell me.”

the charts on how they look at other people and themselves. For instance, the rising sign as you were born is called the ascendant and at the other end is the descendant. The ascendant is influences how you

Gayna offered me a reading and she was accurate in so many areas, even telling me of something major that happened in my life seven years ago. Amazing.

L M 29

PETS & ANIMALS

SHELLSHOCKING! Now is the time to think about hibernating your tortoises… in the fridge! by Alan Humphreys

Resident Ve

t, Alan Hump

hreys

• Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermani)

What is the safest way to hibernate my tortoise.

How do I check they are OK ?

• Spur-thighed tortoise

Stop feeding four weeks before hibernation.

Quickly look at the tortoise to make sure they

Gradually decreases the temperature and the hours

have no nasal discharge every few days . Weigh

Tortoises that hibernate are:

Testudo Graeca Testudo ibera Testudo whitei) • Horsfields Totroise ( Testudo horsfieldi)

of light over four weeks. Use a glass fronted drinks

them at least once a month ideally once a week.

also known as Russian Steppe tortoise

/larder type fridge which has no ice box. Keep

A tortoise should only loose 1% of body weight a

• Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata

the temperature at 5 degrees Centigrade with a

month Wake your tortoise up if it has lost 5 % of

maximum range of 3 to 7 Degrees Centigrade. It must

its weight, urinated, has a discharge from nose or

Firsly a prehibernation check with a vetinary

not go below 3 or above 10 degrees Centigrade. Do

eyes or sounds wheezy. If your tortoise has only just

surgeon is a good idea.

not put any food in this fridge. Keep this fridge in the

been acquired, been ill or long term health problems

house not the garage or shed.

hibernation should be avoided.

Can I hibernate young tortoises?

Use two thermometers to measure the maximum

Yes in the wild they hibernate. Though you may wish

and minimum temperatures .Make sure one of them

to not hibernate in the first year.

is a digital type which you can easily see through the

What should I put them in once in the fridge?

fridge door. Set this all up weeks before you intend

The ideal is a plastic box with lots of holes drilled in

to use it so you can check the temperatures are

the lid. Put a mixture of 50 % topsoil and 50 % play

What happens if I don’t hibernate my tortoise?

correct. When you put the tortoise in the fridge start

pit sand in the bottom of the box. It should feel moist

We should be trying to recreate what happens

at 10 Degrees Centigrade and decrease to 5 degrees

not wet. For Horsfield’s tortoise the soil/sand mixture

in the wild as close as possible. This means for

Centigrade over 5 days.

should feel dry

Mediterranean tortoise a hibernation of 2 to 3

To wake them up keep them at room temperature

months. In the wild Horsfields tortoise will hibernate

Wont they die if the door is closed?

for four hours then give a luke warm bath for half

for up to 5 months but I would still do 3 months for

Open the door for minute once a day or cut 2 holes

an hour before putting in the cool end of your

them in captivity.

approximately 12 mm diameter in the fridge seal.

vivarium Bath daily till eating well.

One is to let you put in the airline from an aquarium pump at 200 liters per hour the other is to let air out.

L M

Visit http://www.tortoisetrust.org

SWEET DREAMS

SWEET ZZ

Z DREAM Z I

n dreams, you can go anywhere, be anyone

unresolved or ignored situation in your waking

and you can do anything. When you dream

life. But once the problem is resolved the

you are totally unable to control your

recurring dream will cease.

actions or your surroundings, your mind takes over.

message regarding your health. Many dream

Dreams can sometimes be understood as

experts believe that our bodies are able to

repressed thoughts and dreaming can be an

communicate to us through our dreams to ‘tell’

outlet for those thoughts that you sometimes

us something is not quite right with our bodies,

repress during the day. When you go to sleep

before physical symptoms start to show.

at night and slip into a ‘dream state’ your mind

in tone or seem to foretell the future, these

normally in your waking life, these dreams are

are known as prophet dreams. One rational

known as ‘signal dreams’.

theory to explain these types of dreams is, your

Visions and ideas can come from your

dreaming mind is able to piece together bits

dreams. Artists, poets and musicians explore

of information that you normally overlook or

their dreams for inspiration. Your dreams can

ignore, or something that you wouldn’t seriously

also help you find solutions to daily problems.

consider. In other words your unconscious mind

A recent study has shown 71% of British people

knows what is coming before your conscious

claim their dreams affect the decisions they

mind pieces together the same information.

There are many different types of dreams.

If you have dreams that almost seem psychic

allows you to behave in a manner you wouldn’t

make in everyday life.

Words by Charlotte Dobie

Healing dreams can sometimes serve as a

There are the dreams that are so vivid and real that you cannot ignore them. The details

Day dreams, lucid dreams, healing dreams,

of which stay with you for a very long time

recurring dreams, prophetic dreams, epic dreams

and contain symbology from all aspects of

and nightmares. So what do these dreams mean?

your waking life, making them seem even more

Recurring dreams, that you have quite

real. When you wake up you feel like you have

frequently, may recur because a conflict or

discovered something amazing and sometimes it

situation depicted in the dream may be an

almost feels like a life changing experience.

SWEET DREAMS

Z ZZ ZZ Z Z

Then there are nightmares which cause you to wake suddenly feeling frightened and anxious. Nightmares may be a response to a traumatic life experience, these are called Post Traumatic

Common dreams and their meaning

Stress Nightmares. Nightmares can also occur when you have ignored or refused to accept a certain situation. They are also an indication of a fear, in your waking life, that needs to be acknowledged or confronted. So, your dreaming mind has access to information that is not available to you when you are awake. Your dreams can reveal secret desires and subconscious feelings. If you remember your dreams, you can gain an increased knowledge about yourself and give yourself a new self-awareness. When you remember your dreams you are expressing and confronting your feelings, which in turn can help you come to terms with stressful aspects of your life and they can also be a source of inspiration, and a key to true happiness. Sweet dreams!

L M

FLYING The meaning of flying dreams is one

HOUSE A, a house usually represents You.

of good omens. You instinctively know the

ROOMS represent different aspects of yourself.

goals in life and how to seek them. Whether it’s

DOORS are opportunities. If it is your own

love you seek, or a place in life, or fame and

home, you are on a solid spiritual foundation. If

fortune, you will fly over earthly obstacles and

you dream that you are in a strange new house,

find your happiness. Recurrent flying dreams

it indicates your future, what you must do

indicate great fortune. All Traditions explain flying dreams in the same way. If you are in your

FALLING The most common dream of all. It

own human form, you will find happiness in an

can mean the dreamer is in fear of losing respect

ordinary but successful life. If you are a bird in

or status; or of financial difficulties; or fading

your dream, you will be most fortunate in life

physical vitality; or losing someone’s love. If you

and attract good luck. If you have wings, you

land and awaken suddenly, it is literally a “wake-

are bound for a highly creative and fulfilled life.

up call” to attend to matters in the physical world. If you land but the dream continues, then

CELEBRITIES Meeting a famous person can

the answer to your dilemma is being given to

indicate a profitable new offer will be made.

you in that dream

There will be a change for good in your life. A goal can finally be obtained. Celebrities are our cultural heroes, and to dream of them can mean that it is time for you to join their ranks

PARENTS & CHILDREN

HALLOWEEN TREATS

alloween is widely assumed to be an American festival but it’s actually an ancient Celtic pagan celebration.

The term Halloween comes from All-hallow-even or All

Hallows’ Eve - the evening before All Hallows’ Day, or All Saints’ Day. The festival originated as a pagan ritual among the Celts in Ireland and Britain, who regarded 31 October as the last day of summer, November being associated with the death and slaughter of animals that provided meat for winter. Halloween is believed by some to be a day on which boundaries between the dead and the living become blurred, and the world of magic and supernatural touches the mortal world. As part of the tradition, bonfires and fireworks were lit to ward off evil spirits.

L M

C ontemporary H alloween f ood Toffee apples (called candy apples in the US) are enormously popular children’s treats at this time of year. Variations include apples coated with caramel or chocolate. Roasted or barbecued corn-on-the-cob and popcorn are also eaten. In the US, candy corn - sweetcorn-shaped sweets made from honey, sugar fondant and corn syrup - is consumed in large quantities. Novelty confectionery, decorated in festive shapes and designs such as skulls and worms, is also popular with children. Since the beginning of the 20th century, parties featuring ‘scary’ foods coloured black, purple or red, have been a hit with the young and the young at heart. Dishes are often given names like ‘witches cauldron’ (red pepper and tomato soup), and ‘fried brain’ (walnut halves sautéed in paprika). Sandwiches are cut into spooky shapes like witches’ hats and eyeballs, and drinks may contain ‘squashed bugs’ (actually flattened raisins or grapes)

PARENTS & CHILDREN

CARVING OUT THE LATEST CRAZE Liverpool’s Rob Olmos is potty over pumpkins

As Halloween descends upon us, one street in Liverpool will be lit up with the most ornate carved pumpkins thanks to Rob Olmos

ob, orginally from Texas, has lived in Liverpool for 7 years since he met his wife over here, and has brought his American talent for carving pumpkins with him.

Rob, a technician at Lime Pictures, said, “You have to go really

slow, it’s like cutting hair. There’s a lot of patience required and some people take it so seriously they enter competitions. I never have done though, although it’s a huge thing in the States and getting more common over here.” So much so that Rob carved an entire Halloween scene for his motherin-law’s 60th birthday party. Rob said, “I try and make it a family thing. I get my daughter together with her niece and nephew and we all do it together it’s a lot of fun.” He added, “ I get my stencils from any pumpkin carving websites and stick them over the pumpkin with sticky tape. I then cut the lid off at an angle and scoop out the middle. This can be used for cooking and the seeds are really good as well. It can take hours to carve faces out, My favourite was when I did a large pumpkin that looked like it had eaten a smaller one.” The finished products are then lit with special pumpkin lights. Rob advised against candles, saying, “ They just cook the inside of the pumpkin and dry it out. It’s a lot more effective to buy. special lights, especially ones that change colour, they’re really cool.”

L M

FREAKY

! S T C A F N I K P M U P

ving r remo o f d e d . ommen nce rec g snake bites o e r e w in s r u in c nds. Pumpk freckles and 40 pou 1 , 1 d e n weigh mpkin. r grow e v e ican pu in r k e p m m A u gest p itional The lar he trad t is y t ld varie water. icut fie t c e n ercent n p o C 0 9 e h e T ins ar in the Pumpk supply . in k p e pum tober nt of th vailable in Oc e c r e p a is Eighty when States h them it United w n s traditio e State ght the igrated to th u o r b h The Iris originally em they 35

IN FOCUS

BUSINESS LIFESTYLE

Leon Brown on...

Making E-commerce Work NextPoint’s website consultant Leon Brown explains how businesses of all sizes can benefit from engaging e-commerce solutions.

or those who are setting up in business,

Music Store for music and YouTube for social video

Instant quote – For some types of services such

the good news is that the Internet provides

sharing. By providing innovative features to help

as language translation and per item services

a platform to do business that levels the

your audience solve a particular problem, your

such as ironing and laundry, it is possible for the

playing field between the small and big players

website is more likely to become the preferred port

website to provide an instant quote upon the client

in all industries; with good design and features

of call to do business with simply because it makes

providing the details of the job requirement – upon

embracing a clear strategy and promotion, any new

life easier. Some ideas could be:

acceptance, the client can make a transaction to purchase the service at the quoted amount.

business whether it be a large or small outfit can engage an e-commerce operation to compete with

Online diary – A feature where people can have

international premium brands on a global scale.

an account with the website and store important

Leon’s Escapade of the Month

dates such as birthdays and other special occasions.

This month I have been working on the website

What’s it About?

Customers can be reminded by e-mail or SMS text

for Expert Language Solutions, a company providing

Traditionally, e-commerce is considered by the

message to make a purchase from the website a

translation in a whole host of languages. Going

general public to be about having an online

number of days before each occasion.

with this months theme of e-commerce, the website has features to provide instant quotes for language

shopping store, which is correct to an extent, but only a small part of a bigger picture. As the name

Visualisation – Some services that provide bespoke

suggests, e-commerce is all about doing business

products can benefit from having tools to help the

translations. Visitors simply provide the text to be translated,

electronically – this can be defined as anything

client visualise their requirements, which in turn

select the intended language and type of document

that involves money transactions. Such financial

makes it easier for the business to provide a realistic

(i.e. Normal or specialist) and any other features

transactions could relate to anything from physical

quote. One example could be a tailor website that

they require such as additional proof reading and

products to online member accounts for accessing

enables the client to define the measurements,

desired turnaround time – a quote is provided

special content and media, through to selling

fabric and patterns to be used for bespoke clothing,

instantly by e-mail and the visitor can immediately

services such as translations and report writing.

whereas another could be a carpenter website that

pay for the text to be translated.

allows the client to specify a shape, colour and

CHECK IT: www.expertlanguages.com

It Pays to Innovate

material for a type of furniture. With some types

The most successful websites to date have not

of visualisation features, it would also be possible

(www.nextpoint.co.uk), delivering website

been the ones that copy the market leaders, but

for the website to automatically provide a quote

strategies and working solutions for businesses of

those that have introduced features that have

based on the visual requirements provided by the

all size.

innovated a solution to a need – examples include

prospective client.

Leon Brown is a website consultant at NextPoint

L M

Facebook for keeping in touch with friends, iTunes

ON THE ROAD

Mitsubishi Lancer

Evolution X Until now it was my firm belief in life that sequels are rarely anywhere as good as the original, take the police academy films for example. Mitsubishi has caused me to re-evaluate this theory though as the Lancer Evolution X is one of the best cars I have ever experienced. by Mark D’Apice

et’s start with the looks. This is not the car

this carbon-fibre adornment streamlines the

to buy if you don’t like attention. I can only

air passing over the rear to aide downforce, it

liken driving around in the Evo X to travelling

makes the Mitsubishi, especially when finished in

around inside a naked supermodel. Teenage boys

lightning blue, look like Sonic the Hedgehog’s evil

stopped and stared, grown men flashed admiring

twin brother.

glances and when I left it in a city centre car park,

Thanks to a very practical saloon interior, it may

was surrounded by a group of camera-toting

be possible to justify the Evo-X as the ideal family

oriental tourists.

car to your better half. Although the Recaro seats

Swathed in carbon fibre adornments, the FQ-360

are pretty snug, my distinctly non-recaro posterior

tested looks every bit the beast it is. Because of

was quite amicably accommodated. Space in the

the huge front grille, chunky bodykit and the

rear is comparable to that in a Focus while the

massive rear wing - which looks like a cast off from

boot will comfortably swallow a family shop.

the NASA space programme - layman may assume

Getting away from the boring bits, allow me to

that you wear white tracksuits and acquire your

tell you what it is like to drive. Should not be able

jewellery from Argos. It will be some time though

to get your hands on an Evo-X, and I implore you

before the Evo X ends up in the hands of chavs

to do everything you can to have a go, pop to

though as prices start at £27,995 for the FQ-300

your nearest bar and order Chilli Vodka with extra

and strong residual values are predicted.

Tabasco. The kick from that is about a hundredth

A special mention goes to the spiky air rake on the roof. While

of what you get from a full-bore take off in the Evo-X. I first experienced the Evo X on a private proving ground with marble-smooth road surfaces and no upper speed limits. After a

ON THE ROAD

...pop to your nearest bar and order Chilli Vodka with extra Tabasco. The kick from that is about a hundredth of what you get from a full-bore take off in the Evo-X...

hammering of ten minutes I was smitten. But, like one of those brief holiday romances, I was sceptical about what my new found sweetheart would be like to live with on a day to day basis. Admittedly the engine is a little loud in the cabin, the suspension is too firm for day to day use and the gear ratios are all wrong for motorway cruising. All this is all made up and then some in that rare and brief moment when the road is clear, twisting and de-restricted. Grip seems to be only limited by the strength of the driver to either turn the steering wheel at high speed or to combat the amazing G-forces that can quite easily be generated. Having been taken out on a racetrack by professional drivers, I know I’m nowhere near as good as they are but even the worst driver in the world could post amazing lap times in an Evo-X. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a car so much I considered actually buying one. It was quite a shock to the system then to find myself in the local dealership discussing finance options and APR. At £37,995 it may be a bit rich for my blood but you won’t find a better car for less money.

L M

THE LAST WORD

www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk

The editor’s word is final... As editor it should come as no surprise that I like the last word. So the last page in Life Style Monthly is dedicated to just that.

t’s hard enough going about your daily life, with

car with four tired children having been squashed

all the trials and tribulations without bloomin’

amongst the throbbing crowds. Husband was sat

jobsworths sticking their oar in.

with a parking ticket. Can you believe it?

As an example of how this country can let us mere

He told me that a second traffic warden had

mortal taxpayers down, here’s an incident that

approached him, and issueda ticket right under his

happened to my family last weekend. We headed

nose. When my husband informed him that he had

into the city centre to have a look at La Machine

broken down, Mr Jobsworth had stuck up his hand

when unfortunately we had not anticipated the

and said, “I’m not interested in excuses,” before

enormous amount of traffic with presumably its

promptly issuing a ticket.

drivers having the same plan. Our car overheated

I was flabberghasted. My husband points out, at

right outside Lime Street station and decided to

this stage, that a few very nice traffic wardens, and

break down in a completely inappropriate spot.

indeed the police, were very helpful.

Within seconds of irate motorists behind us beeping

Another incident happened at the airport last

and swearing at us, and despite our hazards doing

year when my friend and I were treating ourselves

their duty, no-one offered to push the car out of

to a trip to Venice. The signs over the bottled liquids

the way to the side of the road. So we phoned our

in hand luggage were very confusing and while we

breakdown recovery saints who told us

will always support any authority which is put in

that there was an hour’s wait. Fine.

place to make us safer, in this case Mrs Jobsworth

Within five minutes a traffic

fished out my bag from the x-ray machine and

warden approached us and very

asked if she could inspect it. Of course, there was

kindly found some cones to alert

no problem, until she found a bottle of moisturiser

oncoming traffic that we were

which was a quarter full. She threw it away without

broken down. He advised us

an explanation and when I politely asked her why

to wait by the side of the

she told me the bottle was over 100ml. I said, “But

road, in case a car came

there’s hardly anything in it?”. She then launched

round the corner and

into a rather loud and extremely rude monologue

hit us.

which didn’t answer my questions, but managed to

That gave me a great

cause the other passengers to look over at me as if I

excuse to take the kids

was about to be arrested (The airport later issued an

and my husband’s

apology to me).

credit card into town

What I am trying to say is that it’s ok to love your

while he waited for

job and want to do it well. You are very fortunate

the mechanic to

to be in that position. But please don’t leave your

rescue us.

sanity, and indeed manners at the reception desk.

An hour later I returned to the

Albany Grace Albany Grace, Editor

www.lifestylemonthly.co.uk 46

www.LifestyleMonthly.co.uk

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