Our Lifestyle Magazine January/February 19

L

Our

ifestyle Magazine

January / February 2019

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Our Lifestyle Magazine

Contents

Welcome

Home

Welcome to Our Lifestyle Magazine in 2019. We hope you all have had a lovely Christmas and all at Our Lifestyle Magazine would like to wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year for 2019.

Now is the time when you are taking down your Christmas decorations and your home feels a little bare, have a look at our interiors section for inspiration and trends for 2019.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, there will be lots of wedding proposals happening at this time, so let our Wedding section help with the planning and preparation for your special day.

Congratulations to our Nov/Dec 18 competition winners, Ruth Hayes for The Lyttleton Arms & Margaret Sidaway for Frox.

EARN MONEY & KEEP FIT Our magazine wants distributors in Kidderminster & Stourbridge. Good rates of pay. Ring Graham on 07969 884247 for details.

2 - 27

Property

28 - 31

Travel

32 - 37

Food & Drink

38 - 41

Education

42 - 45

What’s On

46 - 49

Weddings

50 - 54

Fashion

55 - 57

Hair & Beauty

58 - 63

Health

64 - 75

Horoscopes

76 - 77

Why I Love My Job

78 - 79

Pets

80 - 84

Gardens

Finance & Legal

85 - 87 88 - 92

Funerals

93

Business

94

Classified

95

Motoring

96 - 97

Crossword

98

Danielle Scandrett

Linda Farren

Marketing & Design Director

Managing Director 07841 431446

daniellescandrett@outlook.com

linda@ourlifestylemag.co.uk

Feature Writers; Bob Hickman, Jane de Weijer, Kate Oliver, Michelle Barnett, Mike Whitehurst, Rebecca Underwood.

Competition Terms & Conditions There is no cash alternative to the prize. The competition is free to enter. Entrants must supply their contact details and in doing so agree that Our Lifestyle Magazine can use them for their own marketing purposes. Details supplied by entrants will not be passed on to any third party. All applications will be entered into a prize draw and the winner will be selected at random by the prize supplier. Winners will be notified by telephone and/or e-mail by the 15th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April 2018 the winner will be notified by 15th April 2018. Entry will assume acceptance of these terms and conditions. Competition start date is the start of the month of the magazine issue and will run until 10th of the second month in the issue date e.g. issue March/April 2018 the competition will run until 10th April 2018 Details of the winner available on request by writing to: Our Lifestyle Magazine Limited, Dominique House 1 Church Road, Netherton. DY2 0LY. Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Our Lifestyle Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage, or omission in an advert. Our Lifestyle Magazine does not officially endorse advertising material which is printed on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All rights are reserved.

3

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Dreamland Comfort suppliers since 1976

Established in 1840, Somnus has been crafting beds and mattresses with innovative technology throughout its history. The collection at Dreamland offers a wide choice of beautiful divan beds and complementing headboards, so you can create a luxurious and stylish bedroom, and enjoy a perfect night’s sleep.

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To walk into the lavish showroom on Mill Street, minutes from the Merry Hill Centre, is to know that you have arrived at one of the Midlands’ leading bed specialists, whose passion is matching your unique requirements with your perfect sleep solution.

Dreamland has been the home of luxury beds, bed frames and headboards for more than 40 years and over the decades has earned an enviable reputation with in the trade. The independent, family-run business prides itself on the service and choice of products it offers to its customers.

A great emphasis is placed upon training at Dreamland and the entire team are able to offer impartial advice to every one of their customers.

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Currently in Dreamlands big sale there are massive reductions throughout the store, meaning not only will you get the right bed for your needs but also at a unbeatable price. Whether you want to create your dream bedroom, treat yourself to a new mattress or maybe upgrade from a double to king-size bed or even super king, with more discounted models than ever before you will be spoilt for choice no matter what your budget is. There is a freeto-use private customer car park at the rear of the store.

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23 Mill st, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RG 01384 74166 Dreamlandbedding.co.uk

Our Home

Shades of 2019

By Jane de Weijer : Make Space Interiors ltd Contact: www.makespaceinteriors.co.uk

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Our Home cosy, providing a sanctuary, somewhere to batten down the hatches.

Dulux has announced their colour of 2019, Spiced Honey, a warm inviting caramel shade with amber undertones. It is the antidote to the current state of affairs in the world. Your home is your retreat.

I love this shade. It can be contrasted with the rich blues that are popular at the moment, or it can be made crisp and chic with clean whites and cool textures.

‘2018 was an unsettling and unpredictable time,’ ‘We were overwhelmed by the deluge of news, choices and demands upon our time, causing us to close up and retreat into spaces where we feel safe and cocooned. We pressed pause and took time to regroup.’ Dulux www. dulux.co.uk.

Let’s Imagine your room, where to paint your rich shade of Honey?

I have created two mood boards one using the colour on a feature wall, incorporating contrasting papers and paint shades. The other uses the shade throughout the room, a bolder choice.

The Spiced Honey Mood Board : Rich amber tones combined with soft neutrals.

The colour combinations on the paint chart demonstrates how versatile the shade is.

This winter the cool neutrals of the summer YOUR LIFESTYLE JUNE 2017:Devilishly interior are nowMAY being warmed up, made

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Our Home

from a selection by Harlequin, ‘Trellis’ www. harlequin.co.uk.

or, why not paint the wall opposite? Try the wall behind the sofa for example combined with some great artwork it will enhance the whole space.

5: Invest in some new artwork. I like this poster, the graphics are simple and bold.

Keep it black and white, framed in black to give a sharp contrast to the rich warm walls.

This poster is from a selection by Cult Living. www.cultfurniture.com.

Combine with a geometric wallpaper, pale crisp furniture, and a good combination of accessories, this will ensure a cool, current contemporary space.

6: If you are looking to paint the walls to contrast with your feature wall look at this range of colour shades from the Dulux range.

The soft cool greys and blues do work well as a contrast to the warm spicy shades. www. dulux.com.

ON THE BOARD 1: A cluster pendant light by Made.com in white, keep it clean and unfussy.

2: This gorgeous fabric by Harlequin fabrics, Kumiko, www.harlequin.co.uk will look perfect on blinds or as full curtains depending on your style.

7: Okay, I agree that this may not be the most practical choice but a mid century styled pale sofa would look stunning as a contrast to your warm spicy room.

3: Spiced Honey 2019 shade by Dulux to your chosen feature wall. Colour 1077/ 26/ 220

8: Choosing a floor this is a polished concrete finish. If you want to go highly contemporary this is a bold choice but would look perfect.

Either go for the real deal, or explore a brand

4: If you want to add a wallpaper to your contrast walls, go geometric if possible as that will keep this shade current. This is 10

Our Home such as Karndean, www.karndean.com or Amtico www.amtico.com. They produce floor coverings that certainly replicate the look of real concrete or stone but warmer underfoot.

10: Finally add a shot of contrast colour. Invest in an upholstered footstool. There is a fantastic range of colour pop velvet footstools online at the moment . This Solna footstool is from a range by Julia Jones, www.juliajones.co.uk

9: I have complimented the concrete floor finish with this Jute rug from Ikea, www.ikea. com

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Our Home

GO BOLD

pendant light fitting will, again, combine all the current design trends for 2019 and make a real impact. Copper accessories will look perfect combined with this paint shade and add sparkle.

You can be bold, painting the whole room, every wall, with this beautiful, rich caramel shade. Contrast your walls with sharp white paintwork on the skirting boards, architrave's and doors and keep the accessories contemporary, light and current.

4: To compliment his scheme I have included a sharp, crisp, geometric fabric for the curtains or blinds. Don’t discount simple finishes to the windows. This fabric, Azor in Rust/Slate by Harlequin fabrics. www.harlequin.co.uk

I have created a contemporary Dining Room, an interior that lends itself to making a strong statement.

5: This luxurious rug picks up all the shades of warm spice and grey/blues. Nassar luxury rug from a range at John Lewis. www.johnlewis. co.uk

1: Spiced Honey to all the walls combined with white paintwork on all woodwork and to the ceiling. Try Timeless by Dulux, a white with a warmth.

6: Stone finishes are very current and highly contemporary. This table has a ‘concrete’ finish to the table top and metallic base. Table from West Elm, www.westelm.co.uk.

2: Invest in a piece of dramatic artwork. I am really keen on typography and this framed poster combines all current trends including marble and copper. This poster, ‘Love Copper’ is from a selection to be found on www. iamfly.co.uk

7: I love this chair, the deep blue leather will work well with the colour scheme. Anything blue will add to the 2019 interior design scheme. John Lewis dining chair www. johnlewis.co.uk

3: The Sculptural Glass Globe 7 light Chandelier by West Elm, www,westelm.co.uk, placed over the dining table as a feature

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Our Home

UPDATE YOUR WALLS.

5: Go natural. Pine Cone ( Pink) at Paper Collective www.papercollective.com.

No quicker way to update your room than to ‘re-jig’ your Art work , both the content and the wall display.

6: Tropical fever with this photographic artwork. Palm Fronds in Print www.iamfy. com.

Be bold. Make Bold your word for 2019, why not.

7: Another beautiful vintage print from etsy. com. Go searching in local antique shops as they provide a great contrast to your contemporary collection.

1: Go vintage? This tiny oval print is from a selection at Etsy. www.etsy.com 2: Stunning oil painting style print . Go to Paper Collective. Blooms 02 Ochre, www. papercollective.com.

8; Finally, show a little love with this simple heart print. A good message for the New year, lets start how we mean to go on. This from a selection at NotOntheHighStreet.com.

3: Go abstract. Abstract No. 2 Print www. iamfy.co.uk

Have a very Happy New Year! Happy decorating , if you are planning to bring those new colours in. Here is to 2019.

4: Personalise your print. A Wedding Anniversary Heart, www.notonthehighstret. com

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Our Home

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Our Home

Castle Blinds Top Quality External Shading!

The family-run business’ vision is to provide top quality external shading to all their customers, both commercial and domestic alike, and Castle Blinds and Awnings prides itself on providing a fast, friendly and efficient service that puts their customers’ needs first.

Furthermore, to give their clients added peace of mind; Castle Blinds and Awnings offer a free no obligation measuring service, free installation service and a five year guarantee on a massive range of products that are made at their Brierley-Hill based factory.

External shading products include vertical, folding arm and conservatory awnings, canopies, pergolas and parasols – all of which can be tailored to any taste, style and budget.

Every two years January brings an exciting launch of new products and fabrics, seeing a redesign in our showroom.

Castle Blinds and Awnings Managing Director Amanda Jones, said: “here at Castle Blinds, we are getting ready for an exciting year ahead, first our showroom will be redesigned in line with the new fabric launches across the industry and 2019 sees new products being released including more new products being added to our affordable One Touch Range” Castle Blinds and Awnings – “we know that your home is your castle!”

For further information about Castle Blinds and Awnings call 01384 273769, log on to www. castleblinds.co.uk, email sales@castleblinds.co.uk or why not pop in to their showroom at Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford, DY6 9NT. The showroom is open from 9am to 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays and from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays.

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Our

Using Witley Direct To Transform Your Home

Home

Witley Direct @witleydirect @witleydirect

provide you with detailed 2D and 3D drawings (and a quotation) for you to see how your ideas will look. With your approval, a home survey will take place where every detail is double checked before their highly skilled manufacturing team (based in Worcestershire) proceed.

With over 35 years experience in manufacturing educational and office furniture, Witley Jones brings you an innovative and exciting new dimension for home office and fitted bedroom furniture – Witley Direct. Drawing on highly skilled in-house manufacturing and design teams, Witley Direct offers you the chance to liven up your home – from a new bright and vibrant bedside cabinet, to a luxurious fitted home office.

At a time to suit you, the Witley Direct installation team will visit you with your new furniture and, with precision and care, help turn your ideas in to reality and transform your bedroom, home office or an awkward, neglected space.

After an initial enquiry, a free non-obligation home consultation with one of the design team takes place at a time to suit you. They will work with you to establish your vision for your home and decipher the best storage solutions to cater for your lifestyle. Following the visit, Witley Direct’s design team then runs with the idea to

Contact now, for an informal discussion or to proceed with a home visit from one of the design team on: W.www.witleydirect.co.uk, E.enquiries@witleydirect.co.uk, T. 01299 828888.

LIVEN UP YOUR HOME Witley Jones brings you an innovative and exciting new dimension for home office and fitted bedroom furniture.

• Home offices, fitted bedrooms and storage solutions • 35 years’ experience • Free design and consultation service • Custom built • Locally manufactured • Family- run business

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enquiries@witleydirect.co.uk www.witleydirect.co.uk 21

Our Home

ROMAN BATHROOMS TURNS FUNCTIONAL AND EVERYDAY INTO STUNNING AND MODERN Pat and Mark decided to improve their home after 35 years of marriage and when the last of their four children left home.

“We decided it was finally our time,” says Pat. “The house was paid for but some of the rooms were tired, so we decided to make a few changes whilst we were still young enough to enjoy them.”

The couple refurbished the en-suite; the family bathroom and the downstairs cloakroom, turning them from functional and everyday, to stunning and individual rooms that anyone would be happy to spend time in.

Pat was looking for a professional one-stop shop solution, from design to installation, the perfect brief for Roman Bathrooms!

We provided a detailed survey and allencompassing quote, to ensure no nasty surprises at the end.

Pat was particularly impressed not only with the quality of the workmanship but the workmen’s tidiness! “There was no skip on the drive – they cleared away every day,” says Pat, “We couldn’t believe it!”

The couple now have their three refurbished rooms to enjoy. Each one is based around a neutral palette, with its own individual touches to make them stand out. From the marbled tiles to the panelled ceilings, they’re modern and timeless. And most importantly, somewhere that will see Pat and Mark well into the future. “We couldn’t be happier,” Pat says.

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ROMAN B ATH R O O MS • K I TC H E N S • T ILE S

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110 - 111 High Street, Blackheath B65 0EG 23 info@romanbathrooms.co.uk Telephone 0121 561 4374 • email

Our Home

REPOSE FURNITURE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH READER OFFER and a 5-year all-inclusive warranty including accidental damage worth £199, when purchasing one of their chairs.

With 13 models in the Home Comfort range, there is a seating solution suitable for most people. The most popular model, the Rimini rise recliner is available in a range of seat heights, depths and widths and features a waterfall back and three deeply soft cushions to support the head, neck and full length of the back. With such a comprehensive portfolio of chairs available, Repose is in a position to offer customers a bespoke, made to measure chair that will meet their needs.

From L-R - Lisa Wardley, John Elcocks, David Elcocks

Repose Furniture is celebrating 20 years of success. From humble beginnings in 1999 when John Elcocks and his son David established Repose Furniture in a small manufacturing unit in the heart of the Black Country in Dudley, Repose has grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bespoke seating solutions for the independent living, care home and hospital markets.

“I am incredibly proud of how Repose has grown over the last two decades. From day one, customer care has been at the forefront of everything we do and that is still the case today. I would like to thank everyone at Repose and all our customers for their continued support. Here’s to the next 20 years!!” commented Managing Director Lisa Wardley.

Now based in Cradley Heath, the company employs over 50 staff in its 23,500sq.ft. operating facility. Repose is still a family run business, with John’s daughter Lisa Wardley at the helm with John, Lisa’s mother Janet and David all still actively involved in the business.

To book a showroom appointment or for more information on the range of seating solutions call 01384 567401, email info@ reposefurniture.co.uk or visit www. reposefurniture.co.uk

As part of its continued growth under Lisa, Repose recently opened a showroom at Cradley Heath enabling visitors to view the company’s product range in a relaxed environment. People unable to visit can arrange for a Repose representative to visit them at home and carry out a free no obligation assessment.

Bring along this copy of Our Lifestyle to the showroom (before February 28th 2019) and you will be entitled to a free chair care pack including protective head and arm rest covers

The Rimini from Repose Furniture

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Luxury handcrafted riser recliners designed to your individual requirements

Book an exclusive appointment to view our range of specialist riser recliner furniture at our factory showroom.

Alternatively request your free brochure.

Call now on 01384 567401 Repose Furniture Limited, Attwood House, Cradley Heath, West Midlands B64 6AN

www.reposefurniture.co.uk 25

Furnished for quality and give honest advice. Most of our customers recommend us to friends and families, which signifies that we are doing something right."

There are few items that turn a house into a home more than a comfortable settee or an easy chair. Of course, they need to be well made. The last thing any of us wants when we settle down to watch TV or read a book is for cushions to sag or legs to buckle.

If it’s upholstered, anything can be made, from sofas and chairs, headboards to coffee tables.

Need something bespoke? Most items can be adapted to suit different room shapes and sizes. Stain-resistant chemical treatments are also available.

If you’re looking for furniture that will keep you cosy for years, head to Park Lane Furnishings, in Halesowen.

Visitors to the showroom in Park Lane can choose from a wide range of styles, colours and fabrics, from chenille to velvet, plains to plaid. Designer fabrics are also available. The team’s services are also popular with people who wish to have items re-covered. This can be done in a week and is ideal for those who want a fresh look but don’t want to change their favourite chair.

Since its launch in 2011, the company, which is proud to be a British manufacturer, has gained a reputation for high quality service and workmanship and consistent prices all year round.

Director Andy Cutler explained: “We don’t have seasonal sales events because we’re a manufacturer and I’m a firm believer of you get what you pay for, so we strive to supply the best quality at reasonable prices all year round.

We simply make better quality furniture built to last, with no pressurising sales staff in our showroom. We listen to our customers’ needs

Park Lane Furnishings, Park Lane, Halesowen T: 01384 918371 26

Park Lane Furnishings Established 2011

Your local independent furniture store. Customise your new sofa today from our factory showroom!

Sofas with a distinct sense of luxury and uniqueness, handcrafted.

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Globe House, Park Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 2RA Open: Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm | Sat 10am - 4pm www.ParkLaneFurnishings.com 27

Our Property

How Would a Hard Brexit Affect Local House Prices?

Worries that the Brexit referendum itself would lead to a fast crash in local (and national) property values were unfounded, although the growth of property values in the local area has reduced since the referendum in the summer of 2016.

Daniel Thomas The Property Shop

introduced some measures to ensure we didn’t have another bubble in any future property market. One of the biggest factors of the 2009 property crash was the level of irresponsible lending by the banks. The Bank of England Mortgage Market Review of 2014 forced Banks to lend on how much borrowers had left after regular expenditure, rather than on their income. Income multipliers that were 8 or 9 times income pre-credit crunch were significantly curtailed and Banks have to assess whether the borrower could afford the mortgage if interest rates at the time of lending rose by three percentage points over the first five years of the loan, meaning all the major possible stumbling blocks have been mostly weeded out of the system.

It’s true the local property market is seeing less people sell and move and the property values are rising at a slower rate in 2018 compared to the heady days of the first half of this decade (2010 to 2015), but what exactly has happened in the last couple of years since the Brexit vote?

Local House Prices have risen by 9.77% since the EU Referendum and in 2018 we are on track to finish on 4,731 property transactions (i.e. the number of people selling their home), slightly more than 2017 and higher still than the long term 12 year average of 3,830 transactions in the local area.

So, what next?

A lot of local homeowners might wait until 2019 to move, meaning less choice for buyers, especially in the desirable area. Brexit, No Brexit, Hard Brexit … in the whole scheme of things, it will be another footnote to history in a decade. We have survived the Oil Crisis, 20%+ Hyperinflation in the 1970’s, Mass Unemployment in the 1980s, Interest Rates of 15% in 1990’s, the Global Financial Crash in 2009 ... whatever happens, happens. People still need houses and a roof over their head.

If property values drop, it is only a paper drop in value, because you lose when you actually sell. Long term, we aren’t building enough homes, and remember property is a long game no matter what happens - the property market will always come good.

The property market is mostly influenced by interest rates and salaries. A hard Brexit would subdue wage growth to some degree, yet the level of the change will depend on the undetermined type of Brexit deal (or no deal).

If trade barriers are imposed on a hard Brexit, imports will become more expensive, inflation will rise and growth will fall. In plain language that would almost certainly be worse for house prices than a deal.

It was nine years ago we went through the global financial crisis and nationally, in most locations, property values dropped in value by 16% to 19% over an 18-month period. If we had a similar percentage drop after Brexit, it would only take us back to the property value levels we were achieving in 2015.

It seems to me that growth in UK property values as well as in local area seems certain to slow over the next five to ten years, whatever sort of Brexit takes place.

Let’s not forget that the Bank of England 28

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Our Home T H E

P R O P E R T Y

P E O P L E

movingholmes@hotmail.com

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Destina by Good Travel – Your Local Travel Experts Destina by Good Travel is an independent travel agency based in Hagley, West Midlands.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and working closely with our clients to create the perfect getaway. Whether you’re looking for a short city break, family summer or winter holiday, long-haul adventure or escorted touring, our experienced and trusted travel experts go the extra mile and are always happy to help.

If you’re after something a little bit special, whether it’s for a Honeymoon, Wedding Abroad, Special Birthday and Anniversary or you seek a once in a lifetime adventure, immersing yourself in new cultures and experiencing breath-taking scenery whatever your dream holiday may be, Destina Travel can help transform those dreams in to a reality.

For help with your next Holiday, why not pop in to store, give us a call on 01562 883795, or email enquiry@destinatravel.co.uk.

We’re also specialists in Cruise, offering a great choice of Ocean and River Cruises to suit all styles, including large action-packed family cruises, luxury & smaller ship cruises, relaxed and intimate river cruises and thrilling exploration voyages.

Further inspiration can be found on our website www.destinatravel.co.uk and by subscribing to our mailing list for up-to-date offers, news and events.

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YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL SPECIALIST From our welcoming store in Hagley, our dedicated travel experts can plan a completely bespoke experience or find the perfect package holiday for you.

Destina by Good Travel has been organising extraordinary holidays for over 40 years.

We’re dedicated to upholding our hard-won reputation for delivering the best in luxury travel combined with excellent customer service.

Our collection of holiday types includes everything from relaxing beach holidays and honeymoons to safari adventures, cruises, city breaks, escorted tours and much more.

At Destina the only limit is your imagination!

FOR FURTHER INSPIRATION WHY NOT POP IN, EMAIL US, GIVE US A CALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE 109 Worcester Rd, Hagley, Stourbridge, West Midlands - DY9 0NG

01562 883795 enquiry@destinatravel.co.uk www.destinatravel.co.uk

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OVER 100 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Our Travel

Desirable Dubai

by Rebecca Underwood, Travel Journalist

To learn more, visit the Dubai Museum, which is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, located on the southern side of Dubai Creek. This fort is the oldest building in the city, which dates back to 1787, and was once a depot for ammunition and weaponry and also a prison. Wander leisurely around the galleries, which feature re constructions of historic local housing, mosques and souqs, and other exhibits provide a fascinating insight into Bedouin life in the harsh desert.

For those yearning to escape the pressures of life in the fast lane, consider escaping to Dubai located in the United Arab Emirates on the glittering azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.

In the early 1900’s, Dubai was a central port of call for foreign trade and known for its thriving pearling industry, which collapsed due to the Great Depression in 1929, and was finally made redundant by the emergence of cultured pearls. In 1958, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, allocated trade revenue for infrastructural development including Dubai airport, which was built in 1965. The following year oil was discovered in Dubai’s territorial waters, which hastened the early development of the city. Oil reserves were limited and revenue was assigned for the construction of Port Rashid, which, by 1975, provided 35 lucrative berths. With continued expansion over the coming years and an unwavering focus on trade and tourism, Dubai continued to thrive.

Today, Dubai offers visitors a tantalising glimpse into Arabia’s kaleidoscope of colours; the golden hues of the shifting desert sands, the dazzling displays at Deira’s gold souk, glitzy marinas crammed with sleek white yachts moored alongside colourful dhows, long stretches of soft white sandy beaches and towering silver sky scrapers, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which dominates the skyline. For those without a fear of heights, head for observation decks on floors 124 or 148!

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Our Travel Mastercard’s 2017 Global Destination Cities Index has reported that Dubai was the 4th most visited city in the world, which reflects all that this fascinating destination has to offer; a beach lover’s dream and a shopper’s paradise, with a choice of over 70 malls including the fabulous Mall of the Emirates with its indoor ski resort and sub- zero zip line ‘Snow Bullet’ ride. Wander around the Fashion Dome and Luxury Wing with your credit card at the ready and with more than 80 international

designer shops eager to tempt every visitor with the very latest attire you are sure to part with more than a few dirhams. Should you need to recover from your splurge, stop off for a scrumptious lunch at Dean and Deluca, located on level two. The new ‘taste of Asia’ menu is very impressive and I sampled the succulent five spice hoisin ribeye steak, topped with daikon and served with Thai red curry flavoured mash, it is a first class dish and the service is excellent.

Burj Khalifa Platform

Mall of the Emirate 35

Our Travel Be sure to visit Dubai Marina and hop aboard the ferry sailing by the enormous cruisers and dhows and soak up the atmosphere. Visit the gold souk, located in the Deira district, and as you wander around the narrow lanes crammed with more than 300 retailers, you’ll be overwhelmed by the most breath taking displays of gold jewellery, trinkets and treasures in every kind of design. Practice your bartering skills and you’re sure to secure a bargain or two.

Our sumptuous executive suite, located on the 5th floor, measured 100 square metres and featured stylish furnishings, including a comfortable king size bed swathed in crisp, white linens. We took advantage of the pre dining complimentary tipples and snacks, served between 18.00 and 20.00 hrs in the executive lounge, and with 7 restaurants and bars, there’s no shortage of in-house dining options. The international breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet extravaganzas displayed in the Fountain restaurant, on the ground floor, are first rate, and Chutney’s, on the first floor, presents outstanding Indian cuisine, with the emphasis on the Nawabi flavours of the northern and frontier regions of India. The extensive sharing menu includes a superb Tadka Baigan Dahi; aubergine cooked in roasted tomato masala and tossed with hung yoghurt. Altogether, it was an outstanding dining experience.

For weary travellers, Dubai offers a wide range of accommodation, but for those seeking the highest levels of comfort and service, the Mövenpick Hotel and Apartments, located in Bur Dubai, only ten minutes from the airport, is just the ticket. The property features a gorgeous roof top swimming pool with ultra comfortable sun loungers and parasols galore; the perfect spot for an afternoon snooze in the sunshine.

Mövenpick Hotel and Apartments Accommodation 36

Our Travel

Rove Trade Centre Hotel Accommodation Or, if your budget is less generous and you prefer to reside in Dubai’s World Trade Centre area, the funky Rove Trade Centre Hotel offers a large outdoor swimming pool and sundeck, a 24-hour gymnasium, a self-service Laundromat and a complimentary shuttle bus to Dubai Mall and to Kite Beach, a popular stretch of white sand near to Jumeirah Road.

Our accommodation offered 26 square metres of floor space, a 49“ inter-active TV, coffee and tea making facilities, a convenient mini fridge and a spacious bathroom with a power rain shower. The property also features the Daily, which is an excellent restaurant and presents an elaborate breakfast buffet.

The lunch and dinner menus feature Arabic, Indian, Southeast Asian and Western cuisine and I sampled the 12oz rib eye, served with a delicious mushroom sauce and accompanied by a glass of Colombelle Rouge, it was an exceptional dish.

TOP TIP - Accommodation: For more information on the Mövenpick Hotel and Apartments Bur Dubai visit mövenpick. com or call +971 4 336 6000 and for the Rove Trade Centre visit rovehotels.com or call +971 4 241 9300.

TOP TIP – LHR and Dubai airport transfers.

Book private transfers to LHR or LGW and also in Dubai with Blacklane and take advantage of a reliable and punctual, first class service.

Prices are all-inclusive and guaranteed in advance, so you can sit back and relax upon arrival. Visit blacklane.com for more information.

Dubai images, excluding hotels, provided courtesy of the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Dubai offers all this and much more.

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THE LYTTELTON ARMS The Lyttelton Arms is a premium pub, bar, and restaurant with its very own courtyard and garden, centrally located in the heart of the picturesque town of Hagley.

Offering a tempting selection of food and drinks, stylish decor, and a vibrant ambience, The Lyttelton Arms is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and socialise with friends.

Situated on the edge of the Clent Hills, in the lovely village of Hagley, The Lyttelton Arms brings together the comforting appeal of a traditional country pub, bar and restaurant building, with a stylish, contemporary interior.

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PERFECT FOR ANY OCCASION

Our team of highly skilled chefs work hard to deliver a fresh, seasonal menu bursting with delicious dishes and tempting treats. So, whether you’re looking for a light working lunch, a romantic meal for two, or a traditional family roast, our range of menus offer something for everyone, whatever the occasion.

In addition to our pub food menus, we also boast a well stocked bar with a fantastic selection of wines, real ales, and lagers, not to mention a fabulous cocktail menu.

From a quiet pint after work to a lively evening of celebration with friends, our dedicated bar team will ensure that your glass is filled with your favourite tipple all night long.

01562 882213 THELYTTELTONARMS.CO.UK Bromsgrove Road, Hagley, 39 Stourbridge DY9 9LJ

Our Food & Drink

Recipes

By Mike Whitehurst

PIZZA OMELETTE WITH PARMA HAM AND BLACK OLIVES New year, new you? Who knows what eating healthy really means. There’s so much contradiction in the press about whats good for you and what’s bad I think the healthiest start you can make is to stop listening to it and make up your own mind. Have a small amount of the obviously naughty things and moderate the good. Too much of a good thing an all that.

When it’s time to give healthy eating another go I immediately start by introducing the ingredients that offer benefits to health such as leafy greens and cutting out starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes and pasta. I tend to believe that sugar is the enemy not fat but I’m not advising here. If you think you will never eat that smoked streaky bacon on thick cut sour dough bread with chilli jam or that 3 rashers of back bacon on mothers pride with ketchup or HP again you will quit your healthy regime sharpish! Life’s too short. Eat the bacon sandwich just begin by halving the frequency you eat a good old bacon sarnie.

I’ve experimented with the new trend of cauliflower pizza base but I don’t think it’s very pleasant.

The texture is just wrong and it falls apart in your hand.

Your Private Chef and Caterer Catering for business and social events or celebrating with family and friends e: events@takefood.co.uk m:07939907371 www.takefood.co.uk 40

THIS RECIPE SERVES 2

Pizza wheel Thick wooden chopping board Sharp cooks knife Mixing bowl Whisk

INGREDIENTS: FRITTATA PIZZA BASE Large nob of butter 6 medium organic eggs Maldon sea salt

METHOD: Whizz up the pizza sauce ingredients and simmer in a pan until thick and glossy then allow to cool down. Clean and quarter your mushrooms then add a nob of butter to your frying pan and allow to sizzle before adding mushrooms. Fry until nicely browned and place aside for later then do the same with the onion, spinach and kale and only for a few seconds to coat in the butter.

PIZZA SAUCE 1 can of plum tomatoes 1 tbsp of tomato paste 2 tsp of balsamic vinegar 1 large garlic clove 1/2 tsp of erythritol 1 small shallot A packet of fresh oregano or basil (save half to garnish your pizza)

Meanwhile whisk your eggs with a pinch of Maldon sea salt and melt butter in your pan on a medium heat. Once the butter has stopped fizzling around add the eggs and tipthe pan around to get a complete covering of the pan and cook until 95% done.

PIZZA TOPPING Your homemade tomato sauce 2 sheets of parma ham A few spinach and kale leaves 6 cherry tomatoes halved A handful of black olives 1 ball of burrata / mozzarella 50g grated mild cheddar (optional) 150g of mushrooms Half a red onion sliced Grass-fed butter (grass fed means less toxins)

Spread the tomato sauce over the omelette and finish with the toppings, tearing the mozzarella over and sprinkle some grated mild cheddar over too if you like. Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes or to your liking and then remove form oven, drop some fresh leaves over and a grind of black pepper then slice and serve.

COLESLAW White cabbage 1 small carrot half of red onion 1 batch of Keto mayonnaise or a French vinaigrette

For the coleslaw thinly slice and wash the cabbage, slice the onion and grate the carrot.

Roast your garlic in the oven and store in rapeseed oil in the fridge until needed. Take the 2 anchovy fillets and crush with the garlic clove and sea salt pinch add a dash of apple cider vinegar and whisk in the oil creating a glossy dressing to pour over the kale. Toss the kale and spinach together with thinly sliced shallot rings and coat in the dressing.

GREEN SALAD A good handful of washed kale and spinach 1 banana shallot or red onion Garlic cloves Rapeseed oil Apple cider vinegar Black pepper Maldon sea salt

Serve with the salads and a glass of sparkling water.

For the keto mayonnaise and French vinaigrette recipes please email mike@ takefood.co.uk

EQUIPMENT: Large oven proof frying pan 12�

Nutri-bullet or Magi-mix Pan 41

Our

Education

Bursary Information

At Bromsgrove School, we believe our pupils are happiest when they are succeeding. We offer an all-round education, combining academic excellence with a richness of opportunity. Pupils engage enthusiastically with knowledge, embrace new ideas and are intellectually stimulated. We pride ourselves on the outstanding opportunities available, both inside and outside the classroom.

Very able pupils living in Bromsgrove and the surrounding area in need of financial assistance would be eligible to apply for a Foundation Scholarship (for day places).

The maximum award is 50% of the day fee, which may be augmented by a means-tested bursary.

Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham is proud to be known as a Foundation Scholar of Bromsgrove School. A hard working Scholar, he played rugby and hockey for the School and ultimately became Head Boy.

The School offers a significant number of bursaries for Year 7, 9 and 12 entry. If your child is gifted in a certain area, such as music, drama, sport, is particularly academic or generally a good all-rounder, it is worth applying. The means-tested bursaries are available to enable talented boys and girls, who might not have previously been able to consider an Independent education, the chance to do so.

Further details of the School’s Bursary Policy, Procedures and bursary application forms can be obtained from the Administration Manager, Mrs Kim Elvy, on 01527 579 679 ext.

237, email KElvy@bromsgrove-school.co.uk.

Candidates wishing to be considered for a Foundation Scholarship should apply in writing to Miss Rachel Scannell, Assistant Head, Bromsgrove Senior School.

In 1693, Sir Thomas Cookes, re-endowed Bromsgrove School. An amount was left in his will to provide uniform and instruction for twelve scholars who “being elected for a term of six years are to be taught the English, Greek and Latin tongues, writing and arithmetic”.

Whilst the curriculum has changed somewhat, the opportunity still remains.

Applications for bursarial help should be submitted by Friday 4th January 2019. Bursary decisions will be made and notified in writing

by Monday 25th February 2019.

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Outstanding Education

REGI

Founded 1553

One of the UK’s leading day and boarding schools ISI Inspection 2016: “The school is highly successful in fulfilling its

aim to produce pupils with strong creativity, morality, motivation and self-discipline, who enjoy learning” The Good Schools Guide says: “…Bromsgrove manages to combine the feel of a local family day school with an international boarding school, attracting pupils both for its sporting reputation and also its academic offer and results. The arts side of the school is definitely in ascendency”

Individual visits welcome 01527 579679

admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk

bromsgrove-school.co.uk FLAIR • DISCIPLINE • ACADEMIC RIGOUR

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ISI Inspection 2016: excellent in every category Academic excellence coupled with a wealth of sporting and extra-curricular opportunities Outstanding resutls at A level and IB Co-educational, Day & Boarding

Pupils aged 3 - 18 950 pupils aged 13-18 720pupils aged 3 - 13

Our

Education

Ramble for Children in Need Kind-hearted pupils from Bromsgrove Prep and Pre-Prep School have been doing a ramble around the grounds of the Senior School for BBC Children in Need.

Suite, went around Gordon Green, through the AstroTurf pitches, onto Lower Charford and back up past the tennis courts. There was also a ‘mini’ ramble for Pre-School children around the Windmill in the neighbouring Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings.

Around 290 children from as young as 4 up to 8 years old, supported by over forty Senior School Monitors and ‘Survivors’ from Bromsgrove’s Sixth Form got involved to raise money for this incredibly worthwhile cause.

Once the rambles were complete, everyone enjoyed a well-earned mug of hot chocolate and a homemade cookie; a great reward for their efforts.

The ramble started at the School’s Hospitality

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Our

Education

Excellence in Education flourish and to excel in areas that they are most passionate about. The Middle School (Years 5-8) helps pupils to make a smooth transition into the secondary stage. Pupils continue to benefit from small class sizes (always less than twenty in a class) and a timetabled enrichment programme. As they mature, pupils are given greater independence and responsibility around the school. In Upper School (Years 9-11) pupils work through their GCSE courses and achieve league topping results. Our Year 11s depart as balanced and confident individuals, thoroughly equipped for life beyond HKS. We invite you to visit HKS to see the smiles on our pupils' faces, the positive relationships they make and the aspiration they have to be the best that they can be. Please join us on Wednesday 20th March 2019 for our next open event or contact us to arrange a tour at any time."

Heathfield Knoll School (HKS) and First Steps Day Nursery is situated in 30 acres of beautiful Worcestershire countryside. We cater for children from three months to 16 years old and offer full wraparound care. Their journey starts in the woodland setting of First Steps Day Nursery. Our experienced and passionate team encourage the children to be active learners, independent thinkers and, most of all, help promote their curiosity.

Our Preschool offers the very best transition into Reception class. Pupils develop, explore and learn in a dedicated multi-sensory environment suitable for the next stage of their learning.

In Lower School (Reception - Year 4) pupils follow a creative and personalised approach to learning. This allows each individual to

Excellence in education since 1620 We have been unlocking the potential of children for nearly 400 years. We offer the best opportunity to boys and girls from three months to 16 years old.

To find our more, call 01562 850204 /HeathfieldKnollSchool

@heathfieldknoll

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/heathfieldknollschool

Our What’s On

WHAT'S ON - JANUARY / FEBRUARY

West Midlands Safari Park WEEKENDS FROM 17TH NOV 2O17 - 10TH FEB Enjoy the four-mile self-drive Safari where you can see white rhinos, including our latest arrival, Granville, elephants, lions, tigers, African wild dogs, camels, zebras and more!

Ticket Price: Adults – £20, Children (3-15) – £15, Concessions (incl seniors, disabled & students) – £18, Under 3s – FREE Touring: Nov 2018 - Feb 2019

W: www.wmsp.co.uk/wmsp-events/winter/

Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev; Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard; Graeme Swann and Karen Clifton; Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice will all be joining previously announced Stacey Dooley and Aljaž Skorjanec; Dr Ranj Singh and Janette Manrara; Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell on the road in the New Year.

Ticket Price: £74.70 / £51.95 / £40.70 Includes admin fee & £2.55 fulfilment fee. http://www.arenabham.co.uk/whats-on/strictly-come-dancing

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Our

What’s On

The Great British Gin Festival Kidderminster SAT 16TH FEB The UK's biggest Gin Festival Tour is coming to Kidderminster!

Prepare to have your taste buds tantalised as we bring you over 100 of the best gins from around the world!

W: www.thegreatbritishginfest.co.uk/kidderminster

BIRMINGHAM PROSECCO FESTIVAL Birmingham Town Hall ¡ Birmingham FRI, MAR 1, 2019 - MAR 2, 2019 The UK's first and biggest Prosecco Festival taking place UK wide - Live music & Italian street food.

W: www.proseccofestival.co.uk 47

Our

What’s On

GET INTO

GOLF

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING UP GOLF? WELL YOU CAN! • NO AGE LIMIT • MEET NEW FRIENDS • EXERCISE IN BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS • A CHALLENGE - BOTH MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY

Stourbridge Golf Club is offering Taster Days, Group Coaching plus many more opportunities to get into golf Don’t delay contact the Professional’s Shop on 01384 395566 48

Our

What’s On

Local Lottery Supports Good Causes and Charities The South Staffordshire Community Lottery has been set up by the District Council to empower and strengthen local good causes and charities, providing them with the opportunity to raise additional funds to support the fantastic work they do.

Communities within South Staffordshire shine because of the valuable work being done by good causes and charities. In most cases, these are run and managed by volunteers who give up their free time to see their community thrive. They are the lifeblood of our communities - bringing happiness, health and wellbeing to so many people’s lives.

Please help to spread a little sparkle within your community. Start giving today at www. southstaffslottery.co.uk or telephone 01902 213 777.

The Community Lottery is now supporting more than 40 local charities and good causes, so every pound given is making a real difference.

As well as giving something back to the community, supporters also enter a weekly lottery draw that takes place every Saturday at 8pm. Cash prizes ranging from £25, £250, £2,000 or the jackpot of £25,000 can be won each week.

SouthStaffsCommunityLottery_A5Leaflet_AW.indd 1

Thank you - Together we win!

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12/11/2018 17:40

Our Wedding

Shaping Up for your Wedding

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Our Wedding and available is many styles. They are also available in different materials, so you can find garments that won’t cling to your gown’s fabric but will still nip and tuck you in all the right places. Again take it along to the fitting to match it up with dress.

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and with all the Christmas goodies now out of the way it is time to turn your attention to fitting into the dream dress and looking great on your big day. However, with all the wedding planning madness, sometimes it’s tough to stick to the diet or exercise regime as closely as you might want to. Snacks or convenience meals are easy to fall back on when you are desperately trying to address your list of things to do and trucking off to the gym may be pushed down the list of weekly must-dos when you’re grabbing every spare second to do wedding “stuff”.

There are a few ways in which you can look your best in your wedding dress without hitting the gym every day or driving yourself crazy with diet fads. It’s all about choosing a dress that suits your shape and hides your less favourite bits!

You should know by now what body shape you are and what style of dress suits you. If you are lucky enough to have the clothes horse figure then you can pretty much wear anything you desire. However, you may want to highlight some of your best bits and you may have bits of you which you rather weren’t emphasised.

It’s all about choosing a style that accentuates your assets and helps to tone down the less favourable areas.

Flatter Your Figure If you would rather hide your tummy, hips and legs then go for an empire waistline in a soft, light, whimsical fabric such a silk crepe. This style of dress flows out from beneath the bust line and therefore falls softly over the hips in a gentle fashion hiding any bumps that you might have underneath. It is especially suited to a more ample bosom however it can be particularly effective for accentuating smaller breasts if the fabric is gathered over the bust and pulled tidily underneath with the skirt falling away in ripples.

Get a Good Support System Before we get on to what style suits what body type it’s important to address the undergarments. The key to a sleek silhouette is wearing appropriate underwear that fits well and most importantly remains hidden.

To avoid the dreaded bra bulge and create the right amount of cleavage get a professional bra fitting to be sure you’re wearing the right size. Take a bra along to your fitting so that you can see if it will suit the shape of your gown and remain unseen.

If you do want to hide your hips and thighs but want to show off your waist and bust then go for a full skirted style with a fitted top half.

Choose a bodice that fits snugly showing off your bust and waist. A full skirt, especially if the top few layers are in a light almost seethrough fabric such as tulle or netting, make

Invest in some good shape-wear such as Spanx which are lightweight, breathable 51

Our Wedding your waist appear even smaller (and therefore your bust bigger) but springs lightly away from the bodice totally camouflaging everything from the waist down.

This shape will hug your figure nicely in all the right areas creating dips and curves that follow the shape of your bust, waist and hips.

If you are lacking in the waist department look for a dress that remains fitted right down the knee. This draws the line of the dress in and down giving you a longer line and creates a curve at the waistline. Another tip to create a curvaceous waist is to choose a dress with a V shape bodice preferable both at the neck and waist. If you really don’t feel that a waist can be achieved and you have the height for it try a column dress in a silky, fluid fabric such as Charmeuse. This style is elegant and flattering with the fabric falling from the bust and alludes to curves underneath despite there not being any.

If you want to suck it all in, a corseted ball gown style is the best option to show off your bust and add some curves to your waistline.

Look for a corset that finishes below the waist line almost onto your hips. This way you can elongate the line from bust to hip giving yourself more room to create the curve of the waistline. If you are small busted the corset can tend to squash your shape and leave you looking somewhat deflated. Look for a dress where the corset structure starts just underneath the bust and perhaps has some soft gathered or pleated fabric over the bosom to add depth and fullness. This way you get that nipped in waist but keep your bust looking fuller, padded out by the gathering and pleating that tucks neatly into the top of the corset starting directly underneath the bust.

If you think your legs are a good asset then have them on show. A ballerina length skirt teamed with a spectacular pair of heels shows off the ankle and calf beautifully and hints as to what lies beneath the soft folds or your skirt.

If you are more straight up and down then you might want to try and create some curves. Try a fishtail or mermaid shape. These dresses have a sculpted bodice and a skirt that flares out from the mid-thigh or even the knee.

If you are still unsure a good all-rounder for every body type is the A-line silhouette which fits at the bust and waist with a skirt that gently flares out from the hips.

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there is now a large selection of card, paper to choose from. You can and embellishments and embellishments to choose from. cansets and kits which contain actually buyYou box actually buy box sets andeverything kits which you contain need to create personalised everything you need to create personalised wedding invitations from home. But if you wedding invitations from are home. confiBut dentif inyou your crafting skills then you are confident in your crafting skills then you can buy packs of blank cards and envelops can buy packs of blank cards and envelops

Our Wedding

Jantino Jantino

Your first choice for mother of the Your first choice for mother of the bride and groom, cruise and evening wear. Stocking s cruise and evening wear. Stocking stunning outfits and matching accessories from British matching accessories from British and International designers. Jan and her team are a designers. Jan and her team are always on hand to you look your best for a ensure you look your best for anyensure occasion.

Ladies Designer Wear Ladies Designer Wear

Boutique shopping its finest, since 1 Boutique shopping at its finest, sinceat1988 Main shop open: Main shop open: Mon - Sat 9.45am - 4.45pm Mon - Satfirst 9.45am - 4.45pm Your choice for mother of the bride and groom, cruise and evening Hawkswood Lodge, Old High Street, Quarry Hawkswood Lodge, Old High Street, Quarry wear.

Stocking stunning outfits and matching Bank, West Midlands.

DY5 2JR accessories from British and Bank, West Midlands. DY5 2JR

International designers. Jan and her team are always on hand to ensure you Tel:your 01384 Tel: 01384 565443 look best 565443 for any occasion. www.jantino.co.uk www.jantino.co.uk

Our sale shop has moved to Quarry Bank Our saleHigh shop has moved to Quarry Bank High St, opposite the main shop and is open: St, opposite the main shop and is open: Tues - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm Tues - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm and Sat- 10 - 4.30pm and Sat 10 - 4.30pm Mon Sat 9.45am - 4.45pm Huge savings on a stunning rangeHuge savings on a stunning range Hawkswood Lodge, Old High of designer wear of designer wear 22b HighStreet, Street, Quarry Bank, Bank, Quarry 22b High Street, Quarry Bank, West Midlands DY52JW West Midlands DY52JW West Midlands.

DY5 2JR Tel: 07914 687630 Tel: 07914 687630

Main shop open:

Tel: 01384 565443 www.jantino.co.uk

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Sale shop open: Quarry Bank High St, opposite the main shop and is open: Mon - Thurs, 10 - 4.30pm, Friday 10-2pm Sat 10 - 4.30pm Huge savings on a stunning range of designer wear 22b High Street, Quarry Bank, West Midlands DY5 2JW

Tel: 07914 687630 53

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Our Fashion

WIN

A FRANK LYMAN VOUCHER WORTH £300 TO SPEND AT JANTINO! To enter send your answer to the following question to jandyment@btinternet.com

In what year did the Jantino open?

This competition will close on Friday 15th February 2019.

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Our Fashion

SS19 KEY TREND – SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS!

By Michelle Barnett - Fashion Buyer Start the New Year right with being bang on trend ready for spring 2019. The catwalks and streetstyle blogs were full of skirts and they are definitely the key item for the season. They’re versatile too as you can wear the same skirt in a number of ways… biker boots and an oversized jumper for the day and heels and a tucked in blouse for the evening!

THE 4 KEY SKIRT STYLES ARE:

SS19– KEY TREND – SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS! SS19 KEY TREND SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS!

right with trend ready forThe spring 2019. and The street catwalks and street Start the NewStart Year the rightNew withYear being bang onbeing trendbang readyonfor spring 2019. catwalks style wereand fullthey of skirts and they are thethe keyseason. item forThey’re the season.

They’re versatile style blogs were fullblogs of skirts are definitely the definitely key item for versatile as you canKEY wear the skirtofin a number ofboots ways… biker boots andjumper an oversized SS19 TREND –number SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS! too as you cantoo wear the same skirt in asame ways… biker and an oversized for jumper for the day heels in and a tucked in blouse for the evening! the day and heels andand a tucked blouse for the evening!

Start the New Year right with being bang on trend ready for spring 2019. The catwalks and street 4 key skirtblogs styleswere are:full of skirts and they are definitely the key item for the season. They’re versatile style The 4 key skirtThe styles are: too as you can wear the same skirt in a number of ways… biker boots and an oversized jumper for THE CORD SKIRT THE CORD SKIRT the day and heels and a tucked in blouse for the evening!

The Cord Skirt

WAREHOUSE £36

RIVER ISLAND The 4 key skirt styles are: THE CORD SKIRT

£35

SS19 KEY TREND – SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS! SS19 KEY TREND – SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS! Start the New Year right with being bang on trend ready for spring 2019. The catwalks and street style blogs were full of skirts and they are definitely keyright itemwith for being the season.

They’re Start the Newthe Year bang on trendversatile ready for spring 2019. The catwalks and street too as you can wear the same skirt in astyle number ofwere ways… boots and an oversized jumper for item for the season. They’re versatile blogs fullbiker of skirts and they are definitely the key the day and heels and a tucked in blouse for the evening! too as you can wear the same skirt in a number of ways… biker boots and an oversized jumper for SS19 KEY TREND – SKIRTS, SKIRTS, SKIRTS! the day and heels and a tucked in blouse for the evening!

The 4 key skirt styles are: Start the New Year right with being bang on trend ready for spring 2019. The catwalks and street The 4 key skirt styles are: THE CORD SKIRT style blogs were full of skirts and they are definitely the key item for the season. They’re versatile RIVER ISLAND £35in a number of ways… biker RIVERtoo ISLAND £35 WHISTLES £99WHISTLES £99 as you can wear the sameSKIRT skirt boots£19.50 and an oversized jumper for THE CORD M&S £19.50 M&S £36 WAREHOUSE WAREHOUSE £36 the day and heels and a tucked in blouse for the evening!

M&S £19.50

WHISTLES The 4 keySKIRT skirt styles are: BUTTON THE BUTTON THE DETAIL SKIRT DETAIL £99 THE CORD SKIRT

RIVER ISLAND £35

WHISTLES £99

M&S £19.50

WAREHOUSE £36

THE BUTTON DETAIL SKIRT

The Button Detail Skirt RIVER ISLAND £35

WHISTLES £99

THE BUTTON DETAIL SKIRT

WHISTLES £99

M&S £19.50 RIVER ISLAND £35

WAREHOUSE £36 M&S £19.50

WAREHOUSE £36

THE BUTTON DETAIL SKIRT RIVER ISLANDPULL £35

WHISTLES £99

THE BUTTON DETAIL SKIRT

& BEAR £19.99

M&S £19.50

WAREHOUSE £36

OLIVER OLIVER BONAS £49.50BONAS £49.50 PULL & BEAR £19.99OLIVER BONAS £49.50 PULL & BEAR £19.99 REISS £135

OLIVER BONAS £49.50

REISS £135

£135

OLIVER BONAS £49.50

PULL & BEAR £19.99 PULL & BEAR £19.99

REISS £135 REISS

REISS £135

REISS £135

PULL & BEAR £19.99 PULL & BEAR £19.99

REISS £135

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OLIVER BONAS £49.50

OLIVER BONAS £49.50

Our Fashion

The Tie Wrap Skirt THE TIE WRAP SKIRT THE TIE WRAP SKIRT

NEW LOOK £17.99

MINT VELVET THE TIE WRAP£89 SKIRT THE TIE WRAP SKIRT

THE TIE WRAP SKIRT

THE TIE WRAP SKIRT

WAREHOUSE £42 WAREHOUSE MINT £42 VELVET £89MINT VELVET £89 NEW LOOK £17.99NEW LOOKLOOK £17.99 NEW WAREHOUSE NEW LOOK £17.99NEW LOOK £17.99 £42WAREHOUSE £42

MINT VELVET £89

THE SATIN MIDI SKIRT THE SATIN MIDI WAREHOUSE £42SKIRT

NEW LOOK £17.99 £17.99

MINT VELVET £89

THE SATIN MIDI SKIRT

THE SATIN MIDI MINT VELVET £89SKIRT

WAREHOUSE £42

NEW LOOK £17.99

NEW LOOK £17.99

NEW LOOK £17.99

The Satin Midi Skirt

NEW LOOK £17.99

NEW LOOK £17.99

THE SATIN MIDI SKIRT

WAREHOUSE £42

MINT VELVET £89

NEW LOOK £17.99

RIVER ISLAND £32

NEW LOOK £17.99

THE SATIN MIDI SKIRT

PULL & BEAR £19.99

RIVER ISLAND £32

PULL & BEAR £19.99 PULL & BEAR £19.99 RIVER ISLAND £32RIVER ISLAND £32 PULL & BEAR £19.99

PULL & BEAR £19.99

PULL & BEAR £19.99

RIVER ISLAND £32

ZARA £29.99

ZARA £29.99 RIVER ISLAND £32

RIVER ISLAND £32

ZARA £29.99

PULL & BEAR £19.99

ZARA £29.99 ZARA £29.99

ZARA £29.99 ZARA £29.99

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Nick and Royston's Diary The room was full of old friends, including Shirley Bassey (who they been out with many times), Alan Carr, Ronan Keating, Craig Revell – Hall and the British king of Glamour Julien Mac Donald himself. The atmosphere was amazing, with everyone mixing, chatting and catching up. Reminiscing with their great friend Fashion Icon Hilary Alexander about their Wedding and many fun nights out including dinner parties at their homes.

Nick & Royston have been invited to many fabulous events over the years. However, there are some evenings even they pinch themselves! After receiving a very special invitation from Close friend Designer Julien McDonald to join him for an evening of Glamour and Fashion, this was one of them!!

In aid of the National Osteoporosis Society, the evening was to be held at Lancaster House for a Dinner and Fashion show to include Key Pieces form Julien McDonalds latest and Vintage Collections. One of the committees organisers was Wolverhampton`s very own Susan Hewitt, a regular clients of Royston`s , who help organise this special evening . Attended by Her Royal Highness The Duchess Of Cornwall, as the President of the Osteoporosis Society and an array of fabulous celebrities, this promised to be a night to remember.

After Dinner, was the most SENSATIONAL Catwalk Show, including some of Julien`s sexist signature couture pieces. An eclectic mix of jaw dropping glamour all shown in the most magnificent backdrop. The women`s collection was spectacular they also loved the amazing men` s wear and the models weren’t bad either!!!!

The evening ended with a live Auction of unique and exclusive prizes hosted By Jeffery Archer, where an outstanding amount of £100,000 was raised for this worthy cause.

A truly dazzling night full of opulence and extravagance, they loved it!!!!

Joining Nick and Royston on their table was friends Joanne and Malcolm Bridgwood, Julie and Roy Millard, Wesley Fellows and Peter Snowdon. The night was kicked off with Cocktails at The Ritz, followed by Champagne and Canapés at Lancaster House.

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63

Our Health

GET YOUR OLD SMILE BACK WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS

By Dr Amit Pabari, Principal Dentist at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic Have you tried to adapt the way you chew to compensate for failing teeth? Do you dislike wearing dentures? If so, dental implants could provide a solution for you.

“Quite often we are able to give patients fixed teeth where they have originally had dentures or very large gaps, and this can be truly life changing”.

Amit Pabari

Dental implants offer a solution to missing or failing teeth. An implant is a small, titanium cylinder that is placed in the jawbone to act as a replacement tooth root and serve as a base for your replacement teeth, whether that’s a dental crown, fixed bridge or denture.

Indistinguishable from natural teeth Once a crown is placed over the implant it appears indistinguishable from a natural tooth, blending in with your existing teeth so you feel confident that you have your natural smile back.

Perfect for securing dentures Dental implants are good way to fix dentures in place because, as every denture wearer knows, any movement at all when you’re in a social situation — eating out, for example — is likely to be the death knell of your confidence and self-esteem. Implants remove the need for the denture to cover your palate, restoring speech and taste, two challenges associated with dentures.

Patients find they can smile and eat whatever they want again, and feel long lost self-esteem come rushing back.

Advantages of implants • They are the next best thing to your natural teeth • You can eat, laugh and smile with confidence again • Regain confidence in social situations • Improved comfort, appearance and function

LET US HELP YOU. Our aim at Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic is to improve quality of life for all our patients, no matter how they come to us and what their concerns are. All patients receive a lot of input from our team at the outset of this significant treatment path to create a treatment plan they are comfortable with.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Call our friendly team for more information or to arrange a free consultation. Call 01384 378361 or visit stourbridgedental.co.uk

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Living with tooth loss can be difficult. If you have trouble chewing your food or would simply like to feel more confident when you smile.

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LEARN ABOUT • The many benefits of dental implants • All the options available including the revolutionary “Teeth in a day” treatment • How we can help you achieve a healthy natural looking smile that you can be proud of

01384 378361 stourbridgedental.co.uk Attend one of our relaxed, informal dental implant presentations held at the practice or arrange a free one on one consultation.

Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic is a premium private practice located at 6 High Street, Stourbridge DY8 4BX. GDC no. 176798

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Look out for the new face of Docker and Wilson. The Eye Collective Stourbridge has arrived.

An independent optician established in 1973, Docker and Wilson has recently undergone a rebrand, introducing a new identity and name change. The Eye Collective Stourbridge has arrived. The Eye Collective remains an independent optical practice with 5 additional branches located around Birmingham.

An extensive range of eyewear – Our designer brands include Ray Ban, Ted Baker, Calvin Klein, Lindberg, and Maui Jims, amongst many more

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Life with glasses has never been better.

Call us on 01384 394 300 or visit eyecollective.co.uk to book an appointment today.

Why choose The Eye Collective?

An experienced friendly team – Our team pride themselves on helping you choose the perfect eyewear to suit your needs and lifestyle. They’re always on hand to offer expert advice and guidance on all aspects of your eye health.

Visit us at 84 Stourbridge High Street to find out how we can help with all your eye care and eyewear needs.

Personalised lenses – With our bespoke lenses, we offer a ground-breaking service which allows us to create a personalised lens which is as unique as you are.

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Our Health

Is it time to look after your families mental health?

The things that filled my fantasy head as a little girl growing up in the 1970’s when compared to what children have access to today, do make me wonder if we could be overloading developing brains too soon or even in the right way. I remember as a child I wish I had a crystal ball, little did I know, at that time so many moments in my childhood would then go on to shape me.

Tracy Roberts Rapid Transformational Therapist

language that doesn’t hurt and impact our children? Who teaches us to meet the needs of our children to protect and prepare them for adult life?

The reality is that our own parents’ beliefs can be duplicated into our futures. Patterns of anxiety, depression, lack of confidence are being passed through generations.

Confidence in our ability to achieve can be knocked out of us by peer pressure, teachers, those that judge and compare us, suddenly, we can find our self in a place where we feel different, not good enough or that something like love and money is not available to us.

Now married with 2 children, one about to leave secondary school, the other still in primary, some would say I have a good life.

However, today looking back I understand the impact certain events in my past have caused!

I understand the activities we focus on in our developing years define our skill set and career path and I am today very conscious of how my own children are growing up.

When you hit that place - at whatever age Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) really does help as I found out. RTT isn’t just about helping those with negative issues, it’s all about making sure people reach their true potential and unlock the next level of confidence to succeed or to move in a direction they may not currently see as achievable.

Even more so making sure their emotional needs are being met so they feel completely supported to make the best decisions for their own futures in alignment with their natural talents. A huge challenge for every parent to make sure the adults of tomorrow have the skills to be the men and woman of the future, whilst still balancing our own needs for happiness as their parents today.

RTT has been developed over 30 years by Marisa Peer (my trainer and guru). As a top UK therapist for celebrities and members of the royal family, the last 3 years she has been training therapists all over the world and wants to get her specially designed material out to help as many as possible. Transforming Me not only offers full RTT therapy for individuals (including children), I extend my services to schools, colleges, sports facilities who would welcome support with mental strengthening for members, particularly where confidence and esteem are impacting progress.

But why is teenage anxiety on the rise? In a world where sex education and mental health are no longer taboo subjects it should be far easier to get the right level of support! But is it? And is that help at the right time? Where bullying never stops in schools and unkind words can eat away at us and we hear of youngsters taking their own lives because of their low self-esteem.

Deep healing RTT can help all sorts of issues, why not contact me to find out more.

Who really teaches us to be good parents?

Who shows us the best way to use supportive 68

RAPID TRANSFORMATIONAL THERAPY TO TREAT MANY ISSUES CONFIDENCE ISSUES - day to day living including love, relationships and wealth.

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69

Our Health

Intermittent Fasting: The Secret to Long Term Weight Loss and Health January is a time that many people think about fresh starts and setting new goals. And of course, it is a very popular time to get in shape after the indulgences of Christmas.

* Reversal of Diseases, such as T2 Diabetes * Reduce risks of Cancer * Prevent Alzheimer's * Reduce Inflammation * Anti-ageing * Cellular Repair * Improved Energy Levels

With so many diets on the market it can be hard to know which is the right one for you. One powerful way to lose weight is by Intermittent Fasting.

How Do You Do Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent Fasting is the voluntary abstinence of food for a certain period of time.

This can be for any period of time, it could be a few hours up to a number of days.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent Fasting is a way of eating where you have planned windows of time where you eat and don’t eat.

Here are three of the most popular ways to practice Intermittent Fasting.

Intermittent fasting has been used for centuries and was once considered the secret to long lasting health. Many religions incorporate fasting throughout their annual calendar. But until recently the immense health benefits of fasting had been forgotten.

1. The 16 / 9 Method. With this method you fast for 16 hours each day, for instance only eating between the hours of 12pm and 8pm.

This is great way to get into fasting.

When you eat, more food / energy than you need, you gain weight and this increases your fat stores and your waistline. Insulin is the key hormone involved in the storage of food energy.

2. The 5:2 Diet. The 5:2 diet includes fasting for 2 days a week (they can be non-consecutive) On your fasting days you can have a 200 calorie breakfast and a 400 calorie evening meal. On the other days you eat healthily.

When you Fast, the process goes into reverse.

Intermittent fasting causes insulin levels to fall, which signals the body to start burning our fat stores, leading to weight loss.

3. The 24 Hour Fast. This method is slightly tougher than the other two methods and involves a complete 24 hour fast, once or twice a week.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

During all the above methods, whilst you are fasting you can drink water, black coffee and tea without milk, but nothing that contains any calories, and stay away from diet drinks too. When you break the fast it is important to eat healthily and in moderation. Do not gorge yourself on large meals.

Done correctly, Intermittent Fasting can deliver huge health benefits such as: * Weight Loss * Fat Loss * Lowered Blood Insulin and Sugar Levels 70

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71

Our Health

Is anxiety holding you back?

The chances are that while reading this, you are grabbing a few minutes to sit down and take a short break. The pace at which we live our lives is demanding: juggling work, family commitments and a busy diary of events can sometimes feel overwhelming. While we all feel anxious from time-to-time, anxiety can become excessive and persistent, with its psychological, emotional and physiological symptoms, such as ‘panic attacks’, impacting on our daily lives and those around us.

Hilary Sims - Life Balance

Hilary also helps people dealing with anger, depression, bullying, family breakdown, stress, low self-esteem, bereavement and trauma, listening, offering non-judgmental support and helping clients identify ways of dealing with situations. Therapy sessions take place at her practice or in the home or workplace.

“A problem shared is indeed a problem halved.

I believe we should all take time to focus on ourselves and affirm that we are living our lives in a balanced way. Being self-aware gives us the opportunity to addressing issues before they manifest into something bigger,” she adds.

Hilary Sims, a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and an Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society, is helping individuals of all ages, couples, families and employees of local businesses talk about anxiety and take positive action through her private practice, ‘Life Balance - Counselling Just For You’, based in Stourbridge.

Hilary is also experienced in working with senior school-aged children and young people, and says children can benefit hugely from talking therapies.

“As a mum and through my work in a school environment I have experienced at first hand the pressures of growing up in an image-obsessed society, exam stress, family and relationship issues, social anxiety and fears about their future. Giving children the opportunity to talk about their feelings and helping them develop strategies to manage them doesn’t just benefit them in the short term; it raises self-esteem, instils in them the confidence to ask for help when they need it and the understanding that they can overcome any problems they encounter.”

“I give people a safe, confidential space to focus on themselves, explore the issues causing their anxiety, and regain control of their thoughts and behaviours through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a collaborative intervention which involves talking and doing,” she explains. “We talk about things in the therapy room which are then practiced between sessions.”

Hilary offers a free 30 minute introductory consultation. To book or for further information, call 07850 447585 or visit www. lifebalancecounselling.net

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Our Health

20 New Year’s Resolution Ideas

The New Year is slowly nearing, and with the holiday season already upon us many people are indulging in retrospection and re-evaluating some of their life choices. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity for all those who have failed to start making the changes that they said they would make next week, next month, or perhaps when winter starts.

Well, now’s your chance to sit down and prepare a list of important lifestyle changes you want to make, and being the charitable and caring bunch that we are here at Lifehack, we’ve decided to give you a bit of help – because since the majority of people fail to stick to their resolution, you’ll need all the help you can get.

1. Get in shape

by cheap junk food. However, with a good amount of determination and some basic tips you can slowly develop healthier eating habits. Learn to control emotional eating, be aware of reasons for diets to fail, make use of these tricks and have a look at these awesome and healthy recipes.

Losing weight is the top resolution for the English, and combined with “exercise more” and “stay fit and healthy” it is something that over a third of the population wishes to achieve. It’s easy enough to start an exercise and diet program, but the trick is to find a decent one that will give you steady results and will be easy to stick to in the long run.

Have a look at these tricks, hacks, exercises and mistakes to avoid to make the best our of your resolution.

3. Stop procrastinating: The biggest barrier that keeps most people from reaching their goals is the desire to relax and do something fun instead of working hard. Once you get used to procrastinating it’s difficult to snap yourself out of it, so you’ll need to put in a lot of work to change this bad habit. There are many useful tips out there to find your way to stop procrastinating. There are also tools which can help you achieve this task.

2. Start eating healthier food, and less food overall: This is usually an extension of the previous resolution. Switching to a healthier diet can be incredibly tricky when we are surrounded 73

Our Health 4. Improve your concentration and mental skills:

7. Become more confident and take some chances:

People have been trying to find ways to improve their focus and cognitive capacities for thousands of years, and most ancient civilizations had some combination of mental exercise and herbal medicine to help them reach this goal. Today we can use anything from apps to ancient meditation techniques to boost concentration and hone our mental skills. If you go through with this, you will be able to control your mood, learn faster and have an easier time solving problems.

If you are confident other people notice it, and it is much easier to have your opinions heard, ask people out on dates and get ahead at work. A good dose of self-confidence will help you lead a much happier life overall. Don’t hesitate to get some input on ways to boost your confidence.

8. Earn more money: Even billionaires are always looking for ways to earn more money, and we common folk can definitely use an additional source of income to make life a bit more comfortable.

Fortunately there are plenty of options available, like having sidejobs, working as a freelancer or using the internet to your advantage.

9. Become more polite: Good manners have always been an important part of a civilized society. They make it easier to connect with others, avoid offending people and will ensure that others perceive you as a good and trustworthy person. So know the etiquette, be prepared or other manners in other countries, deal with rude people in the right way and learn how to say no.

5. Meet new people: When we get stuck in a rut, we usually end up staying at home most of the time, missing out on a lot of interesting opportunities for networking and having fun. Meeting new people can be beneficial to your mental well-being and help your career, so don’t be afraid to get out there and make some friends.

Overcome your shyness, get some knowledge and go and get to know new and interesting people.

10. Reduce stress: They say that stress is one of the biggest killers out there, and it can have a very destructive effect on your relationships as well as your health. It may be an unavoidable side effect of our hectic modern lifestyles, but it can be effectively managed with the help of useful, unconventional and easy to practice tricks.

6. Become more active: Some people don’t really have a big weight problem, and they even get some exercise a few times a week, but they just sit around the most of the time at home and at work, which can have a negative effect on their posture and health. In that case, all you need is to find ways of moving around more throughout the day instead of staying hunched over the computer. It’s even more fun if you share your activity with friends and family.

11. Learn to be happier with your life: Even those that are in decent shape, make a good living and have stress under control can still be unhappy. It takes time and patience to learn how to find joy in the little things and not to let problems bring you down.

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Our Health 12. Get more quality sleep: With big TV’s, computers, smartphones, tablets and all sorts of gadgets with glowing lights and beeping alerts, it can be hard to get enough sleep at night. You should be gunning for at least 8 hours of sleep a night, and there are fairly simple ways to achieve this number if you make use of science and everday hacks.

13. Give up cigarettes: A bit of bad habit that a lot of people don’t know how to kick, smoking will not only endanger your health, but can burn a hole in your wallet as well. Just be prepared to dedicate a lot of will power to giving up cigarettes once and for all.

17. Have better sex: Any healthy relationship requires a good deal of intimacy, and sex can actually help keep us mentally and physically healthy. The idea is to make it a fun and rewarding experience, and this is something that comes with practice and exercise.

14. Watch less TV: The average person wastes a lot of time in front of the TV, time that could have been better spent developing skills, learning or keeping your body active. Once you manage to cut down on TV time, you will realize just how long and productive a day can really be.

18. Become tidier: There are a lot of slobs out there who can’t really get their stuff organized, and a cluttered desk or chaotic home will negatively affect your productivity and even your mood, so it helps to clear the clutter, clean your house and lead a tidier and more organized life.

15. Read more: Books are an excellent way to gain a lot of knowledge on a huge variety of topics, and are also a great exercise for your brain. It’s not that difficult to go through 20 or more books in a year – you only need to make it a habit, discover your type of books and find a bit of time for reading here and there.

19. Learn how to dress with style: The way you dress can say a lot about you, and wearing the right clothes can make you seem powerful and confident, which in turn can help you land a job, get promoted, and catch the eye of a lovely guy or girl. No matter if you’re male or female, know the dresscode and live with style.

16. Find a significant other: We all need someone to hold at night, talk to and share our deepest secrets with, but finding the right person is a matter of trial and error. We need to go out and get to know a bunch of potential partners before we can find the one that we can get along with really well. Get inspired on your way towards love by these tips on the best places to meet people, asking someone out, and having an amazing and original first date.

20. Spend more time with the people that matter: There is just too little time in this life for us to waste it on insincere, duplicitous and toxic people. We should focus on the people who we care about deeply and who care about us, as this is the best way to stay happy.

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oroscopes Horoscopes Our

Horoscopes

ohn Starkey

2334224 50/02 - 40/12 suruaT .john-starkey.co.uk a efil gnikat tuoba gnikniht htrow si tI arkey123@outlook.com nevdCapricorn a eht sa ,ecapAquarius rewols ylthgilsPisces a oy taht tseggus dluoc ,retipuJ tenalp eht fo oScorpio keew a ts23/10 uj rof- 22/11 kcab flesruoy dloh ot deen Itnois padlock itpoimportant tnatropmitoehtkeep pu hgaiew uoy tslihw ,o tw upon aeh ylyour lanoistemper seforp and eb yaallow m uoyourself y .uoy fo tnorf in before .rof gnyou itiawact. htroIndecision w llew eb dnow luoc could hcihw detnuh ntimely delays. The next few weeks ver look very promising for 60/02 - 60particularly /12 inimeG snin a love. edutitta dicalp yllufrednow ruoY December 21 - January 19

January 20 - February 18

February 19 - March 20

You have an unusual conjunction affecting your sign & this could prove to be a time when things just seem to slot into place for you automatically . Expect lady luck to be smiling at you for sometime.

What a wonderfully magical period lies ahead .Perhaps you have happened upon the Midas touch, where everything comes right for you .

Others may see you as a teacher and guide.

This is a period of extravagance & maybe even gluttony & why not ? .Perhaps its time you gave yourself credit, let it all hang out & make the most of this exhilarating time.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

March 21- April 20

April 21 - May 20

May 21 - June 20

Peace & harmony will prevail for sometime yet.

You look like being the person who will put balm on the troubled waters of others . Your soporific &healing attitude will endear you to a new group of people.

Be quick if you want to seize the goose that lays the golden egg, this is no time to shilly-shally , or hold back. The extrovert side of your personality will take over & this is what will help you to succeed.

You seem to be number one in the popularity stakes and this means that you could influence an awful lot people & probably make you the flavour of the month, make the most of this found freedom.

luoc ,srehto ot hcaorppa eltneg Sagittarius o mlab tup ot23/11 nosr-e20/12 p laedi eht uoy eka m Try hw toestake oht aebneutral yam view erehTparticularly .sretaw delbuotr others. einwmatters dna ecrelating ivda dotoog ruoy Perhaps, rof uoy knaht lliw od time to .put saeup, di citshut ehtapup meand dnabide tuo thguo th e until you say your piece. Time is on .

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Our

Horoscopes

T: 01902334224 W: www.john-starkey.co.uk E: johnstarkey123@outlook.com

Taurus 21/04 - 20/05

It is worth thinking about taking life at Cancer Leo pace, asVirgo a slightly slower the advent of the planet Jupiter, could suggest that you need to hold yourself back for just a week or wo, whilst you weigh up the important options n front of you. you may be professionally head hunted which could be well worth waiting for.

June 21 - July 21

July 22 - August 21

August 22 - September 22

The support that you receive from others could give you a feeling of self worth & contentment. It’s a time for cooperation tolerance & considering the feelings & thoughts of others. Barriers create divisions, but standing together creates power.

Try not to fly off the handle at the slightest thing going wrong . With the moon influencing that restrictive planet Saturn .You will do very well in most things but it is important to keep cool & calm. Keep a padlock on the temper if you can.

New horizons open out in front of you as you become involved in many new ventures. There follows a time of excitement thrills and a positive roller coaster that can swirl you into something really good.

Gemini 21/06 -

20/06

Your wonderfully placid attitude and Libra Scorpio Sagittarius gentle approach to others, could make you the ideal person to put balm on roubled waters. There may be those who will thank you for your good advice and wel hought out and empathetic ideas.

September 21 - October 22

October 23 - November 22

November 23 - December 20

At last the negative forces of the past seem to be disappearing and are being replaced by the influence of the Orion constellation, which means that lady luck is on your side.

State what you really want to do, as you can rely on others to sort you out. As the sun transits your sign you should feel , energised ,inspired & may be on top of the world, now watched all those recent problems & annoyances.

You may feel like a proper thespian as you act your way through the days ahead. Perhaps this is your way of succeeding. It’s not a bad thing to be like the horse with blinkers on & just look straight ahead.

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Why I Love My Job Angus, Julie and Matthew Lees - Pug Publishing About six years ago the Lees family (Angus, Julie and Matthew) had ideas to write books for children. Julie was a Teacher, Angus worked in business and Matthew having gained his degree in Illustration and Design moved to live and work in London. Julie several years later retired from teaching and Angus had set up his own business.

In 2016 Matthew moved back from London to live in Stourbridge and this seemed the ideal time to start a book. Ideas had been bubbling around and having had two Pug dogs as pets (Eric and CoCo) and because of their wacky characteristics, the Pugs that is, it seemed so obvious to create a series of adventures around Eric and CoCo based on the many real life happenings in their lives.

ERIC

So the Pug Adventures was created, illustrated children’s books aimed at 5 to 11 year olds and based on two real life characters plus Angus and Julie’s daughter Rachel when she was about 6 years old. (Rachel is actually 28 now).

COCO 78

Our Jobs We are a self publishing business. We create our own children’s illustrated books, have them printed which we then sell through a variety of sales channels. We are a family based business where Angus is the author Matt is the illustrator and Julie is the boss.

We started the business at the beginning of May 2017 and started trading in November 2018. We work from our office in Stourbridge.

The business comprises three family members: the exploits of Team Pug and The Pug Adventure series.

It has taken fourteen months to bring our first book The Pug Adventures “Lost in the Wood” to market. We officially launched it on November 13th this year at Redhill School in Stourbridge.

When we have book readings and attend events such as fairs we take the dogs along with us and the children immediately fall in love with Eric and Coco. On several occasions parents have approached us if their child is scared of dogs or who have had a bad experience with a dog. Several of these children have overcome their fears by sitting with Eric & Coco and stroking them. They gain confidence and keep coming back to see them. Eric and Coco are very gentle creatures who love the attention from the children.

The three of us had not worked closely together before so that took some getting used to and we knew nothing about publishing so had to learn the industry pretty quickly.

Our book is available from our own website and Amazon Prime which has lowered the cost of entry to the publishing world for us.

It is very self satisfying to be able to bring together the collective talents of our family to create, publish and market our product. We aim to have more books out soon continuing

Take a look at our web site at www. pugpublishing.com or follow ‘Team Pug’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Our Pets Gardens

Spotlight on Sedgley Branch!

By Dr Lindsay O’Driscoll, Blacks Vets

Looking for a new veterinary practice? Vet, Lindsay O’Driscoll, gives us the grand tour experiences. At Blacks Vets, we believe that taking the best possible care of our fourlegged friends is something we can do to show our pets how much they mean to us.

We understand that when we treat your pet, we treat a member of your family which is why everyone that works here, from the clinical team to the reception and support teams, is passionate about animal care. This was recently recognised by the Chamber of Commerce, where we were honoured to win the Customer Commitment Award from both the Black Country and West Midlands Chambers. We have also been awarded a classification of ‘Outstanding’ for Customer Service by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Good service for you and your pet is at the very heart of our practice!

At our Sedgley Branch, I am part of a team of three, highly skilled vets, each with our own special areas of interest. As a practice, we specialise in the treatment of dogs, cats and rabbits but also have a particular interest in the care of guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

In fact, my colleague, Dr Hannah Pegram and I are both proud guinea pig owners and we love to use our expertise in treating the many different breeds of these lovely animals.

My colleague Dr Rachel Boneham also adds her considerable experience to the mix with her passion for rabbit medicine, giving our Sedgely practice a real edge when it comes to the treatment of what we in the veterinary world affectionately call, ‘small furries’.

Hello and welcome to Sedgley branch! We are one of five Blacks Vets practices located across the Black Country, along with our sister branches in Dudley, Lye, Quinton and Oldbury.

It is my great pleasure to take you on a tour of our practice today and introduce you to our team, our facilities and our award-winning approach to customer care.

Animal lovers will know that being a pet owner can be one of life’s most rewarding 80

Our Pets

We are proud to be an accredited Cat Friendly Clinic, which is a worldwide programme from the International Society of Feline Medicine.

This means that our feline patients can benefit from an environment designed to reduce stress for cats including a dedicated, dog-free waiting area and treatment by both clinical and reception teams that have been specifically trained in best practice for cat care. We have a dedicated cat ward where cats don’t have to face one another and warm, safe hiding boxes that our feline patients can retreat to whenever they feel the need. We use towels that are sprayed with a pheromone product that helps cats to relax and feel secure and we also provide catnip toys for our cat patients to play with.

Dr Boneham & Dr Pegram With family values very much at the heart of our practice it will come as no surprise that many of our team have been with us for a long time! Gloria and Angela are two of our brilliant Client & Pet Care Advisor team that have provided the warm welcome that greets every Black Vets’ pet, for many years. Their calm and friendly manner immediately puts clients and patients at ease and their love of animals really shines through. Completing our CPCA team are Clair and Sarah. Clair has a dog and two beautiful kittens of her own and really understands the pet owning journey at all stages of life. As well as two horses, Sarah also has 9 cats and is therefore a mine of information about all moggy matters!

Our fantastic nurses Sara and Sue, are also long-standing team members and bring a wealth of experience to the practice. A talented artist, Sara also breeds and shows Kooikerhondjes in her spare time, which is a type of hunting dog originating from the Netherlands. Caring for animals is a true passion and her kind and gentle way always reassures pets in her care. Sue is a proud pet parent to Arnie the Staffy and Mona the Jack Russell and loves to welcome dog breeds of all shapes and sizes. She is able to build a rapport with pets quickly and gain their trust which helps makes for smooth and effective treatment.

Client and Pet Care Advisors, Gloria and Angela 81

Our Pets Protect My Pet Club member provides real reassurance that you are taking the best possible care of your pet and are proactively helping them to stay happy and healthy.

We have a comprehensive range of in-house equipment enabling us to offer on-site X-rays as well as dental procedures and neutering, from our on-site operating theatre. We welcome all pets, old and young, and provide services tailored to meet the needs of animals at every stage of their life.

So, if you’re looking to get 2019 off to a flying start for your pet, come and see us and experience the award-winning Blacks Vets difference. We are open 8am – 7pm Monday – Friday and 11am-12pm on Saturday, with round-the-clock, emergency care provided at our accredited hospital in Dudley.

Alternatively, please feel free to call us on 01902 670900 or visit www.blacksvets.co.uk

Recommended for all dogs, cats and rabbits is our brilliant Protect My Pet Club which provides 30-60% savings on routine care.

From just £8.99* per month, your pet will receive a full annual vaccination programme, comprehensive worming and flea control treatments, a complimentary nail-clip, and two nose to tail health assessments to help you stay on top of your pet’s health.** As a member, you also benefit from exclusive discounts on services such as dental scale & polish, tick prevention, neutering, Rabies vaccinations and nutrition**. Becoming a

*Price dependent on species and size. Please contact your local Blacks Vets branch for further information. ** Terms and conditions apply.

Please visit www.blacksvets.co.uk/specialoffers for further details.

from ONLY

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Dogs, Cats and Rabbits Full annual vaccination / boosters Comprehensive worming programme Flea control programme Added parasite control programme TWO nose to tail health assessments per year FREE nail clip during 6 monthly nurse & vet check One additional FREE veterinary consultation *Terms and conditions may apply.

Blacks Vets www.blacksvets.co.uk

Rated 5* by our clients on Vet Help Direct

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2019

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YOUR LAWN NEEDS YOUR HELP

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22/11/2018 11:15

Our Gardens

TLC FOR YOUR DRIVEWAY When the temperatures plummet it’s your driveway that’s left out in the cold so this autumn give it the TLC it deserves.

It’s always hard to say goodbye to summer, but here at PEJ we’re looking forward to spending the new season making those allimportant improvements that’ll ensure our client’s driveways stay looking great – and remain problem-free – all winter long.

than a well-looked after driveway.

It’s not all about appearances though, if your driveway doesn’t have a proper slope or drainage system – or your block paving has sunk – freestanding water puddles can form and turn to ice when winter’s icy temperatures hit causing a real hazard when you’re coming and going from your property.

So, we thought we’d bring you all you need to know to winter-proof your driveway, so you can sit back, relax, turn up the heating and get cosy indoors, safe in the knowledge that no matter what the winter weather brings your driveway will look great when the spring rolls around.

Undertaking the necessary repairs now will ensure that your driveway is safe and functional all winter long.

Maintenance is a Must

No doubt you’ll have enjoyed soaking up the summer sunshine in your outdoor living space over the last few months and you’ve probably spent a fair bit of time making your garden look amazing too, but what about your driveway? You probably haven’t even given it a second thought.

Your driveway should be maintained in the same way as any other part of your property, so make sure you dedicate a little time to pressure wash it regularly and remove weeds.

It can be tempting to use a de-icing product to clear your driveway in the winter months but these harsh chemicals can prove detrimental, damaging the surface of your driveway and increasing the likelihood of cracks appearing in the future, so steer clear.

Check and Inspect Your driveway is the first thing visitors notice when they arrive at your property, so keeping it in good condition is a must, and now’s the time to give it the attention it deserves, so step outside and take a look:

A Professional Opinion

Even the smallest cracks can pose a problem in the winter months as water seeps inside and makes the damage worse, so tackling these issues early on really is essential to keep repairs small and straightforward.

If you’re not sure where to start though, feel free to give us a call. We offer a free driveway health check and we’re always happy to provide plenty of help and advice when it comes to driveways - we are the experts after all!

We’ve transformed plenty of cracked and crumbling driveways over the years and nothing improves a property’s kerb appeal

We’ll pay a visit to your property, assess your driveway’s needs and ensure that you’re ready for winter in no time.

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TARMAC • SLABBING • BLOCK PAVING FENCING • LANDSCAPING • BUILDING WORK

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For a FREE no obligations ESTIMATE contact:

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www.pejs.co.uk | info@pejs.co.uk 87

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Our Finance & Legal

Investing for Good A client recently challenged me to look into how their investment capital could be a force for good as well as achieve a financial return for them. This began some interesting research for me, resulting in a change in my own mindset. In the past, ethical investments, as they were known, were thin on the ground and generally meant compromising on the returns the investments might create.

Anita Gatehouse Our Lifestyle’s Financial Expert

a framework for government and corporates to address social and environmental needs across the globe.

These SDG’s are at the heart of many of the investments now available, appealing to a growing swell of investors looking for more transparency in where their money is invested. Discussing this topic with another adviser who is passionate about this area, he said that many of his clients are now not focused on their financial planning as just a destination, they still want to create financial independence, but are now also focusing on what the journey is going to look like and what effect they can have along the way.

Fast forward to now, there is a choice of almost 200 retail funds holding somewhere in the region of ÂŁ87 billion. Many of these are focused on the United Nations seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by 193 countries in 2015. This created

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Our Finance & Legal To encourage investment into qualifying social enterprises, in 2016 the UK government introduced a tax relief incentive for investors, called Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR).

For high income earners paying significant tax, this together with the idea of impact investing, can certainly be a great combination. My conclusion is that positive returns AND positive impact are achievable and that the increasing trend of companies towards sustainability for example, can drive better results both for the companies themselves and investors. Investing for the greater good is certainly capturing the imagination of some of my clients as we explore this changing landscape together.

If you would like to discuss your investment options why not give Jo a ring on 01562 745730 to arrange a no obligation 30 minute free meeting.

Please be aware that before making any financial decision based on this article you should take advice to ensure any action you take is appropriate for your circumstances.

It could help you plan for a better future.

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Our Finance & Legal

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TaxAssist have over 280 locations across the UK and we are happy to meet you face-toface, visiting clients out of hours, at home or business premises.

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Our advisors are here to provide the essential business advice and support as your business develops and grows.

At Baldwins, we have many years of experience and commitment to accounting excellence. However our expertise doesn’t stop with accounting, our specialist advisory teams and personal service ethos means we are there to help you and your business thrive in today’s competitive environment.

With offices across the region, you can rely on us to provide up-to-the-minute knowledge and advice. So if you’d like to see what we can do for your business, please contact us for a free introductory meeting.

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Talbots Law Family Solicitors When it comes to families, there’s no such thing as “normal.” You could be married, separated, cohabitating. You could have children, stepchildren, adopted children or none at all. Family life is rarely straightforward, and requires patience and dedication.

However, if one thing is for certain, it’s that there is no formula that fixes all family issues.

That’s why Talbots Law Family Solicitors will always provide tailored advice and be here for you when it matters the most.

Anna Tomlinson - Associate & Solicitor

With vast experience in mediation and dispute resolution, we know how to work together to make it better.

Whatever it may be for your family, we want to get to know how you work and understand your individual situation from the get go. That way, we can work on finding a solution that’s right for you.

Our family law service includes:    

Divorce Mediation Civil Partnerships Children

   

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Codsall | Dudley | Halesowen Kidderminster| Stourbridge | Wolverhampton

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SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT

A phrase that I like is if something is not broken don’t mend it, and I think Suzuki have adopted that policy with the stunning new Suzuki Swift Sport writes Bob Hickman.

struts at the front and a torsion bar rear aspect. Monroe dampers have been equipped all around to enhance the handling characteristics.

It has been around a bit but the new 2018 version is now lower, wider and more importantly lighter, 70kgs lighter than the previous model. Add in to the equation a 1.4-litre booster jet turbo engine that is producing 44% greater level of torque than the previous model and for that read more useable performance without having to rev the engine, more power develops at 2,500 revs and this gives a vehicle of outstanding performance capabilities. The engine develops 140 bhp and can give exuberant performance.

Externally the vehicle is stunning, especially in the seriously bright yellow that Suzuki has determined that will probably be the best seller. The rear view of the vehicle shows the twin large sporty tail pipes and the rear mounted spoiler all add to the ambiance of the vehicle. The yellow colour itself Champion Yellow suggests by Suzuki that it is a tribute to the old Ignus rally car. 17� alloy wheels, a particularly attractive front with a honeycomb grille and a more angular type of bumper mechanism with slant headlights give a sporty feel to the vehicle.

A 6-speed gearbox is the only choice of transmission, disc brakes all round to bring this vehicle to a safe and steady halt, the suspension set up is simplistic, McPherson

On paper, 0-60 in marginally over 8 seconds is nothing to shout about with a top speed of 130mph, but it is how the vehicle can get to those speeds with the abundance of torque 96

Our Motoring and a wonderfully smooth slick gearbox to play with. The CO emissions are given as 125 and Suzuki claim a combined fuel figure of 55.4mpg, although my time in company with the vehicle the friendly computer suggested I had achieved 45mpg.

running lights, bring in to the equation Blue Tooth, Smart Phone connectivity, a rear view camera, front fog lamps, all round electric windows and a Lane Departure warning, and this tells you that this vehicle has been well specified.

The driving dynamics of the vehicle are of a vehicle that has been developed over the years and performs quite well. A to B sprints are not an issue, on twisty C class roads the vehicle behaved and was directional at all times, and as a driver that never really pushes and finds the alleged extremes I was quite impressed with the handling and of course its performance.

Suzuki with the Swift Sport has taken the brave step of making a one vehicle fits all, there are no further options on the vehicle apart from the colour scheme. My Champion Yellow I loved but in addition you could choose 5 other colours, red, blue, white, grey or black, but to me it is the yellow that stands out.

If a warmish version of the hot hatch is on your agenda then a trip to a Suzuki garage will pleasantly surprise you because there is just one bargain price for this particular vehicle, the Suzuki Sport-hatch is priced on the road ÂŁ17,999.

It really has quite a sporty interior, extremely comfortable, and the aluminium style foot pedals together with certain colour aspects added to the sporty emphasis.

6 air bags are incorporated, DAB radio and LED

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Our Crossword

CROSSWORD

Across 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 17 19 20 21 22 23

Down

Superior of a monastery (5) Type of gum (6) Waterproof fabric (7) Chocolate ingredient (5) Yellowish citrus fruit (5) Mysterious (7) French national holiday (8,3) Begin (4,3) Brother of Moses (5) Precipitous (5) Blow up (7) Go back (6) Intestine (5

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19

Ancient Greek sun god (6) Eating disturbance (7) Kidnapped (5) Adapt for new use (7) Cured pig meat (5) Insane (5) Unentitled (11) Cavalry soldier (7) Flight personnel (7) Imaginary (6) Intense light beam (5) Proficient (5) Unscripted (2,3)

Answers for NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 18 Across: 1 Dress, 4 Offal, 7 Baku, 8 Absorbed, 9 Psalter, 10 Cache, 12 Havana, 14 Anorak, 16 Psych, 18 Edition, 21 Rotarian, 22 Esau, 23 Romeo, 24 Rodeo.

Down: Dead sea, 2 Equal, 3 Spaceman, 4 Oust, 5 Farrago, 6 Leech, 11 Gardener, 13 Acclaim, 15 Avocado, 17 Scour, 19 Treed, 20 Kilo.

98

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